Furrion Solar

[Mark B]

My 2019 Alpine 3851RD has the Furrion 10A Solar charge prep installed. What do I need, besides a solar panel, to make use of this technology, as far as being able to trickle charge the house batteries?

[jxnbbl]

From Google....

The Furrion Solar Port Inlet is designed for use with the Furrion 10A PWM Solar Charger and Furrion Portable Solar Panels (briefcase and kickstand models).

[jxnbbl]

Here is the unit, with a built in controller:

https://a.co/d/cGFgBKu

[Canonman]

Mark,
I would suggest 100w of portable solar panel kit might be too small (not enough solar power) for a rig your size.
We have a 30' Cougar with an absorption fridge and find that a 200w solar system works well for us and we are pretty conservative with our power needs. 200w and larger portable systems are available from several manufacturers. You probably will need an adaptor to connet your Furrion port to another brand solar kit.

[JRTJH]

To further Brian's recommendation of a "larger solar system" to keep your batteries charged, if you scroll down the page at that Amazon "Furrion system" link, just under the description is a recommendation for an Amazon Choice. It's a 200 watt Renogy system with a price that's $100 less than the Furrion 100 watt panel.

Furrion appliances and electronics don't have a very good reputation in the RV community. I'd shop around with brand names with a reputation of being the leaders in the solar system concepts.

Furrion appears to be "overpriced without a great company reputation"... YMMV

[jxnbbl]

The problem is that once you go beyond the 100-125W panel that port and the wiring to it is probably useless. There are cheaper combinations that include a 20A charge controller, etc but they have to really have wiring to the battery with inline fusing and shutoff.

[Canonman]

Jay,
The 12 ga wiring from the Furrion connector to the batteries is adequate for a 200w panel kit, Plus, it's only a few inches to the battery connections.

[Mark B]

I guess my next question is do I have to buy a Furrion wiring harness to plug into the RV and into the solar panels. Who carries these adapters and how many grandchildren do I need to spend to aquire one???

[jxnbbl]

Originally Posted by Canonman

Jay,
The 12 ga wiring from the Furrion connector to the batteries is adequate for a 200w panel kit, Plus, it's only a few inches to the battery connections.

Sure it will work I didn't know the gauge of the wire and just looking at 10A on the cover. I just don't match up 20A charge controllers with something that states 10A.

[jxnbbl]

Originally Posted by Mark B

I guess my next question is do I have to buy a Furrion wiring harness to plug into the RV and into the solar panels. Who carries these adapters and how many grandchildren do I need to spend to aquire one???

Is this it? https://a.co/d/8lao7do

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by jxnbbl

Sure it will work I didn't know the gauge of the wire and just looking at 10A on the cover. I just don't match up 20A charge controllers with something that states 10A.

I think Furrion is playing it safe/conservative. You can go 20 amps on 12 awg if under 10 ft.

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by Mark B

I guess my next question is do I have to buy a Furrion wiring harness to plug into the RV and into the solar panels. Who carries these adapters and how many grandchildren do I need to spend to aquire one???

Mark,
The type of adaptor depends on the manufacturer or type of solar panel kit (includes the portable panels and charge controller) you purchase.
For instance a Zamp to Furrion adaptor from Zamp is $40.
Amazon has these and most others, prices start around $20.