Sterling b2b 1260 update

[chrismilo]

Hi all you may remember me having trouble with sterling over this b2b 1260
Anyway it’s been sent back again third time ,10 days later they are very vague as to it’s problems or it’s where abouts
But they say the charging part isn’t working The very thing it’s supposed to do never worked in the year I’ve had it transferring me from one dept to another for no one to pick up the phone so I have to keep redialling What a shoddy company they seem as if they don’t give a damn about there customers or customer service
A British company with zero customer service or care
In my opinion over £400 for a heap of cr@p A company best avoided
Rant over

 

[edina]

I've used Sterling products on boats and vans and found them to be an excellent company to deal with. Any queries have been answered promptly by their technical dept and in great detail - couldn't fault them.

 

[chrismilo]

I've found them helpful and friendly. They fixed my out of guarantee b2b charger for the cost of sending it back to me.

Looks like lots are needing repair that says it all else why do they need sending back ?
I’m going back to split charge relais at least that works
Anyone want to buy a b2b 1260 if and when repaired for 3rd time lol

 

[Deleted member 43466]

Hi all you may remember me having trouble with sterling over this b2b 1260
Anyway it’s been sent back again third time ,10 days later they are very vague as to it’s problems or it’s where abouts
But they say the charging part isn’t working The very thing it’s supposed to do never worked in the year I’ve had it transferring me from one dept to another for no one to pick up the phone so I have to keep redialling What a shoddy company they seem as if they don’t give a damn about there customers or customer service
A British company with zero customer service or care
In my opinion over £400 for a heap of cr@p A company best avoided
Rant over

hi
ive got a sterling b2b 1250 i had some funny voltage readings on it.
i rang the tech dept. the chap was helpfull but very agressive blaming
my wiring. so i ran some thick jump leads through the bulkhead to it
and it seems fine.
it was only a second hand one off Ebay.

 

[chrismilo]

hi
ive got a sterling b2b 1250 i had some funny voltage readings on it.
i rang the tech dept. the chap was helpfull but very agressive blaming
my wiring. so i ran some thick jump leads through the bulkhead to it
and it seems fine.
it was only a second hand one off Ebay.

Yes I bought a 2 meter cheap pair of jump leads 100 amp and cut them up for the wiring
Half the price of cable if bought per meter
My B2B 1260 Was new off ebay

 

[FULL TIMER]

Yes I bought a 2 meter cheap pair of jump leads 100 amp and cut them up for the wiring
Half the price of cable if bought per meter
My B2B 1260 Was new off ebay

Trouble is a cheap set of jump leads are just that and not intended for continuous use at that rating.

 

[Deleted member 43466]

Trouble is a cheap set of jump leads are just that and not intended for continuous use at that rating.

hi
mine were pure copper. not the aluminium ones.

 

[Deleted member 43466]

So it sounds like the chap was quite correct: your wiring was the problem.

hi
yes it seems ok now with the thicker cables with soldered ends
the others might have had poor connections as well as being thinner.
but it depends on state of charge of batteries when taking readings.
it was only putting out 25 amp.

 

[sparrks]

I've been using Sterling B2B's for over 10 years - 1 fault, erroneous temp reading, sent to Sterling and returned 1st class postage for the sum of around £30. Very good service.

PS I have spoken to Charles Sterling and I got the distinct impression that he doesn't suffer fools gladly

 

[Les Haro]

Hi electricity isn't as predictable as we think.
No matter how well you do your connections they are still connections and not constant.
This was brought home to me in the house.
The 9.8Kw shower had been installed by an electrician.
There were (for various reasons) many connections inc. safety features.
After much debate the conclusion was the cause of the fault we had was somewhere in the wire and or connections.
It was all good wire and all connections had been checked.
A new cable was installed (a difficult and awkward task) avoiding all obstacles that required connections. Mains unit-breaker-shower, can't do less.
The signal stayed constant and did not fluctuate anymore tripping the RCD.
Is the RCD too fickle, how do you calibrate a piece of electrical equipment and electricity and cable and connections not in a test situation.
No electrician has yet given a definitive answer.
Lots of theories though.

 

[wildebus]

hi
yes it seems ok now with the thicker cables with soldered ends
the others might have had poor connections as well as being thinner.
but it depends on state of charge of batteries when taking readings.
it was only putting out 25 amp.

Charles Sterling has a video about one of his B2B devices and the effect of different cables. This specific video is aimed at tuggers but is still interesting and relevant to Motorhomers. Worth a watch (find it on youtube)

 

[chrismilo]

How much were they, and what is the copper cross-section?

Yes they were copper 2.5 thicknesses and£10 quid

 

[Debs]

I've had a couple of Sterling B to B chargers and they were very good, but I learned on a factory tour with Charles, that although they design the product, it is built in the far east to save on costs, so chance for faults to be built in! So now I use C-tek which is a fantastic product range.

 

[chrismilo]

Sterling have rang me today they want to send me a brand new one b2b 1260
So they should the last one never went at all in the year I had it 3 times repaired
We will see not holding my breath lost faith in them abit
Interesting to know they were manufactured in Asia I thought Uk by sterling themselves
Will definitely look into upgrading wire as in previous post
Thanks all for help and suggestions

 

[wildebus]

2.5mm thick? The area is pi r squared, so that makes them 19mm.

That doesn't sound thick enough to me. I have to have the B2B about four metres from the starter battery, so it is connected by two 25mm cables (easier than one 50mm).

It also doesn't sound specially good value.
For example, see this: PVC FLEX BLACK RED BATTERY EARTH STARTER WELDING CABLE 170 AMP 25MM HIGH FLEX | eBay which is high-flex 25mm cable at £11.29 per two metre length, including delivery. Hiflex is much easier to install and better for a vehicle installation.
But if you are OK with stiffer cable (still more flexible than a jump lead) try this:
PVC Flex Black Red Battery Earth Starter Welding Cable 110 170 240 350 415 Amp | eBay £11.85 for three metres including delivery.

This is a better deal for 25mm cable ... Welding Cable / Battery Earth 230 Amp 25 mm Black Flexible Per Meter Mig Tig Arc Welder: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike - £2.90 per metre with free delivery. I used this for my inter-battery links for the 4 x 110A setup I have. Crimps nicely and lays nicely.

 

[chrismilo]

This is a better deal for 25mm cable ... Welding Cable / Battery Earth 230 Amp 25 mm Black Flexible Per Meter Mig Tig Arc Welder: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike - £2.90 per metre with free delivery. I used this for my inter-battery links for the 4 x 110A setup I have. Crimps nicely and lays nicely.

Thanks I bought some can’t hurt can only improve things

 

[wildebus]

Thanks I bought some can’t hurt can only improve things

What I did - and suggest you do also - is to have a wrap of red insualation tape around the cable at each end and every so often along the cable as a visual reminder it is the +12V cable.

 

[wildebus]

I have to admit that I gave the first l found of the spec. Yours looks a much better buy.

Whatever cable you use, make sure the ends are good. The tube terminals are good, but I found them difficult to fit securely until I bought a hydraulic crimping tool. A mole wrench certainly doesn't suffice.

I use a hammer crimper for the big stuff (not just a hammer, but the proper tool). Costs around £20 but does a top job when combined with a lump hammer. Sounds a bit brutal and basic but the connections are lovely and solid
I'll post a link to it when I get home if anyone interested.

 

[Deleted member 3011]

2.5mm thick? The area is pi r squared, so that makes them 19mm.

More like 4 square mm