|
|
07-17-2023, 03:50 PM
|
#1
|
New Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Columbus
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #32996
|
SolarFlex 400i System
I am new to this forum and recently purchased a new 2023 Montana Legacy 3123RL, which came with a factory installed SolarFlex 400i solar system. Regarding RV solar systems, I am in learning mode. Can someone recommend videos available on the internet about the SolarFlex system from basic to advance information? I've watched what Keystone provides via its website, but I'm looking for more.
|
|
|
07-17-2023, 07:27 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #30417
|
Welcome to the MOC! I have a 400 as well. What are you looking for? The system is very simple.
- Two 400 watt panels
- Wired directly to a Victorn solar controller/charger
- Victron solar controller wired to the batteries to provide a charge
- Victron battery shunt to allow the user to see the battery SOC
- Pre-wired for 2 additional panels. (You will need to upgrade the solar controller to accommodate more panels)
Both units have user settings to allow for lithium or LA.
Will be happy to answer more questions if you can be more specific.
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
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
|
|
|
07-18-2023, 05:23 AM
|
#3
|
New Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Columbus
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #32996
|
I'm considering adding lithium batteries sufficient to allow one night's boon docking using one A/C during the warmer months of the year. The idea is to fully charge batteries on shore power before departure, travel to first stop, boon dock one night using batteries, and then travel to another location with shore power to recharge. I know an exact calculation what would require knowing the exact amperage load for the night of boon docking. I'm looking for a "guesstimate."
|
|
|
07-18-2023, 07:36 AM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #30417
|
You'll need a substantial upgrade if you're going to run an AC. The first thing you'll need is an additional 2K inverter wired specifically for the AC. You're rig should be pre-wired in the basement.
You're going to need at least 600 amp hours to run for long periods. You'll also need a beefy solar array to charge those depleted lithium's. I'd say probably 1200 watts.
- Inverter prep
- 2K inverter
- Three 200 amp hour lithium's
- An upgraded Victron controller. To handle 600 AH
- Four more 200 watt panels
You can probably find higher wattage panels, reducing the amount but I don't know if the pre-wiring on the roof can handle higher wattage. Someone else may know
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
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
|
|
|
07-18-2023, 08:11 AM
|
#5
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Olmsted Falls
Posts: 245
M.O.C. #20364
|
Does anyone know how much additional weight is in a 1200W system? Adding that would require lightening the load elsewhere, wouldn't it?
I'm trying to weigh up the pros an cons as we're shopping for a new Montana with Solar this year.
__________________
Rick & Joyce Jones
RMC(SW) USN Ret.; AT&T Ret.
2024 3231CK, IS, 400W Solar, Slide covers, Predator Gen,, 2016 Chevy High Country 3500 Diesel Dually with Timbren SES
|
|
|
07-18-2023, 12:11 PM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #30417
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Our3820FK
Does anyone know how much additional weight is in a 1200W system? Adding that would require lightening the load elsewhere, wouldn't it?
I'm trying to weigh up the pros an cons as we're shopping for a new Montana with Solar this year.
|
The weight is negligible. The panels weigh about 12 lbs. The control equipment and inverter is also light. Two 100AH lithium's weigh 50lbs verses 150lbs for lead acid. So it's a no brainer.
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
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
|
|
|
08-02-2023, 03:22 PM
|
#7
|
Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #33101
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
You can probably find higher wattage panels, reducing the amount but I don't know if the pre-wiring on the roof can handle higher wattage. Someone else may know
|
What I have seen on the Keystone Cougar side is a second loop of wires to the roof and the battery as a “solar prep” for a second charge controller vs a larger one. Re the wiring, it appears to be 10awg. Rather than pulling bigger wire I would lean toward hooking up additional panels in series to the new 2nd charge controller….thereby doubling the voltage but keeping the amp current lower . All depends on the panels selected and whether doubling their open circuit voltage would fit under the 100v max of the 100/30 SmartSolar MPPT.
__________________
2022 Keystone Cougar Half Ton 32RLI with Solarflex 400i
|
|
|
08-02-2023, 03:59 PM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Minden - NV
Posts: 507
M.O.C. #22360
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RacerX
All depends on the panels selected and whether doubling their open circuit voltage would fit under the 100v max of the 100/30 SmartSolar MPPT.
|
....and the 30A limit to the batteries
__________________
2013 F350 Lariat Ultimate CC LB
2019 3790RD
|
|
|
07-18-2023, 10:26 AM
|
#9
|
Established Member
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Sykeston
Posts: 33
M.O.C. #32705
|
I have 400i solar with 2 lithium ion batteries, keeps refrigerator going 24/7! Also have 4500 watt generator
|
|
|
12-06-2023, 02:08 PM
|
#10
|
New Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Central square
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #33663
|
Hi I’m looking at buying a new Montana with the 400i and two lithium batteries. My question is will this run my frig 24/7 my seasonal has no power but I do have a 2000 Honda generator for back up and possibly charge my batteries at times.
