Awning problems

kenbt · 12-07-2005, 11:21 AM

Saw this post on another site and brought it here for those of you still having problems

A while back the discussion came up here on the forum of the problem some were having of the A&E Automatic awnings NOT dumping the rain water off the extended awning. Remembering this discussion yesterday when I had a customer come into the dealership with this same problem to be corrected; I revisited the forum to refresh my memory. Then I called Dometic and found that due to the way the awning was installed by the mfg of the coach, the wrong model awning was used. The model in question was an 815xxxxxx and should have been a model 845xxxxx.xxx. My point is to reiterate that if your awning arms do not go out to where they are straight with each other the fabric is not wide enough and needs to be corrected so the awning can "dump" the water as designed. We are going to add a slat to the guard and change the fabric to the right width to correct this problem. The width must be more than 91" from the side of the coach or the arms will have the bend in the connection point, this puts the assembly in a bind and it will not dump. If when fully extended and the arms are straight with each half the awning should dump as designed.

kenbt · 12-07-2005, 11:21 AM

Saw this post on another site and brought it here for those of you still having problems

A while back the discussion came up here on the forum of the problem some were having of the A&E Automatic awnings NOT dumping the rain water off the extended awning. Remembering this discussion yesterday when I had a customer come into the dealership with this same problem to be corrected; I revisited the forum to refresh my memory. Then I called Dometic and found that due to the way the awning was installed by the mfg of the coach, the wrong model awning was used. The model in question was an 815xxxxxx and should have been a model 845xxxxx.xxx. My point is to reiterate that if your awning arms do not go out to where they are straight with each other the fabric is not wide enough and needs to be corrected so the awning can "dump" the water as designed. We are going to add a slat to the guard and change the fabric to the right width to correct this problem. The width must be more than 91" from the side of the coach or the arms will have the bend in the connection point, this puts the assembly in a bind and it will not dump. If when fully extended and the arms are straight with each half the awning should dump as designed.

Nonno · 12-07-2005, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the post. My awning is a model 805xxxx and has very little, if any, pitch to it. To me it just doesn't seem right but I'll have to wait a while to check it out since it's windy and about 12 degrees outside. I'll add this to my items to check out in the Spring list.

kenbt · 12-07-2005, 05:53 PM

Bottom line is if you complain that the awning hold water and then fall back towards the motorhome dumping water out each end, they will replace it with an awning that is 8'6" wide that will allow the awning arms to extend fully allowing the dumping mechanism to work properly

John_Canfield · 12-08-2005, 09:35 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kenbt:
My point is to reiterate that if your awning arms do not go out to where they are straight with each other the fabric is not wide enough and needs to be corrected so the awning can "dump" the water as designed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm not sure exactly what he means. Is he talking about the awning width or the depth? Width (length) being the fore and aft dimension, depth being from the extruded roller to the side of the coach. It gets confusing talking about dimensions

!

I'm guessing the critical dimension is what I'm calling the depth? The awning arms must be aligned in a flat plane according to the original poster?

I talked to A&E a few months ago because I was concerned that my awning wasn't installed correctly because the water would pool and only rarely dump. I described what my deployed awning looked like; the support arms are slightly cocked. The tech said mine was okay based on my description. I'm really confused now

I'll try to check my model number when it stops raining.

kenbt · 12-09-2005, 09:21 AM

John we are talking about the width of the awning (from the coach out). My awning witdth was orginally 90 to 91 inches wide and my are were slightly bent not allowing them to work properly when the awning was holding water because it was to level.....Winnegabo replaced it with an awning 96 inches wide that allows it to go out futher and drop down another 12 inches. Also now the arm work as designed when water accumulates on it.

John_Canfield · 12-09-2005, 10:15 AM

Well - isn't that interesting! My awning seems like it extends almost horizontally. I'll check the model number and get out the tape measure after we are done with the rain.

When I want to hang lights or slide in my screen, I have to get out the ladder - the roller is way up there!

Thanks - I'll reply to the thread when I check mine out.

Tom N · 12-09-2005, 10:44 AM

Winnebago used the short awning to keep the awning from contacting the passenger side front slideout when extended.

A question for the gentleman than had his short awning replaced with the standard. Since your awning now drops lower does the awning material contact the slide?? I know it has to be much closer.

Tom
currently home in PA but leaving for FL the 26th

rebelsbeach · 12-09-2005, 11:22 AM

OK....now you've got my curiousity up...

When I had the "old" Journey, the wind sensor was really sensitive,such that I was afraid to hang anything on the awning.
I now, thanks to that picture taking (rotten) John friend of mine,see there's a way to adjust the sensitivity of the wind sensor.

Does this mean it's ok to hang things on the awning?

I was afraid the lights (and now the sunscreen I ordered) would roll up in the awning.
I actually will have the same question as Tom,as the passenger side slide comes into play as well...

(Really getting the bug now,as I spent the morning at dealer....Now have new Blue Ox baseplate with removeable tow points...Woohoo!!)

LK23 · 12-09-2005, 11:41 AM

You have my curiosity up as well. Where do you find the model number?

