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How To Guide: Installing A Sterling Advanced Regulator (PDAR)


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How To Guide: Installing A Sterling Advanced Regulator (PDAR)

 

This is the first of a possible "HOW TO GUIDE" series that could be made on the CW forum. Many thanks to everyone who helped me install this unit - you know who you are !! :wacko:

Introduction

 

There's been lots of chatter on the forum about the pro's and con's of installing external alternator regulators. After treating my battery's with a "carefree attitude" I decided to install one of these units to examine the performance improvement that it would give to a new replacement set of "wet" lead acid battery's.

 

I brought the PDAR unit instead of the DAR12 unit as it could in the future have the remote control/information panel installed and the price difference is not great – there are also additional features such as the temperature sensors – see the Sterling website for information. http://www.sterling-power.com/products-altreg.htm

The unit was installed on Saturday 23rd February 2008.

 

Disclaimer

This guide is intended to demonstrate how I installed the unit, following the instructions manual and suggestions by fellow forum members. It is not intended as a best practise guide or to demonstrate my electronic ability.

 

If you intend to install a similar unit on your boat, it is your responsibility to understand your boat electrics, your electrical capability and your ability to understand and follow the instructions. If you damage the unit, your boat, its components or yourself, don't blame me! No liability is intended or implied.

 

The Boat

A 2005 model 45ft Liverpool "sailaway" narrow boat. Cruiser stern style, fitted with Isuzu 35LB1 engine with twin Isuzu 70A alternators (Lucas type). I have 3x 110A standard wet lead acid battery's. I do not have a split charge system, bow thruster or charging relay as each alternator drives its own battery bank.

 

I have an installed and working Smartgauge unit, and a 100A shunt type Ammeter installed.

 

Ammeter

 

The Ammeter I have installed previously is a cheap e-bay unit from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/new2006power-Digi...sQ3amesstQQtZkm

 

You will need the meter and a shunt like these.

Generally the complete unit can be installed for about £25. Ensure that 100A is enough to cope with your power requirements especially if you have a large inverter. Installation of the ammeter is outside the scope of this guide.

 

Things You Will Need Before You Begin

Once you have dismantled the alternator and determined what type of material the connection terminals are you may also need: If the existing alternator regulator has stainless steel connections:

  • Suitable drill bits from 1.5mm to 3.2mm.
  • A tiny 3mm bolt with nuts and thread lock "glue" (you may instead use a very small self tapping screw)

If the existing alternator regulator has copper connections:

  • A large wattage soldering iron and suitable solder.

Inside the box

There are 3 items inside the box:

  • The PDAR unit with pre-connected cables
  • 2 temperature sensors
  • Instruction manual

Step 1 – Tidy and identify cables

I took the opportunity to tidy the cables from the PDAR unit before I started installation. Using the spiral wrap I made two bunches of cables, one will go towards the alternator and the other towards the battery. You will also need to include one temperature sensor in each bunch of cables (the ring terminal goes at the point furthest away from the PDAR unit) Bunch 1 (towards battery)

  • Temperature sensor
  • Yellow – ignition switch +12v when engine is running.
  • Black / White strip – battery bank negative
  • Red – battery bank positive.

Bunch 2 (towards alternator)

  • Temperature sensor
  • White – internal alternator connection.
  • Brown – alternator "lamp" connection (marked ING on my alternator)
  • Black (2 wires) – alternator negative (connected to alternator case)

Step 2 – Set DIP switches

 

pdar1_html_m7438861f.jpg

 

Open the cover on the PDAR unit to expose the small DIP switches, change these to match your battery bank type. Refer to the manual for the correct settings to do this. Also notice the two terminals that you will use to connect the temperature sensors – you need to do this later on once you know the correct length of the cables. Temporally replace the cover to prevent damage to the circuit board whilst installing.

