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Old 08-16-2017, 09:27 AM   #1
ProSoldier63
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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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Old 08-16-2017, 09:42 AM   #2
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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?
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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Old 08-16-2017, 09:56 AM   #3
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that dual Honda systems looks nice for the $2200
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Old 08-16-2017, 10:11 AM   #4
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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.
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Old 08-16-2017, 10:57 AM   #5
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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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Old 08-16-2017, 11:48 AM   #6
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Gen prep would be a smart move
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Old 08-16-2017, 11:48 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by cw3jason View Post
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.
Good advice Jason
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Old 08-16-2017, 12:41 PM   #8
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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!
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Old 08-16-2017, 12:45 PM   #9
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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
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Old 08-16-2017, 08:55 PM   #10
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Thanks

I appreciate all your input and recommendations.
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Old 08-17-2017, 07:40 AM   #11
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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.
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Old 08-17-2017, 10:21 AM   #12
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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?
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Old 08-17-2017, 12:53 PM   #13
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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?
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.
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Old 08-17-2017, 02:39 PM   #14
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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).
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