Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Solar, Charging Systems, Batteries and Electrical
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-19-2021, 09:02 AM   #21
BrokeDown
Established Member
 
BrokeDown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 16
M.O.C. #29885
Quote:
Originally Posted by firestation12 View Post
A reputable solar installer can be your best source to help you plan going forward.
So, order the coach the way I want it and then let a solar installer deal with making it work. That is the way that I am leaning at this point.

While solar is important, out of the 7 months that we will live in the new RV, only 15 days (or so) will be spent boondocking. The rest will be spent with full hookups where the 3rd AC won't be an issue. So for us. dealing with heat is more important than dealing with power.

-B
 
__________________
Newmar Mountain Aire 4523 w/Hydralift MC Lift - 2016 Jeep Rubicon HR Unlimited - 2012 Harley FLTRU
2022 5th Wheel 36' (looking) - 2022 F450 Platinum (ordered)
Fulltime RVing since 4/16/16 - FMCA F477382
BrokeDown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 02:59 PM   #22
firestation12
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Mesa
Posts: 277
M.O.C. #24588
Clarification

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrokeDown View Post
So, order the coach the way I want it and then let a solar installer deal with making it work. That is the way that I am leaning at this point.

While solar is important, out of the 7 months that we will live in the new RV, only 15 days (or so) will be spent boondocking. The rest will be spent with full hookups where the 3rd AC won't be an issue. So for us. dealing with heat is more important than dealing with power.

-B
To be more clear, I’d start with the design/consult phase before you order the 5er. In my case, I ended up removing the Onan 5500 and installing all solar. I keep a Honda EU2200i in reserve but rarely use it. A few texts back and forth doesn’t provide enough communication to answer your questions. Battle born is a prime example of a company that can help you make informed decisions. Best of luck to you!
firestation12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 03:37 PM   #23
BrokeDown
Established Member
 
BrokeDown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 16
M.O.C. #29885
Quote:
Originally Posted by firestation12 View Post
To be more clear, I’d start with the design/consult phase before you order the 5er. Best of luck to you!
Thanks!

I spoke to every RV manufacturers whose RV I am considering (including Montana.) I also spoke to several solar installers. I even boondocked in the parking lot of a solar installer (thru Boondockers Welcome), they all have ideas. And yes, I spoke to Battle Born, and yes, they are very good.

But... the folks here are living with these RVs and many have come up with "solar" solutions. I've gotten really good advice from forums.

-B
__________________
Newmar Mountain Aire 4523 w/Hydralift MC Lift - 2016 Jeep Rubicon HR Unlimited - 2012 Harley FLTRU
2022 5th Wheel 36' (looking) - 2022 F450 Platinum (ordered)
Fulltime RVing since 4/16/16 - FMCA F477382
BrokeDown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 05:18 PM   #24
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
If I had a need for a third ac (which I have before) I would install it and wire it to a dedicated plug for an external Honda 2200 and a soft start.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2021, 07:27 AM   #25
RipNC
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Aurora
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #26926
Firestation12,

The Victron Multiplus II 2x120v (long model name) actually handles both legs of the panel in a single unit. A good description is found at https://www.victronenergy.com/invert...lus-ii-2x-120v . I've only recently completed my install so not much real world testing yet.
__________________
Rip & Beth
2021 3121RL Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde IS & pin box
2020 F350 PSD CCLB SRW
RipNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2021, 02:09 PM   #26
Camp CA
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Bencia
Posts: 537
M.O.C. #25828
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrokeDown View Post
So, order the coach the way I want it and then let a solar installer deal with making it work. That is the way that I am leaning at this point. While solar is important, out of the 7 months that we will live in the new RV, only 15 days (or so) will be spent boondocking. The rest will be spent with full hookups where the 3rd AC won't be an issue. So for us. dealing with heat is more important than dealing with power........
There you go...........issue solved!! Good plan.
Camp CA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2021, 09:24 PM   #27
TheGreg
Established Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 10
M.O.C. #27776
SSF with 3rd AC

I ordered my Montana with the Super Solar Flex and added a 3rd AC afterwards. Part of the issue with the 3rd AC was that the location of the solar panels got in the way of a 3rd Coleman AC and ended up using a Dometic instead. Like others have mentioned, it did the dedicated 20 amp plug on the side of the trailer just for that AC unit.

Even with all 3 ACs running it still couldn't quite keep up with the 110+ in Vegas this summer, but I haven't done anything with fixing insulation issues and do have dark legacy paint that heats up well.
__________________
2021 3791RD Legacy in Cobalt w/ Super SolarFlex
2011 F-350
TheGreg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.