PowerMax
Power Distribution System
Operation Manual Version 1.0
Copyright 2003
Professional Sound Corporation
Printed in the U.S.A.

Thank you for purchasing the Professional Sound Corporation PowerMax power
distribution system. PSC is confident that the PowerMax has set new standards
for clean, quiet powering of your portable audio equipment. Please feel free tocontact us at the address below if you have any comments, suggestions, orquestions about your new PSC PowerMax. Additionally, we are always open tosuggestions for new products that you would like to see developed.
PSC extends a one-year parts and labor warranty to all PowerMax systemowners who return their warranty card at the time of purchase. This warranty
gives you specific rights, which are stated on the card, and enables us to keep
you informed of product updates.
The PSC PowerMax provides all of the various voltages required to power yourentire digital audio recording package. Its rugged design allows for complete
confidence that you will have uninterrupted power throughout your recording
sessions.
PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THISENTIRE OPERATIONAL MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE PSC
POWERMAX!
CAUTION! THE CASE AND HEATSINK ASSEMBLY OF THE POWERMAXMAY GET HOT DURING USE. DO NOT ALLOW ANYTHING TO TOUCH THETOP OF THE HEATSINK DURING USE. ALWAYS ALLOW AT LEAST A ONEINCH AIR GAP ABOVE THE HEATSINK.
ALL AUXILARY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE REVERSEPROTECTED AND PROPERLY FUSED AT ALL TIMES.

POLARITYTHE POWERMAX IS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH SEALED LEAD ACID
BATTERIES ONLY!

Professional Sound Corporation
28085 Smyth Drive
Valencia, CA 91355 USAPH (661) 295-9395
Fax (661) 295-8398
Email: sales@professionalsound.com
Web: www.professionalsound.com

DESCRIPTION:
The Professional Sound Corporation PowerMax power distribution system has
been designed and built specifically to provide clean, quiet power for yourcomplete digital audio recording package. This new design easily handles theheavy power requirements of today’s digital recorders and mixers. Whenconnected to one or two sealed lead acid batteries it can output 12Vdc at up to12 amps continuous, as well as 18Vdc to power your audio mixer and wirelessreceivers. In addition, the PSC PowerMax outputs 6Vdc for use in powering
consumer RDAT’s, small video monitors and other equipment. The PSC
PowerMax contains a high capacity, on board battery changer that is designed tooperate from 100 to 240Vac for worldwide operation. Each of the PSC
PowerMax’s six output connectors contains dedicated EMI/RFI output filters toensure clean, noise-free power for your equipment.
CHARGING:
The PSC PowerMax contains a built in charger designed to charge up to two
external Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries. That means you can connect either
one or two separate SLA batteries such as pelican battery boxes to thePowerMax. The PSC PowerMax will operate from 100 to 240Vac so you canplug it in anywhere worldwide without adjustment or modifications. The changer
circuits used in the PowerMax have been specifically designed for charging thebatteries while the batteries are in use powering low noise audio equipment.
Unlike most battery chargers, ours have a very low noise floor. Using a typical
33amp/hour SLA battery you expect a recharge time of 4 hours. When using two
33amp/hour SLA batteries, you can expect a recharge time of 8 hours. Thecharging function is automatic and thus, it does not require your assistance inany way. Simply plug the PSC PowerMax into any AC outlet and the charging
begins. Beware that the heat-sink top of the PowerMax may get hot during use.
Do not touch this surface and be sure to allow at least a one-inch air gap above
the heat-sink surface for proper heat dissipation.
Because the PSC PowerMax is equipped with a high capacity charger, care must
be exercised in the type and condition of batteries to be charged. The PowerMax
is designed to charge Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries only. Additionally, it isrecommended that you inspect your batteries monthly for any signs of damage
such as case cracks, leaks or bulging cases. Do not connect the PSC
PowerMax to batteries that are damaged, or beyond their recommended life
span. Failure to heed this warning could result in product damage and/orpersonal injury. Bulging battery cases are a sure sign of a damaged battery
and/or shorted battery cell. Charging a battery in this condition can result inexcessive heat build up and battery venting (hydrogen gas discharge).
The PSC PowerMax is designed for use with Sealed Lead Acid batteries. Thesebatteries do not have the memory effects associated with NiCad batteries andunlike NiCads, SLA batteries life expectancy is based on how deeply it isdischarged, how long it is left in that condition and the number of discharge
cycles. Thus if you want to get the greatest life from your SLA batteries, youshould keep them charged at all times. This is easily accomplished with the PSC
PowerMax as it can be used while charging. The PSC PowerMax has a built in“fuel” gauge style battery meter that allows you to visually see the remaining
battery capacity at a quick glance. The PowerMax is also designed to protect
your batteries from over discharge. When your battery voltage drops to a predetermined level (approximately 10.8Vdc) the PowerMax will automatically shutitself off and disconnect the load from the battery. Thus you cannot overdischarge your batteries from misuse or by accidentally leaving your equipmenton over a weekend, etc. The battery meter is also color coded from green to red
as it falls from “FULL” towards “EMPTY”. When the last red LED turns off, sodoes the PowerMax.
BATTERY STORAGE:
Even though the PowerMax does not contain any built in batteries, we can offer
you a word of advice. Always make sure to charge your batteries before putting
them into storage. Your batteries should not be allowed to go below 10.6Vdc forany extended period of time. It will permanently damage them. Because allrechargeable batteries slowly self discharge while in storage, it is recommended
that you charge them every two to three months when you are not using them forextended periods of time. This will ensure that the batteries never self discharge
to a damaging level.
USE:The PSC PowerMax is designed for use in powering your entire digital audio
recording package. The PowerMax’s six, 4-pin female XLR output connectors
provide all of the various output voltages at all times when the PowerMax is
switched on. Thus all power cables wired for use between the PowerMax andyour equipment must be wired correctly and professionally. Anytime thePowerMax is plugged in; its battery charger is turned on. Thus your batteries
may be charged without the PowerMax’s front panel electronics turned on. By
pressing the “ON” button, the PowerMax will turn on and begin to supply all of thevarious output voltages to your equipment. If the PowerMax is connected to abattery, but not plugged into AC, all of the power will come from the battery. If
the battery is discharged below a safe point, the PowerMax will not stay on whenthe “ON” button is pressed. If the battery level is good, the PowerMax will latch
on. When the batteries are discharged to the point where the battery meter isreadying empty, the PowerMax will automatically shut it self off. You can also
shut off the PowerMax at any time by simply pressing the “OFF” button. You canalso operate the PowerMax without batteries connected by simply plugging thePowerMax into AC and pressing the “ON” button. The PowerMax will output all

