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04-25-2024, 10:12 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Way Down Here…………FL
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #34217
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Batteries
Anyone with Montana 3121RL added extra batteries?
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04-25-2024, 11:54 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,083
M.O.C. #20477
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Jack,
Easy to increase the size of your battery bank based on your needs. You will see rigs with everything between 100 ah and 1500 ah.
Except for the last couple of years where Montana has started installing Lithium at the factory, batteries were installed at the dealer without a clear standard.
Do you have a problem?
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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04-25-2024, 01:06 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,894
M.O.C. #24086
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Yes.
We switched to lithium 4 years ago. Four 132Ah lithium batteries. We Kept the original FLA battery because it was new. It's 5 yo now. I should Probably test it to see how much usable life it has left in it. It hasn't been used except as a backup to the lithium batteries you cannot charge them at below freezing temperatures, so I would switch to the FLA battery while the lithium batteries warmed up with battery heaters powered by the FLA battery while the solar panels are charging the FLA battery.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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04-25-2024, 01:55 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Way Down Here…………FL
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #34217
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler
Jack
Easy to increase the size of your battery bank based on your needs. You will see rigs with everything between 100 ah and 1500 ah.
Except for the last couple of years where Montana has started installing Lithium at the factory, batteries were installed at the dealer without a clear standard.
Do you have a problem?
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Thanks for the reply. We go out west almost every year and with residential refrigerator I like to have more battery than necessary especially when towing.
My last fifth wheel ( which hurricane Ian destroyed) I had 4 Trojans and it worked out great.
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04-26-2024, 05:56 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,894
M.O.C. #24086
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Jann,
Have a look at a DC-DC charger. It will run the fridge while you drive and you arrive with full batteries.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...hlight=charger
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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04-26-2024, 02:43 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Way Down Here…………FL
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #34217
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Thanks Daryl I’ll check it out.
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05-05-2024, 10:22 PM
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#7
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Established Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAS VEGAS
Posts: 13
M.O.C. #30460
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Changed to 3, 200AH (600AH total) lithium to support off-grid usage.
__________________
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2021 Montana 3121RL
2021 GMC 3500 CC LB SRW 4x4
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05-06-2024, 03:55 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Way Down Here…………FL
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #34217
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Which Lithium batteries are you guys using?
Wondering without having solar (maybe sometime) wouldn’t it be a waste or are there more advantages I’m not realizing?
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05-06-2024, 04:47 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,894
M.O.C. #24086
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I bought used Valance lithium batteries. They are not for everyone. They do not have a user friendly BMS. You have to make an interface cable, load a laptop with software and configure it to talk to the batteries.
But the price was right at the time ($350 compared to $1200 new).
Today lithium batteries are far cheaper than they were years ago. With proper care they should last a lifetime.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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05-06-2024, 08:47 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,574
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jann
Which Lithium batteries are you guys using?
Wondering without having solar (maybe sometime) wouldn’t it be a waste or are there more advantages I’m not realizing?
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I did a lot of research before settling on Temgot lithium batteries. There's a lot of info on YouTube. Guy's putting different brands to the test. Opening and inspecting their construction. Temgot's built in battery management system is very user friendly. Advantages over other battery types are night and day. Life cycles of LA batteries are 300 to 500 where lithium is as high as 5000. They never go below 12 volts. They shut off at 10% state of charge. Most have at least a 5 year warranty. They weigh 1/4 of LA batteries. The prices have dropped way down.
https://www.temgot.com/collections/1...epo4-batteries
__________________
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
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05-06-2024, 11:20 AM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAS VEGAS
Posts: 13
M.O.C. #30460
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I'm using Enduro batteries. A 200AH battery cost just a bit more than a 100AH Battleborn. There are so many brands available now. As someone has mentioned, YouTube has a plethora of videos on Li batteries and the prices have plummeted. Do some research and pick your brand. They probably are all very good, just some may be better than others on warranty or charge cycles, but either way, can't go wrong with Li.
__________________
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2021 Montana 3121RL
2021 GMC 3500 CC LB SRW 4x4
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05-08-2024, 01:31 PM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Canmore
Posts: 69
M.O.C. #25190
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Added batteries
Quote:
Originally Posted by jann
Anyone with Montana 3121RL added extra batteries?
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We took out the single 12v battery supplied at purchase and opted for two 6V deep cycle batteries. We have had no issues and they do last longer when dry camping.
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05-08-2024, 09:21 PM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Show Low
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #34181
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I added two lithium batteries, 200 amp each and I added 1000 W solar with a controller and I switched out my converter
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05-09-2024, 07:35 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,183
M.O.C. #1920
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Jann, there are many advantages to lithium batteries, if you have the correct charger (newer Montanas have a lithium switch). The first advantage is that lithium batteries maintain their voltage much better than lead acid. So, especially for sensitive electronics, you will not dip below 12v until you are almost discharged. Second, lithium batteries charge at a faster rate (with the correct charger). Most lead acid batteries charge at 13-15 amps/hr. Lithium can charge at 100 amps/hr. Think national parks that only allow 4 hours of generator use/day. Third, with most lithium batteries, you can discharge to 80-100% vs 50% with lead acid. And, with lead acid batteries, you are under 12v before you get to 50%. Lastly, size and weight are better by far with lithium. Obviously, the cost is the issue. You need to decide how you camp. People that boondock at places like Harvest Host, BLM land, national parks, etc will benefit the most.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames plus Meg - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar+ Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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05-09-2024, 08:39 AM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: council bluffs
Posts: 42
M.O.C. #24154
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If going to lithium, see our setup. Let me know if you have any questions.
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05-09-2024, 08:59 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,574
M.O.C. #30417
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That's a huge battery bank. You could just keep it simple
__________________
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
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05-09-2024, 09:03 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Centerville
Posts: 1,359
M.O.C. #9051
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Look at Weize on Amazon , I bought one for marine use 100 amp . Has BMS , 10 year warranty etc etc . Not sure why many are paying the price they are for lithium , but mine was $329.99 last year , just looked , and they were down to $229.99 . As one said these lithium are coming down in price .
I probably don’t know enough about lithium, but as some spending thousands, I’d go a couple 100 amp like mine long before spending thousands , or a bank of four if needed . Can’t see with the features of mine , warranty etc , you’d want another brand .
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05-09-2024, 09:39 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Centerville
Posts: 1,359
M.O.C. #9051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
I did a lot of research before settling on Temgot lithium batteries. There's a lot of info on YouTube. Guy's putting different brands to the test. Opening and inspecting their construction. Temgot's built in battery management system is very user friendly. Advantages over other battery types are night and day. Life cycles of LA batteries are 300 to 500 where lithium is as high as 5000. They never go below 12 volts. They shut off at 10% state of charge. Most have at least a 5 year warranty. They weigh 1/4 of LA batteries. The prices have dropped way down.
https://www.temgot.com/collections/1...epo4-batteries
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Looking at the prices of Temgot , pretty close to the Weize that I purchased, I’m thinking it wouldn’t surprise us if several of these off shore brands coming from the same source . I sorta closed my eyes , and picked one after reading more than I wanted about lithium. My choice has work flawlessly for the use I needed , its run down a bit running a 50 electric trolling motor, charges up very quickly.
I recently purchase some heat cables , several brands with what appears to be the same picture on the front of the box , different colors , and brand name on the box . Some of these lithium brands appear the same .
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