2016 Winnebago Grand Tour Carefree Awning Issue - LED Strip

Question

I have 2016 Grand Tour. When extending my rear "CareFree" Paramount model Awning this evening I noticed that my LED strip wouldn't light up. Awning extend/retract works fine. Upon inspection I noticed that the LED strip power wires were chaffed and it looks like they shorted out. I tested the LED strip itself by cross connecting the Front LED switch and the rear LED strip works correctly. I also tested the voltage on the wires where they were exposed and shorted and I do not get 12V as expected.

I suspect that a fuse is blown somewhere. The CareFree of Colorado documents for this (Paramount model) awning mentions a 2A in-line fuse. However since the Winnebago uses a FireFly control system for all it's components I'm not sure if this fuse exists or more importantly where it might be located.

I've checked the usual places - under the bed, Passenger Wiring compartment, Fuse compartments under Driver's side window and by the engine. I also made sure that I had power coming from the FireFLy system that is the source for the LEDs power.

Any ideas?? Also I may have another short somewhere up-stream in the wiring as I have not checked. The LED wiring design on these Carefree awning is not good as I had a similar wire chaffing issue on my OTD awning LED strip about a year ago.

ib853347201 · Answer

Have you referred to your Owners Manual? Would suggest you contact Winnebago Service on their help line at 800-537-1885, or by email at or@wgo.net.
I have found them to be very helpful and responsive over the years.

dougrainer · Answer

IF you have a Firefly/Spyder  Networked touch pad control system, remember, they do NOT get rid of any fuses needed. If a appliance requires a fuse, there will be a fuse. Obviously, any 12 volt appliance will have a fuse protection. FINDING it can be a challenge.  Most Firefly/Spyder systems have 12 volt Circuit Breakers on a main panel somewhere in the RV. Usually 2 such panels, depending on the size of the RV. The LED Awning lights are probably fused at the same area of the regular inside lighting system fuse panel. Doug

neschultz · Answer

Winnebago does a great job of making documentation available online for their newer motorized RVs. Here’s the Link  to their wiring diagrams.  Each wire is labeled with what it does.

tdjackson56 · Answer

Thanks..been there done that.I've been there and they don't have the detail for this LED circuit. I also have a Winnebago provide detail circuit schematic from when I traced our and fixed a diode issue earlier this year. In looking for the cable runs and locations. I know that it's a ZZL wire.

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2016 Winnebago Grand Tour Carefree Awning Issue - LED Strip

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