 

Step 3 – Fix the unit to a bulkhead

pdar1_html_31bab88a.jpg

 

Mount the PDAR unit using 4 screws to a bulkhead near the engine alternators and battery bank.

 

Its important to mount the unit nearer to the alternators that it is to the battery bank as the battery bank cables can be extended. Be careful to ensure that the area is dry and rain cannot drip into the unit if you need to remove deck boards or hatches. Make sure the cables easily reach the rear of the alternator without stretching or fouling the belts/pipes and other cabling in the area.

 

I found it best to follow the same route as the positive/negative cables from the alternator to the battery bank – as you can then cable tie the PDAR cables to the existing cables.

 

Step 4 – Ignition switch connection

 

pdar1_html_5f9cd5c0.jpg

The PDAR unit needs to know when the ignition is switched on, to do this you need to identify as +12V connection that is live only when the engine is running. This point needs to be connected to the yellow PDAR wire. On my Isuzu engine I didn't have a existing switch connection so I identified one on the control panel. Remove the four screws holding the panel to the boat and turn the panel upside down making sure that none of the cables touch the bare metal hull. The ignition switch is the smaller white circle shown on this picture. The +12v source I identified is the spade connector with a single white wire coming from it. To check this place a multimeter negative (black) probe onto the 2 black cables entering the rev. counter and the positive probe onto the white cable identified in the picture. You should be able to push the probes into the back of the crimp terminals.

 

Make sure the multimeter is set to read voltage (probably 0-20v scale). With the engine switched off you should have a reading of 0v.

Start the engine and the reading should be 12v. Stop the engine (and turn key to off) and the reading will return to zero.

pdar1_html_6a76c911.jpg

Rather than damaging the existing connection wire (or breaking it) I made a simple "Y" type connector using crimp terminals. Remove the existing white wire by gently pulling it off the ignition switch, replace with the "Y" connector like the photo below. Connect the white wire back to one side of the "Y" connector and to the other spare connector connect your long Yellow wire. You can use insulation tape and/or heat shrink tubing to secure the crimp terminals so they don't separate due to engine vibration.

pdar1_html_36437606.jpg

Run this Yellow wire safely down from the ignition switch to the yellow cable coming out of the PDAR unit. Make sure the cable wont get trapped inside doors, hatches etc. and also ensure that the cable cannot chaff against steel edges – ideally run this through conduit or some additional spiral cable wrap. Connect to the PDAR yellow cable using another crimp terminal (this can be a solid jointing connector rather than spade type) – alternatively solder the two together and cover with heat shrink tubing.

 

Step 5 – Alternator Removal

 

The alternator is surprisingly easy to remove from the Isuzu engine. Make a note of where the 3 existing cables are connected to (take a photo?) Next squeeze the rubber V belt running to the alternator together and measure the gap in the middle – make a note of this so you can get the same tension when refitting.

 

pdar1_html_m55b3650a.jpg

  • Remove all cables
  • Remove the top bolt (watch the washer doesn't drop inside the alternator)
  • Push the alternator towards the engine to slacken the V belt. You may need to undo the accelerator morse cable to do this.
  • Remove V belt
  • Unscrew the allen bolt at the bottom of the alternator. This is held in with two spring type washers at each end so make sure you don't loose these.
  • Once removed, make a note of where the bolts, washers and springs all go to aid re-fitting.

Step 6 – Alternator Regulator Removal

pdar1_html_77b672f8.jpg

 

Note: These instructions are for the Isuzu/Lucas alternator fitted to my boat – yours may be different!

 

This is a difficult part to remove as the bolts are a small size and inset into the top of the regulator. The bolts heads are 7/32" in size.

 

The regulator is located in the bottom of this picture held in with 3 bolts with blue thread lock covering them.

