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11-20-2021, 08:25 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Saugerties
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #21360
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Where to locate battery bank...
We have a 2018 Montana 3811ms and are upgrading from 2 batteries to 4 lithium battery bank. They fit into the compartment where the two stock batteries were however I'm not sure if the thin metal floor will support 130 lbs.
If anyone has upgraded to a battery bank, where did you locate it.. Pictures if possible.
Thanks in advance for any input
Dennis
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11-20-2021, 09:06 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sequim
Posts: 522
M.O.C. #17176
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Those four lithium batteries probably about the same as the two lead acids you are taking out. I wouldn’t worry about it. I have 4 golf cart batteries plus a portable generator in that space. Which is at least 350lbs not a problem.
__________________
Dan & Sandy Huhn
2016 Montana 3720 2015 Chevy 3500 SWD Duro Max
Prev 2012 High Country 313RE 2012 Chevy 2500 DMax
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11-20-2021, 09:51 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I put a thin piece of plywood over the cutout portion designed for a generator and then loaded six golf cart AGM batteries in there on our 2010 and then pulled it over 100,000 miles some of which were on back roads in the Fish and Wildlife parks we worked in.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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11-21-2021, 12:34 PM
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#4
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Saugerties
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #21360
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Thank you for your replies. I put the 4 lithium batteries in where the original 2 batteries were. I did put a 1/2" piece of ply board down to help distribute the weight. Thanks again for the info
Dennis
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11-21-2021, 03:33 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
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Dennis, I am assuming since you put in 4 lithium batteries that you do a fair amount of boondocking. Do you boondock in cold weather? If so, don’t forget to provide a method for keeping the batteries warm. They don’t charge well below freezing. Best of luck.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - 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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11-21-2021, 08:06 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,654
M.O.C. #24086
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I installed 4 lithium batteries in that compartment alongside the original FLA battery (backup). I didn't want to get rid of the FLA since it was new).
Before installing the batteries I installed 2 layers of 1" styrofoam board on the floor and walls to help keep the batteries warm.
I also put tank warmers on the batteries wrapped them in insulation and put them each in their own battery box.
Lithium batteries do NOT like to be charged below freezing temperatures. You can use them below freezing just don't charge them until you warm them up first.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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11-24-2021, 01:18 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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Have you thought about buying a rack mount battery? $1,500 for 4.8KWH. The price of batteries and panels is dropping so fast that I am waiting until April (we leave on May 1st) to save even more if it keeps up like this. I’m planning on full independent power at an affordable price.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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11-24-2021, 02:11 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D&D Young
We have a 2018 Montana 3811ms and are upgrading from 2 batteries to 4 lithium battery bank. They fit into the compartment where the two stock batteries were however I'm not sure if the thin metal floor will support 130 lbs.
If anyone has upgraded to a battery bank, where did you locate it.. Pictures if possible.
Thanks in advance for any input
Dennis
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That metal floor is designed to hold a big generator so the 140lbs is nothing. However, if you plan on camping in freezing weather, the batteries wil need to be kept warm. I am full time and live in Canada so my 6 went in the passthru. Boxed them in and got a nice shelf for free. Also a 3811MS.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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11-24-2021, 02:13 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
I installed 4 lithium batteries in that compartment alongside the original FLA battery (backup). I didn't want to get rid of the FLA since it was new).
Before installing the batteries I installed 2 layers of 1" styrofoam board on the floor and walls to help keep the batteries warm.
I also put tank warmers on the batteries wrapped them in insulation and put them each in their own battery box.
Lithium batteries do NOT like to be charged below freezing temperatures. You can use them below freezing just don't charge them until you warm them up first.
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Be aware some folks have melted the case. Lithium batteries typically do not have anywhere as near robust a case of FLA. Best to check with battery mfg for temp tolerance of the case material.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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11-24-2021, 02:14 PM
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#10
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 17
M.O.C. #21390
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I placed my 6 Renogy 170 LiFePo4 batteries and everything else in the heated compartment. If you charge this type of batteries when it's below freezing you risk damaging them if the battery management system doesn't have a cut off.
__________________
Alain Lacroix - Ottawa Ontario
2020 GMC Denali DRW
2021 Montana 3781RL Legacy
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11-25-2021, 11:23 AM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Saugerties
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #21360
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Thanks everyone. I got lots of good advice and info. We only boondock while traveling to our destinations which is normally several days. We winter in San Antonio, TX every year and it takes about 5 day to get there. Our stock batteries were two 12V, 80 AH batteries which only lasted 4 hrs or so with our residential fridge. We decided to go with a small battery bank of 4 100AH Battle Born Lithium batteries. Hopefully we could get 25-28 hours running the fridge and heater. While in Texas we hope to add solar, 400-600 watts, which should eliminate our battery issues.
I didn't address the temp of the battery compartment. I will turn the batteries off by the 2 battery disconnects and start the furnace 2 days before we leave to warm the batteries. The daytime temp stays moderate during the month if December.
Hopefully this upgrade will take care of our battery issues
Dennis
__________________
Dennis & Denise
2018 Montana Legacy 3811
2012 Ram 3500 4x4
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