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08-16-2017, 09:27 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Anniston
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #20352
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Input Requested
Looking at selling or trading in my 2013 Montana 3582RL and buying/ordering a new 3791RD. In picking the options I want the rig equipped with I am on the fence about a generator. What do y'all think? Should I go for the generator or not?
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ProSoldier63
"Proud to Serve"
2013 GMC Sierra 2500 SLT w/Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmission
2013 Keystone Montana 37582RL
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08-16-2017, 09:42 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stafford Springs
Posts: 524
M.O.C. #17256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ProSoldier63
Looking at selling or trading in my 2013 Montana 3582RL and buying/ordering a new 3791RD. In picking the options I want the rig equipped with I am on the fence about a generator. What do y'all think? Should I go for the generator or not?
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Depends on the type of camping you like to do. Do you often camp without power? (Boondock). if so, get the genny. If not, I would save space and weight and go without or just get a portable for those few times you may be without hookups.
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Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
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08-16-2017, 09:56 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,888
M.O.C. #19944
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that dual Honda systems looks nice for the $2200
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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08-16-2017, 10:11 AM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Anniston
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #20352
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Thanks
Okay, thanks for the input. I think, since I don't camp away from shore power, that it would be best to hold off and add it later if I decide that's the way I want to go. Thanks so much.
__________________
ProSoldier63
"Proud to Serve"
2013 GMC Sierra 2500 SLT w/Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmission
2013 Keystone Montana 37582RL
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08-16-2017, 10:57 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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If you are really on the fence about it order the rig with generator prep and then you can more easily add it later. I'm a 2 Honda man myself, however.
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08-16-2017, 11:48 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Gen prep would be a smart move
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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08-16-2017, 11:48 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cw3jason
Depends on the type of camping you like to do. Do you often camp without power? (Boondock). if so, get the genny. If not, I would save space and weight and go without or just get a portable for those few times you may be without hookups.
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Good advice Jason
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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08-16-2017, 12:41 PM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: okotoks
Posts: 42
M.O.C. #10611
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My 3400rl came with a onan 5.5 kw that runs on propane, in the 8 years we've owned this unit we have used it about 5 times due to power outages. When you are in the really cold country like we are a generator is a necessity for your safety -look into the propane operating system, it doesn't smell!
Granet
Foothills of the Rockies
Okotoks,Alberta,Canada
Royal Canadian Legion br 291,Okotoks member
American Legion post CN20 member
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08-16-2017, 12:45 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 477
M.O.C. #17609
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I agree on the generator prep suggestion as that keeps your options open long term. Also if you start going off grid, solar may be a better investment than a generator for general use except for running the AC
__________________
2016 Montana 3160RL w/MOR/Ryde IS and Disc Brakes
855W Solar System, TriStar MPPT-60 Controller, Magnum 2800W Inverter, 6 Trojan T-105REs
2015 Chevy Duramax SRW SB Crew Cab
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08-16-2017, 08:55 PM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Anniston
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #20352
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Thanks
I appreciate all your input and recommendations.
__________________
ProSoldier63
"Proud to Serve"
2013 GMC Sierra 2500 SLT w/Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmission
2013 Keystone Montana 37582RL
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08-17-2017, 07:40 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
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Like many things it's a personal choice. We have an on-board Genny and while it doesn't get used alot, it's really nice to just push a button and have power.
We had the Dual Honda setup with extended run tank with our Monty, but was a pain to pull everything out, set it up, then when finished using it there was a cool down period before re-storing for travel.
Just offering a different view.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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08-17-2017, 10:21 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,888
M.O.C. #19944
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On a 50amp 5er - how many watts of Solar Panel are required? Is anything in the 5er two phase power or is it all 120V? Anyone doing Solar that would recommend their system?
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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08-17-2017, 12:53 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,921
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ram Montana High Country
On a 50amp 5er - how many watts of Solar Panel are required? Is anything in the 5er two phase power or is it all 120V? Anyone doing Solar that would recommend their system?
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Everything in my unit is single phase 120V. There should be two independent buses in your AC breaker panel, fed by the two 50A/120V hot legs. It is not like a house panel that can combine two 120V hot legs to get 240V.
I installed 400W of solar and 300AH of batteries; we boondock 90% of the time. I have not used it much since the install, so I can't speak to the capacity, but I think it will be fine. My last 5er had 120W of solar panel and 200AH of battery. With fair sun, my wife and I could go at least 4 days. However we don't use a lot of power; just lights, water pump and a movie each night. I went up to 400W on the Montana because it uses more power than my old unit (Wildcat). I paid less for 400W than I did ten years ago for 100W.
I bought the Renogy kit; came with almost everything I needed, but there are a lot of good kits out there. Looks like the price now is less than what I paid. https://www.renogy.com/products/kits/rv-marine/
I did not use the roof entrance they provided, I liked this one better:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Install link:
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=71218
I think I used 4 tubes of Dicor.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-17-2017, 02:39 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 477
M.O.C. #17609
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To rally determine how much solar is needed, you have to figure out how much you need and balance it with how much you will boondock and for how long at a stretch. The link bellows goes through my install of a system I put together on my own vs a kit to get exactly what I wanted. I have done a 6 day stretch as my longest so far and have rarely used 20% of my capacity worse case, I run my fridge on electric vs usually when I travel and the solar usually keeps me within 5% of fully charged unless its a pretty drab day.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=67103
So there is no easy answer to sizing but the smallest I would suggest for any newer rig is ~400-500W of solar and 450AH of battery capacity (4 6V golf cart batteries).
__________________
2016 Montana 3160RL w/MOR/Ryde IS and Disc Brakes
855W Solar System, TriStar MPPT-60 Controller, Magnum 2800W Inverter, 6 Trojan T-105REs
2015 Chevy Duramax SRW SB Crew Cab
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