Chris T

Well, today the Sterling has behaved as expected on all settings, so it's looking like all is well. Comparing the settings, the battery indicator was previously set as 'open lead acid', the factory setting was 'AGM sealed'. The previous owner had 'wet' batteries which we have replaced, so we're not sure if the setting has somehow been changed recently, or whether the Sterling was happy with the sealed batteries on the 'open lead acid' setting until recently (I believe they behave differently) perhaps as they've become older. Anyway, we seem to be back in business. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Well.... further contortions and photos in virtually inaccessible places to look for a model number resulted in us peeling off a big sticker on the back of the unit. Not only did this give instructions on how to restore factory settings, but a diagram that matched the inverter/charger, unlike those in the manual. Followed these instructions and although it tripped immediately after turning back on, it then started to behave and give readings as we'd expect. We are going to go back tomorrow and test it for longer in the various settings, but we are cautiously optimistic. And the model number was on another sticker underneath the one we peeled off! Fingers crossed and thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

No, that's just the CE marking on the top right.

Thanks, the equalization LED indicator isn't lit up but maybe it's trying to do something like that. And there are no sensors connected, he had seen the temperature sensor mentioned in the manual but have checked underneath the unit today. We will try calling Sterling although I imagine knowing the model would help! Thank you again for your time.

The Sterling wasn't fitted in the boat from new so the actual model isn't mentioned in the boat manual or anywhere else in the paperwork unfortunately. All I have is the Sterling manual that, as I mentioned, covers a few different models.

Hubby thinks there may be a sensor of some sort so will check that out. Thanks for your replies, we really appreciate it.

Thanks for your replies but we've given up for today and headed home so will have a look at the rest of the boat paperwork and will get back and try again asap. We definitely have two 12 volt alternators and we've had no battery problems when out and about. Life was much easier when we had a boat where everything was 12 volts

We thought that the unit would need to be on to charge the batteries on shoreline and also when out and about running the engine, but sounds like this isn't the case, so that's one thing learnt thank you. The manual tells you what the factory settings are but not how to reset to them. To be honest, we are struggling to follow the manual. We thought that the unit would need to be on to charge the batteries on shoreline and also when out and about running the engine, but sounds like this isn't the case, so that's one thing learnt thank you. The manual tells you what the factory settings are but not how to reset to them. To be honest, we are struggling to follow the manual. The indicator for equalising isn't lit up if that means anything.

Nope, no solar.

The booklet covers DAI 1500 C, DAI 3000 C and DAI 1500 C. I'll need to check the paperwork at home. Pic attached if any help. Thank you.

1. Not sure what you mean, sorry. Just when the engine is running and the sterling is switched on. 2. No, it trips when the engine isn't running and whether or not the shoreline is connected, when it's in charger mode. 3. Yes, and it seems to work fine in inverter mode. Thanks

Hello all, Having spent most of this lovely day bent double in the engine room, hubby is out of ideas and I'm hoping someone may have some suggestions. We have a Sterling 3 in 1 pure sine wave inverter / charger which although we use very little 240v items, hasn't been any problem until now. In use a charger either on shoreline or from the alternator, the voltage shown on the LED rises quite quickly to around 16 volts then trips out with an 'over voltage' warning. We have 4 domestic 110 batteries just over a year old and a starter battery (although suspect that we don't really need 4 as we don't use many appliances) which haven't given any indication of being flat and show 12.7 / 12.8 after a few days completely rested (tested with a multimeter). Recent service also tested and said the batteries were good. Terminal connections seem fine. Any ideas gratefully received, thank you

Mmmm... That's worth thinking about as we don't need to mount it very often. Thank you.

Not sure if I've done this right, but hopefully, link below about a car in the canal part way down Marple locks. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5125582634147853&id=479004765472353&sfnsn=scwspmo

Thanks everyone for all your comments. Bending and drilling an aluminium strip into an upside down U shape to use with the light (and possibly) bracket we've already bought seems to be our favoured option. It would be great to see a photo of yours if you get the chance next week Tonka.

Thanks for your reply. We did consider magnets, but didn't want to have the light up on the roof in case of low headroom, and thought that on top of the gas locker on the front would be a bit low down. Not sure where else it could go.

Hi Tonka, do you by any chance have any photos please?

Pics hopefully now attached. I thought that if I could attach the vertical part of the pictured bracket to another bracket that hooks over the top of the wooden cratch frame (after unfastening the cover) the light would then be hanging just below the top of the frame.

Thank you for your comments. A few boats in our marina have a similar set up to yours (although permanently attached) but the cratch makes this seem more complicated. Yes, Harecastle will be the most used tunnel for us and although our cratch isn't as high as many, I was thinking I could have the bracket to which the light is attached dropped down from the top of the cratch board so that it isn't the highest point. I appreciate that it is difficult to explain clearly/ envisage, I will post some photos when I have worked out how to reduce the file size. Thanks.

I'm trying to avoid drilling holes into our new cratch to fit the tunnel light and wondering if we can get / make a bracket that fits over the top of the cratch frame (unclipping the cover at the top) to temporarily hold the light when going through tunnels. This isn't likely to be frequently, so the light could be stored away when not in use and attached with a terminal block or bullet connectors when needed. Has anyone done anything similar or have other suggestions?

I think this is the first time we haven't been able to stop at all. Not a big deal for us today, but will make it difficult for people wanting to use the locks, and makes Bosley appear the easier option with nowhere else to go once you are near the locks. Of course this depends on how many are actually wanting to use Marple locks in the morning, it may be very quiet.

For anyone planning to go down Marple locks in the morning, we were going to stop there this afternoon for shopping but couldn't find anywhere to moor. Plenty of boats were facing away from the locks so assume they are not 'queuing' but even the lock landing had a boat on it (also facing away from the locks).

The Upper Peak Forest lift bridges didn't like one of our keys today that came from a canalside chandlers, so wondered if that was also an 'ebay' one, sold at 'genuine' price. Our old ones say BW on them but I'm not sure how you know which is a genuine one now. Haggis - I'm pleased to hear that you got back down the locks today and with assistance. We must have passed somewhere yesterday but I didn't see you.

We inherited the dodgy one doing a swap with another boater, I hadn't even realised that there was a difference until I read it on this forum. We do have proper ones.

We saw at least half a dozen assisting there today (some more clued up than others), so hopefully Monday will be similar, being a bank holiday. Perhaps if you're at the top for opening time, you can ask for help before they head off down the flight with other boats. Hope you have enjoyed this stretch. I will keep a look out for you tomorrow as we should pass again.