Solarflex 440i

[Wayne1]

Hi all, were looking at purchasing a 2024 Keystone fifth wheel with a Solarflex 440i set up and want to expand to 880. The 440 system doesnt supply a battery and we would also need to upgrade the charger to handle the upgrade to 880. We will stay with the 7 inverted plugs. Not sure whether we need the 1320i system. With the 880 would 2 270 AH with a 3k inverter be overkill or is there another suggestion? We dont plan on boondocking for long periods of time. Would need to use the solar in situations for 2 CPAPs, a 12 volt fridge, tv, fir constant power and the odd time other things.

Also is there a way to use solar fir the above things and your Air Conditioner on a generator at same time? The genny is a 3500 Predator

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Wayne1

Hi all, were looking at purchasing a 2024 Keystone fifth wheel with a Solarflex 440i set up and want to expand to 880. The 440 system doesnt supply a battery and we would also need to upgrade the charger to handle the upgrade to 880. We will stay with the 7 inverted plugs. Not sure whether we need the 1320i system. With the 880 would 2 270 AH with a 3k inverter be overkill or is there another suggestion? We dont plan on boondocking for long periods of time. Would need to use the solar in situations for 2 CPAPs, a 12 volt fridge, tv, fir constant power and the odd time other things.

Also is there a way to use solar fir the above things and your Air Conditioner on a generator at same time? The genny is a 3500 Predator

Welcome to the forum.

The SolarFlex 1320i system comes as a "complete package" which includes two Dragonfly 270 amp/hr batteries in the mix. That package, the SolarFlex 1320i, is ONLY available on the Montana luxury fifth wheel line and is not available on the Montana High Country line. That package is not available on any other Keystone product at this time.

Depending on which trailer line and which trailer within that line you select, you'll likely find that the SolarFlex 440i or possibly the 660i are the only available upgrades from the base 220 system which does not include an inverter.

The 660i system is only available on the Cougar and the Fuzion lines. comes with one 270 amp/hr battery in the package. The 440i does not come with any batteries, as you've stated, but optional batteries from the factory (OEM) or from the dealer/alternate sources (aftermarket) are available.

Note that the 220 package does not have an inverter, but rather, and "inverter loop" which would allow you to install your own aftermarket inverter.

You can do more research on the features of each SolarFlex package here: https://www.keystonerv.com/solarflex_landing

Keep in mind that currently, pricing is as follows:

SolarFlex 220 Standard equipment on most Keystone brands.
SolarFlex 440i $1,830
SolarFlex 660i $11,430
SolarFlex 1320i $18,930

[Wayne1]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Welcome to the forum.

The SolarFlex 1320i system comes as a "complete package" which includes two Dragonfly 270 amp/hr batteries in the mix. That package, the SolarFlex 1320i, is ONLY available on the Montana luxury fifth wheel line and is not available on the Montana High Country line. That package is not available on any other Keystone product at this time.

Depending on which trailer line and which trailer within that line you select, you'll likely find that the SolarFlex 440i or possibly the 660i are the only available upgrades from the base 220 system which does not include an inverter.

The 660i system is only available on the Cougar and the Fuzion lines. comes with one 270 amp/hr battery in the package. The 440i does not come with any batteries, as you've stated, but optional batteries from the factory (OEM) or from the dealer/alternate sources (aftermarket) are available.

Note that the 220 package does not have an inverter, but rather, and "inverter loop" which would allow you to install your own aftermarket inverter.

You can do more research on the features of each SolarFlex package here: https://www.keystonerv.com/solarflex_landing

Keep in mind that currently, pricing is as follows:

SolarFlex 220 Standard equipment on most Keystone brands.
SolarFlex 440i $1,830
SolarFlex 660i $11,430
SolarFlex 1320i $18,930

Thks for the info, im well aware of the different packages, still looking for answers to my questions though

[JRTJH]

Well, the first question I'd ask is "Which trailer brand and floorplan/model are you looking to buy?" Depending on that, you may be restricted to only having a 220 package with no other available options. So, it's not as much about "what can a 660i package or a 1320i package do for me" as it is, I'm buying a XX trailer and want to know how the available packages for that model will work for my needs"....

Then, a single overnight in 65F temps will use significantly less battery/solar power than a night when it's 30F. So, there's a bucketload more to what a SolarFlex 440i or a 660i can provide. Depending on the evening and even how often you open the refrigerator, the energy drain will differ significantly.

