Sterling Power Products is a UK-based manufacturer of electrical power management equipment for caravans, motorhomes, campervans, boats, and off-grid applications. Founded in 2005 and based in Droitwich, Worcestershire, the company designs and manufactures battery chargers, DC-DC converters, inverters, inverter-chargers, lithium batteries, alternator regulators, split charge systems, and portable power supplies. Sterling's products address the charging challenges faced by modern Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles with regenerative braking systems, where standard alternators often fail to properly charge auxiliary batteries. The company operates under family management alongside its sibling brand AMPS (Advanced Mobile Power Systems), which focuses on lithium energy storage solutions. Sterling Power's Pro Charge Ultra battery charger won the innovation award at IBEX Kentucky 2010 and was rated as premium product by Sailing Today Magazine, beating competitors including Victron and Mastervolt. Their battery-to-battery chargers are particularly popular with motorhome and caravan owners who've struggled to run absorption fridges or charge leisure batteries whilst towing with modern vehicles. The company's advanced alternator regulators convert standard alternators into sophisticated four-stage battery charging systems, whilst their waterproof IP68-rated Pro Batt battery-to-battery chargers are designed specifically for harsh marine environments.
The core technology behind Sterling products focuses on proper multi-stage battery charging profiles that extend battery life and reduce charging times significantly. Their battery-to-battery chargers work by drawing surplus power from the vehicle alternator through the starter battery, then delivering a controlled four-stage charge to the leisure battery without needing complex wiring or modifications to the vehicle's ECU. These units turn on automatically at 13.3V and off at 13.0V, preventing drain on the starter battery, and they're specifically designed to work with smart alternators found in Euro 6 vehicles. Sterling's alternator-to-battery chargers take a different approach by creating a load on the alternator to pull voltage down, then amplifying it back up to deliver higher charging voltage to auxiliary batteries without touching the vehicle's standard systems. Their mains-powered Pro Charge Ultra chargers feature 11 preset battery profiles plus one customisable setting, working with AGM, gel, flooded lead acid, sealed, calcium, and lithium batteries. The company's inverter range includes quasi-sine and pure sine wave models from 100W to 5000W in 12V, 24V, and 48V configurations, with some featuring integrated RCD protection for building site applications. Sterling's newer portable power stations combine lithium batteries, inverters, DC-DC charging, and solar MPPT inputs in single weatherproof units, particularly suited to mobile workshops, food vendors, and emergency backup applications.
Sterling products are widely distributed through marine chandlers, caravan accessory retailers, and electrical specialists across the UK and internationally through Sterling Power USA. The Pro Batt Ultra range typically carries a five-year warranty on lithium batteries and two years on charging equipment, though warranty terms vary by product line. Installation of most Sterling equipment is straightforward compared to older alternator modification methods, with battery-to-battery chargers requiring just three connections (positive from each battery and ground) plus optional temperature sensors. One consideration is that Sterling's battery-to-battery chargers include cooling fans which produce some noise during operation, unlike newer fanless competitors such as the Victron Orion XS. Their products are designed for DIY installation by competent individuals, though the company stresses the importance of proper cable sizing and fusing for high-current applications. Sterling's alternator regulators aren't suitable for vehicles with integrated engine management systems that monitor alternator output, as increased voltage can trigger fault codes. The company provides technical telephone support and maintains detailed product manuals with wiring diagrams. Their manufacturing facility at Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate handles design, assembly, and testing of products that serve the marine sector, recreational vehicle market, commercial vehicle operators, and off-grid solar installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sterling Power battery-to-battery chargers compatible with Euro 6 vehicles?Yes, Sterling Power's Pro Batt Ultra range with the green label is 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 the input voltage can drop as low as 12.2V, solving the common problem where modern vehicle alternators fail to charge auxiliary batteries properly whilst driving.What's the difference between Sterling's battery-to-battery charger and alternator-to-battery charger?Battery-to-battery chargers connect between the starter battery and leisure battery, automatically sensing when the alternator is running and delivering a four-stage charge. Alternator-to-battery chargers