Sterling Power BCM1260 Battery Chemistry Add-on Charging Module - 12V - 60AThe Battery Chemistry Module and the Battery to Battery Charger application are such a new and exciting field which opens a lot of previously locked technical doors. We feel we should dedicate a bit more time and space to trying to portray the aspects of this technology and point out the difference between the products and what other problems they may solve for you. The applications are truly endless: vehicle tail lifts, on board wheel chair charging, boats, cars, commercial vehicles etc. Due to the space limitations of this catalogue we must pick a particular area and focus description to that area, the previous page clearly shows where you should use a battery chemistry module. The article below shows where the battery chemistry module stops and the battery to battery charger technology takes over.
This new device can be added to any of the output terminals of our Pro Charge Ultra (or most other competitor companies multiple output charger). This will allow the main 3 (or more) output charger to be set at the lower chemistry voltage for the likes of Gel, then, by adding the new Sterling Multi chemistry module to one of the outputs (must be connected to an output of a current limiting charger and cannot be connected direct to a battery (see fig 1 and fig 2). One can adjust that output to a totally different charging chemistry profile. The output voltage and charging curves are independent of the charger’s input voltage. This enables a totally different chemistry to be selected, this gives all the advantages of the multi chemistry charger without the huge extra cost, and can be simply retro fitted to any multi output battery charger (within the limitations of the product).
Advantages of this product
- Easy to install
- Fits our products and most of our competitors multiple output chargers or converts a single output charger into a multiple output charger.
- 8 selectable independent latest battery chemistries to chose from and a de-sulphation cycle, also LiFePO
- 4 cycle charging .
- Battery temperature compensation and high battery temperature trip.
- Remote battery sense compensate for cable voltage drop.
- 6 LEDs projecting over 20 individual charge and warning information events.
- Fail safe, reverts to basic charge function - about 1V less in event of a failure. Product can be replaced / repaired at convenience.
- High battery temperature "daisy chain" trip (optional), so every battery can be monitored and unit switched off, in the event of a battery overheating causing high battery temperature problem.
- Ignition fed generator to link in with sterling Pro Split R alternator splitter, this allows the output to be further split.
- Remote control available as optional extra.
What is the difference between a Battery to Battery Charger and a Battery Chemistry Module?
There is 1 major difference and that is their ability to current limit. The battery to battery charger has full current limiting. The battery chemistry module has no current limiting ability (other than a fuse). What is current limiting?
Current limiting is the ability of the product to internally limit the current which it will allow to pass through itself. This prevents damage to the unit and also allows total control of power through the unit. This is a great but expensive feature and accounts for a large proportion of the parts / technology and hence the extra cost in a Battery to Battery Charger as opposed to its lower cost cousin the Battery Chemistry Module.
Why does the Battery Chemistry Module not have current limiting?
The simply answer is it does not need it. As long as the product is used in conjunction with its design criteria there is simply no need for current limiting. I.e. we have rated the product to 60A continuous, then, as long as the current does not exceed 60A, the unit is okay. The best way to ensure that it does not exceed the 60A is to connect it to a battery charger which is already internally current limited to 60A maximum (or less). That way we rely on the already purchased battery charger’s internal current limiting protection. This eliminates the requirement of that expensive electrical feature to be duplicated in our product, allowing us to substantially reduce the product cost to the customer.
Give me an example of why current limiting is important?
Let us imagine a simple standard setup where we have the engine alternator feeding the engine battery which is then charging the auxiliary battery. The auxiliary battery has a large inverter or anchor winch on it. To connect the starter battery and the domestic battery we have one system which uses a Battery Chemistry Module and the other system using a Battery to Battery Charger. Lets take the Battery Chemistry Module system and turn the engine on, chances are everything would be fine initially, the unit would fast charge the domestic bank, however, when the anchor winch or bow thruster is turned on, a high current (200A) shall be pulled from the primary battery bank to the secondary battery bank. This shall exceed the rating of the BCM and the fuse will blow. The Battery to Battery Charger, on the flip side, has no problem with this, it simply says I can NOT give you 200A I am only giving you a maximum of 60A and that is it.
What sort of cost savings are we talking about?
In the region of 30-40% can be saved in parts, this is reflected in the purchase price.
What aspects would I factor in to make a technical purchase decision between the 2 different products?
If the battery chemistry problem is confined to the mains battery charger only and the charger is 60A or under (at 12V) - The Battery Chemistry Module is the product for you.
If you wish to cover the same problem from various charging sources: I.e. alternator and battery charging, in which case the current limiting aspect of the battery to battery charger will be the vital aspect to swing the product to the battery to battery charger.
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