Power Max PM3 15 Maintenance and service guide

Copyright© 2011, Fieldstone Products Inc. Fieldstone Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the product at any time,
without notification. pamx-pm3-manual 19 October 2015
AC to DC Converter/Charger
AC to DC
CONVERTER/CHARGER
PM3 models 15, 35, 45, 55, 60, 75, and 100 Amp
with 3 Stage Charging
Installation & Maintenance
SAFETY ALERT
FOR YOUR SAFETY, READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION.
INSTALLER: Provide these instructions to the end user or consumer.
CONSUMER: Keep these instructions for future reference.
NOTICE: Products are not to be used nor are warranted in aerospace, medical or life safety applications.
WARNING – Avoid Possible Injury or Death
120 VAC is present. This Converter/Charger is designed to convert 120 VAC to 12 VDC. It also provides low voltage
power for charging on-board 12 VDC batteries. The Converter/Charger is a “switch mode” type and is designed to be
maintenance-free with no user serviceable components. The Converter/Charger power output is “current limiting” by
design.
WARNING – Avoid Personal Injury or Product Damage
NEVER store electrical devices in compartments where flammable liquids (such as gasoline) exist.
DO NOT mount/install unit in compartments designed for storage of batteries of flammable liquids.
1. DISCONNECT DC POWER. Disconnect the battery POS (+) wire at the battery end before connecting this Converter/Charger
to any vehicle/device wiring.
2. LOCATION. The mounting location may be on any interior (out of direct weather) surface. Location chosen must be accessible
after installation. When mounted inside a cabinet, the cabinet must be large enough to allow dissipation of heated air. Make
sure that there is a minimum of 1” (one inch) free air space at each end of the unit so that cooling air can move through the unit
properly. AVOID foreign contaminants such as dirt, metal particles or moisture.
3. MOUNTING. Flanges with holes are provided for ease of mounting using standard fasteners. Confirm that the surface that the
converter/charger is mounted to is solid and will hold the weight (up to10 lbs) during vehicle operation.

Copyright© 2011, Fieldstone Products Inc. Fieldstone Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the product at any time,
without notification. pamx-pm3-manual 19 October 2015
4. ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS. A 120 VAC receptacle needs to be located within 36 inches of the Converter/Charger to
supply power. Electrical consideration should also be given to mounting near the locations of the batteries and the 12-volt DC
distribution panel.
5. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. Be sure to tighten all connections securely. A loose connection can quickly cause terminals
and wires to overheat. Review unit labels for recommended terminal torque values.
WARNING – Avoid Possible Injury or Death
120 VAC Connection – First confirm that the 120 VAC power source AC circuit breaker(s) are in the off position. DO NOT
turn-on AC circuit breakers until installation is complete.
•Using the attached power cord on the Converter/Charger, connect firmly to the 120 VAC receptacle
12 VDC Wiring– It is important to use the correct wire gauge.
•Using a 10 AWG minimum size copper wire for 32, 45 and 55 Amp models (8 AWG for 60 and 75 Amp model, 6 AWG for
100 Amp model), attach from the vehicle/device chassis to the Converter/Charger Bonding Lug.
•The terminal marked +or POS is for the RV 12 VDC positive connection.
•The terminal marked –or NEG is for the RV 12 VDC negative connection.
•The 12 VDC output wiring does not require over-current protection because the Converter/ Charger limits current output.
However, all electrical connections need to comply with the appropriate NEC code.
6. 3 STAGE CHARGING OPTION DESCRIPTION. This optional system provides an automatic charging system in three steps. 1.
A fast charge to bring a good, drained battery back up to full voltage rapidly ("Boost"). 2. A standard charge to bring the battery
up to a full charge at a safe rate to prolong the life of the battery and provide power to run 12V lighting and appliances in the
vehicle/device ("Normal"). 3. A trickle charge to keep the battery fresh during times of load inactivity ("Storage"). The charger
automatically changes modes to accommodate changes in conditions. The chart below is for reference only, voltages may vary.
7. TEST. First, disconnect all loads and battery on the Converter/Charger by removing all 12 VDC connections from + or POS .
Second, attach a multimeter instrument between the positive and negative terminals of the Converter/Charger. Then energize
the 120 VAC converter/charger circuit. Test for proper output power using the multimeter. Measure the output voltage from the
positive and negative terminals. The voltage should read 13.6 +/- 0.2 VDC. Add 12 VDC load connections to about 2/3 of the
rated capacity of the converter/charger. Recheck the voltage, which should remain approximately the same as at no load.
8. BATTERY. With the 120 VAC disconnected, reconnect the + or POS positive terminal to a known good battery. With the
converter/charger 120 VAC energized, measure the voltage at the converter/charger and at the battery. The voltage should be
about the same in both locations. As with any battery it is important that the fluid level be checked on a regular basis. When
continuously connected to any charging source all batteries will “Gas” and lose some fluid.

