RJ, PD with its 14.4v is inadequate for Trojan batteries specified to require 14.8v (up from previous 14.6 spec a few years ago) So it is not forum members who think they are smarter than PD engineers. it is Forum members who actually believe the battery makers like Trojan know what their batteries need.
Salvo, there is a typo in your good post above on the Iota. The absorption voltage is 14.2v. The PowerMax drops to 13.6v absorption.
ISTR the Iota does not actually get the batteries to 14.8, but drops to 14.2 15 minutes after getting the batteries to 14.6 (IQ4 description)
Only some PowerMax models have 14.8v, but their adjustable voltage models can do 14.8 of course and even higher.
OP, you can do occasional 14.8 or higher to goose the batts by using the solar with the controller by-passed. It is then like using a manual charger where you have to be there to shut it off when the batteries reach the desired voltage (or else the voltage just keeps rising until the liquid spills out the caps)
The Tracer's profile is fine for daily camping, but you will still need to do the occasional overcharge to 15+ volts as recommended by many battery charging blurbs, eg
http://pdf.wholesalesolar.com/battery-folder/charging_instruction_2011_2.pdf
