Adjustable Voltage PowerMax Charger--UPDATE
Some people still want one of these like I have, but they don't seem to be for sale anywhere in this model configuration. It turns out that mine is a sort of experimental model and is not marketed-...
Forum Discussion
My regular PM3-100 (not the model discussed above) used to do the three stages, but I took the top off and cranked the little internal voltage pot to 14.8 (to be clear--it shows as 13.7 on the bench and you wind that up to 14.8)
Now it starts the same way as before but when the voltage reaches 14.8 (instead of 14.4 or 14.6 as OEM) after the bulk-constant amps stage it just stays there without dropping to 13.7 like the regular model. That lets amps taper with a Vabs of 14.8 instead of 13.7, which is much faster of course, where the higher Vabs creates a higher amp battery acceptance rate.
So now it is no good as a converter, but it makes a great charger, sort of like a 100amp Vector would be. Since I still have the trailer's converter that does 13.8, all I do is use the PM3 first then unplug that and go onto converter for the Float. (or go on solar for the rest of the day)
With the external adjustable model instead, I could do it all with the one unit. Just turn down the voltage to whatever Float voltage once the recharge is done. (or go on solar for the rest of the day)
If all you want is the Vabs to be 14.8 and stay there, you can still get a PM3 at boatandrv real cheap, but remember it would no longer be a converter you can leave on. A PM4 is better than a PM3 for converter work.
Now it starts the same way as before but when the voltage reaches 14.8 (instead of 14.4 or 14.6 as OEM) after the bulk-constant amps stage it just stays there without dropping to 13.7 like the regular model. That lets amps taper with a Vabs of 14.8 instead of 13.7, which is much faster of course, where the higher Vabs creates a higher amp battery acceptance rate.
So now it is no good as a converter, but it makes a great charger, sort of like a 100amp Vector would be. Since I still have the trailer's converter that does 13.8, all I do is use the PM3 first then unplug that and go onto converter for the Float. (or go on solar for the rest of the day)
With the external adjustable model instead, I could do it all with the one unit. Just turn down the voltage to whatever Float voltage once the recharge is done. (or go on solar for the rest of the day)
If all you want is the Vabs to be 14.8 and stay there, you can still get a PM3 at boatandrv real cheap, but remember it would no longer be a converter you can leave on. A PM4 is better than a PM3 for converter work.
