Proprietary Furrion Solar Port on roof

[allenrude]

Hi All,

i know this is not a new topic as i see a couple of threads from a year or two ago, but as i started prepping to add 3 solar panels to the 1 that i have on my 2022 28BH, i now see that MC4 connectors are not used on the roof port or on the Furrion panel. Nothing is easy. Has anyone come up with a solution to convert to MC4 so i can move forward with this project? Appreciate any feedback.

[Jlawles2]

Are you looking for something like https://www.amazon.com/GrayBull-Indu.../dp/B07R7JGCGP ?

[Yoda]

Hi All,

i know this is not a new topic as i see a couple of threads from a year or two ago, but as i started prepping to add 3 solar panels to the 1 that i have on my 2022 28BH, i now see that MC4 connectors are not used on the roof port or on the Furrion panel. Nothing is easy. Has anyone come up with a solution to convert to MC4 so i can move forward with this project? Appreciate any feedback.

I am not familiar with what they are using - do you happen to have a picture of thier connection set up?

[allenrude]

Here you go..

[Country Campers]

I think Paul & Deb looked for an adaptor and just removed the Furrion and replaced it with a different box, maybe he will step in here with some info. I have not been able to find an adaptor so you might have to do the same.

Brian

[Yoda]

Here you go..

Boy those sure look like MC4 bulkhead connectors. If your internal cable is big enough there are connectors for doubling up cables. This is an example https://www.invertersupply.com/index...CABEgJdPfD_BwE They come in male and female set ups.

If you need to go with larger cables a new roof top box that can take larger wire is available, or you can use this for your new installation https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...CABEgLne_D_BwE

Hope this helps
Keith

On edit - At the existing box looks like it has bulkhead fittings that unscrew it may be possible to just change them out to MC4 type. Also Josephs recommendation appears to be the answer Jlawles2 to use the existing bulkhead - oO are those Furrion single pin type? Then just change the existing panel connectors to MC4 and use the double connectors.

Second edit - you got me curious on what the port connectors are - cant find them. However if the unscrew, maybe theses will work https://windandsolar.com/Solar-Photo...t_p_1772.html/

[howson]

Hi All,

i know this is not a new topic as i see a couple of threads from a year or two ago, but as i started prepping to add 3 solar panels to the 1 that i have on my 2022 28BH, i now see that MC4 connectors are not used on the roof port or on the Furrion panel. Nothing is easy. Has anyone come up with a solution to convert to MC4 so i can move forward with this project? Appreciate any feedback.

Whenever "Furrion" is mentioned on this forum I have to restrain my response...the proprietary solar connector is yet another example where I have to take a deep breath before responding.

Cut those Furrion connectors off and replace them with industry standard MC4s. Replace the box on the roof.

Lots of options...one being AMSolar's junction box (that doesn't require MC4 connectors at all). It is what I used and I'm very satisfied with it. https://amsolar.com/rv-combiner-box/20-roof

Howard

[allenrude]

Thank you all for the feedback. Looks like the best solution is to replace the proprietary Furrion connectors and roof entry plate with industry standard MC4 connections and be done with it. My enthusiasm is not high trying to scrape off gobs of Dicor to get to the roof plate to remove, but agree that the best way. Overall i am very disappointed that GD would use non industry solar components on their trailers as i assume many will at some point want to upgrade to support the solar fridges and other devices that are now being installed. I would have much rather had nothing and just solar prep with the wires already installed that a proprietary solar panel, entry gland connected to a charge controller with no apparent means of management or monitoring. My hats off to Keystone for their recent solar initiatives, using industry standards and best in class components. This i consider a real competitive differentiator as compared to what we got. Not a happy camper.

Thanks
Al

[Yoda]

Whenever "Furrion" is mentioned on this forum I have to restrain my response...the proprietary solar connector is yet another example where I have to take a deep breath before responding.

Cut those Furrion connectors off and replace them with industry standard MC4s. Replace the box on the roof.

Lots of options...one being AMSolar's junction box (that doesn't require MC4 connectors at all). It is what I used and I'm very satisfied with it. https://amsolar.com/rv-combiner-box/20-roof

Howard

Howard - another topic to add the the GD discussion list. The use of Std MC4 connectors. Whats strange is that box and connectors do not come up in a Furrion search. I did find the plug and adapter cables if I ever want to use my front solar port with portable panels.

[JLMorris]

If you added Furrion brand second and third panels in series, you could keep the Furrion roof box and connectors. See lhttps://www.etrailer.com/question-579993.html

[allenrude]

Hi all,

Good news, the 3 solar panels are now mounted. I already had 3 BougeRV 170 Watt panels in boxes available for free so the price was right. Bad news while they are there, they are just taking up space until i can remove the factory installed roof entry gland buried in Dicor and replace with one that will support MC4 connectors. At some point i will get this done so while we may never camp off grid, (at almost 70, my off grid days are about over), we will at least have enough power to keep the fridge going on long trips which in itself is a win.

Thanks for all the support.

Al

[Country Campers]

That looks great.

I wonder if the Furrion box can be dismantled to allow you to install MC4 connectors or if the Furrion connectors are molded in the plastic housing? This might be easier than removing the whole box and sealant. I have seen this box but did not get a close look at the connectors.

Brian

[Yoda]

That looks great.

I wonder if the Furrion box can be dismantled to allow you to install MC4 connectors or if the Furrion connectors are molded in the plastic housing? This might be easier than removing the whole box and sealant. I have seen this box but did not get a close look at the connectors.

Brian

allenrude
Brian Per the photo in post #4 above I am pretty sure they are screw in (gray band is a washer) Al should be able to use something like this to change them out Don forget to get the pins as it appears they are separate, unless the existing Furrion pins will work https://windandsolar.com/Solar-Photo...t_p_1772.html/
If he needs larger wire or separate ones for the new panels i would just install a second box beside the one he has.

Just my thoughts - there are several ways to get this done.

Keith

[Paul & Deb]

Hi All,

i know this is not a new topic as i see a couple of threads from a year or two ago, but as i started prepping to add 3 solar panels to the 1 that i have on my 2022 28BH, i now see that MC4 connectors are not used on the roof port or on the Furrion panel. Nothing is easy. Has anyone come up with a solution to convert to MC4 so i can move forward with this project? Appreciate any feedback.

Hi Allen, Sorry I'm late to this but I just yanked the Furrion crap and bought a generic roof gland. The hole left from removing the Furrion was a mess, but I sealed it up with Eternabond tape and all is good.

[timh0042]

I'm interested in this topic as I plan out a solar upgrade on our 23BHE. It's quite annoying that this proprietary part is at the forefront of the installation.

I pulled up the manual for the Furrion 165W Rigid Solar Panel (https://furrion.com/collections/sola...lar-panel-150w) and noticed the proprietary "bullet" connectors pictured. I looked a little further and found that on page 7 it describes the "Rooftop Solar Electrical Box" and gives part number "FSEB30JWL-BL". A few searches in your favorite search engine will not reveal a whole lot, but at least I think I've found the rooftop solar electrical box part number.

Still a frustrating topic and I suspect I'll end up pulling it in place of something that follows a better defined standard.