Where is the wind sensor?

[VACMAN]

In the basement we have a device for the awning. It has settings on it like 12mph, 18 mph, ect. I take this is to set the speed you want the awning to close on the speed of the wind..But I have looked all over the top, and cannot find a wind sensor. Could it be that this is an option I did not get? If so why for the device in the basement?

[FlyingDiver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VACMAN In the basement we have a device for the awning. It has settings on it like 12mph, 18 mph, ect. I take this is to set the speed you want the awning to close on the speed of the wind..But I have looked all over the top, and cannot find a wind sensor. Could it be that this is an option I did not get? If so why for the device in the basement?

Ours is a little whirligig thing on the top, like those wind speed sensors on weather stations. I think the control box you're seeing is needed whether or not you have the sensor, it's just the same box with or without the additional sensor.

joe

[GaryKD]

Hi VACMAN,

What model of awning do you have? If it is an A&E 9XXX, the sensor may be on the roof, you'll be able to see it by standing away from the passenger side of the coach (about 20 feet). Look at the rear edge of the awning and go toward the rear of the coach about a foot or two. It is about a foot in from the passenger side of the coach. It is a small plastic tower (about 6" high or less) with slits in the upper part of the tower just under the tower's top. The top of the tower may have an aluminum reflector on its' top (looking down on the sensor tower).

[VACMAN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Hi VACMAN, What model of awning do you have? If it is an A&E 9XXX, the sensor may be on the roof, you'll be able to see it by standing away from the passenger side of the coach (about 20 feet). Look at the rear edge of the awning and go toward the rear of the coach about a foot or two. It is about a foot in from the passenger side of the coach. It is a small plastic tower (about 6" high or less) with slits in the upper part of the tower just under the tower's top. The top of the tower may have an aluminum reflector on its' top (looking down on the sensor tower).

Yes I have seen the tower on my friends 43' DSDP. So I know what they are supposed to look like. I guess I will just have to ask Newmar When I go in June 15th for my warranty appt., maybe they just forgot to put the wirygig up there, But why the MPH modual in basement? Ow well I'll find out the 15th..Thanks guys..Vacman

[GaryKD]

Some of the A&E awnings have a wind sensor/thermistor in the main awning front arm or roller bar. On the control module there should be a RJ-11 connector and telephone wire running from this connector to the sensor/thermistor. This is why I asked what make and model of awning you have. If you look at the back side of the front and rear awning arms there could be a wire (more than the electric motor wire) running up the arm.

Because A&E does not want the awning extended below 32 degrees F, they put a thermistor in with the wind sensor. If you find no wire or RJ-11 connector on the control board, please post here as to how the auto retraction for wind and 32 degrees F is handled.

[wa8yxm]

There are 3 different sensors I know about

1: Carefree of Colorado, It's the "Whirlygig" on top of the coach
2: A&E There is a "lighthouse" on the roof, it's round, about 2 or 3" in diameter and perhaps 4-5 inches tall, no moving parts, could easily be mistaken for a vent.

The third is a motion sensor in the end of the awning arm

[FlyingDiver]

We have Girard awnings, but there's a whirlygig style sensor up there for them.

joe

[mrschwarz]

I have an A&E awning. The sensor is a little aluminum 'hut' shaped device on the top of the front bracket.

[Luv2go]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrschwarz I have an A&E awning. The sensor is a little aluminum 'hut' shaped device on the top of the front bracket.

Same here, and I tested it work in a moderate wind last Saturday (with my finger nervously on the "Retract" button), the arms actually moved up and down twice before the awning retracted. My control is set at the minimum wind setting.

Stewart

[DaneHorstead]

Wind sensors come in various forms, but the vast majority of them have the whirling cups, like a weater station has.

Because awning motor companies get almost as much for the wind sensor, as the do for the awning motors, many installations do away with the wind sensor device.


Dane D Horstead

Quote:

Originally Posted by VACMAN In the basement we have a device for the awning. It has settings on it like 12mph, 18 mph, ect. I take this is to set the speed you want the awning to close on the speed of the wind..But I have looked all over the top, and cannot find a wind sensor. Could it be that this is an option I did not get? If so why for the device in the basement?

[DaneHorstead]

The third device is a pitot tube, similar to that found on an airplane. Air entering the tube, presses on a sensor (switch) causing the motor to react.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm There are 3 different sensors I know about 1: Carefree of Colorado, It's the "Whirlygig" on top of the coach 2: A&E There is a "lighthouse" on the roof, it's round, about 2 or 3" in diameter and perhaps 4-5 inches tall, no moving parts, could easily be mistaken for a vent. The third is a motion sensor in the end of the awning arm

[DaneHorstead]

The wind speed devices, do more than just calculate the gusting wind.

They are sold with varying add ons, and are very expensive!

The reason they are designed not to work in less than 32 degree weather, is so any Ice that formed on the awning, does not rip the fabric, when rolling.

The devices also can be had to automaticly project the awning if too sunny, or to retract it, in rain, or wind. Actually, most devices for rain, can be set to either project the awning, or to retract it.

Always dry the awning out, before rolling it in. Otherwise, water can get inside the motor tube, and cause problems.



Dane D Horstead

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Some of the A&E awnings have a wind sensor/thermistor in the main awning front arm or roller bar. On the control module there should be a RJ-11 connector and telephone wire running from this connector to the sensor/thermistor. This is why I asked what make and model of awning you have. If you look at the back side of the front and rear awning arms there could be a wire (more than the electric motor wire) running up the arm. Because A&E does not want the awning extended below 32 degrees F, they put a thermistor in with the wind sensor. If you find no wire or RJ-11 connector on the control board, please post here as to how the auto retraction for wind and 32 degrees F is handled.

["007"]

Thanks for your posts Danehorstead and welcome to the Newmar forum and irv2.