 

To remove these I needed to use a great deal of force with a pair of needle nose pliers to get a couple of turns on the bolts (and break the glue) – then get a socket onto unscrew the remaining thread.

pdar1_html_2734a52e.jpg

 

Once all 3 bolts are removed you need to carefully remove the regulator. It is important that you are VERY gentle with the removal otherwise you may damage the brushes and this will mean buying a replacement standard regulator. Carefully lift the regulator up from the left hand side (with it facing you) and pull it towards you so the brushes come out intact. There will be a small wire on the right hand side which you can unplug from the regulator.

 

 

pdar1_html_6b081ac3.jpg

 

Step 7 – Alternator Regulator Modification

pdar1_html_m7951ae54.jpg

Place the regulator upside down on a table so you can see the rear contacts of the two brushes. On this alternator the connection point you need is on the bottom right, the small tab sticking out of the black plastic. You can verify this by using a multimeter on continuity test, connect one probe to the top left brush connector and the other probe to the spade terminal where the regulator attached to the alternator cable.

 

This should create a circuit – you want the OTHER terminal not this one! Unfortunately my regulator terminals are made of stainless steel which is difficult to solder to.

 

pdar1_html_2c4c0cfd.jpg

 

Following advise on the CW forum I decided to attempt to drill and bolt a connector to the regulator instead. To do this I used a 1.5mm drill bit to drill through the centre of the metal lug, slowly building up to a 3.2mm drill/hole. If your regulator connections are made of copper, it is easier to solder a connection to this terminal and will probably give less chance of shorting against the casing of the alternator. I used a very small bolt and nut to attach a crimp connector. I found even the smallest ring terminals were too large, so chose to carefully drill a 3.2mm hole in the centre of a male spade connector and then bolted this to the lug using thread lock and a locking nut to ensure that it wont come loose. Connect the white wire to the spade terminal before bolting on!

pdar1_html_2b80a973.jpg

 

Its critical that the terminal does not protrude very much so that there is no chance of the terminal/bolts/crimp connecting with the case of the alternator. Check the connection again using a multimeter, check that there is NO continuity between the wire you have attached and the existing spade terminal on the regulator. If all is well, coil up some of the white wire near to the regulator so take some slack, cut the wire about 20cm long and crimp a female spade connector onto it.

 

That's the tricky part over! :wacko:

 

 

Step 8 – Alternator Re-assembly

 

 

pdar1_html_5e93295a.jpg

 

The regulator needs to be inserted back into the alternator, make sure you connect the existing wire between the alternator and the regulator. You will need to be VERY CAREFUL when inserting the regulator so that you don't break the brushes.

 

If you do break them you will need a replacement regulator. :lol: The regulator will drop in if its at the correct angle don't use any force just wiggle it until it drops in. Make sure your new cable is not trapped between the casing and the regulator. Check e-bay sites if you do damage it – replacements around £10 :lol:

 

Due to the difficulty in removing the regulator bolts I decided to add some washers to the bolts to make reassembly easier, this means that the bolts stick slightly proud of the regulator and a standard socket will fit and tighten easily. I also used some thread lock.

 

Using a multimeter check there is NO continuity between the case of the alternator and the white cable. Also check that there IS continuity between the white cable and the "ING" spade terminal on the alternator.

 

You have now completed the alternator modification – time to put it back onto the engine!

 

Fitting is the reverse of removal, attach the bottom bolt first. Attach the V belt and then fit the top bolt (loosely). Tension the alternator belt by moving the alternator away from the engine (get someone to help with this) and then tighten the top bolt when correct tension is found. Take care if using leverage that you don't damage any components on the engine.

 

Reconnect the three existing wires (negative/positive and indicator lamp) making sure the positive is clear of the alternator casing and negative leads.

