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01-23-2019, 05:46 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #23247
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Montana Jaboni Solar Pre-wire
I have been searching for any wiring diagrams on my 2019 Montana 3810MS. Cant seem to find anything online. Sales sent me to service which sent me to the Keystone company. The factory said they did not have any wiring diagrams which I find odd. Anyway, I am a solar installer for homes and businesses, do some off grid and battery stuff too but, it would help a lot if I could find out where the wires go from the MC4 connectors on the roof. I would also like to find out where the inverter is now and maybe I can figure out the best way to install my solar.
I have 4 310 watt solar modules I would like to put on the roof, most of the information seems to lean to a 2000W inverter. Some say 3000 but, I think I need to go a bit bigger as I also have 4 100ah 12v LifePo4 batteries which should do pretty good. Any help would be appreciated.
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01-23-2019, 07:57 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,086
M.O.C. #20477
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Russ,
First, welcome to the forum!
I don't have the same model or year but your wires should come down behind your panel in the hall with your lighting switches. Unless something has changed in 19 you will find they are 10 or 12 gauge wires not capable to support the panels you are planning. Your inverter should be up in the front battery compartment if there is one installed.
I have smaller panels you are planning, 2 255 watt panels and I put in heavier wiring from the roof to the charge controller in the battery compartment.
I am a little curious what charge controller and converter or inverter/charger you are planning to use with your LifePo4 batteries? My understanding is most charge controllers and the stock converter will tend to overcharge them. Your solar seems a little overkill to support 400ah battery bank particularly with the advantages of lithium.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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01-23-2019, 09:09 PM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #23247
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Lithium Charger
There are a few chargers around that charge LifeP04. It does bother me when they auto sense the batteries. I have not found one I like that charges Lithium.
I have the modules so It does not matter that I have too much, they will be flat and not produce 100% anyway.
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01-23-2019, 09:48 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Olympia
Posts: 1,060
M.O.C. #9441
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It depends on the voltage of your panels. My panels are 435 watts at 82 volts which run though a 10 gauge wire. We have a total of 1305 watts in parallel feeding my Midnight Classic 150 charge controller. The higher the voltage the lower the amps.
__________________
2020 Ram 3500, 2022 Luxe 38GFB,2500w Solar with Victron equipment, Gen Y Pinbox
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02-10-2019, 02:48 PM
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#5
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #23247
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Pre wire found
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolarRuss
I have been searching for any wiring diagrams on my 2019 Montana 3810MS. Cant seem to find anything online. Sales sent me to service which sent me to the Keystone company. The factory said they did not have any wiring diagrams which I find odd. Anyway, I am a solar installer for homes and businesses, do some off grid and battery stuff too but, it would help a lot if I could find out where the wires go from the MC4 connectors on the roof. I would also like to find out where the inverter is now and maybe I can figure out the best way to install my solar.
I have 4 310 watt solar modules I would like to put on the roof, most of the information seems to lean to a 2000W inverter. Some say 3000 but, I think I need to go a bit bigger as I also have 4 100ah 12v LifePo4 batteries which should do pretty good. Any help would be appreciated.
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The wires go from the battery to the roof. They run from the MC4 connectors on the roof to just behind the panel in the storage compartment left of the vacuum. From there they go to the terminals connected to the battery.
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02-10-2019, 05:33 PM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: West Jordan
Posts: 85
M.O.C. #22840
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I use a Victron charge controller for my setup that I’m working on. Right now I am just using a 335 Watt panel that I had left over from doing my house to keep the 2 12v batteries charged over winter. I to will end up with 3 more 335 Watt panels on the roof.
Victron is Bluetooth so you can check the charging status on you phone.
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05-01-2019, 10:20 AM
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#7
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: West Jordan
Posts: 85
M.O.C. #22840
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SolarRuss
The wires go from the battery to the roof. They run from the MC4 connectors on the roof to just behind the panel in the storage compartment left of the vacuum. From there they go to the terminals connected to the battery.
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So I found those wires but can someone explain what the grey cable that is with it is also shown in the pictures?
I am dumb founded that they would run the bigger gauge wire from the roof just to splice a smaller wire to it to finish the run over to the batteries. Mine run to a breaker in the battery compartment the to the battery.
__________________
Glade and Laura
2019 3791RD Montana
2018 GMC 3500 6.6 diesel short bed
Not full timers yet but soon
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10-21-2019, 11:31 PM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Harrisburg
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #20561
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The gray cable is a data cable to connect from the charge controller to a display panel to be mounted in the coach.
Jaboni has started posting videos on their website and to YouTube. I found them helpful in giving an overview of the pre-wire and how to install a system.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChV..._L_x__wi6MGuhQ
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10-22-2019, 03:24 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Nice video. looks like the pre-wire is limited to one panel.
