compressor fridge is the way to go!

[1664]

And do you need external vents with a compressor fridge?

You don't need the gas flue exhaust vent (obviously). The heat exchanger at the back of the fridge will still need a flow of air over it to dissapate the heat in order for the fridge to work though. You can either ventilate this from outside using exterior vents or you can ventilate it from inside the camper by leaving a gap below the fridge and a gap above the fridge.

Don't know anything about the charger.....

[lloydy]

the charger basically does your batteries in super quick time, and charges them fully to 100%
some reading here http://www.sterling-power.com/products.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but basically it makes your alternator work at max output. I havent needed a mains hook up since fitting one.
Lots of info on here to if you do a search for sterling charger

[California Dreamin]

So, what exactly is a Sterling charger, and how does it differ from other chargers?
And do you need external vents with a compressor fridge?

Dave

Sterling chargers just have a good reputation for quality...there are other makes available that do the same thing...Numax/Amperor/Ctek/Premium... all work well.
Personally I would be looking at a charger of at least 10 amps that has staged charging and the ability to be connected permanently (so goes to float charge state when it senses full charge) so there isn't a possibility of over charging.

Martin

[lloydy]

the sterling chargers mentioned by me and others on here aren't the 240v ones, these just use the vehicles alternator. The ones you listed above can work in conjunction with the sterling, as the sterling will use the mains charger as the power source when it senses it. The sterlings are also very high amps, mine is one of the smallest at 50 amps.
Starting to sound like a sterling power salesman

[DavidPallister]

Thanks for that, it's a bit clearer now!
So, does the sterling replace a standard split charge relay?
And can the battery then be charged from a mains charger when hooked up?

Cheers

Dave

[lloydy]

Yep, it replaces the split charge relay. You will need to upgrade the wiring though.
With the sterling battery to battery charger that I have, you connect your mains charger to the starter battery, the sterling senses this and charges your leisure battery, handy, as you then don't need a mains charger with two outputs, you also don't need a fancy expensive mains charger as the sterling does the fancy stuff. The sterling alternator to battery charger may not have this function, best to check first.

[Timwhy]

It has been almost a year that I have had my compresser fridge. Love it! It may be on the rather large side but it does double as a place to sit. It's 63 qts and will hold enough food for entire week. The really great thing about it is that you don't have to worry about your beer getting warm any more. Actually you can just keep on restocking the fridge with warm beer and in a few short hours it will be frosty cold.
The fridge itself will run off 12/24 volts or 110 here in the US, when pluged in on 12 volts from my Westy. It draws about 5.5 amps at start up and draws down to about 2-3 amps during a 15 minute cycle. As far as noise level? It makes about much or less as your home fridge makes.

[Alice]

Been looking at these and found this on e-bay, looks a bargain, only £110. Too big for the mini space I have but might suit someone.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coolmatic-rpd ... 500wt_1211" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[shepster]

So which model sterling would be suitable for our vans in order to keep 2 decent leisure batteries charged up?

[lloydy]

I use a 50 amp battery to battery one for charging two 80ah leisure's and my starter battery. Works very well, I never use hook up now.
Like this http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/info_MTBB1250.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Got mine second hand fom eBay.

[shepster]

Cheers lloydy.

[bikermike87]

Well after reading this thread a number of times, I've decided to sell my gas fridge.

I managed to get a Waeco CR-50 for £400 brand new, which I think is good.

I also bought myself a sterling B2B charger.

I think I'm going to stick to a 80amp battery for under the passenger seat, that should keep the fridge and everything else going for 2 days without moving. (I don't tend to stay anywhere longer than 2 nights without moving)

A few dumb questions, if I may...

Q1: If I go to a site and decide I want hook up so I can use an electric heater etc, can I just plug my battery charger onto the mains battery and the sterling will charge the leisure as well?

Q2: If I happen to leave my lights on, will the sterling take charge from my leisure to keep the mains topped up?

Q3: The sterling came with wires and washers that slot nicely onto the "Bat In" and "Bat Out". These wires seem pretty thin and I'm sure Lloydy mentioned some decent thick wirring.

Q4: How hot does the sterling get? I noticed cooling fans, where have you fit it to get good circulation.


OOOO i can't wait for frosty cold beers!!!

[lloydy]

Hi
Q1, yes it if its the battery to battery version

Q2 No it wont, the circuits are seperate

Q3 i think the wires you are talking about are the sensor wires? the ends with the ring on attach to to your battery and alternator. the other ends fit on the sterling via some little connectors on the side

Q4 I dont know how hot they get, but my fan seems to come on if say my leisure have a good hit from being parked up for the weekend at a site. the fan seems to run for about 1/2 hour then goes off.
My sterling is mounted on the back of my buddy seat and is open to the van, long term i plan to box it in with a vent fitted

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hope thats of some help, lloyd

[bikermike87]

Hi
Q1, yes it if its the battery to battery version

Q2 No it wont, the circuits are seperate

Q3 i think the wires you are talking about are the sensor wires? the ends with the ring on attach to to your battery and alternator. the other ends fit on the sterling via some little connectors on the side

Q4 I dont know how hot they get, but my fan seems to come on if say my leisure have a good hit from being parked up for the weekend at a site. the fan seems to run for about 1/2 hour then goes off.
My sterling is mounted on the back of my buddy seat and is open to the van, long term i plan to box it in with a vent fitted
hope thats of some help, lloyd

Cheers Lloydy, you really should be a Waeco / Sterling salesman. I'm sure a few people are looking at them, based on this thread.

Just can't wait to get out and enjoy the benefits a decent fridge can offer, it's currently with vwbuswerks.com (quagmire) getting some interior work done, I'm way too excited

[ringo]

Hee hee. I was glad when interest in this thread stopped as i saved myself £650!

Ultimately i will be getting one and a sterling charger (probably the sterling first) but i will have to work hard convincing the misses. At the moment the only time i've ever suffered from flat batteries is when one of them is knackered. I run my eber for 36 hours a week inbetween moving it and i dont need much more power than that. I never have to plug in so i guess my split charge system is working fine for me.

But when i get a fridge.......

Ringo