Mountain Aire All Electric OK?

[ERG Richard]

I'm contemplating a Newmar purchase and the two I'm down to are a 2006 Mountain Aire 4301 or a 2007 Dutch Star 4304. The Mountain Aire is an all electric coach. I'm a little nervous about this only because I'm not familiar with them.

Any one have any experience or comments on the pros and cons of an all-electric coach?

Thanks.

[ERG Richard]

I'm contemplating a Newmar purchase and the two I'm down to are a 2006 Mountain Aire 4301 or a 2007 Dutch Star 4304. The Mountain Aire is an all electric coach. I'm a little nervous about this only because I'm not familiar with them.

Any one have any experience or comments on the pros and cons of an all-electric coach?

Thanks.

[RUFINIT]

Richard,

We have an Essex that is all electric. We like not having propane on board, and not having to fill a propane tank. The heat and hot water is via a Hydro Hot boiler system and works great. The cooktop is electric and works just fine. The refer is a residential one, and it is a big side by side unit. We do have a lot of coach batteries (eight). We dry camp occasionally and make sure they are charged in the evening (via generator), and still have plenty of battery left in the AM.

Personally after having all electric coach, would not buy a coach with propane in the future. So I say, don't let the all electric scare you.

[Lug_Nut]

I also have an all electric and would not opt to go back to the propane. The biggest things for me are the larger more efficient residential frig. and the hydronic heat. For more information, read this write up HERE

Peter

[Route 66]

Richard, welcome to iRV2.

In addition to the other replies, I have not talked to one all electric coach owner who has regretted it.

[rebelsbeach]

Ditto on all electric..... After having all electric and residential refrigerator, I'd never own another RV refrigerator nor a coach with propane....

There are NUMEROUS threads on the internet concerning the issues with the performance of RV refrigerators....
And that's just one issue.

No more stopping at inspection stations, no more "remembering" whether you stopped and filled the propane tank, no more "worries" about whether it's turned on or off....

All electric MADP is the way I'd go....

[RVDude]

Your decision should be primarily based on how you use the coach. If you are seldom more than 30ft from a 50amp pedestal, consider a 30amp pedestal "roughing it," or have no issues running your genset 6++hrs/day at 0.75gal/hr (in addition to any use of elec HVAC) then an all electric is positively superb.

BTW, hydronic heat (i.e. AquaHot/Oasis) is equally avaialble on both all electric AND LPG refer coaches).

However, if you like to boondock, drycamp or have a lifestyle preference to minimize genset use or intend to use solar, you must lose the residential refer and electric stove in favor of the LPG models. I will take strong disagreement with Lug (a first) on the efficiency of the LPG vs residential refers in RV applications. The residential refer needs 7++ampAC (which is 70++ampDC) vs 4ampDC + a flame the size of a match for the LPG models. You simply can not live on battery power for long at 70++ampDC draws. I can go for 5++days w/o a genset start or plug-in with an LP refer and I have no solar, yet.

So, the choice is based on your intended use of the coach. I fill my LPG tank maybe once every 3-4 months, yep I gotta stop at the tunnel inspections, and I have never had an LPG refer issue of any type, I'd never go all electric. And yes, if you do not have a true sine wave inverter in that all electric, I'd run for the hills! Too many issues running a resi refer on modified sine wave.

[Lug_Nut]

Jeff, I don't know about 0.75 GPH consumption, it's mainly just recharging the batteries, more like 0.50 GPH. And as far as AC goes, both would need to run the genset. The recharge time per day for boondocking is more like 2 1/2 to 3 hours per day, based on my consumption.
Additionally, the all electric are capable of starting and stopping the genset controlled by the temperature, a great feature to keep the bedroom cool on a hot night. The genset only runs 10 minutes or so every 30 or 40.
30 amp service can work with genset start up for cooking or AC only.

Peter

[RVDude]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Additionally, the all electric are capable of starting and stopping the genset controlled by the temperature, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same for the LPG refer models. This is a coach control feature that is independent of all-elec or LPG models and is just a control add-on to the AGS.

Completely agreed on 0.5GPH "just for charging" with a single inverter/charger - usually there is a little more elec usage going on as well which is the additional .25GPH I added. Stovetop, hydronic heating element, etc. The GPH jumps dramatically (seemingly non-linearly) from no-load (.1GPH) to half-load (0.48GPH) to full load (1.2GPH) for a 12.5KW Onan.

I am surprised on what you say is only one or so "Low Battery" AGS cycles per day (these are 2 hour cycles I believe). Does the all elec run 2 chargers, that is are you "bulk charging" at around 120ampDC or 240ampDC? If at 240ampDC that will 'splain it! The LPG coaches only have one inverter/charger.

BTW - I run 8AGMs in my LPG model as well.

A little off topic - In either an all-elec or LPG model coach a battery charge cycle from the genset of 2-3-4 hours is simply not sufficient to correctly charge a battery bank. The trailing end of a proper charge cycle is long - on the order of 6-10 hours - and is certainly not conducive to delivering via genset use.

[Lug_Nut]

Jeff, It is only 120 or so amps charge rate. The 8 AGM's total 880 amp hours @ 12 volt. This leaves a maximum of 440 amps required, if drained down to 50% of rating. Generally I charge for 2.5 hours when needed (once per 24 hrs.) plus an additional run at dinner time. Mind you, I have only boondocked for a maximum stay of about 48 hours.

Peter

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm contemplating a Newmar purchase and the two I'm down to are a 2006 Mountain Aire 4301 or a 2007 Dutch Star 4304. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! I would not focus two hard on all electric. The 07' Dutch Star is very similar to the '06 Mountain Aire. I would focus on the floor plans, how much mileage, features,etc. The DSDP has a one piece winshield, the MADP does not. Things like that would be where I would focus. Paul

[CSX4350]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What Paul said. A primary concern is floorplan, and of course (if you're married) which one she prefers. There's an old saying, "if mama ain't happy nobody's happy" that is very valid in this area.

IMHO, all electric is a plus that my next coach will have.

[sjcaldal11]

I had a 2004 MADP 4301 and a 2006 MADP 4304. The 4304 will give you more space in the bath. the vanity cuts off the bath on the 4301 makes it tight on side of the bed. The 4 slide also makes a nicer living area. 2007 has a single piece windshield and pull down shades instead of pleated curtain. I like the the all electric MADP 4521 that I have now but would not let that be the deciding factor on any purchase.
Thanks, Daryl

["007"]

Welcome ERG Richard to the Newmar forum and irv2.
Some good answers for you already can become confusing somwtimes. Good luck in what ever you decide enjoy the forum and do post often.