My Dometic Power Awning opens unexpectedly, any ideas?

Possible problems, and one possible solution.

Pocket Dialing, Well that's what they call it if it were a cell phone, the remote being operated while in your pocket.

Short in switch: Actually heard of one of those.... (Actually helped the owner when it failed due to burned out motor due to short in switch).

Something screwy with the control system (My opinion of the older "Lighthouse wind sensor" system by the way).

Possible fix

Switch in main power line to control box. Cut off the power.

Is there no OFF switch? Our Carefree has such a switch which totally disables the awning. No power = no unexpected activation. We turn it off before starting the engine. If not, find the power lead and cut it and insert a switch.

We have not yet experienced an unexpected activation, but I can see where other remotes could cause one.

If you awning is installed correctly, its interlocked with the ignition. I have the same awning and the motor won't power the awning out with the key on. If the awning is already out, as soon as I turn the key, it retracks.

2ndhom wrote:
Has it been raining down there? I have experienced if certain exterior wiring gets wet near a motor area it has a tendency to actuate. Also funny things happen if a ground is not correct. Just thinking and not having an exact answer. Can you easily disconnect wiring somewhere for piece of mind that it won't open during travel?

I've pulled the fuse out of the unit itself. I'll put it back in at the next campground and see what happens. Thanks everyone for your ideas :)

Has it been raining down there? I have experienced if certain exterior wiring gets wet near a motor area it has a tendency to actuate. Also funny things happen if a ground is not correct. Just thinking and not having an exact answer. Can you easily disconnect wiring somewhere for piece of mind that it won't open during travel?

RoyB wrote:
I installed one of these what I call GATE LOCKS on my older manual awning. This locks the awning arm in place up against the trailer wall when in travel mode... Don't know if something as simple as this can be adapted to the newer awning rails or not...



Roy Ken

Sure you could put one of those on a power awning. The good news for the OP would be that the awning didn't open uncontrolled, the bad news is the motor and gears are all shot.

I installed one of these what I call GATE LOCKS on my older manual awning. This locks the awning arm in place up against the trailer wall when in travel mode... Don't know if something as simple as this can be adapted to the newer awning rails or not...



Roy Ken

I had a neighbor camper that had a programmable remote for TV's. He drove his other neighbor crazy changing the channel and turning the Outside TV. But they are right it could be receiving a signal from several other sources.

It could be activated from a variety of non remote sources or even a defective part. Remove the remote batteries and disable the awning remote capability to see if it's resolved.

msmith1199 wrote:
Also, you mention remote control. I just checked the Dometic website and see that they have a wireless handheld remote control so I assume this is what you have. It's possible that is your problem. Are you parked near a high power transmitter like a radio tower? Does your remote have a programmable code like the switches in a garage door opener? If yes, did you change those to something other than the factory default? Do any other RV;s in the area have a wireless remote awning like this and maybe their control is controlling your awning?

I have a wireless remote, not parked next to high power transmitter, didn't do anything with anything including factory defaults, I asked neighbors if they have a remotes and if they just started using them.