New To The USA Alternator Regulator

[Maine Sail]

I recently picked up one of the Sterling Pro Reg D alternator regulators and will eventually give it a try. Sterling products are, and have been, available in Europe for a number of years. Despite a quirky and somewhat controversial company owner they seem to build some unique products that have a decent rep in Europe.

Sterling Power Products USA

I have long been on a quest for the "ultimate" regulator but have yet to find it. Thus far I like the MC 612 Balmar but it's too is quirky and I have personally had three failures of Balmar regulators so I am a tad gun shy.

I don't think this Pro Reg D is the "ultimate" either but it has some decent features and benefits at a very fair price. I won't be able to give a full review for a while unless I install it on another boat other than mine, which I may.

Currently I am in the midst of a long term test of my own with a bank of Wal*Mart batteries and a dumb regulated alternator so I want to continue on my path to year five, next year. I will probably monkey around with this unit and then eventually install it on my boat after I am done my little experiment.

Sterling's US distributor is in Elliot, ME and can ship anywhere. Mike, the US distributor, came from Professional Mariner which is now the makers of the ProSport line of battery chargers. The Pro Reg D that I bought runs $181.00 and would be an ideal match to a Leece-Neville alt converted over to external regulation for a Universal engine or any externally regulated alternator. This would give you a 90-105 amp alt and external regulation with temp sensing for under $400.00..

For those wanting or needing external regulation due to AGM's or Gels, or you just have to have it for your wet cells, due to a low volt output internal regulator such as 13.6 - 13.8V, I think this reg makes a good option to the more expensive Ample Power and Balmar regulators as it comes standard with both alternator and battery temperature sensing something which is an extra option on Balmar & Ample.

Things I like:

Price!!
Alt & Battery Temp Sensing Standard
Can Be Installed In Engine Spaces (Has Built In Cooling Fan)
Works On 12 & 24V Systems
Works on Positive & Negative Field Alternators
Smart Software & Processor Means Charging Parameter is Set Each Time
Has An Optional Remote Control Panel (though it is pricey)
2 Year Warranty = Double Balmar
Simple Dip Switches To Choose Battery Type

Things I don't Like:

Marketing Claims Made By Maker
No Small Engine Mode
8 Screws To Remove Cover = PITA In A Tight Space
Wiring Harness Is Soldered TO PC Board and Not Replaceable
Wet Cell Target Voltage is 14.8 Which Will Use A Lot of Water (will likely use the AGM setting)




This is NOT a review of actual performance just an overview of what I see as good and bad about the product without having yet used it. Many people do not yet know these are available in the US so I thought I would let the cat out of the bag so to say..

 

[Witzend]

So you need to take the case apart to adjust the output E?

 

[RichH]

Good info !!!!

I too use MC612 Balmars .... but find them VERY susceptible to 'close' lightning flashes and the 'problems' seem to only slowly develop after the strike .... at least thats my intuition or gut-feel. At least with clear potting over the circuitry you can sometimes see the 'destruction' after a close strike.
My remedy is to buy internally regulated alternators, disconnect the internal, control with the MC612 ... and if the 612 does fail just switch on the internal. Im usually so far away from civilization when I travel, that keeping an onboard already in place spare regulator all ready to go ... a very prudent practice. Ive used the spare several times.

 

[Maine Sail]

So you need to take the case apart to adjust the output E?

Yes, but you should only really need to do this once upon installation. There are only four dip switch settings;

#1 Open Style Lead Acid - Max V = 14.8V / Float 13.65V

#2 Gel Batteries (European Spec) - Max V = 14.4V / Float 13.8V

#3 Sealed Lead Acid & AGM - Max V = 14.4V / Float 13.65V

#4 Gel & AGM (USA Spec) - Max V = 14.1V / Float 13.5V



The microprocessor takes care of all the charge parameters each time the regulator kicks on. It automatically detects bank size, charge state and alternator size ratio. It will then adjust the bulk, absorption and float durations using the internal digital processor and accordingly will adjust the time sequence as opposed to running pre-set or pre-determined bulk, absorption and float time parameters.

 

[Witzend]

How can it detect bank size without a load test?

 

[Bill Roosa]

A little known fact

There is a direct correlation between voltage - current coming out of the bank and - AH left in the bank (state of charge). If you know two you can find the third.
If you search for "Lead-Acid Battery State of Charge vs. Voltage" on google you can find the pdf file that has the graph.