3120RL Super Solar Flex Initial Impressions

[MAWilsonPE]

We finally got our new unit delivered and spent our 10 day maiden voyage at a beach in SC. We did not boondock but I did disconnect from shore power for awhile to test the SSF package and I wanted to give you my first impressions.

First, the batteries and inverter/charger are simply amazing. I had 3 lead-acid deep cycle batteries on my old camper with a total of 300 amp-hrs of capacity, of that only half is "usable". Max charge rate was about 30 amps with the batteries at 50%. As I charged those the charge rate dropped significantly at 75% (~10-15 amps) to only a trickle above 85% (5 amps). This package will dump 100+ amps of charging continuously into the batteries to over 99%! Wow!

I was able to run run one air conditioner for almost 3 hours and drained about half of the 510 amp-hr capacity. I inadvertently had my water heater set to electric and saw about 250 amps of 12v power flowing until I switched it to gas!

When we arrived at camp my solar panels were not working. A call to Jaboni helped me find the external breakers on the box to reset the charge controllers and then it worked fine. Tripped again before I got home so I wonder if the truck pigtail connection has something to do with it.

Once working, I saw upwards of 20-25 amps coming from each pair of solar panels. It was pretty sunny but we did get shaded part of the day. I still need to better evaluate how much charging I can expect from the panels in a typical day.

Now that we are back home I plan to spend more time with the system and evaluate the power draw of all the components so I can understand what we can and cannot use while boondocking and still expect to recharge. Stay tuned...

[rames14]

Mike, thanks for the update. We currently have the dyslexic version of yours - 3160. We are starting to talk about a new unit in the next few years and are very interested in the Super Solar. We boondock a lot in Colorado and Wyoming. Please keep us updated as you learn more down the road. We would probably go RV fridge since we like being off grid. The residential fridge consumes a lot of power.

[MAWilsonPE]

Sure thing Ron!

I have been measuring the power draw of everything to prepare an energy budget when boondocking. All readings are at 12 volts (actually 13.3v) with battery power only, shore power disconnected.

Master Switch on - 1 amp

Hallway Lights (2) - 1 amp
Kitchen Lights (4) - 2 amps
Living Room Lights (2) - 1 amp
LED Accent Lights - 6 amps
Awning Lights - 3 amps
Kitchen Hanging Lights - 0.3 amps

Front Slide (electric) - 5 amps
Hydraulic Slides - 80 amps

Ceiling Fan (4 settings) - 0.1-1.2 amps
Vent Fans (4 settings) - 0.2-3 amps

Inverter On - 3 amps

RV Fridge (on gas) - 1 amp
RV Fridge (on electric) - 50 amps

Living Rm TV On - 5 amps
Heater Fan - 14 amps
Vacuum Cleaner - 90 amps
Single A/C (fan only) - 20 amps
Single A/C (fan + compressor) - 76 amps

Daily amp-hr budget = device amps x hours used per day.

Next project is to get a good 7 day average solar charging capacity. This will take some time so bear with me. So many factors, clouds, rain, low sun angle in the Fall... The panels are rated for over 1000 watts, that is almost 75 amps at 14 volts, I am hoping to get half that for several hours per day, or 100-150 amp-hrs on a good day.

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by MAWilsonPE

Sure thing Ron!

I have been measuring the power draw of everything to prepare an energy budget when boondocking. All readings are at 12 volts (actually 13.3v) with battery power only, shore power disconnected.

Master Switch on - 1 amp

Hallway Lights (2) - 1 amp
Kitchen Lights (4) - 2 amps
Living Room Lights (2) - 1 amp
LED Accent Lights - 6 amps
Awning Lights - 3 amps
Kitchen Hanging Lights - 0.3 amps

Front Slide (electric) - 5 amps
Hydraulic Slides - 80 amps

Ceiling Fan (4 settings) - 0.1-1.2 amps
Vent Fans (4 settings) - 0.2-3 amps

Inverter On - 3 amps

RV Fridge (on gas) - 1 amp
RV Fridge (on electric) - 50 amps

Living Rm TV On - 5 amps
Heater Fan - 14 amps
Vacuum Cleaner - 90 amps
Single A/C (fan only) - 20 amps
Single A/C (fan + compressor) - 76 amps

Daily amp-hr budget = device amps x hours used per day.

Next project is to get a good 7 day average solar charging capacity. This will take some time so bear with me. So many factors, clouds, rain, low sun angle in the Fall... The panels are rated for over 1000 watts, that is almost 75 amps at 14 volts, I am hoping to get half that for several hours per day, or 100-150 amp-hrs on a good day.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate you sharing your numbers!

We have a new unit ordered with Super Solar Flex as well. It arrived at the dealer and we will go see it next week. Only trouble is, it is full on winter up here in Canada, and the borders are closed so we can't make our usual snowbird trip south. It's most likely we won't be able to use our new unit for a few months, so I will be following others as they test their new units.

BTW, the original spec was 4x 265 watt panels, but they indicated on our build that we were being upgraded to 4x 300 watt panels. I suspect yours may have been upgraded?

