Sterling PMS not charging when driving? [Resolved]

[JamesD]

Hi. All. Having a few problems while away in France. Left a campsite yesterday having been on hook up and fully changed. Drove for about 5 hours with fridge on and the battery was under half charged when we arrived at our new spot. Relying on solar now with 160w panel and as it’s so hot the battery is struggling. I am wondering if the lack of charge when we drove yesterday was an issue with my electrics. Any thoughts on what to check first. Thanks All

 

[Dellmassive]

what setup you got?

post a few pics for us to see.

possible blown fuse on the starter feed - assuming you have a dc-dc charger?

 

[JamesD]

Hi. Thanks for the quick response I’ve tried to take photos of all set up let me know if you need more info?

 

[Dellmassive]

start the engine running, then take a few pics of the Stirling box - thats your dc-dc charger.

well see what lights you have. ( all the lights look off to me.)

also get a few pics of the starter battery

 

[JamesD]

The van starter battery? Sorry electrics not my thing

 

[JamesD]

Also. Your right no lights on Stirling Box

 

[JamesD]

This is the best I can get. The left top red is also flashing

 

[Dellmassive]

The van starter battery? Sorry electrics not my thing

under the bonnet on the right hand side

 

[JamesD]

The van battery too now.

 

[Dellmassive]

This is the best I can get. The left top red is also flashing

View attachment 213263

that looks like its running. . .

showing 12.2v in and 12.6v out to leisure battery.


what made you think your battery was half charged after the long drive?


do you have a battery monitor or something?



also how old is that AGM leisure battery?


also some of the cables look a bit thin. . . . but its hard to gauge from the pics.

 

[Dellmassive]

so a T6.1 then . . . . . .

this looks like it may be the dc-dc charger feed. . . there should be a fuse on this cable next to that battery?

got a pic of that?

 

[JamesD]

The only way I could work that out was from the solar panel monitor as below

 

[JamesD]

so a T6.1 then . . . . . .

this looks like it may be the dc-dc charger feed. . . there should be a fuse on this cable next to that battery?

got a pic of that?

View attachment 213269

Nothing In The engine compartment the wire doves off behind battery and I don’t think there is a fuse box behind it.

 

[Dellmassive]

11.75v is low . . . . was that with the engine running still?

 

[JamesD]

11.75v is low . . . . was that with the engine running still?

No. Just the solar connected

 

[Dellmassive]

Nothing In The engine compartment the wire doves off behind battery and I don’t think there is a fuse box behind it.

thats not good. . . . thats a battery positive connection and should be fused as close as practicable to the battery terminal.

 

[Dellmassive]

No. Just the solar connected

start the engine again . . . wait for 30seconds or so.


then take a pic of the sterling lights,

and the solar controller,


and the solar app. . .


all the battery voltages should agree ( roughly)


...

 

[JamesD]

start the engine again . . . wait for 30seconds or so.


then take a pic of the sterling lights,

and the solar controller,


and the solar app. . .


all the battery voltages should agree ( roughly)


...

I think the solar Co trip only shows green no voltage that’s only available via app - with engine running

 

[Dellmassive]

11.35v - its even lower now.

what the sterling box showing?

 

[JamesD]

So a complete set of photos with engine running.