Sterling Power battery chargers solve the most common electrical problem facing modern caravan and motorhome owners - inadequate leisure battery charging whilst driving. The company's battery-to-battery chargers and alternator-to-battery chargers are specifically designed to work with Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles where regenerative braking and smart alternators deliberately reduce voltage to improve fuel economy. This voltage reduction causes absorption fridges to stop working whilst towing and prevents proper charging of caravan leisure batteries, leaving owners unable to wild camp or use motor movers effectively. Sterling's Pro Batt Ultra range with the green label is regenerative braking compatible, automatically sensing when the vehicle alternator is running and delivering a four-stage charging profile directly to the leisure battery without complex wiring or ECU modifications. The battery-to-battery chargers connect between the vehicle's starter battery and the leisure battery, turning on at 13.3V and off at 13.0V to prevent drain, whilst the alternator-to-battery chargers connect directly to the alternator output and use voltage amplification technology to deliver optimal charging regardless of the vehicle's electrical management system. Sterling's advanced charging profiles work with all battery types including flooded lead acid, AGM, gel, sealed, calcium, and LiFePO4 lithium batteries, with nine preset profiles plus one customisable option built into most units.
The core technology behind Sterling battery chargers focuses on delivering proper multi-stage charging that standard vehicle alternators cannot provide. A typical vehicle alternator charges at a fixed voltage of around 13.8V, which is insufficient to fully charge leisure batteries, particularly when voltage drops occur through long cable runs and split charge diodes. Sterling's battery-to-battery chargers overcome this by drawing power from the vehicle's charging system and converting it into a controlled four-stage charge cycle - bulk, absorption, float, and conditioning - that can charge leisure batteries 5 to 20 times faster than a standard alternator alone. The Pro Batt Ultra 60A charger features Bluetooth connectivity for programming and monitoring, automatic temperature compensation with included sensors, and protection against short circuits, reverse polarity, and overheating. Sterling's alternator-to-battery chargers take a different approach by creating a controlled load on the alternator to maintain high current output, then amplifying the voltage back up for optimal battery charging without requiring any modifications to the vehicle's standard regulator or ECU. These units are particularly popular with motorhome owners who need to charge large battery banks quickly, with models available from 80A up to 400A capacity. The waterproof IP68-rated Pro Batt BBWS range includes integrated solar MPPT controllers, allowing simultaneous charging from both the vehicle alternator and solar panels through a single compact unit.
Sterling battery chargers are widely used by caravan owners experiencing the Euro 6 towing problem, motorhome converters installing off-grid electrical systems, and marine users requiring reliable waterproof charging solutions. Installation is straightforward compared to older alternator regulator methods, typically requiring just positive connections from each battery, a ground connection, and optional temperature sensors for enhanced performance. The units include cooling fans which produce some noise during operation, and most models feature LED diagnostic displays showing charge status, voltage, and any error codes. Sterling provides two-year to five-year warranties depending on the product line, with technical support available from their Droitwich facility. One consideration is that battery-to-battery chargers work best when the vehicle is driven regularly, as they rely on the alternator being active - for caravans stored long-term on seasonal pitches, a mains-powered battery charger might be more appropriate. The Pro Charge Ultra range of mains chargers complements the mobile charging solutions, offering the same advanced charging profiles for use on hookup. Sterling's charging technology has won industry awards including the innovation award at IBEX Kentucky 2010, and their chargers are fitted as original equipment by several major motorhome manufacturers. The combination of Euro 6 compatibility, multi-battery-type support, and simple installation has made Sterling battery chargers the solution of choice for overcoming modern vehicle charging limitations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Sterling battery to battery charger work with my Euro 6 vehicle?Yes, Sterling Pro Batt Ultra chargers with the green label are specifically designed for Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles with regenerative braking and smart alternators. These models can operate without an ignition feed and work in regenerative braking mode where input voltage can drop to 12.2V. This solves the common problem where modern vehicle alternators fail to charge caravan leisure batteries or power absorption fridges whilst towing.What is the difference between a battery to battery charger and an alternator to battery charger?Battery-to-battery chargers connect between