of the various voltages and supply up to approximately 150 watts of total output
power when connected to AC only.
OUTPUT OVERLOAD PROTECTION:
The PSC PowerMax is equipped with Raychem Polyswitch automatically
resetable fuses to protect the outputs of the PowerMax. These solid statedevices act like ordinary fuses or circuit breakers. They interrupt the flow of
dangerously high electrical current in the case of a fault condition in theequipment being powered. A front panel “Fault” LED will light up when aparticular Polyswitch has been tripped. For example, if the 12Vdc output isoverloaded, the Polyswitch that protects the 12Vdc output will trip and the “12VFault” LED will light up. The Polyswitch will only reset after the fault has been
removed and the Polyswitch allowed time to cool down (approximately 30seconds).
The Polyswitch requires no manual resetting or replacement
eliminating the need to carry spare fuses in the field. Please note that these
output protection devices should not trip during normal use of the PowerMax! If
you experience tripping of these devices on any continuing basis, something iswrong and a qualified technician should check your equipment and cables
immediately.
CABLES:
PSC recommends that you use only two conductor, unshielded 16AWG power
cable for power distribution. Shielded cable is not recommended as the shield
may cause short circuits between adjacent pins on the connectors.
NOTE: Use only the pins required for the correct voltage to operate your specificpiece of equipment! For example, if your RDAT recorder requires 12Vdc tooperate, then you should only connect pins 1 (ground) and pin 4 (12Vdc). In thiscase you should not use pins 2 (6Vdc) or pin 3 (18Vdc) as these voltages are notrequired and could potentially damage your equipment. Many pieces ofequipment use pins 2 and 3 for other functions such as battery charging andthere are no industry standards for the use of these pins. Their use may not becompatible with the PowerMax. Remember, use only 2-conductor cable and wire
only 2 pins on your connectors!
It is highly recommended that you have your cables built by qualified personnel
and tested prior to use with your PowerMax. All power cables should be clearlylabeled on both ends as to what they are to be connected to. For example, label
one end “PowerMax” and the other end “Fostex PD6”. This will help prevent
inadvertently connecting the cables to the wrong piece of equipment. We cannot
stress enough the importance of good quality power cables and carefulconnections. Poorly constructed and/or labeled cables can result in equipment
damage!

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS:AC Cord

2x Battery Connections

6x Power Outputs

WARNING!
THE PSC POWERMAX OUTPUTS MULTIPLE VOLTAGES AT SUBSTANTIAL
CURRENT! ALL AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE REVERSE POLARITYPROTECTEDAND
PROPERLYFUSEDTOMANUFACTURES
RECOMMENDATIONS AT ALL TIMES! THE PSC POWERMAX IS CAPABLE
OF SUPPLYING MORE THAN 12 AMPS OF OUTPUT CURRENT INTO ASHORT CIRCUIT BEFORE THE INTERNAL POLYSWITCH TRIPS. THIS ISMORE THAN ENOUGH POWER TO SEVERELY DAMAGE UNPROTECTEDEQUIPMENT!
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE PSC POWERMAX! IT CONTAINS NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS OR ADJUSTMENTS. HIGH VOLTAGE AND CURRENTMAY BE PRESENT. REFER ALL SERVICE TO QUALIFIED PERSONNELONLY.

TERMS OF USE:THE IMPROPER CONNECTION OF THIS POWER SUPPLY TO AUXILIARYEQUIPMENT MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO SAID EQUIPMENT AND/ORPERSONAL INJURY. THE OPERATOR OF THIS POWER SUPPLY ASSUMESALL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY!
PROFESSIONAL SOUNDCORPORATION AND/OR ITS EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS ASSUME NORESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
INCURRED DUE TO ACCIDENT, CARELESS HANDLING, ABUSE ORMISSUSE, IMPROPER CONNECTION, AND/OR INSTALLATION, IMPROPER
ELECTRICAL CONTACT OR GROUNDING. OWNERSHIP AND/OR USE OF
THE PSC POWERMAX CONSTITUTES AGREEMENT WITH THESE TERMS.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Size:

10” x 8” x 3.25” (25.4cm x 20cm x 8.2cm)

Weight:

7Lbs (3.2Kg)

AC Input Power:

100 to 240Vac, 50/60Hz

DC Input Power:

SLA batteries, minimum capacity of 33Amp/hour eachPins 1&2 Ground
Pins 3&4 +12Vdc

Output Power:

Pin 1 = GroundPin 2 = +6Vdc @ up to 5 amps
Pin 3 = +18Vdc @ up to 5 amps
Pin 4 = +12Vdc @ at up to 12 amps

Charging Time:

4 hours (typical per 33amp/hour battery)

Charger Type:Constant Voltage Type, Current Limited to 9 amps.

Warranty:

Limited, One Year, Parts and Labor.