connect directly to the alternator output and create a load to pull voltage down, then amplify it back up for optimal charging. The B2B units are simpler to install and don't require any alternator modifications, whilst A2B units offer slightly more control. Both are compatible with smart alternators, but B2B chargers are generally preferred for recreational vehicles due to easier installation.Will Sterling Power products work with lithium batteries?Sterling Power battery chargers, battery-to-battery chargers, and inverter-chargers support lithium LiFePO4 batteries with preset charging profiles built into the units. Their Pro Batt Ultra chargers have nine preset battery chemistry options including LiFePO4, plus one customisable profile. The company also manufactures its own AMPS-branded lithium batteries with built-in Battery Management Systems. When using lithium batteries with alternator-to-battery chargers, Sterling advises checking compatibility as these units need to work with the battery's BMS temperature cutoff features.How much faster do Sterling battery chargers charge compared to standard alternators?Sterling's four-stage battery-to-battery chargers typically charge auxiliary batteries 5 to 20 times faster than a standard vehicle alternator alone, depending on the original system's efficiency. This dramatic improvement comes from delivering the correct charging voltage directly to the leisure battery whilst compensating for voltage drops through cables and split charge diodes. In testing, Sterling's systems have been shown to deliver 200 to 2000 percent improvement in charge rates compared to unmodified alternator charging, with the variance depending on how poorly the original system performed.Can Sterling's advanced alternator regulators be fitted to any vehicle?Sterling's advanced alternator regulators work with most traditional alternators but are not suitable for modern vehicles with integrated engine management systems that monitor alternator output. Increasing the alternator voltage through an advanced regulator can be interpreted by the ECU as a fault and trigger warning lights. For vehicles with sophisticated engine management, Sterling recommends using their battery-to-battery chargers or alternator-to-battery chargers instead, as these don't modify the alternator's operation and avoid warranty concerns.What warranty does Sterling Power offer on their products?Sterling Power's warranty periods vary by product line. Their AMPS lithium batteries typically come with a five-year warranty from the date of purchase. The Pro Batt Ultra battery-to-battery chargers with the green label carry a two-year warranty. The Pro Charge Ultra mains battery chargers also include multi-year coverage. Some clearance and refurbished items are sold with reduced warranty periods, clearly marked at the time of sale. Warranty claims are handled through Sterling's Droitwich facility in the UK or through Sterling Power USA for American customers.Why won't my caravan fridge work whilst towing with my Euro 6 vehicle?Euro 6 vehicles with regenerative braking systems intentionally run their alternators at reduced voltage to partially deplete the starter battery, allowing the alternator to recapture energy during braking. When this already-low voltage travels through the cables to a caravan, additional voltage drops mean the absorption fridge receives voltage well below its operating threshold. Sterling's testing showed that on-load voltage at caravan fridges with Euro 6 tow vehicles often drops into the battery discharge range where fridges simply cannot operate. A Sterling battery-to-battery charger solves this by delivering proper voltage directly to the caravan battery, which can then power the fridge independently.Do Sterling battery-to-battery chargers need an ignition feed?Sterling's Pro Batt Ultra chargers with regenerative braking compatibility don't 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 extra functionality including timer modes and prevents the unit from activating when the vehicle battery is being charged by an external charger. Without an ignition feed, the unit relies purely on voltage sensing to determine when the alternator is running.What's the relationship between Sterling Power and AMPS?Advanced Mobile Power Systems (AMPS) is Sterling Power's sibling company under the same family management, both based at the same Droitwich facility. AMPS specialises in lithium energy storage solutions and cost-effective power products that are marketed separately from the core Sterling Power range. The AMPS lithium battery range is manufactured by Sterling but branded differently to serve specific market segments. Both companies share the same technical support team and distribution network.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, Sterling recommends selecting a higher-amperage model from their range, which includes 30A, 60A, 70A, 120A, and 200A options in both 12V and 24V configurations. For systems requiring even more charging power, their alternator-to-battery chargers are available up to 400A capacity and are specifically designed to handle multiple alternator inputs.
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