 

Step 9 – Testing alternator

  1. Double check your connections to the alternator.
  2. Take a voltage measurement at the domestic battery bank
  3. Start the engine normally
  4. Ensure that all engine warning lights go out (oil/battery etc.)
  5. The PDAR unit WONT light up at this stage!
  6. Take a voltage measurement at the domestic battery bank – it should be much higher than before.
  7. If you have an ammeter ensure that the reading is showing charge being put into the battery's (the amount will depend upon existing battery condition).
  8. If everything is okay, stop the engine

Step 10 – Completing electrical installation

 

pdar1_html_797c01de.jpg

Connect the remaining wires of the PDAR unit to the relevant terminals on the battery bank and the alternator. Connect the two temperature sensors to the negative terminal on the battery bank and alternator. There is no electrical connection between the ring terminal and the sensor but connecting to the negative will help prevent potential short-circuit hazards occurring in the future.

  • Yellow wire – already connected to the PDAR and ignition switch.
  • White wire – connect this to the new white wire on the alternator. You may wish to fit an in-line fuse to this – 10A rating. Fit one with spade terminals for ease.
  • Brown wire – connect this to the small indicator wire already on the alternator. I used another "Y" connector to do this instead of damaging the existing cable – shown as the blue cable in the picture.
  • Two Black wires – connect both of these to the alternators case using the nuts on the back of the case.
  • Black / White Stripe – connect using a large (8/10mm hole) ring crimp connector DIRECTLY to the negative battery terminal.
  • Red – connect using a large (8/10mm hole) ring crimp connector DIRECTLY to the positive battery terminal. This wire will need to be connected to a different location if you are using a split charge system – refer to the installation manual.
  • Temperature sensors, trim off excess wire (leave a little slack) and connect the wires to the two screw terminals inside the PDAR unit (remove the cover) make sure you get the correct terminal (marked in small writing on the circuit board). It doesn't matter which way around the cables go.
  • Secure the PDAR case/lid together again using all 8 screws.
  • Secure the cable looms using cable clips/ties and ensure they don't foul any belts/pipes and other cables.

Step 11 – Testing the PDAR unit

 

Double and triple check your connections are as they should be – check with the installation manual rather than this guide !

  • Start the engine as usual.
  • The battery type L.E.D. will indicate the selected battery type yellow=wet lead acid.
  • Yellow L.E.D. will indicate a 12V system.
  • The green boost light will flash on start up. (My green flashing L.E.D switched to solid after approx. 30 seconds rather than the 2 minutes it states in the manual)

If there are any other lights on – STOP THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY and check your wiring.

 

With your voltmeter check if the voltage at the domestic battery bank rises to the maximum absorption voltage as determined by the selected battery type (14.8V for standard wet lead acid). This can take between one minute and many hours, depending on the size and the state of the battery banks. I used the Smartgauge and Ammeter to monitor progress of the charging system.

 

The advanced regulator only kicks in when the existing alternator regulator reaches it maximum output (approx. 14.25v) the voltage should then continue to rise until it gets to 14.8V. This will take a while. The voltage may vary slightly on different alternators or regulators, i.e. +/- 0.1V. You should also notice that the Ammeter reading is higher (possibly double) any readings you had before. Well done you've finished :D

Summary

 

My boat's battery's are not in a great state, however when running with the standard alternator regulator, the maximum charge is about 50A for a minute after the engine is first switched on. This drops rapidly to 10A in a few minutes. With the Sterling advanced regulator, the charge stays at well over 40A for a very long time whilst it charges the battery, the voltage can be seen to rise from 13v to 14.25v then finally to 14.8v during the charge.

 

If the "white" wire is disconnected whilst the engine is running the existing alternator regulator kicks back in and the current and voltage rapidly drop to their previous lower readings.

 

With the advanced regulator running....

At 13.90v the alternator generated 31.9A

At 14.60v the alternator generated 44.1A

At 14.65v the alternator generated 45.9A

 

PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO INSTALL THIS UNIT - DON'T DO IT !

Edited by stuart
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Good post Stuart,

im sure it will come in handy to many, on the subject of the regulator bolts i have found that if you tighten bolts slightly first it cracks the seal making it easier to loosen.

