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09-22-2022, 10:02 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: EL CAJON
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #31703
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Newbies looking for guidance
Hey all!
My wife and I just bought a 2006 3400RL .
Will be working as a full time stock trader and traveling the country with our daughter for a year or two and looking where to settle down.
I would love input on the best generator situation we need (two AC units). I keep researching and looking to go with the predator 3500 inverter, or if I need to go bigger
. Also toying with the idea of the back up ecoflow system but my father in law days to go with 6 lythium ions.
Anyways, any help with power needs, tips on anything full time RV living g would help tremendously. Thank you!!!
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09-23-2022, 05:12 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #25165
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Lithium batteries are not powerful enough to run the AC's.
The predator is a good generator, but doesn't have the running watts necessary for both AC's. A generator with 3600 running watts (not starting or peak) will supply 30 amp service. That's barely enough for both AC's with soft starts installed, and no room for anything else. Realistically, you need a generator in the 5 to 6 KW range, depending upon your other needs like water heater, residential fridge, washer/dryer, etc.
You could run 2 gens in parallel to get enough power for the whole rig. The only benefit I have seen to this is that a smaller generator could run 1 AC and save fuel (and noise) when both are not needed.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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09-23-2022, 05:40 AM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: EL CAJON
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #31703
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Ya...that was my fear. My wife and inkeep going back and fourth. I know we factually need more. Just worried about noise if we do an RV park or campground. Which 50to60DPS at 5 feet seems to be the standard which seems impossible anyway so.....I was thinking of going with something bigger. Or like you said, I could do 2...
With a 50 amp plug and 30amp receptacle though I can draw as much either even with an adapter. Predator has a 6500 7500 I think....inverter dual fuel.
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09-23-2022, 05:44 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #25165
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I've been looking at the dual fuel generators as well so I can run AC while travelling. Keep the coach cool for our bulldogs, so I don't have to idle the truck so long once we get set up. Keep in mind that you will get less power on propane than on gas, so running watts on gas might be 3000 watts, but on propane something like 2650 watts or even less.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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09-23-2022, 05:48 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #25165
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I have found with soft starts on both AC's, I can run the coach on 30 amp service, including the converter and residential fridge, but the water heater would need to be on propane. I have to turn off one AC to run the microwave. We don't have washer/dryer yet and even if we did, I would likely not even attempt on 30 amp.
We don't boondock, so running generator while camping is not necessary for us, unless a power outage occurs.
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Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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09-23-2022, 06:33 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,619
M.O.C. #22835
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We have 2 Cummins Onan P4500i Inverter Generators that have worked absolutely flawless for us for over 3 years now. I run them in parallel for full 50 amp service. They are not the cheapest, but I've not had a single issue with either of them. Look them up.
Some forum members swear up and down that the Westinghouse 4500 is the same identical unit as the Onan and cheaper. I cannot qualify that claim, all I can qualify is the fact that mine have worked well, no issues, still run very quiet, and have done everything I needed them for. When running in parallel, there is absolutely no difference operating anything in the Montana than when I'm plugged into 50 amp shore power service.
I also use them for running power tools when I'm not near power company supplied electricity. Of course, they get used the most at home when we have power outages. We don't boom dock. And yes, when traveling, I now travel with them inside the camper. I have 2 ramps I use to wheel them in and out the camper door so I do not need help lifting them. In the winter (when we are home), they are stored inside the house. We have NEVER had gasoline smell.
We purchased one for our neighbor for power outages. She's widowed and lives with her (now) 10 year old daughter alone. She also stores hers inside the house (actually in the space between the kitchen and the living room) and been doing that for over a year now. She also has absolutely no gasoline smell. She does do boomdocking with a horse trailer with living quarters. She has 2 horses. She takes the Onan with her and told me it works wonderful when camping. She has thanked me a dozen times for that gift! (The daughter does horse riding competitions).
__________________
History is not about the past, it's an explanation of the present.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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09-23-2022, 08:46 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,288
M.O.C. #30417
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If you're going to boondock you won't be running your ac units much. Before I upgraded to my Montana with the solar 400 package, which I love! I ran my Onan 3600 LPG (built in) about 4 to 5 hours a day using two deep cycle batteries. With solar I only run it about 1 hour. If I had a bank of lithium the run time would be much less. I would only run my AC to cool the trailer down after setup. Typically no boondocking in a hot environment. I'm not a fan of dragging a portable generator around. (not a full timer) If you're going to travel and full time I'd go big. 50 amp gen, 3 to 4K inverter, lithium and portable solar. Oh and I'd stick with an LPG gen. They run so much cleaner then gas and last forever! Welcome and have fun on your adventure.
