[Simon Trapani]

Got a Sterling Battery to Battery charger for my 16 plate Vivaro:  http://www.simplysplitcharge.co.uk/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=80_148_149

Not sure where to mount it?

Doesn't seem much room for accessing the settings under the bonnet.

I'm thinking of screwing it to the plywood in the rear of the van but that is a fair way from the  starter battery. Does it matter as long as my fuses are close to the each battery?

Thanks in advance.

[Don Kee]

Doesn't matter as long as (as you say) fuses are close to battery

Obviously the longer you have the wiring the more power you lose but unless you're putting metres & metres of wiring inbetween then I wouldn't worry, it'll be negligible

[Simon Trapani]

Thanks Don

I've just finished fitting it. I did put it in the back screwed to the ply. Seems to be working fine. Spring controllers show it's charging when the engine is running & my van hasn't caught fire yet so fingers crossed!

[Spruce]

Thanks Don

I've just finished fitting it. I did put it in the back screwed to the ply. Seems to be working fine. Spring controllers show it's charging when the engine is running & my van hasn't caught fire yet so fingers crossed!

Best place for it. You don't want it in the engine bay as there is always the possibility of it getting wet.  The manual on the BB1230 says its not waterproof and needs to be installed in a cool, dry well ventilated environment.  It tells the fitter not to expose the device to: Rain, snow, spray, moisture, pollution or condensation.

So the inside of the engine compartment doesn't meet these requirements.

Sometimes things happen which are out of your control. Some mechanic may decide to 'steam clean' the engine one day whilst its in for service.  Some garages have a notice up that they aren't responsible for accidental damage - well they don't actually say that but when you read a notice that vehicles are left a owner's risk it pretty much means the same thing.

You also need to ensure that its protected from condensation, an issue we all suffer, especially in winter.

.

[Simon Trapani]

Thanks Spruce.

I was just concerned because the instructions said to keep it as close to the starter battery as possible. I mounted it in the back, on the side ply just behind the driver quite high up so as not to get knocked and is relatively accessible.

Condensation - I silicone 25mm sheets of polystyrene between the roof rails in the back of my  2 vans. Last one was fine for 8 years and is still good now. Without it the roof was constantly dripping wet in the winter. Never tried a vent as didn't fancy drilling a big hole in my roof for one.

[Spruce]

Thanks Spruce.

I was just concerned because the instructions said to keep it as close to the starter battery as possible. I mounted it in the back, on the side ply just behind the driver quite high up so as not to get knocked and is relatively accessible.

Condensation - I silicone 25mm sheets of polystyrene between the roof rails in the back of my  2 vans. Last one was fine for 8 years and is still good now. Without it the roof was constantly dripping wet in the winter. Never tried a vent as didn't fancy drilling a big hole in my roof for one.

They advise this as  they would be concerned about voltage drop.  The further from the starter battery the bigger the voltage drop. But I doubt that having 70 amp cables to the Sterling unit is going to make a huge difference voltage wise.

Ideally they would be like the unit to be mounted inside the van on the engine firewall. Its dry and not far from the starter battery. However, I doubt many would find a spot big enough on modern vehicles.