Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Alpine Coach Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-22-2018, 12:09 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
lazybyrd's Avatar
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Cut n Shoot, TX
Posts: 207
Vent or sensor?

This is my first post / question...
I recently acquired an’03 36 fdds.
On the passenger side of the coach, above the front seat there is a vent or sensor that has a circuit board in it. It appears it has caught a limb and some
of it is missing leaving the board exposed.
What is this device?
I appreciate any and all comments.
Lazybyrd
lazybyrd is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-22-2018, 12:14 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
BFlinn181's Avatar
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925


Without a photo, it's just a WAG, but do you have a power awning? It could be a wind sensor for the awning to automatically retract in high wind conditions.
__________________

Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
BFlinn181 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2018, 03:24 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Old Scout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,383
....not much on a 2003 Alpine exterior that fits your description -- OEM-wise. Probably an after-market item that is no more......
__________________
Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
Old Scout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2018, 03:57 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,867
Could be the old-style wind sensor for the automatic awning.


I would start by looking in your awning manual and/or contact their manufacturer.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
wolfe10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2018, 04:15 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Old Scout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,383
Good point Brett...was thinking on the side of the coach vs the roof....who knows when WRV started putting awning wind sensors on Alpines. Never saw the insides of a wind sensor--guess there could be a circuit board.....
__________________
Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
Old Scout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2018, 08:18 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
DrDaveMA's Avatar
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Wales, FL
Posts: 3,113
Vent or sensor?

You could also look at the front basement compartment ceiling, the awning control box should be there. If it is the same one we have it is black and there is a switch to extend or retract the awning. There will also be a “telephone” wire connected that leads to the roof mounted sensor. If this is the device you can do without it until you can get a new one, just be sure to seal the hole in the roof so you do not allow water intrusion into the coach. The old style bat wing TV antenna is directly behind this sensor so you need to check it for damage.
__________________
Dave, Bobbi and Fenway
2005 38' FDTS Alpine Limited, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Lake Wales, FL
DrDaveMA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 06:18 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
lazybyrd's Avatar
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Cut n Shoot, TX
Posts: 207
That makes perfect sense.
I never thought of a sensor for the auto retract.
That is the direction I will go.
I sure appreciate the help.
Looking forward to exploring the site.
lazybyrd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 07:38 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Damon Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
Power gear (A&E, and Dometic) used what they call a LIghthouse wind sensor on 2005 and older (not sure when they changed) Awnings. On my RV this is on the roof above the door. Short Pillar with a cap and a gap below the cap.

THing has never worked right and is currently disabled. but then I do not extend the awning any more either.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 07:57 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Wil Rathke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 296
My A&E Weather Pro has an awning switch at the door entry by the passenger seat and also a remote control. The wind sensor no longer works but it operates manually with the switch and remote control.
__________________
2005 38FDTS
2011 Ford Edge
Fredericksburg, TX
Wil Rathke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 09:50 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Jeep401's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 556
X3 on the wind sensor, currently disabled also. Everything I've read say don't wast your time trying to fix if that is what it is.
__________________
Angelo & Leslie
2005 Alpine 36FDDS #75268
MARYSVILLE, WA.
Jeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 03:34 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wil Rathke View Post
My A&E Weather Pro has an awning switch at the door entry by the passenger seat and also a remote control. The wind sensor no longer works but it operates manually with the switch and remote control.
Me too. It is the only thing I am aware of that does not work on my unit.
__________________
Parkereng
2006 Alpine Limited 34FDDS
Parkereng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 04:59 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
DrDaveMA's Avatar
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Wales, FL
Posts: 3,113
The problem is you need a strong wind to be sure the automatic retract function works. I think ours works but I don’t leave the awning out in high winds. Additionally I don’t leave the awning out at night, if it is going to rain, etc.
__________________
Dave, Bobbi and Fenway
2005 38' FDTS Alpine Limited, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Lake Wales, FL
DrDaveMA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 05:12 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,867
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrDaveMA View Post
I don’t leave the awning out in high winds. Additionally I don’t leave the awning out at night, if it is going to rain, etc.


We do exactly the same. Treat the wind sensor as a "fail safe". We stow it if there is any question of what I would consider "stress" on the awning.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
wolfe10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 08:59 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
DrDaveMA's Avatar
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Wales, FL
Posts: 3,113
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfe10 View Post
We do exactly the same. Treat the wind sensor as a "fail safe". We stow it if there is any question of what I would consider "stress" on the awning.


I also never leave the coach with the awning extended.
__________________
Dave, Bobbi and Fenway
2005 38' FDTS Alpine Limited, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Lake Wales, FL
DrDaveMA is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
vent



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Vista 26HE galley vent upgrade to power vent Oldtrooper Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 11 01-06-2015 08:16 PM
Roof Vent Cover - Fan-tastic Vent vs MaxxAir Turbo TwelveVolt Gear and Product Discussions 4 03-18-2014 02:58 PM
Washer & Dryer, Vent or No Vent??? pameridan04 Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 15 08-19-2011 06:06 AM
to vent or not to vent Mekanic MDT Conversions 4 07-02-2011 06:42 AM
rain sensor on vent VACMAN RV Systems & Appliances 10 05-19-2009 07:21 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.