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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09-23-2022, 08:52 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,257
M.O.C. #26190
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Congrats on the new/used trailer and traveling the country. I have a Westingtonhouse 4500 dual fuel inverter generator and love it. It has the remote start and is quiet. Looks like Amazon has them for $899.00.
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2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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09-24-2022, 02:28 PM
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#9
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: EL CAJON
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #31703
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Thank-you very much for your help. Any idea of battery system ? I don't have endless funds but would like a reliable battery system that I could run everything on? And affordable with solar?
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09-28-2022, 07:50 PM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Dryden
Posts: 93
M.O.C. #25471
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMcNeal
I've been looking at the dual fuel generators as well so I can run AC while travelling. Keep the coach cool for our bulldogs, so I don't have to idle the truck so long once we get set up. Keep in mind that you will get less power on propane than on gas, so running watts on gas might be 3000 watts, but on propane something like 2650 watts or even less.
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Please don't leave your pets in the RV while traveling, unless it's a coach that you'll be riding in as well. Very scary and rough experience for them. We travel with two macaws and transport them in the truck with us. Interesting at times.
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09-29-2022, 03:18 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #25165
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Never my intention. Just trying to keep it cool upon arrival.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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09-29-2022, 08:58 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,288
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMcNeal
I've been looking at the dual fuel generators as well so I can run AC while travelling. Keep the coach cool for our bulldogs, so I don't have to idle the truck so long once we get set up.
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That's an interesting idea. I might try that. It's tough to cool the trailer upon arrival with opening and closing the doors so much.
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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09-29-2022, 09:17 AM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: EL CAJON
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #31703
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Anyone have a great battery system they use for when not in shore power or generator?
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09-29-2022, 10:04 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,970
M.O.C. #5651
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A question which you haven't mentioned - Why all the boondocking? If you are a stock trader, you need good wifi. That is hard to come by in the sticks. Unless you have the new StarLink system. What are you using?
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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09-29-2022, 01:44 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: LYNDEN
Posts: 286
M.O.C. #30751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LWTDR
Anyone have a great battery system they use for when not in shore power or generator?
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I use 3 Interstate SRM24 Deep Cycle batteries for the house bank, have a 3600 watt WEN generator and a Starlink RV satellite system for internet. I've installed a 750 watt inverter to supple power to my Starlink WIFI system as well as supple my ROKU TV when boondocking.
__________________
2003 Holiday Rambler Navigator 43PKD 500HP 11L Cummins ISM
2005 Keystone Montana 2955RL (sold)
1999 F350 SC (sold)
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09-29-2022, 03:12 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Bencia
Posts: 538
M.O.C. #25828
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Welcome to the forum!!
Generator...........consider many watts you plan to consume (a 13,500 BTU AC's draws 1000 -1300 watts), hours per day, whether you will use a soft start to minimize starting AC watts, fuel consumption and fuel storage requirements. A Predetor 3500 inverter generator https://generatorswift.com/predator-...ter-generator/ would be good size if you have a soft start AC.
Back up ecoflow system..........looks like a interesting option.
Lithium-ion batteries..........great option for boondocking, albeit pricy. https://rvlifestyle.com/best-rv-batt...r-boondocking/
Do you really plan to boondock? By the time you invest in all of these you could purchase a camping club membership and stay for free with hook-ups and amenities (pool, spa, laundry, gated, wifi, cable tv, children play area, activities, etc.)
__________________
2020 Montana 3780RL fifth wheel
2016 F-350 6.7L Diesel Crew Cab Long Bed DRW
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09-30-2022, 06:29 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,733
M.O.C. #24086
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You can parallel a pair of Champion generators to get 50A output.
Here's an online generator parallel assistant at Champion
https://www.championpowerequipment.c...-kit-selector/
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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02-19-2023, 02:58 PM
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#18
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Fountain Hills
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #24242
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Hydralic jacks
Last year my 3610RL 5th wheel leaned to the right. This occurred in the winter while stored at our site in in Northern Arizona. After investigating online I syphatoned 2 quarts of hydralic fluid and replaced it with 2 quarts on Catapiller hydralic fluid. Ran the system up and down to mix new fluid and it seamed to correct the leaning. However it leaned to the other side this winter. I checked all jacks Lines, tank and system lines and no leaks. Being an former aircraft mechanic several years ago, l'm still stumped. Anyone out there with an easy cheap fix?
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