|
|
|
12-06-2023, 02:47 PM
|
#11
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,084
M.O.C. #20477
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallen
Hi I’m looking at buying a new Montana with the 400i and two lithium batteries. My question is will this run my frig 24/7 my seasonal has no power but I do have a 2000 Honda generator for back up and possibly charge my batteries at times.
|
Depends on which refer you get and what else you want to run. Your genny will definitely support it.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
|
|
|
07-18-2023, 11:39 AM
|
#12
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Minden - NV
Posts: 507
M.O.C. #22360
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by java2d
I'm considering adding lithium batteries sufficient to allow one night's boon docking using one A/C during the warmer months of the year. The idea is to fully charge batteries on shore power before departure, travel to first stop, boon dock one night using batteries, and then travel to another location with shore power to recharge. I know an exact calculation what would require knowing the exact amperage load for the night of boon docking. I'm looking for a "guesstimate."
|
a 15kBTU AC is about 14-1500W. The newer higher efficiency units may be slightly better.
Assume 13.2V battery voltage during runtime with Lithium batteries.
5 hour runtime estimate
Here's a simple calc:
1500W*5hr/13.2V=568 Ah (assumes no other 12V loads)
You'd need a minimum of 600Ah of battery storage.
I run my AC off my 3000W inverter and it will deplete the batteries to 25% in about 4 hours and that is with 600Ah and 1200W of panels on the roof. They panels only produce about 800-950W in peak sun hours. Remember panels are rated at test parameters of around 77°F and lose efficiency as the surface temp of the panel increase.
Other loads I have at the same time are the 12V cooling unit on my Norcold 2118 and all the other draws (lights, phone chargers, etc.)
__________________
2013 F350 Lariat Ultimate CC LB
2019 3790RD
|
|
|
08-14-2023, 09:35 AM
|
#13
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Wauchula
Posts: 85
M.O.C. #30834
|
On our 2016 3611 RL Legacy, I installed 2000 watts of residential panels on the roof, 1200ah of LiFePO4 Lithium batteries, two Victron solar chargers, two Victron 3000 Inverters, and a Victron BMV-712.
We have a residential fridge we need to maintain. We set our expectations to 4 days between full hookups, in case if clouds and/or tree cover. We have two small generators just in case, but have not needed them this year.
Lithium batteries make a huge difference compared to AGM we had on our previous rig.
__________________
Fulltimer Domicile: Florida SKP Resort, Wauchula, Florida
2016 Montana 3611 RL Legacy - 2000w Solar, Victron whole house power, 1200ah Chins LiFePO4, RV Armor roof, Verizon 5G Home Internet
|
|
|
09-17-2023, 11:33 PM
|
#14
|
Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: newburgh
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #33311
|
I have a 2020 Montana 3791 Rd. I bought used. I think I found the wire in the basement bit I cant find where on the roof I can get access to it. Please help
|
|
|
09-18-2023, 08:18 AM
|
#15
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #30417
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sidgod1018
I have a 2020 Montana 3791 Rd. I bought used. I think I found the wire in the basement bit I cant find where on the roof I can get access to it. Please help
|
You should have something like this on the roof. If not it's likely your rig wasn't solar prepped.
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
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
|
|
|
09-18-2023, 08:22 AM
|
#16
|
Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: newburgh
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #33311
|
Thank you for your response. I do not have that on my roof.
|
|
|
09-18-2023, 08:27 AM
|
#17
|
Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: newburgh
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #33311
|
Thank you for your response. I do not have that on my roof. If i had to cut into my roof to install, where would you recommend me drilling a hole so i can wire future panels? Thanks again
|
|
|
09-18-2023, 08:31 AM
|
#18
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #30417
|
Be careful where you drill. Especially on the roof. SO much wire, plumbing and ducting up there. If it were me I'd find a closet and open the ceiling to find a clear spot. A lot of peps here have installed extensive solar systems. I defer to them .
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
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
|
|
|
09-18-2023, 10:09 AM
|
#19
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Minden - NV
Posts: 507
M.O.C. #22360
|
Since you have a 3791, you can run them down the wall behind the buffet. There are two vent pipes for the bathroom and waste tanks. If you remove the control panel in the upper cabinet with all the switches, you'll see the wall is opened up and the two pipes are there. They run from the basement to the roof along with a ton of the wiring. When you get on the room, you'll see them. This weekend, I used this area to add two more sets of wire to expand my system and used this chase to run them down. I used a 1.5" hole saw and carefully drilled through the 3/8" roof plywood about 4-5 inches laterally away from the two plumbing vents since they line up with the wall below. Make sure to pull the trigger on the drill so you can stop it from spinning as it breaks through. When I pulled the drill, there were a few of the 12g Romex runs (probably for the ACs). I used my fish tape to probe along side and it dropped in the wall cavity right to the open space behind the switches. I pulled the wire to there and then ran the fish tape down to the basement and pull the other end down there.
__________________
2013 F350 Lariat Ultimate CC LB
2019 3790RD
|
|
|
09-18-2023, 11:04 AM
|
#20
|
Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: newburgh
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #33311
|
That sounds like wonderful advice. Im o happy for the information. Thank you. Thank you. This is a great thread with alot of helpful people.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|