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Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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04-20-2020, 05:06 PM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Black Hawk
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #25987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
Nice video. looks like the pre-wire is limited to one panel.
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Not really an accurate statement. The gauge of the wiring limits the amperage.
Mine looks like they used 10 awg wiring (maybe) That's good for 30 amps.
Panels are rated for maximum amperage, 100w panels are usually around 5A.
Let's use an imaginary panel that's rated for 5A and and 10V. (Easy math)
I could run 4 panels in parallel and get 20 amps at 10V, or I could run 4 panels in serial and get 5 amps at 40v.
Here's a decent overview of wire sizing:
https://www.windynation.com/jzv/inf/...ight-wire-size
cheers.
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04-20-2020, 06:46 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,898
M.O.C. #24086
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Here is a couple of videos.
One is the Montana jaboni factory solar prep
The other shows an actual install
https://youtu.be/gn3BIWaSb4c
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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04-20-2020, 07:39 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Minden - NV
Posts: 507
M.O.C. #22360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willoco
Not really an accurate statement. The gauge of the wiring limits the amperage.
Mine looks like they used 10 awg wiring (maybe) That's good for 30 amps.
Panels are rated for maximum amperage, 100w panels are usually around 5A.
Let's use an imaginary panel that's rated for 5A and and 10V. (Easy math)
I could run 4 panels in parallel and get 20 amps at 10V, or I could run 4 panels in serial and get 5 amps at 40v.
Here's a decent overview of wire sizing:
https://www.windynation.com/jzv/inf/...ight-wire-size
cheers.
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I've posted this before, but I have replaced the Janoni controller with this controller capable of 150V/85A max. You can see the 10ga wire from the panels. It operates at peak summer sun at around 48-54V @ 17-18A. Solar panels are 855W total (factory Jaboni 265W + 160W run in series and another 270W + 160W series run parallel to the others). Each panel puts out around 8.6-8.7A. Larger panels output 31V while the smaller panels only produce 23V. The display reported around 760w when I turned on enough 12V devices and the inverter to draw down the system.
The 85A limit of the controller is the feed to the batteries. I ran 2 ga for this. The factory Jaboni is a 100/30 controller. I repurposed it in my wife's "Burner" trailer.
__________________
2013 F350 Lariat Ultimate CC LB
2019 3790RD
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04-20-2020, 08:33 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: On the Road
Posts: 166
M.O.C. #14645
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Looking forward to learning more and developing my own installation.
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Retired FULLTIMERS that Travel & Work -- 2020 3931FB Legacy Edition -- OEM Sailun S637T's -- 2017 F350 DRW, 4.10 axle, 6.7L -- PullRite OE Puck Super-5th 25K hitch -- Dish Network w/ Winegard G2 automatic portable antenna -- 50A Surge Guard portable -- WiFi Ranger Elite -- Blue Streak -- YourBestAddress.com -- RVSA Certified Technician -- The UnBeetable Experience
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04-20-2020, 09:49 PM
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#14
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Black Hawk
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #25987
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I suppose I'll toss out some details...
Mine is getting 1200 watts of panels which will be wired in sets of three or four serials and 3-4 groups of cells in parallel. I'm still deciding how, but leaning toward 4 groups of three.
That'll be running to a Victron 150/45 (150v 45a) controller. This is sized to accomodate the voltage boost that happens on cold days. (I'm in Colorado).
This is all sized to use the 10awg wiring in the camper, but I can't help but wish for some heavier wiring.
That'll be feeding a 24v 5kw battery bank, which'll be monitored by a victron BMV-712 (which uses a shunt to monitor current flow in and out), a victron battery sense (voltage/temp sensor), combined with an open source battery management system that uses dedicated in/out shunts all paired with a custom monitoring system that I'm going to roll from a raspberry pi, sensors and data uplink.
Oh there's also a 40a 24v to 12v converter in there to run the DC stuff in the camper and I'm adding some extra solenoids to provide additional cutoff insurance.
The battery pack gets a dedicated 350a cutoff solenoid and the inverter is getting a 200a latching solenoid.
For the moment I'm going to try out a relatively cheap 3Kw inverter with it, and will likely pick up a Victron unit for that role whenever I feel like spending another $1k.
I will say this. You can get a nice little inverter and run it to 12v batteries in the camper with no real worries. You can use AGMs or Lead acid all day long with minimal maintenance. I'm adding a bunch of power density and I respect it enough to add multiple safety systems.
In the interest of the solar discussion - it turns out that running higher voltage battery banks is usually better. A controller that can handle a 500w system at 12v can usually handle 1000w at 24v for example.
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