Sterling 1230 B2B no lights

[DreamingT6s]

Hi,

I have a 2109 T6 150bhp Highline converted from new by Nomad and new to me 1 year ago.

I had some glow plugs replaced last week at the garage and the next day when I tried to start the van the starter battery was too low to crank. It was new last year (AGM) as was the alternator and leisure (AGM) so assumed it was the constant starting and cranking with the glow plugs issue.

Jump started first time from a starter pack and drove and restarted 100%. I have a Sargent power unit for hookup and a Sterling 1230 B2B with an Ablemail ATM for bi-directional. On plugging into hookup I noticed 240v power in the van okay, leisure showing 100% on the battery monitor but on the Sargent control panel, the starter battery flashes red with one led only lit. I then noticed that the Sterling B2B had zero lights on.

I’m thinking I may have fused something when jumping.

Reseated all connections and checked the fuse on the Sterling. Then all the fuses from the leisure battery positive terminal (all good) and then the ones from the starter battery. I found one 20amp blown on a non-factory red wire from the positive on the starter battery. Replaced and no difference(and still wondering what the hell it feeds as everything worked in the van yesterday!). There is only one other 40amp inline fuse coming off the positive starter terminal on a very heavy gauge wire which I assume runs to the Sterling B2B which I’d like to test but multimeter battery dead & will test that when back from travelling for work later in the week.

I just wanted to check i am not missing anything obvious? Where does the Sterling unit draw its power? It isn’t obvious.

Anyone any ideas? TIA

 

[Graveydogg]

Hi

I also have a T6 ex Nomad and just found your article because I have again been having bother with the Sterling unit.

I think your 20A supply from the starter battery is going to the fridge.

I had trouble with the Sterling unit back in 2023 and it may have had something to do with the starter battery running flat. I traced a parasitic drain and discovered the Sterling unit wasn’t powering-down at all. I liaised with Sterling and then removed it and sent it to them. They reset the unit and uploaded new software and returned it to me.

I have recently again replaced the starter battery [thank goodness for having a lithium booster!] and have discovered the Leisure battery was down to 11.4c and the Sterling unit showing no LEDs. So, not working properly.

After liaising with Sterling, I have now removed the unit and sent it back to them for attention.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

I’m getting a little despairing with this reliability and whatever’s going on impacting batteries. The hook-up electrics don’t even suit our use - we never use hook-up. I’m starting to contemplate ripping the lot out and replacing with a solar - lithium system which can run a fridge.

Graveydogg

 

[DreamingT6s]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Yes, after another night metering all connections I’ve come to the conclusion the Sterling unit is faulty.

When you say parasitic drain, did you trace this to the Sterling unit? I strongly suspect something is pulling my starter battery down and this all started at the time I noticed the Sterling wasn’t showing lights.

I’m half tempted to just replace the Sterling unit but wonder if there is something better which will have native bi-directional. I’ll keep you updated too!

 

[Graveydogg]

Yes, I didn’t have a digital clamp meter before, but I invested in one and this helped me trace the parasitic drain to the Sterling unit.

 

[DreamingT6s]

Excellent, very helpful GD. I will zero in on the Sterling unit.

 

[roadtripper]

I’m half tempted to just replace the Sterling unit but wonder if there is something better which will have native bi-directional. I’ll keep you updated too!

The Victron Orion XS is a current popular choice. You'd need to double check the rating of your wiring as it might not be suitable for the full power draw the Orion is capable of , but you can set the charging rate easily in the Orion via the Victron app.

If you mean "bi-directional" in terms of the Sterling ability to use the lesiure battery as a jump starter that's fairly rare/unique.

If you mean "bi-directional" in terms of trickle charging the starter from the leisure then most folks use the well regarded Ablemail AMT-12 so just leave that in place.

 

[DreamingT6s]

The Victron Orion XS is a current popular choice. You'd need to double check the rating of your wiring as it might not be suitable for the full power draw the Orion is capable of , but you can set the charging rate easily in the Orion via the Victron app.

If you mean "bi-directional" in terms of the Sterling ability to use the lesiure battery as a jump starter that's fairly rare/unique.

If you mean "bi-directional" in terms of trickle charging the starter from the leisure then most folks use the well regarded Ablemail AMT-12 so just leave that in place.

Thanks Roadtripper. After looking around I’ve taken the plunge on the Victron. I’ll update the post once it arrives and I get it installed with the Ablemail.