Brad

[MAWilsonPE]

Thank you Brad,

I looked through all the paperwork I got and nothing shows what panels were installed. The Jaboni spec sheets are not very helpful. The 300 watt panel spec sheet shows 60 - 6" cells in a 6x10 pattern, which is what I have. However they show 36 - 6" cells for their 100, 175 & 265 watt panels, clearly a cut and paste error in their specs.

The instructions for the MPPT controller recommends 30 amp breakers on the solar feed lines and 40 amp breakers on the battery lines. I keep popping one of them at somewhere near 23 amps to the batteries which seems low. I have a call to Jaboni to ask the breaker ratings. Maybe I have a bad one. A wiring diagram would be very helpful!!

[MAWilsonPE]

Talked to Future Sales who makes this solar system, they are very helpful. He talked me through turning one controller down a bit until they can send me a new breaker. I confirmed that my build did include the 300 watt panels so that’s 1200 watts total... woohoo!

I am thinking I still may need to supplement the solar for an extended boondocking trip. Has anyone tried the Redarc DC-DC chargers? They make a 40 amp charger to run off the truck alternator when driving. My truck has a 180 amp alternator so two chargers would give me 80 amps and not tax the alternator too much. Have to run some big lines, like long jumper cables. Anyone?

Thanks, Mike

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by rames14

...We would probably go RV fridge since we like being off grid. The residential fridge consumes a lot of power.

Just a thought, seems to me that if you wanted to go off grid... the last thing you would want is is to run anything on propane if at all possible. Sure it might be unavoidable, but sufficient solar will run everything so you can truly be off grid. My vote would be FOR the residential fridge in spite of its power demands. They are also cheaper to buy and maintain than the RV fridges. I have heard many tales of RVers with 1600 to 2000 watts and the batteries to support it being able to go months with out needing propane or genset time. YMMV as they say. Still, RV fridges are a choice too. To each, their own.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by BiggarView

Just a thought, seems to me that if you wanted to go off grid... the last thing you would want is is to run anything on propane if at all possible. Sure it might be unavoidable, but sufficient solar will run everything so you can truly be off grid. My vote would be FOR the residential fridge in spite of its power demands. They are also cheaper to buy and maintain than the RV fridges. I have heard many tales of RVers with 1600 to 2000 watts and the batteries to support it being able to go months with out needing propane or genset time. YMMV as they say. Still, RV fridges are a choice too. To each, their own.

I'd like to convert my 2118 Norcold RV fridge to use the JC Refrigeration 12V compressor cooling unit. The $1500 price tag has me holding off. The 12V compressor runs at under 100W when it's cycling. Compared to more than 550W on the stock evap system when on AC power on the RV fridge. They say it will freeze ice cream rather than having it soft serve like I experience now in either mode.

[twindman]

I haven't heard about Super Solar. I assume it has an inverter to run A/C and other stuff. Is it a full coach inverter? Thanks.

[MAWilsonPE]

Hi Tom,

Montana Super SolarFlex is a 2021 factory option that includes 4 solar panels for 1060 watts charging, a 3000 watt inverter/charger, 510 amp-hrs of LiFePO4 batteries, high efficiency A/C units with soft starts and other stuff. You cannot get generator prep with this option but that is the point, right? Go to youtube and search "Montana Super Solarflex" for a couple of good overview videos.

Best, Mike

[rames14]

It is using Battleborn batteries - 2x270 ah.

[steve95628]

Originally Posted by MAWilsonPE

We finally got our new unit delivered and spent our 10 day maiden voyage at a beach in SC. We did not boondock but I did disconnect from shore power for awhile to test the SSF package and I wanted to give you my first impressions.

First, the batteries and inverter/charger are simply amazing. I had 3 lead-acid deep cycle batteries on my old camper with a total of 300 amp-hrs of capacity, of that only half is "usable". Max charge rate was about 30 amps with the batteries at 50%. As I charged those the charge rate dropped significantly at 75% (~10-15 amps) to only a trickle above 85% (5 amps). This package will dump 100+ amps of charging continuously into the batteries to over 99%! Wow!

I was able to run run one air conditioner for almost 3 hours and drained about half of the 510 amp-hr capacity. I inadvertently had my water heater set to electric and saw about 250 amps of 12v power flowing until I switched it to gas!

When we arrived at camp my solar panels were not working. A call to Jaboni helped me find the external breakers on the box to reset the charge controllers and then it worked fine. Tripped again before I got home so I wonder if the truck pigtail connection has something to do with it.

Once working, I saw upwards of 20-25 amps coming from each pair of solar panels. It was pretty sunny but we did get shaded part of the day. I still need to better evaluate how much charging I can expect from the panels in a typical day.

Now that we are back home I plan to spend more time with the system and evaluate the power draw of all the components so I can understand what we can and cannot use while boondocking and still expect to recharge. Stay tuned...

Many thanks for posting this. We are looking at a 2021 Legacy 3120RL and it's advertised with solar but only has one panel and the controls do not match what I saw in this video on youtube: https://youtu.be/apeWU8CN_eU

Are there different solar options available? I would def like to get the Super Solarflex option!

