My A&E powered awning will not extend. When I hit the extend button, the motor operates for a couple of seconds......and the awning starts to extend, but then quits. It only goes out a couple of inches. I assume the motor is fine because it operates in both extend and retract positions. The "arms" seem to be free. I assume there is something within the tube that is jamming. Has anyone had this problem? Is this a job for an expert?Thanks in advance.John

Are the knobs on the arms loosened up? I am new to the electric awnings but I know my old manual awning needed the knobs to be loose.

If the motor is stopping my first bet would be a weak battery or a bad 12v connection.

Campingfan - electric awnings don't have knobs like the manual awnings. Just push a button and the awning extends.Make sure that there is no binding in the arms. If they are even a little tweaked, they will not extend or retract properly. -Michael

Thanks to all who responded. Correct....there are no knobs associated with the power awning. I have checked the "arms" ......they SEEM to be okay. I think the system has a built in feature whereby.....if the awning does hit an obstruction during extension, that the power will be automatically shut down to the motor.The power then resumes after 15 seconds. So, I guess the problem is in the arms........or within the tube and spring assembly.

My electric awning has knobs. I know you can lock them or let them loose so the auto dump rain feature works when it rains. Or I can lock them down to make the awning tilt more toward the ground.

A&E powered patio awning will not extend | Good Sam Community

Campinfan
Explorer III
May 01, 2014
Are the knobs on the arms loosened up? I am new to the electric awnings but I know my old manual awning needed the knobs to be loose.
jmcgsd
Explorer
May 01, 2014
If the motor is stopping my first bet would be a weak battery or a bad 12v connection.
mgirardo
Explorer
May 02, 2014
Campingfan - electric awnings don't have knobs like the manual awnings. Just push a button and the awning extends.

Make sure that there is no binding in the arms. If they are even a little tweaked, they will not extend or retract properly.

-Michael
aptucxet
Explorer
May 03, 2014
Thanks to all who responded. Correct....there are no knobs associated with the power awning. I have checked the "arms" ......they SEEM to be okay. I think the system has a built in feature whereby.....if the awning does hit an obstruction during extension, that the power will be automatically shut down to the motor.
The power then resumes after 15 seconds. So, I guess the problem is in the arms........or within the tube and spring assembly.
Campinfan
Explorer III
May 04, 2014
My electric awning has knobs. I know you can lock them or let them loose so the auto dump rain feature works when it rains. Or I can lock them down to make the awning tilt more toward the ground.
Allworth
Explorer II
May 04, 2014
Expert!
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 04, 2014
Campinfan wrote:
Are the knobs on the arms loosened up? I am new to the electric awnings but I know my old manual awning needed the knobs to be loose.

Does not apply.. It is, however, possible the brake on the motor is not releasing,, Can happen.

I know what I would do, but alas,,, I do not suggest anyone else do it.
Charlie_D_
Explorer
May 04, 2014
wa8yxm wrote:
Campinfan wrote:
Are the knobs on the arms loosened up? I am new to the electric awnings but I know my old manual awning needed the knobs to be loose.

Does not apply.. It is, however, possible the brake on the motor is not releasing,, Can happen.

I know what I would do, but alas,,, I do not suggest anyone else do it.

Just for laughs, what would you do? Is it possible that the knobs are interfering with the opening and closing?
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 05, 2014
The A&E system has no "limit switches" instead it monitors motor current, if the current takes a jump (increases) the controller says "AH, End of travel" AND SHUTS DOWN, no 15 seconds, just release and repress and it shoudl work.

If it takes time, that would suggest a thermal cut off in the motor.

Last time I priced those (Thankfully NOT my problem) they were $400.00 or there about (And the guy who's problem it was.... warranted).
aptucxet
Explorer
May 05, 2014
I just disconnected the wires at the motor and wired directly to a battery.......thereby bypassing the control box. It still does the same thing.....it tries to extend but stops at about 5 inches. Reversing the current retracts back to "start." I would guess the motor is okay and the controller is okay. Again, there are NO knobs on this system. Any other suggestions? (Other than EXPERT?)
Thanks, John