Thanks for forwarding the emails.
The first is, I think, somewhat accurate. "Provides no added benefit" is correct, I think, but it fails to mention that the old style PA will not completely charge the new units. Otherwise it's 'almost as good' as the charger supplied.
The second claims, "the unit uses as much voltage as required to heat, and any remaining voltage is used to trickle charge the battery" is absolutely wrong technically. It's not voltage, but current that's the factor. Big difference to those who know about such things. Since the delivered voltage doesn't change (like to your house), the power used depends on the current drawn (just like your house). Solo uses about 80% of the available power, when heating that's not enough so it discharges the battery for the remainder. When the heater cycles off again, it really doesn't shut down completely but continues to use a reduced amount of the power from the charger to heat, giving the remainder to the battery to recharge until the next (full power) heat cycle starts.
In practice this is done with a 'down converter' inside Solo that 'chops' the 12Volt, lower current to make lower voltage (but higher current) to charge the battery. Only one output, not "8.5V and the remaining 3.5+ volts trickle charges the battery". In practice, I think, it's reduced to the battery voltage since I think the new Solo is using the same scheme as Air, that is the battery is charged 'on one side' by the charger and discharged 'on the other' by the power demands for heating. Something like would happen if you put a trickle charger on your car battery and switched the headlights on and off.
But, from a technical standpoint "any remaining voltage is used to trickle charge the battery" is just plain wrong and to me indicates a guy who is intentionally or ignorantly 'blowing smoke'. It sounds OK unless you know what he's talking about.
Bottom line is the PA doesn't give PA operation with the new style, and as a charger isn't not going to do a complete job (but will take longer). IMO basically useless with the new version, the normal charger gives more features for less money. The PA is only a benefit with the old style.
Agreed both times. Sounds like a 'canned' response to me as well. And as Ollie North once famously said "at variance with the truth"?
OF