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05-13-2021, 07:27 AM
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#21
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #19382
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The bay that holds the batteries is large enough to hold 3 100AH LFPs on the floor. You could put in a shelf above to hold an additional three for a total of six. You could do three Lion Energy UT1300s or 3 SOK 100AH batteries in that space for much less than the BB game changers, which are hard to financially justify at $3000 each for the BB Game Changers. Both Lion Energy and SOK are excellent choices according to Will Prowse at DIY Solar. BBs are solid batteries, no doubt about it, but their price is out of touch with reality considering the quality coming on the market at much lower prices. Don't get locked into BB hype from BB fanboys.
__________________
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
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05-13-2021, 08:20 AM
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#22
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
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Allen, make sure if you put your batteries in the normal compartment (provided you occasionally camp in cold weather), that you get heaters for your batteries. LiFePo batteries do not charge below freezing. That is why the Super Solar is located in the heated basement (and has built in heating pads). You probably were already aware, but just making sure you didn’t run into issues down the road.
__________________
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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05-13-2021, 11:25 AM
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#23
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Lodi
Posts: 221
M.O.C. #28242
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Biggar
That's a good point, I had 2 of the SOK 206Ah in my cart but didn't hit buy before they sold out. Shows the price was $2058 ( plus shipping) for 412 Ah, non heated batteries, vs $2999 for BB 270 Ah of batteries, or for 300 Ah 9(3 X 100Ah)$3150 or for 400 Ah $4200, but these BB's are heated.
Wow, I hadn't laid this out before!
An advantage for me is BB is 2.5 hours away if I have any issues, and in a town I am near about 5x a year.
Thanks Ron, yes planning on getting the heated version and using the battery bay.
Thank you for your input
Allen
__________________
Old rig: 2005 Ram QC 1500 5.7- Rockwood 8288 4- 6v batteries
New rig: 2016 Ram 25004x4 QC LB & 3120rl legacy-solarflex 300w and 400Ah Battleborn
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05-13-2021, 01:00 PM
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#24
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #19382
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There are low cost ways to add heating for LFP batteries. Will Prowse just did one on YT. The heating issue only matters if you will expose your batteries to sub freezing temperatures while charging and even lower for discharging. Battery tech is improving rapidly and with 3000+ cycles that is 8+ years before you'll be changing them out assuming you care for them properly. BBs will last just as long.
I can think of other solar components to spend that money on than a brand name and a warranty that is quickly being copied by other reputable names. In reality, the warranty really means nothing as with any electronics these days, if it does not fail within the first thirty days or so, it will likely last easily for as long as the alleged warranty anyway. As usual there will always be some exceptions but low cost alternatives negate BB's brand recognition value here. JMHO
__________________
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
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05-13-2021, 07:03 PM
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#25
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Mesa
Posts: 72
M.O.C. #28356
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Solar! So many questions but don't want to bog down this thread. I have a new 3120RL with the factory solar package.
<EDIT: I just found out what I have:
"SolarFlex is a direct-from-the-factory solar power system that was designed and engineered specifically for Montana High Country RV models. This optional package comes with one (1) 265-watt solar panel; a Jaboni 30amp MPPT controller; and a 2,000 watt Magnum pure sine wave inverter. The system comes with four pre-wired inverted outlets. Because the SolarFlex system is installed by Keystone, it is fully covered by the Keystone warranty, as well as the warranties from the component suppliers.">
How can I learn about this system - how to best use it and improve it?
Thanks in advance
__________________
2021 Keystone Montana 3120RL w/ Onan 5500 & solar
2021 Ford F350 6.7L CC SRW SB w/ B&W Companion Slider, Smart Air II air bags
Home base is Mesa, AZ
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06-07-2021, 07:41 AM
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#26
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Arvada
Posts: 26
M.O.C. #28601
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I have a 2021 - 3231CK - I had to switch the charge controller to Lithium for my Battleborns. There is a small switch near the fuses that you can toggle.
__________________
Rex Young
2021 3231CK
Arvada, Colorado
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06-07-2021, 07:54 AM
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#27
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
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WhatExit -
You can download the manuals from here in the files section for the components. When you purchased the Solar Flex, you must have had some idea of what you wanted to run (TV, Coffee Maker, Residential Fridge?). You can find the amp ratings for those items by searching. Then, once you know how much you need, choose your batteries accordingly. One thing Solar Flex doesn’t come with is batteries. You will get much better performance with Lithium batteries. They charge much faster and you will find they hold voltage as they discharge, unlike lead acid and AGM batteries. Also, the rule of thumb for lead acid batteries is 50% of the ah rating is usable. My old unit with a Bogart meter showed my voltage dropped below 12v before I was at 50% discharge. Hope this gets you started. You may want to start a new post with specific questions. Lots of people here with lots of knowledge.
__________________
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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06-14-2021, 11:13 AM
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#28
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Winona Lake
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #24885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhatExit?
Solar! So many questions but don't want to bog down this thread. I have a new 3120RL with the factory solar package.
<EDIT: I just found out what I have:
"SolarFlex is a direct-from-the-factory solar power system that was designed and engineered specifically for Montana High Country RV models. This optional package comes with one (1) 265-watt solar panel; a Jaboni 30amp MPPT controller; and a 2,000 watt Magnum pure sine wave inverter. The system comes with four pre-wired inverted outlets. Because the SolarFlex system is installed by Keystone, it is fully covered by the Keystone warranty, as well as the warranties from the component suppliers.">
How can I learn about this system - how to best use it and improve it?
Thanks in advance
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Send an email to mattw@futuresalesrv.com
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06-14-2021, 01:16 PM
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#29
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Lodi
Posts: 221
M.O.C. #28242
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An update.
Our 3120RL is at the dealer being prepped and cleaned, and we bring her home Thursday. We stopped by last Thursday and I found a Victron 100 / 30 in the basement for our solarflex, after I frantically couldn't find the Jaboni display in the cabinet where it's supposed to be!
Nice thing is, the Victron is Bluetooth, so I will use my phone to monitor the solar charging, and will order the Li batteries and Victron 712 display next week after playing with the rig.
Allen
__________________
Old rig: 2005 Ram QC 1500 5.7- Rockwood 8288 4- 6v batteries
New rig: 2016 Ram 25004x4 QC LB & 3120rl legacy-solarflex 300w and 400Ah Battleborn
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06-14-2021, 01:23 PM
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#30
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Arvada
Posts: 26
M.O.C. #28601
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I removed my Jaboni system and installed a Victron system. Love it!
__________________
Rex Young
2021 3231CK
Arvada, Colorado
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