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Yosemitebobr's avatar
Yosemitebobr
Explorer
Jul 22, 2020

Solera Power Awning problem

I have the 20' Solera Power Awning it's now five years old and has always worked for me, but......I just noticed today; I extended it but when I brought it back in, it must be moving at about ΒΌ the speed it used to. It always moved just a little slower than going out, but now, it must have taken almost 3 minutes to retract. I was thinking, great I have to use the manual to get it back in, and I'm thinking where I can get a ladder, but it did make it. But now I am afraid to extend it as it just may not make it back, I suppose if I had a 6' ladder with me I could manually do it but I don't. Any suggestions, or has anyone had this happen to them?
  • Most likely the motor. Mine recently died. Fortunately it was in the driveway before a trip. My replacement motor is supposed to be delivered tomorrow from Amazon.
  • My Dometic/A&E 20' awning was acting the same way. It finally got so it wouldn't retract without a little help from a pole giving it a little push. I pulled the motor and it was shot, hardly any oomph even wired directly to the battery. I bought a new motor, installed it, and back in business.
  • Thank you both. I had that feeling that was it. I didn't think of Amazon, I'll check that out.

    Again,
    Thanks
  • FWIW, I found my replacement motor on Ebay. They wanted ridiculous prices everywhere else, and a guy had motors that had been pulled from salvaged awnings. The prices were good, as were the motors as it turned out. Amazon could easily be higher than you can find if you search around a bit. Amazon is usually my last choice for a lot of stuff, just due to their high prices.
  • Got the new motor on today. Works as it should so far. Have to wait to determine its longevity. It is quiter than the original ever was.
  • My new motor came today, it was an easy switch over, except for one small surprise. I tied off the arm about two feet from the motorhome wall so as not to let the roller go rolling away when I removed the motor. So I removed two bolts from the motor and while loosening the third bolt I noticed there was a tension still on the roller, of course it had to be the material (about two feet worth) was starting to make a big U, LOL, the weight of the material between the two polls was enough to run the roller. So I had to hold the roller from running remove the old motor and install the new motor with the bolts again. Now to make up the connection. OK put it all together and works great full out. And it works all the way back in, but, it is still so slow coming back in. I guess it must have always done that as I just don't remember, my memory isn't what it used to be. But it works, and that is what I care about. I checked voltage at the battery and I have 13.5 volts (I have 600watts of solar on the roof.

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