Sterling in a westfalia

[bikermike87]

Hi there,

I'm going to fit my sterling to my syncro westy this week and I'm looking for some advice..

Does the westy relay charge the leisure and operate the fridge on 12v? If so, what's the best way to instal a sterling? If I put the relay between the sterling and leisure bank, I'm worried it might not be able to cope with the high amps being passed through..

Sorry, complete novice and don't have a clue about electrics, just about managed to put a new head unit in!

Thanks!

[PetenAli]

Hi Mike,

Check out this thread https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=120684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for starters. I found this very helpful as well although its not VW T3: http://www.deepredmotorhome.com/electrics.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Page 2 of this thread as well: https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 7&start=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think some depends on whether you have a battery to battery or alternator to battery Sterling. I took out all the original relay and wiring and replaced it completely with 35mm² cable from cranking battery to Sterling to leisure batteries. Then I have 10mm² cable from leisure batteries to a fuse box from which all ancilliaries including the fridge are run.

The Sterling instructions are pretty clear. I did mine OK and I'm no engineer. If you want to PM me I'll send you my mobile number and you can bend my ear if that helps.

Pete

[bikermike87]

Thanks Pete, I've seem that thread before, really good reading.

The problem I have is using a 3 way fridge, rather than a compressor. I didn't keep the compressor fridge from my old van, so trying to work out how to wire the 3way fridge on 12v with a sterling.

I'm wondering if I should fit a 70amp relay between the sterling and my leisure, which will then automatically turn the 12v fridge on and off, so it doesn't drain the battery

[lloydy]

a 3 way fridge on 12v will still flatten your battery pretty quick whether you have a sterling or not.

[PetenAli]

What lloydy said ^^^^^ Why don't you get an "intelligent" 70 amp relay and wire it between your cranking battery and fridge (with suitable fuse protection). If you still have the 3 way fridge you'll only use it on 12 volt when you are driving (and gas or 240 volt when parked up). Then when you have the fridge set to 12 volt the relay will sense when the alternator is charging the cranking battery and there is enough power to run the fridge. Hope that makes sense...

Pete

E D I T: voltage sensing "intelligent" relay like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-70-AMP-VO ... 35cd880cbc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bikermike87]

Thanks, understand all of that. I know a 3way fridge will flatten on 12v, hence why I was asking about fitting a relay so it only runs 12v when the sterling is charging the leisure battery.

I wasn't sure if fitting extra relays would play around with the sterling, causing to calculate voltage incorrectly.

Ie wont fitting a smart relay to crank battery draw amps, causing the sterling to think the crank battery is low and not directing as much charge to my leisure set up??

Probably haven't explained myself well enough, always hard when unfamiliar with technical terminology!

[PetenAli]

OK so what about a simple relay that draws its power from the leisure batteries but is triggered by an ignition circuit? That way you would still only run 12 volt on the fridge when the engine is going. Also the Sterling would then continue to make make sure that the leisures are kept topped up. It would also address your concern about putting a relay between Sterling and batteries which would worry me as well.

Looking forward to seeing how how you resolve this one!`

[bikermike87]

That sounds like an ideal solution... It won't interfere with the sterling and is idiot proof enough to stop me from leaving the 3way on 12v when I’m parked up. Thanks Pete, a simple solution, but one I probably wouldn’t have thought off! I am going to be going back to compressor fridge eventually, I just can’t decide between the Waeco CR50 again, or opting for something bigger, maybe even a portable chest..

Now I just need to find the time… I’ve just booked a ferry for Saturday morning to France after finding out I can take next week off. My dashboard is out, my leisure batteries and sterling aren’t wired up and I have 55 more hours of work to do this week before I go on leave. It wouldn’t be a holiday without a last minute van makeover!