Furrion Stainless Inlet 6-Year Review, Advice?

[TheGreatleys]

I purchased the Furrion stainless 30 amp inlet in 2016 from VTS along with the matching cordset. It's nice when new.

After several years of use, my neutral wire came loose and damaged the rear of the inlet. I contacted Furrion to see if I could buy a replacement interior like you can get for a Marinco outlet. It would be a very straightforward swap, and no more complicated than the original installation. Furrion told me I had to buy an entire new inlet. "We offer a 5 year warranty on all inlets due to the fact that we do not encourage or promote customers "fixing" electrical items therefore we do not offer spare or replacements parts for the item."

For the price of this inlet, Furrion should support it. Refusing to offer parts is just a money grab.

So, do I shell out the $100+ for a new Furrion inlet to keep the threaded jacket connection that mates with my Furrion cordset? Do I take this opportunity to swap the inlet and the end of my cordset to a Marinco inlet or the Stainless SmartPlug? Something else I should consider?

[rmkrum]

I’d go with a SmartPlug solution. The twist-lock connector is a flawed design and always seems to fail eventually. I have two of them on my Airstream and the have not have any issues.

This is the one I installed on the front for a generator port. Looks nice, solid connections and no corrosion. This location gets sprayed with water anytime it rains.

[SilverWind]

Originally Posted by TheGreatleys

I purchased the Furrion stainless 30 amp inlet in 2016 from VTS along with the matching cordset. It's nice when new.

After several years of use, my neutral wire came loose and damaged the rear of the inlet. I contacted Furrion to see if I could buy a replacement interior like you can get for a Marinco outlet. It would be a very straightforward swap, and no more complicated than the original installation. Furrion told me I had to buy an entire new inlet. "We offer a 5 year warranty on all inlets due to the fact that we do not encourage or promote customers "fixing" electrical items therefore we do not offer spare or replacements parts for the item."

For the price of this inlet, Furrion should support it. Refusing to offer parts is just a money grab.

So, do I shell out the $100+ for a new Furrion inlet to keep the threaded jacket connection that mates with my Furrion cordset? Do I take this opportunity to swap the inlet and the end of my cordset to a Marinco inlet or the Stainless SmartPlug? Something else I should consider?

I had an "electrician" install two Furrion Stainless inlets on my 2017 25 Serenity in 2018. One of them shorted out and ruined the power cable while at an RV park in Williams, AZ in October. Power went off and there was a strong plastic burning smell. Fortunately we were able to use the front inlet with a new cord.

My post mortem revealed a melted neutral connection. ALL of the wires in the unit were loose. I installed a new inlet of the same model ($168). I made sure that the wire receptor screw were torqued to Furrion specs, 16 inch pounds or 2 newton meters.

I suspect that the person who did the original installation may have hand tightened them with an ordinary Phillips screwdriver. I'll make sure that the screw torque is checked periodically since vibration could also have contributed to loosening the screws.

[TheGreatleys]

Thanks for the feedback @SilverWind and @rmkrum ! Can anyone comment on the footprint of the Smartplug inlet, either just its measurements or experience swapping from the Furrion one? Think it will cover the same hole, or might I be in for a bit of patching?

I can get a replacement of the same Furrion outlet for $107.99 here:

https://dailysteals.com/furrion-llc-...r-inlet-rnd-ss

That would be the most straightforward repair but, long term, I'm left with the same problem as before. A less than ideal design that the manufacturer won't support.

I found a Marinco twist lock replacement for $73.54. Same twist lock design as Furrion, but least they support it with parts.

https://marinepartssource.com/power-inlet-303ssel-b

I'm leaning toward swapping with a smart plug as @rmkrum suggested. Looks like it's a more robust connection, and I'm also encouraged by the extensive selection of replacement parts available. This is a bit more money at $199.75 for the inlet plus a new end for my cordset, but the extra $90 is worth it just for availability of repair parts if anything ever wears out.

http://www.fawcettboat.com/pc_produc...DFC9263DB56FEE

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by TheGreatleys

Thanks for the feedback @SilverWind and @rmkrum ! Can anyone comment on the footprint of the Smartplug inlet, either just its measurements or experience swapping from the Furrion one? Think it will cover the same hole, or might I be in for a bit of patching?

I can get a replacement of the same Furrion outlet for $107.99 here:

https://dailysteals.com/furrion-llc-...r-inlet-rnd-ss

That would be the most straightforward repair but, long term, I'm left with the same problem as before. A less than ideal design that the manufacturer won't support.

I found a Marinco twist lock replacement for $73.54. Same twist lock design as Furrion, but least they support it with parts.

https://marinepartssource.com/power-inlet-303ssel-b

I'm leaning toward swapping with a smart plug as @rmkrum suggested. Looks like it's a more robust connection, and I'm also encouraged by the extensive selection of replacement parts available. This is a bit more money at $199.75 for the inlet plus a new end for my cordset, but the extra $90 is worth it just for availability of repair parts if anything ever wears out.

http://www.fawcettboat.com/pc_produc...DFC9263DB56FEE

I highly recommend the smartplug. I've had two on my AS for about 5 years with no problems. It's a much better electrical connection.

[rmkrum]

SmartPlug footprint is identical to the OEM power connector hole down to the exact same screw hole locations.

Biggest issue is cleaning off the HUGE wad of caulk the factory beds around the back of their installed connector. Once that’s out of the way it fits perfectly.

[TheGreatleys]

Thanks @rmkrum ! I went ahead and ordered the smartplug package. Should be here in time to swap this weekend.

[DaveG]

Originally Posted by TheGreatleys

Thanks @rmkrum ! I went ahead and ordered the smartplug package. Should be here in time to swap this weekend.

Good choice! More contact surface - better design. If you are working with stranded wires it may be worth the effort to tin them.