So does the auto retract awning really work!

There are several brands of awnings and each has it's good points and it's faults. We have a Girard and it works as it's supposed to. My control box has a small screw that adjusts for wind speed. That said, with any electronic device, you have to feel lucky most days. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. I usually leave mine out a couple feet to shade the window unless I'm under it. Being open only a little cuts back on the billowing effect from the wind yet it will retract if it blows hard enough.

The anemometer on the roof generates an electric pulse when spinning which triggers the retract mechanism. It must spin at a continuous motion in order to generate that electricity.....Dennis