the starter battery and leisure battery, automatically sensing when the alternator is running through voltage detection at 13.3V. Alternator-to-battery chargers connect directly to the alternator output and create a controlled load to maintain high current, then amplify voltage for optimal charging. B2B chargers are simpler to install with no alternator modifications needed, whilst A2B chargers offer higher amperage options up to 400A for large battery banks. Both methods are compatible with smart alternators and avoid ECU warranty concerns.Why won't my caravan fridge work whilst towing with my Euro 6 vehicle?Euro 6 vehicles with regenerative braking intentionally run alternators at reduced voltage to partially deplete the starter battery for energy recovery during braking. This already-low voltage drops further through towing cables, meaning absorption fridges receive voltage well below their operating threshold of around 12V. Sterling battery-to-battery chargers solve this by delivering proper voltage directly to the caravan battery, which then powers the fridge independently of the towing vehicle's varying voltage levels.Do I need an ignition feed for a Sterling battery to battery charger?Sterling Pro Batt Ultra chargers with regenerative braking compatibility do not require an ignition feed to operate in smart alternator mode. They automatically detect when the starter battery voltage rises above 13.3V and begin charging, then stop when voltage drops below 13.0V. An optional ignition feed adds functionality including timer modes and prevents the unit activating when the vehicle battery is being charged by an external source, but is not essential for basic operation.How much faster do Sterling battery chargers charge compared to a standard alternator?Sterling four-stage battery-to-battery chargers typically charge auxiliary batteries 5 to 20 times faster than standard vehicle alternators alone, depending on the original system's efficiency. This improvement comes from delivering correct charging voltage directly to the leisure battery whilst compensating for voltage drops through cables and split charge diodes. The dramatic variation in improvement reflects how poorly some original alternator charging systems perform, particularly in modern vehicles with smart alternators.What size Sterling battery to battery charger do I need for my caravan?The charger amperage should be matched to your leisure battery capacity and alternator size. As a general rule, choose a charger rated at 10 to 25 percent of your total leisure battery capacity in amp hours. A typical single 100Ah caravan leisure battery works well with a 25A to 30A charger, whilst twin 110Ah batteries benefit from a 60A charger. Also check your vehicle alternator rating, as the B2B charger current should not exceed 50 to 60 percent of the alternator's output capacity to avoid overloading the vehicle's charging system.Can I use a Sterling battery charger with lithium batteries?Yes, Sterling battery-to-battery chargers and alternator-to-battery chargers support lithium LiFePO4 batteries with preset charging profiles built into the units. The Pro Batt Ultra range includes nine preset battery chemistry options including LiFePO4, plus one customisable profile. When using lithium batteries, the charger's BMS integration port allows communication with the battery management system for temperature monitoring and charging control, which is particularly important in cold weather when lithium batteries should not be charged below freezing.Do Sterling battery to battery chargers drain the vehicle starter battery?No, Sterling B2B chargers are specifically designed to prevent starter battery drain. The units automatically turn on only when starter battery voltage reaches 13.3V, indicating the alternator is running, and turn off when voltage drops below 13.0V. The charger draws power from the alternator's output through the starter battery connection, not from the starter battery's stored capacity. In regenerative braking mode, the voltage threshold drops to 12.2V to work with smart alternators, but safety features still prevent starter battery depletion.What warranty do Sterling battery chargers come with?Sterling Power battery chargers typically carry a two-year warranty on the Pro Batt Ultra range with the green label for regenerative braking compatibility. The Pro Charge Ultra mains battery chargers come with a five-year warranty. Some older models or clearance items may have reduced warranty periods, which are clearly indicated at the time of purchase. Warranty claims are processed through Sterling's UK facility in Droitwich, or through Sterling Power USA for North American customers.Can I connect multiple Sterling battery to battery chargers in parallel?Sterling does not recommend connecting multiple battery-to-battery chargers in parallel to charge the same battery bank. If you need more charging capacity than a single unit provides, select a higher-amperage model from Sterling's range, which includes 30A, 60A, 70A, 120A, and 200A options in both 12V and 24V configurations. For systems requiring even more charging power, Sterling's alternator-to-battery chargers are available up to 400A capacity and can handle multiple alternator inputs in twin-alternator vehicle installations.
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