[66 Galaxie]

Originally Posted by steve95628

Many thanks for posting this. We are looking at a 2021 Legacy 3120RL and it's advertised with solar but only has one panel and the controls do not match what I saw in this video on youtube: https://youtu.be/apeWU8CN_eU

Are there different solar options available? I would def like to get the Super Solarflex option!

Right now there are two options Solar Flex and Super Solar Flex.

Solar Flex:
300w panel
30a Mppt charger
2000w Magnum Inverter
5 outlets inverted (Night stand, kitchen, TV, theater seats and Residential
fridge) I think it's those 5.

Super Solar Flex
4 panels
dual chargers
2 - 255AH Dragonfly GC3 batteries with heat
MSH3012 Hybrid inverter (whole rig inverted)
Precision Circuits 50A PCS
Precision Circuits BGA (battery disconnect/Low battery cut out)
Victron BMV712
High Efficiency A/Cs with Soft Starts.

[steve95628]

Originally Posted by 66 Galaxie

Right now there are two options Solar Flex and Super Solar Flex.

Solar Flex:
300w panel
30a Mppt charger
2000w Magnum Inverter
5 outlets inverted (Night stand, kitchen, TV, theater seats and Residential
fridge) I think it's those 5.

Super Solar Flex
4 panels
dual chargers
2 - 255AH Dragonfly GC3 batteries with heat
MSH3012 Hybrid inverter (whole rig inverted)
Precision Circuits 50A PCS
Precision Circuits BGA (battery disconnect/Low battery cut out)
Victron BMV712
High Efficiency A/Cs with Soft Starts.

Thank you. I haven't seen the Super Solar Flex option listed on any rigs around here nor on the website. I think all of the ones here must have the basic Solar Flex.

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by steve95628

Thank you. I haven't seen the Super Solar Flex option listed on any rigs around here nor on the website. I think all of the ones here must have the basic Solar Flex.

I doubt the dealers will order them for stock, as the Super Solar Flex option has an MSRP of about $20,000. You should be able to get it for $14-15k, but again I'm not sure dealers will take that chance for one on the lot, due to the price and how new it is. It is definitely available as a dealer ordered option; we got it on our 2021 3790RD.

Here are a couple of links to info from the Montana website...

-at the bottom of the main Montana page: https://www.keystonerv.com/product/m...y-fifth-wheels

-and a separate page with a video description: https://www.keystonerv.com/innovatio...uper-solarflex


hth
Brad

[steve95628]

Originally Posted by kowbra

I doubt the dealers will order them for stock, as the Super Solar Flex option has an MSRP of about $20,000. You should be able to get it for $14-15k, but again I'm not sure dealers will take that chance for one on the lot, due to the price and how new it is. It is definitely available as a dealer ordered option; we got it on our 2021 3790RD.

Here are a couple of links to info from the Montana website...

-at the bottom of the main Montana page: https://www.keystonerv.com/product/m...y-fifth-wheels

-and a separate page with a video description: https://www.keystonerv.com/innovatio...uper-solarflex


hth
Brad

Thanks Brad. I've seen that as well as some vids on Youtube. It looks like a great option. As a newb to this I'm not sure how the cost or integration of this compares to an aftermarket system of similar capacity. So I guess at this time, given price of that and availability, I'd go with the standard Solar Flex. Hopefully some of those components can be reused or at least sold.

[rames14]

Mike, curious if you got your weekly averages calculated. We ordered our 3230CK with Super Solar and planning on an April delivery. With all of the LED lights, curious what you found the strip lights to draw. We usually have the TV/satellite and a few lights on, and of course the fridge and water heater (on gas).

[MAWilsonPE]

Hello Rames14,

No, unfortunately my first boondocking trip is not scheduled until early April. I did list a bunch of power draws at the beginning of this thread. The LED accents lights were the biggest user for lights at 6 amps.

I have completed the install of 6 dimmer knobs to reduce this consumption some as the lights are all quite bright anyway. Each dimmer requires 4 wires and these run down to the control panel in the basement (~15 ft) Following Keystone’s lead I did not label anything but they follow the same sequence as the control panel with one more for the pendant lights.

Best, Mike

[M&M]

Clean install. Thanks for sharing. How do you get behind the panel to tighten the dimmer nuts? I see no access to the back side. Trying to figure out how to add a switch like you did the dimmers.

[MAWilsonPE]

To install the dimmers, the assembly needs to be wired and inserted from behind that panel. The nuts go on the front side. On mine, the iN-Command panel faces the door. The other control panels for the inverter and PCS system are adjacent facing the kitchen. I removed these control panels to get access behind where I wanted the dimmers.

Notice, I had to add a right angle USB adapter to the bottom of the iN-Command panel as my dimmers are now in the way to plug in a memory stick. This works if I want to load an update. I wish I left a little more room.

I have also installed a Progressive Ind hardwire EMS System. There was a little room left for that monitor.

I hope this helps!

Best Regards, Mike