? - Voltage Regulation when Charging an LFP Battery

[shade]

Seems like this should've already been here:

Understanding the Sterling Power Pro Batt Ultra - Battery to Battery Charger - Marine How To

The Sterling Power Pro Batt Ultra DC to DC Charger In our continuing series on CMD's or Charge Management Devices, this article examines and looks at the benefits of the Sterling Power DC to DC chargers and examines the installations where you may find them useful.

marinehowto.com

I think Sterling might sell more products if they didn't all look like electric fence controllers from the feed store.

 

[john61ct]

Something between the cells and alt output was limiting then.

With bare cells I've hit over 5C.

But even .5C is faster than you want for longevity.

And cause a stock alt setup too either burn, or its OCP will just drop voltage, rather than

the desired continuing at the V setpoint and just reducing current rate.

 

[luthj]

Something between the cells and alt output was limiting then.

With bare cells I've hit over 5C.

But even .5C is faster than you want for longevity.

And cause a stock alt setup too either burn, or its OCP will just drop voltage, rather than

the desired continuing at the V setpoint and just reducing current rate.

What voltage and what sized cells? I agree that bare cells can hit huge currents, but there needs to be at least 1-1.5V above the resting voltage (at the terminals) to do that. Just like with all battery chemistries, voltage at the terminals can effectively and repeatedly be used to limit charge currents to sane levels.

I don't disagree that LFP banks can destroy alternators and wiring, but so can large lead banks to a lesser degree. .

 

[john61ct]

Yes, stepping the voltage up as SoC rises certainly can work, but requires human monitoring or a fragile Arduino-custom science project.

Lifeline AGM will pull .8+C but for a **very** short time only.

 

[1leglance]

I think Sterling might sell more products if they didn't all look like electric fence controllers from the feed store.

Best thing I have read and soooo true. I am normally all about function over form but for my SEMA Transit build I will admit the clean look of all Victron vs the Sterling design was an easy choice.

 

[dreadlocks]

form > function then eh?.. all my stuff is hidden and nobody can see all the cool blue victron stuff anyhow.

besides, ugly ******** is how you know an engineer designed it

 

[john61ct]

Yes, why would you install this stuff where anyone would look at it?

 

[1leglance]

Yes, why would you install this stuff where anyone would look at it?

SEMA build
That is the simple answer, but yes for marketing, events, social media, videos and all that I will be putting the 150Ah battery and all the associated goodies behind a lexan panel where the world can enjoy the view.
The Transit has these nifty inset areas behind the driver and across from the side cargo door.
My goal is to make mounting panels to sink everything there and run the cables in the channels above/below.

 

[shade]

form > function then eh?.. all my stuff is hidden and nobody can see all the cool blue victron stuff anyhow.

besides, ugly **** is how you know an engineer designed it

I think the Apollo Lunar Module is one of the most beautiful machines ever made. Engineers were 100% in charge of that design, and it doesn't look like it'd be found next to a horse tank full of chicks around Easter. That's all I'm saying.




It's also worth noting that the Sterling documentation is poor. Technical writing isn't easy, but there are people available that do it well. The same goes for industrial design.

I'm not saying I won't end up with a Sterling Power Pro Batt Ultra because of its appearance. It offers a lot of functionality for the money, but that doesn't mean there isn't a little room for improvement. If Victron doesn't announce a DC-DC I want, there's a good chance one of these will be in my truck.
__________________________________________________

Pro Batt Ultra Likes & Dislikes
No product is 100% perfect and we won’t pretend the Pro Batt Ultra is, but it is quite good and certainly a “best in class” product. Here at Compass Marine Inc. we are big fans of the Pro Batt Ultra because it can do things no other charge management device can.

Likes:

• Dedicated Voltage Sensing
• Adjustable Absorption Duration
• Forced Float Option
• Optional Remote Display
• 1 mA Parasitic Draw When in Sleep Mode
• Can Equalize
• True Fully Independent Multi-Stage Charging Output
• Buck or Boost
• 12V & 24V Mixed Voltage Models
• Compact Size for the Amperage
• Temp Sensor Included
• Can Withstand a Load Dump
• Ignition Excite Option
• Fully Custom Programmable
• Easy to Install
• Best in Class Product
• Pricing is Very Competitive
• Good for Drop-In LiFePo4 Charging
• 2 Year Warranty (many other DC to DC chargers are 90 Days)

Dislikes:

• Owners Manual
• Programming is a Bit Kludgy
• Terminal Strip Orientation for Temp/V-Sense/BMS is Awkwardly Located
• Fan Noise (only when working hard)
• Programming Buttons Vary in Location By Model

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

John, you've had some experience with this product, right? Do you agree with RC's review?

 

[shade]

Another review of the Sterling BB1260. More of an overview, but they're happy with it.

Sterling Power BB1260 DC-to-DC (b2b) Alternator Charger | Review - FarOutRide

A real-world, unbiased review of the Sterling Power BB1260 battery to battery charger. Installation and long term review.

faroutride.com

 

[john61ct]

Yes all their chargers are great.

Some of their motherboards are also in Promariner products.

Ultra Pro is user-custom adjustable, and AC-DC not DC-DC.

 

[shade]

Ultra Pro is user-custom adjustable, and AC-DC not DC-DC.

"Sterling Power Pro Batt Ultra DC to DC Charger" ?

Maybe we're talking about different models. ?‍♀️

 

[shade]

Do you know if the Sterling Power Pro Batt Ultra DC to DC Charger fully isolates the start & house batteries when shut down? I can do that with a charge disconnect relay, but it'd be good to know that the DC-DC had that capability as well.

I didn't see that mentioned on way of the other while scanning the manual.
https://www.sterling-power-usa.com/library/2018_green_ultra__Ultra_InstructionsEng_Ger.pdf

 

[john61ct]

Yes sorry, brain fart

ProCharge Ultra is the ACDC version, shared MB with ProMariner Pronautic P series.

The DCDC line that also has user-custom setpoints is the BB series, max 60A, as opposed to the BBWs.

 

[shade]

Yes sorry, brain fart

ProCharge Ultra is the ACDC version, shared MB with ProMariner Pronautic P series.

The DCDC line that also has user-custom setpoints is the BB series, max 60A, as opposed to the BBWs.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of their naming conventions.

I'm interested in the BB1260, specifically. You know, the Power Pro Batt Ultra - Green Stripe.