09FLSTC wrote:
Sure confusing. I miss the Iota guy explaining the difference between constant current versus voltage based units. My PM4b hauls ass with current/amperage in the normal mode as did my Iota. Other so called voltage based fall flat after a few minutes and don't deliver current. I have a fleet of campers so get to check them all but not an EE like some of you so I just go by real world testing with my trusty Trimetric monitors. I do like the idea of this new unit. To a question asked above about amp draw on generator, I would think that would be at max amperage (I think it was a 75 amp unit) and regardless of the voltage it would be the same 9 VAC draw regardless if it were delivering 75 amps, regardless if the voltage was 13.2 or 15.5?
The VA draw in 120v from the gen is related to the amps draw from the charger at the particular charger voltage.
the VA draw at the max amps of the charger will be the highest when the voltage reaches the high set point just before amps taper. Once amps taper the VA draw drops off rapidly.
the VA draw at 75 amps and 13.6v would be less than with 75 amps at 14.6v.
The PD converters see that by the way they are rated for watts at 13.6 for their rated amps output, but at 14.4 they cannot quite do that many amps and taper down to where they canat maybe 5 amps less than rated when in boost.
the PowerMax and Iota types do the current limited max amps at their boost voltages so you get that run of constant amps. Unfortunately somebody decided to have them drop their voltages for the absorption stage so you get low amps for then, while we would prefer if on generator to keep the voltage up at that high level until the batts are full before voltage drops to a Float level
So that is what we are all playing at with these other gizmos, trying to get a charging profile we like. IE maintain max constant amps for the Bulk, and maintain max voltage for the Absorption.
