Adjustable Voltage Boondocker Converter Question

landyacht318 wrote:
My Powermax story goes like this.

Ordered a 100 amp adjustable voltage unit. The UNit which came had a 100 amp sticker right on it with 3 40 amp external ATC fuses.

Once it arrived, a pair of New and fully charged group 31 AGM batteries was taken down to 50% Via a 10 amp load for 10 hours.

The powermax, when attached, and cranked all the way up, was not capable of more than 75 amps.

Randy tried to tell me that 2 AGMs at 50% could not accept more than 75 amps. Effing BS!

Then measured the unit and Randy said yes that is the 100 amp version, bla bla bla, talk to Errin at powermax.

Errin said send it back, if it tests at 75 amps we will ship you a new one and refund the return shipping.

Over a month later a PM3 100 NON adjustable voltage model arrives. It has 4 40 amp external fuses and is an inch longer. It is never unboxed as there is no adjustable voltage.
Another month goes by and the adjustable voltage model arrives, also 4 40 amp external fuses, and an inch longer than the first '100 amp' model

It tests at 94 amps and line voltage is the suspected culprit for the 6 missing amps.

So my take is that Either Randy is unaware he is selling 75 amp models as 100 amp versions or is ignorant of it. Telling me that two depleted group 31s AGM's could not accept more than 75 amps infuriated me and made me lose all respect for him. Simple dishonesty or complete ignorance, one or the other, nothing else.

I would recommend skipping bestconverter.com entirely and placing any orders directly through Errin@powermax by phone. Screw the lying or ignorant middle man. All these adjustable voltage models are special order type things, not done by Randy, but by PowerMax.

My friend whose money was spent acquiring this Powermax tried to get an electronic timer installed for all the trouble along the acquisition of the correct product path, and they said they could not make it work properly.

I have a spring loaded 12 hour timer for the 94/100 amp adjustable voltage model.

The return Shipping was never reimbursed, and the automatic model still sits on my friend's bench next to the adjustable voltage model, so the drama is not quite sorted out yet. I am not sure if his card was charged twice, or if Powermax wrote off the non adjustable model.

So I would not order any Model without a means to test its maximum output on arrival. There is some dishonesty or ignorance going on with regards to what stickers are placed on what models.

If we had no Clamp on Ammeter we would have believed the 75 amp model was the 100 amp model like the sticker says.

I think I'm in the same boat. I ordered a PMBD-100 from Randy with the adjustable voltage. It arrived, has 3 fuses, and after camping this weekend found during a camping trip it wouldn't push over 75amps into nearly 4 brand new GC2 Golf cart batteries at 50% depleted. I have a Victron power meter to see amps in/out.

I did request by phone a 100amp model, and he said he would make one for me. I paid extra over the 75amp model.

To be fair I haven't called Randy, yet. I think I'll call and find out what the deal is. Did Errin say the 100amp model must have 4 Fuses vice the 3 on the original?

Joel