New RV owner - Montana Owners Club

sunshine 1 · 03-13-2019, 07:51 PM

Hi everybody,
I bought a new Montana 3120 a couple of weeks ago,there was a crack on the kitchen counter they are going to replace it. Hopefully I would get it soon.
I have not done any Rving before, so I have a steep learning curve.

I am retiring from my job next week, so I am exited to go out with it, but I am also little apprehensive, to learn everything about Rving.
I am a single guy with a German Shepherd puppie as my companion.

**AZ Traveler** · 03-13-2019, 08:01 PM

Sunshine,

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your new rig - take it slow and easy as you learn the ropes. Get someone with a little experience out with you the first couple of times.

Spend some time reading the forum and ask a lot of questions - we all learn from them.

Grew up next to Grandview in the Ruskin area.

PNW Fireguy · 03-13-2019, 08:01 PM

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new rig and upcoming retirement. There is a wealth of knowldege here on the forum.

sunshine 1 · 03-13-2019, 08:57 PM

Thanks Az
Cool I know where Ruskin area are.
Do I have to install an inverter to run my tv from the batteries, when I am not hooked up to shore power? Montanas dont come with the inverter right? I want to get solar panels installed on my rv,down the road, I like to do a lot of boon docking.

sunshine 1 · 03-13-2019, 09:00 PM

Thanks PNW
I am looking forward to my retirement.

BuilderBob · 03-13-2019, 09:04 PM

Welcome to the MOC. from Washington St enjoy the new rig. Safe travels.

**AZ Traveler** · 03-13-2019, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine 1

Thanks Az
Cool I know where Ruskin area are.
Do I have to install an inverter to run my tv from the batteries, when I am not hooked up to shore power? Montanas dont come with the inverter right? I want to get solar panels installed on my rv,down the road, I like to do a lot of boon docking.

Sunshine,

You are going to need an inverter and a few other things if you plan to boondocks a fair amount.

I recommend this order in setting up:
1. Assess expected needs
2. Battery bank based on your expected usage
3. Inverter to run some things off the batteries without turning on the genny
4. Genny to recharge your battery bank - size based on needs. Two 2000 or 2400 units give you lots of options
5. Solar

While you can get along without solar its really nice not listening to your genny run.

There are several threads here that discuss all the above that are worth reading. You need a decent sized battery bank before an inverter. I run 4 6 volt golf cart batteries - you may also want to read up on Lithium options (high cost but also high performance).

sunshine 1 · 03-14-2019, 09:13 AM

Hi AZ,
Thanks for your advice.
I bought a champion 3400 dual fuel inverter generator. I am planning to buy either a Renogy 200 watt portable solar kit or a Go power 120 watt portable solar kit. Not sure yet which I will get. I am thinking of getting 2 Duracell 12 volt deep cycle 105 AH baterries from Sam's club, they are only $159 a piece. Or go with 4 6 volts golf cart batteries which probably be more expensive. What is your suggestion? What is your suggestion on a good inverter?

mazboy · 03-14-2019, 11:03 AM

just practice in a large parking lot.

and, just keep toquing your lug nuts so your wheels don't come off.

you'll learn after you hit a few things too...it is just the beast of rving.

**AZ Traveler** · 03-14-2019, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine 1

Hi AZ,
Thanks for your advice.
I bought a champion 3400 dual fuel inverter generator. I am planning to buy either a Renogy 200 watt portable solar kit or a Go power 120 watt portable solar kit. Not sure yet which I will get. I am thinking of getting 2 Duracell 12 volt deep cycle 105 AH baterries from Sam's club, they are only $159 a piece. Or go with 4 6 volts golf cart batteries which probably be more expensive. What is your suggestion? What is your suggestion on a good inverter?

Magnum Energy is probably the Cadillac of US made inverters. I have a 3000 watt GoPower inverter charger, four golf cart batteries, 530 watts of solar and two Honda 2000 gens.

You need to sort out how much power you need while boondocking and build a system around that. Don't go light on batteries are you will be up in the night starting a generator to keep your furnace running. Your furnace blower motor can be a power hog when it is needed.

Read and sort out what you need. Consider professional help if you are not familiar.

sunshine 1 · 03-14-2019, 12:03 PM

I have experience with big trailers before.
I was a truckdriver 10 years ago. So that part would not be a problem, just learning all the system in the RV.

**DQDick** · 03-14-2019, 04:53 PM

All of us started at some time not knowing anything about RV'ing. The folks here will give you good advice and not make fun of questions that appear silly later because we were all there once. (look at some of my original posts) Just ask and we'll try and help you out.

sunshine 1 · 03-14-2019, 07:04 PM

Thanks DQDick

jimandlaurie · 03-17-2019, 10:08 PM

Welcome to MOC from Jim and Laurie.

Joe Hollars · 03-18-2019, 02:50 PM

Welcome. We were all new to rv-ing at one time. Do not be afraid of asking questions. Lots of knowledge in this group.
Joe

sunshine 1 · 03-20-2019, 10:08 AM

Thanks Joe,
I have solar prewired Montana. I would guess the wire size is only 10awg. Would it be okay to put down 5 100 watts panels for total of 500 watts. they will be wired in series with total of 70 volts. I realize it will be a voltage drop with a 10awg wire but I should have plety voltage coming into my charge controller. Plan to buy a mppt charge controller.
But would it be safe to run so much voltage in a 10 awg vire?

PNW Fireguy · 03-20-2019, 11:40 AM

Wiring your five 100W panels in series is the only way to utilize the 10AWG solar prep wire. If you were to connect them in parallel the 10AWG solar prep wire current carrying capacity would not be suitable. I am assuming the 100W panels are 12V RV panels and as such an MPPT charger would be the way to go.

The wire is rated for for much higher voltage than the panels in series will generate. It's the current that is the issue with the 10 AWG wire.

Pocketlake1 · 03-20-2019, 01:27 PM

We have a Montana 31 high country. It does come with an inverter. I looked at changing out to something higher end due to many opinions on inverters, features etc but decided against it. The standard inverter is working fine for me. Different story is boon docking and no shore power. Assume you will be getting a generator, or at least a couple of batteries. Obviously with only batteries you are only running 12v stuff

Ssuesi · 03-20-2019, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine 1

Hi everybody,
I bought a new Montana 3120 a couple of weeks ago,there was a crack on the kitchen counter they are going to replace it. Hopefully I would get it soon.
I have not done any Rving before, so I have a steep learning curve.

I am retiring from my job next week, so I am exited to go out with it, but I am also little apprehensive, to learn everything about Rving.
I am a single guy with a German Shepherd puppie as my companion.

If you have the chance to go to the Montana Annual Rally in September located in GOSHEN IN. You learn so much, lots to offer and so many wonderful Montana Owners that are willing to share information.
Good luck on your travels, have fun and congrats on retirement.

sme1950s · 03-20-2019, 03:45 PM

Sunshine, there are a lot of us new to RVing and recently retired make reservations early. Your not going to learn everything, everyone I have talk to is still learning something every trip. You are already are on the right path reading all you can. This is a friendly and informed post. Just Go Go camp, take notes, fix what you can, don't get discourage and keep asking. Go slow every day is a new adventure.

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