Forum Discussion

Marsland's avatar
Marsland
Explorer
Oct 03, 2015

AE Electric Awning Troubles

After scanning 7 pages of "electric awning" issues I've not seen what I think is my issue.

Specifically, when rolling out it works fine. When rolling in it starts very slowly, and without assistance, will stop. Additionally, when I help it, by reaching out the door and putting some inward pressure on one of the arms, it will continue to retract slowly, making "popping" noises until, getting close to closing, it then finishes on its own.

In my scanning of the issues on the forum someone mentioned the awning "locking" when closed. What is that?

The owners manual is basically - push extend to open - push retract to close. Great manual. Ideally, that should be all you need but.......

Thanks in advance.
  • imgoin4it's avatar
    imgoin4it
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    Sounds like it "amps" out. When amperage gets to some point because it is binding it stops til it cools then will go again. Can also be low voltage. Especially on hot days it is worse. Low voltage can be caused bu too small wire supplying the motor, a bad splice in the wiring someplace.if you hook up 12 volts directly to the motor and bypass the controller and it goes in and out with no problem start looking at controls or wiring. I hab same problem and it took 5 years to figure out then find a bad splice between the controller and motoe. Only splice was by passenger seat. That was it.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 04, 2015
    my understanding. is that a spring pushes the awning out as it unwinds
    the motor is used to Retract the awning which winds up the spring
    so they all go out faster than they retract/wind-up
    sounds like you have either a power problem, not enough voltage to the motor
    or a binding problem
    i would lube everything you can
    and then i would check the wiring to the motor
    a corroded or loose ground/negative wire would create a power problem
    last choice .. replace motor, probably have to buy the complete assembly-arm section that contains the motor
    lets hope you don't need to do that
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Oct 04, 2015
    MrWizard wrote:
    my understanding. is that a spring pushes the awning out as it unwinds
    the motor is used to Retract the awning which winds up the spring
    so they all go out faster than they retract/wind-up
    sounds like you have either a power problem, not enough voltage to the motor
    or a binding problem
    i would lube everything you can
    and then i would check the wiring to the motor
    a corroded or loose ground/negative wire would create a power problem
    last choice .. replace motor, probably have to buy the complete assembly-arm section that contains the motor
    lets hope you don't need to do that


    Not correct. The rear spring pulls IN when retracting. The OP's problem is he has a worn out motor and needs replaced. Regardless of manual or Electric, awning springs always pull IN for retract. Doug
  • Marsland's avatar
    Marsland
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    dougrainer wrote:
    MrWizard wrote:
    my understanding. is that a spring pushes the awning out as it unwinds
    the motor is used to Retract the awning which winds up the spring
    so they all go out faster than they retract/wind-up
    sounds like you have either a power problem, not enough voltage to the motor
    or a binding problem
    i would lube everything you can
    and then i would check the wiring to the motor
    a corroded or loose ground/negative wire would create a power problem
    last choice .. replace motor, probably have to buy the complete assembly-arm section that contains the motor
    lets hope you don't need to do that


    Not correct. The rear spring pulls IN when retracting. The OP's problem is he has a worn out motor and needs replaced. Regardless of manual or Electric, awning springs always pull IN for retract. Doug


    Doug, what you say makes sense. The manual does state that to retract manually you loosen a screw on the forward end with someone holding the roller so the awning won't freewheel back to the trailer like a manual one would if released.

    So to understand this a little better. when extending the motor is basically used as a brake against the gas struts and is working against the struts on retract? And a low voltage situation or weak motor are the most likely issues?

    Sounds like I need to get out my MM and start tracing things out. Kinda disappointing on a 2012 TT. You'd expect things like this on older units. But I know it does happen.
  • Marsland's avatar
    Marsland
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    Rollnhome wrote:
    Maybe this will help


    I did read that. I need to download that service manual. I think the model they are talking about has is not mine but the inner workings may be similar.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 05, 2015
    as far as applied force AKA torque is involved
    there is no difference between compressing a gas strut and winding a spring
    compressing the strut requires force, force that is being applied by the motor

    unless there is a spring assisting the motor, what i said is valid
  • Rollnhome's avatar
    Rollnhome
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    I went out today and sprayed dry silicon on all moving parts. Seems to have fixed problem. Still think motor should be stronger. Good output voltage at controler. Didn't check voltage at motor, too lazy to do to it today.

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