Copyright© 2011, Fieldstone Products Inc. Fieldstone Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the product at any time,
without notification. pamx-pm3-manual 19 October 2015
WARNING – Avoid Personal Injury / Product Damage
9. HI-POT TESTING. (Vehicle/device Manufacturing Facilities Only) DO NOT Hi-Pot DC wiring with the Converter/Charger
connected to the vehicle/device wiring in order to prevent serious injury and/or damage.

Copyright© 2011, Fieldstone Products Inc. Fieldstone Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the product at any time,
without notification. pamx-pm3-manual 19 October 2015
TROUBLESHOOTING
NOTE: Before removing and replacing the Converter/charger, perform the following checks:
a. Disconnect the AC power from the vehicle/device.
b. Disconnect the wiring and Battery from the Converter/charger Positive + output terminal.
c. Re-connect the AC power to energize the Converter/charger.
d. Using a voltmeter, measure the voltage at the Converter/charger – and + Output terminals.
> The Converter/charger is OK if the voltage reading is between 13 VDC and 14 VDC (typically 13.6 VDC). For three stage
option, the voltage at turn on should be about 14.7 VDC for about 4 to 6 seconds and then drop to about 13.7 VDC.
> Otherwise check the table below:
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE
No 12 VDC output
•120 VAC not connected to coach or the coach AC circuit breaker is in the off position.
•Reversed battery fuses blown. (Battery wiring connections are reversed),
•Severe overload or shorted load. Remove all loads and retest per above instructions.
•Converter/Charger internal failure.
Converter/charger cycles On & Off •Fan air flow is inadequate or blocked. (1” minimum free air space at each end required)
•Converter/Charger internal failure.
Reversed Battery fuses blown
•Battery wiring connections are reversed.
•Defective battery, possible bad cells.
12 VDC output is too low •Attached load exceeds rating of the Converter/Charger.
•Defective battery, possible bad cells.
•Converter/Charger internal failure.
Fieldstone Products PMB 103 • 11161 E SR 70 STE 110 • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.powermaxconverters.com
‘Reversed-Battery’ Fuses
Chassis Bonding Lug
12 VDC Output Terminals
AIR FLOW FAN
(on back-side)
.
.
.
.
Blows air out of
front grill vents.

Copyright© 2011, Fieldstone Products Inc. Fieldstone Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the product at any time,
without notification. pamx-pm3-manual 19 October 2015
TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Limited Warranty and Remedy: Fieldstone Products, Inc. (“Supplier”) warrants products it sells against faulty
workmanship or the use of defective materials and that such products will conform to published specifications,
drawings and other descriptions for a period of two years.
This warranty is the only warranty made by Supplier and is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied,
except as to title, and can be amended only by a written instrument signed by an officer of Supplier.
The liability of Supplier under this warranty is limited solely to replacing, repairing or, at Supplier's discretion,
issuing credit for any devices which are returned by Buyer during the schedule period, provided that (a)
Supplier is promptly notified in writing upon discovery of any defect by Buyer with a detailed explanation of any
alleged deficiencies; (b) the defective product is returned to Supplier, transportation charges prepaid by Buyer;
and (c) Supplier's examination of such product discloses to its satisfaction that such defect was not caused by
misuse, neglect, improper installation, repair, alteration or accident. In no event shall Supplier be liable to
Buyer for loss of profits, loss of use, or damages of any kind based upon a claim for breach of warranty.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
In accordance with our policy of continuous product improvement, Supplier reserves the right to make changes
or improvements to the products and specifications at any time without prior notice. Prices are also subject to
change without notice.
Supplier makes every effort to ensure information provided in our technical literature is accurate and reliable.
We cannot, however, assume responsibility for inadvertent errors, inaccuracies, omissions or subsequent
changes. We assume no responsibility for the use of this information, and any and all such use of this
information shall be entirely at the user's own risk. No patent rights or licenses applicable to any of the
products of Supplier’s intellectual property described herein are granted to any third party, either directly or by
implication, or any other means. Furthermore, despite efforts to ensure otherwise, we make no representation
that the information and/or circuitry described herein is free of infringement on any intellectual property rights
or any other rights of third parties.
LIMITATION ON THE USE OF PRODUCTS
Products are not designed for and should not be used in any life-support systems, nuclear facility applications,
aircraft control applications, or any other applications in which failure of the product, in any way, could
reasonably result in harm to life, property or the environment, without the specific prior written consent of an
officer of Supplier.
A life support system is defined as a product or system intended to support or sustain life and whose failure
can be reasonably expected to result in significant personal injury or death. Nuclear facility applications are
defined as any application involving a nuclear reactor or the handling and processing of radioactive materials
in which the failure of equipment, in any way, could reasonably result in harm to life, property or the
environment.
Fieldstone Products PMB 103 • 11161 E SR 70 STE 110 • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.powermaxconverters.com