 

 

Edit. could this be pinned for future ref?

Edited by wonderdust
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Also worth pointing out the total cost of the install:

 

£117 for the Sterling regulator (Midland Chandlers - check for their Freaky Friday 20% off discounts for another £23 off!)

 

Plus about £5 worth of misc. fitting items

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Well done Stuart,

 

Many thanks for a timely guide in how to.

I purchased the Sterling PDAR for exactly the same sentiments as you, I couldn't afford to purchase the remote pannel, but I intend to as soon as funds allow (I've just also purchased 4 new 110Amp/hour batteries). I removed the Lucas A127 alternator last week-end, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get the solder to take to the stainless steel brush connectors (and I did follow Sterlings advice; roughed up the stainless steel and used plumbers flux, but the solder wouldn't run at all). I decided to follow another suggestion in drilling thro' the stainless steel and use a small connector and a nut and bolt. I can now see exactly where I need to drill the hole thro'.

But! please tell me how you knew which terminal to connect the cable to, as Sterling recommends connecting wires to both terminals, and following tests with a multi-meter, discarding one of the cables.

 

Many thanks,

 

Rob

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Well done Stuart,

 

Many thanks for a timely guide in how to.

I purchased the Sterling PDAR for exactly the same sentiments as you, I couldn't afford to purchase the remote pannel, but I intend to as soon as funds allow (I've just also purchased 4 new 110Amp/hour batteries). I removed the Lucas A127 alternator last week-end, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get the solder to take to the stainless steel brush connectors (and I did follow Sterlings advice; roughed up the stainless steel and used plumbers flux, but the solder wouldn't run at all). I decided to follow another suggestion in drilling thro' the stainless steel and use a small connector and a nut and bolt. I can now see exactly where I need to drill the hole thro'.

But! please tell me how you knew which terminal to connect the cable to, as Sterling recommends connecting wires to both terminals, and following tests with a multi-meter, discarding one of the cables.

 

Many thanks,

 

Rob

 

 

Rob

 

The regulator has two terminals, each of which is connected to the rotor through a brush. One brush will bring the D+ voltage into the rotor and the other brush will direct the current out of the rotor and into the regulator.

 

When Stuart disconnected his regulator, you saw the yellow wire he had to disconnect from its spade terminal in one of the photos. That is (always) the D+ connection with negative field alternators (about 90% of all alternators). So you need the OTHER terminal as Stuart correctly pointed out.

 

To ensure you know which is the D+ brush, simply connect a multimeter on the ohms range between the side terminal (the one to which the yellow wire was connected) and each brush in turn. The brush which reads zero ohms has a connection to the side terminal (D+ yellow wire). You need to use the OTHER brush (which will read infinite ohms between it and the D+ side terminal)

 

The Sterling instructions are written to take into account an installer with no understanding of the alternator internals and basically does the above tests (in a different way) to determine which brush is the correct one to which to attach the PDAR field wire.

 

Chris

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Rob

 

The regulator has two terminals, each of which is connected to the rotor through a brush. One brush will bring the D+ voltage into the rotor and the other brush will direct the current out of the rotor and into the regulator.

 

When Stuart disconnected his regulator, you saw the yellow wire he had to disconnect from its spade terminal in one of the photos. That is (always) the D+ connection with negative field alternators (about 90% of all alternators). So you need the OTHER terminal as Stuart correctly pointed out.

 

To ensure you know which is the D+ brush, simply connect a multimeter on the ohms range between the side terminal (the one to which the yellow wire was connected) and each brush in turn. The brush which reads zero ohms has a connection to the side terminal (D+ yellow wire). You need to use the OTHER brush (which will read infinite ohms between it and the D+ side terminal)

 

The Sterling instructions are written to take into account an installer with no understanding of the alternator internals and basically does the above tests (in a different way) to determine which brush is the correct one to which to attach the PDAR field wire.