[Wayne1]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Well, the first question I'd ask is "Which trailer brand and floorplan/model are you looking to buy?" Depending on that, you may be restricted to only having a 220 package with no other available options. So, it's not as much about "what can a 660i package or a 1320i package do for me" as it is, I'm buying a XX trailer and want to know how the available packages for that model will work for my needs"....

Then, a single overnight in 65F temps will use significantly less battery/solar power than a night when it's 30F. So, there's a bucketload more to what a SolarFlex 440i or a 660i can provide. Depending on the evening and even how often you open the refrigerator, the energy drain will differ significantly.

Never mentioned anything about 660. Nevertheless, its a Montana 3901RK, which cannot handle 660i, it comes standard with 220. Were thinking of building the 440i with adding 2 more panels to get to 880.

[jxnbbl]

I think some of the confusion is "what is offered" as options. I could have sworn that I've seen 200, 600, 1300 (or whatever the options are) offered but now they have new names and it looks like...they are 220, 440, 1320.

As background. The trailer I have was "suppose to" come with Solaflex but for whatever reason it just arrived at the dealer (2 years ago) with solar prep. I needed at least the 440i for our needs so ended up designing and installing 540W on the roof with a 2000W inverter with the 'solar prep' in the delivered unit. For:

We dont plan on boondocking for long periods of time. Would need to use the solar in situations for 2 CPAPs, a 12 volt fridge, tv, for constant power and the odd time other things.

What I have is plenty after using it for the last 2 years...but it you changed that statement to "residential fridge option" it may not be enough!

Our use.....
We originally needed it for a somewhat unique situation as we were traveling with cases of homebrew (300+ bottles) for our sons wedding and didn't want to keep it in coolers as it would damage the labels. We currently stay at Harvest hosts and occasionally a weekend unplugged. The only time we drag out our generator is when we have to run the AC. The two items that draw the most power are the drip coffee maker and my wife's hairdryer & straightener. We never plug it in when not traveling. It has not let us down in all these years and we just have 2 AGM batteries.

Back to your question as it seems your configuring your build. It looks like you want to expand a 400i to 800W, use 2 lithium batteries and a 3000W inverter.

In general you can't just "expand a 200i to a 600i" or "swap in a 3000W inverter for a 1500W inverter". Where the the controller has to change, more important is the wiring between all the components.

It looks like the 440i can expand to 880 wire wise, but you will need to upgrade and go to dual 40A controllers. If you went to the 660 option (one panel added) you should be able to just replace the 30A with a 50A controller.

I noticed that (although it is not an option on the trailer you are looking at) the 660 option (aka - the "outlast" solar option) adds the lithium battery, a 3000W inverter and "Soft-start air conditioner". I assume this means that they believe you can run an AC, but for how long? Anyways I'll assume you are interested in possibly upgrading the 2000W inverter (in the 440 package aka "Discover") to 3000W.

I'd revisit the 3000W thought. Once you do that, the gauge of the cable from the battery to the inverter is crazy I've included a random link on the subject to give you exampled - LINK

The other end of this is that almost all the wiring in the trailer to outlets is 14ga and 12 ga for AC/microwave. From pictures, I know that they have changed the "inverter loop" to 12ga although it use to be 14 Romex. So I will assume for the 7 outlets that circuit is 12g romex. So for inverters and the standard "inverter loop" wiring, I think you are should look at keeping the 2000W option that I believe is included. If you go to 3000W you would run into wiring problems dealing with 30a of output with 10g wire needs and protecting the exiting wiring for 20a/15A load.

I've actually had to figure out the above although it wasn't 30A service with 20A wiring, it was 20A (2000W inverter) with 15A wiring (14g romex).

[Wayne1]

Thks jx, informative info. Im worried about the agm short life as well as the extra weight from them, the 270s weigh far less

[jxnbbl]

I don't know really not that big of a deal. I mean I only have 100-110 Ah batteries that each weigh 60-65 pounds and the 270 Ah batteries are something like 80-85#. I've found that a combined 200Ah+ or battery is fine for me. Since I'm a pull behind, I was more concerned about theft and bought a 50# locking battery box for the 2 batteries. In the end I think you have a 15-16000 pound trailer loaded so I wouldn't be concerned.