Tom N · 12-09-2005, 12:25 PM

EXTERIOR BODY GROUP (CONTINUED)
AWNINGS
KEY PART NUMBER U/M DESCRIPTION
113874-11-01A EA SCREW/LAG - AWNING - 1/4" X 1" STAINLESS STEEL - PATIO
136770-03-02A EA SPACER - AWNING - 2" - BLACK - ENTRANCE DOOR
137029-01-02A EA BRACKET - AWNING - BLACK - ENTRANCE DOOR
146457-01-02A EA BRACKET - AWNING - BLACK - PATIO
154099-01-01A EA SUNSCREEN/REMOVABLE/BL-18ï¿½X72"-F/19'-20' ELEC AWNING-W/HDW
153149-01-01A EA SPACER - AWNING/WINDOW - BLACK - S40FD
153149-02-01A EA SPACER - AWNING/WINDOW - BLACK - S40FD
MODEL COLOR CODE AWNING HARDWARE PATIO AWNING PATIO SPACER PATIO
COLOR COLOR ROLLER LENGTH HARDWARE KIT ELECTRICAL KIT
92A
S40AD HARVEST TAUPE CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-41E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S40KD HARVEST TAUPE CHAMPAGNE 143181-13-41E 19' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S40FD HARVEST TAUPE CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-41E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S36GD HARVEST TAUPE CHAMPAGNE 143181-09-41E 20' 143181-01-02A N/A 143181-02-01A
S36RD HARVEST TAUPE CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-41E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
27A
S40AD BLUESTONE SAPPHIRE BLUE CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-52E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S40KD BLUESTONE SAPPHIRE BLUE CHAMPAGNE 143181-13-52E 19' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S40FD BLUESTONE SAPPHIRE BLUE CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-52E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S36GD BLUESTONE SAPPHIRE BLUE CHAMPAGNE 143181-09-52E 20' 143181-01-02A N/A 143181-02-01A
S36RD BLUESTONE SAPPHIRE BLUE CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-52E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
24C
S40AD DEEP MAHOGANY BLACK CHERRY CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-57E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S40KD DEEP MAHOGANY BLACK CHERRY CHAMPAGNE 143181-13-57E 19' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S40FD DEEP MAHOGANY BLACK CHERRY CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-57E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A
S36GD DEEP MAHOGANY BLACK CHERRY CHAMPAGNE 143181-09-57E 20' 143181-01-02A N/A 143181-02-01A
S36RD DEEP MAHOGANY BLACK CHERRY CHAMPAGNE 143181-12-57E 20' 143181-10-02A 143181-11-02A 143181-02-01A

Tom N · 12-09-2005, 12:53 PM

Take the cover off the electronics box located in one of your basement compartments and you'll see 5 or 6 little switches. These switches allow you to set 2 different wind speeds for auto up. The factory default is for the highest speed. I think 14-20 mph or so. You can set ~8-13 also. Just the two speed selection. I have the switch settings here somewhere.

If you want to hang awning laundry I would shut the wind auto up feature off on the outside of the control box. We must have $200 of awning stuff from our old mh. It's home in the garage.

LK23 · 12-09-2005, 01:43 PM

Let me clarify my previous question. Where on my motor home do I look to find the model number of the awning?

Tom N · 12-09-2005, 01:54 PM

Towards the front end of the awning roller. At least that is where A&E told me the color code was so I could match the window awnings.

DriVer · 12-09-2005, 03:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LK23:
Where on my motor home do I look to find the model number of the awning? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The model number of the awning should be directly on the roller tube on a white A&E tag. On a slide topper you have to unwrap the awning fabric off of the roller to expose the tag. It ain't easy but that's what you have to do. At least the tag is close to the end of the roller tube. The typical location is on the left side of the tube.

Thudman · 12-09-2005, 04:50 PM

I have a Weather Pro automatic awning (model 249xxxx). When the control box switch is "Enabled" (Auto), the box "beeps". A&E tech says the beep means a communication (phn cable) problem. With the switch in the Auto position the awning will always auto-retract after 35 seconds in the extended position.
I'm hesitant to remove the roof wind sensor to chk the cable connection, for fear of causing a leak. So I just leave the switch in "Manual" & retract the awning when it's windy (or I leave the rig).

I've had four (4) full systems (sensor & cntl box) replaced since new.

Thudman

Tom N · 12-09-2005, 05:36 PM

The awning will also beep if the temperature goes below ~30F.

rebelsbeach · 12-09-2005, 05:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
Take the cover off the electronics box located in one of your basement compartments and you'll see 5 or 6 little switches. These switches allow you to set 2 different wind speeds for auto up. The factory default is for the highest speed. I think 14-20 mph or so. You can set ~8-13 also. Just the two speed selection. I have the switch settings here somewhere.

If you want to hang awning laundry I would shut the wind auto up feature off on the outside of the control box. We must have $200 of awning stuff from our old mh. It's home in the garage. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Here's a link that shows the wind sensor adjustments...looks like multiple choices for '06.

John Canfield's '06 Vectra Pix

rebelsbeach · 12-09-2005, 05:49 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
The awning will also beep if the temperature goes below ~30F. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Tom,if it's that cold,I shouldn't be camping and it ought to do more than beep!!

Tom N · 12-09-2005, 07:19 PM

John;

I see the control box has changed from 05 to 06.

Below is the 2006 Weather Pro manual in PDF format.

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/3309960.007.pdf