 

Chris

 

Chris,

 

Many thanks for clarifying my question, I guess that you are kindly saying that I know bugger all about alternator internals - which is quite true! I hang my head in shame, for I was an apprentice to the "Prince of Darkness" (Lucas Electrical), but! I am very good on mechanical aspects of most things

Edited by Byeckerslike
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Stuart

 

Great piece of work, well written up.

 

Just one small comment on the finished job. I would strongly advocate putting a red plastic boot over the main positive alternator output connection. (Vehicle Wiring products sell them very cheaply specifically for this purpose).

 

Part Nos.:

PVC covers for CTT50-70 rings.

Black Ref: RS312B

Red Ref: RS312R

89p ea, £7.40(10)

 

see here

 

I presume Halfords et al would probably have the same kind of thing.

 

 

The danger otherwise is that one day you may accidentally bridge the very small gap between this connection and the alternator case (earth) with a spanner or screwdriver, whilst carrying out maintenance etc, resulting in a very big bang and lots of sparks.

 

 

Chris

 

rs312r.jpg

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Stuart

 

Great piece of work, well written up.

 

Just one small comment on the finished job. I would strongly advocate putting a red plastic boot over the main positive alternator output connection. (Vehicle Wiring products sell them very cheaply specifically for this purpose).

 

Part Nos.:

PVC covers for CTT50-70 rings.

Black Ref: RS312B

Red Ref: RS312R

89p ea, £7.40(10)

 

see here

 

I presume Halfords et al would probably have the same kind of thing.

The danger otherwise is that one day you may accidentally bridge the very small gap between this connection and the alternator case (earth) with a spanner or screwdriver, whilst carrying out maintenance etc, resulting in a very big bang and lots of sparks.

Chris

 

rs312r.jpg

 

I smeared high temp silicone over mine - would this be sufficient?

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Yes fine; although more fiddly if you want to disconnect and then reconnect the output cable for some reason. Please send a PO for £10 for a more detailed answer. :wacko:

 

Chris

 

I just checked and it's smeared on pretty thick so I should be ok. You said that if the output terminal came into contact with the alternator case there would be a big bang, but isn't it bolted onto the case - or is there a fibre washer between? (I can't see mine now it's covered in red muck :D)

Edited by blackrose
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but isn't it bolted onto the case - or is there a fibre washer between? (I can't see mine now it's covered in red muck :D )

 

Thats the problem, the + lead is only 5mm away from the negative alt case and theres never usually a fuse between alternator and battery bank so you get the full force of the batts (arc welding time!)

Edited by stuart
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Exactly so. The +ve lead, Mike, is definitely not bolted to the alternator casing!!!! The bolt to which the +ve lead connects is actually insulated from the casing but, as Stuart correctly points out, there is only a very small margin of error. Bridge the two accidently and it's Goodnight Vienna.

 

Chris

Edited by chris w
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  • 2 years later...
  • 8 months later...

Stuart,

I wish I'd seen this prior to fitting a similar unit recently. It would have bee very useful. The best article I've seen on this [including Sterlings] & believe me I looked!

However, it does serve to confirm that I've got it right, but I could do with some reassurance that the unit is in fact working correctly.

Basically my installation is very similar to yours, except I am running a lucas type 80amp alt into a bank of three 135ah batteries and I'm using the sterling pro B.

When I started up, the the boost light and the battery type light come on. The green boost flashes for less than a minute before going solid green. However, The voltage at battery terminal [sensepoint] initially climbed to about 13.9v and then actually dropped back to fluctuate around 13.75 for about 45 min until I had to switch off & go home.No other lights came on during that time.

I think the battery voltage was about 11 volts when I started the motor.

Does this all sound correct, as I'm unable to find anything that clearly tells me what the sequence of lights should be. i.e. should the timer light have come on within that time?

The alt seems to be working hard, it's certainly running pretty warm.

Thanks for your help

Steve

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