Tropical Dometic Awnings

Don and Kim · 07-18-2011, 06:34 PM

We have a new to us 06 Tropical and the awning does not retract in windy conditions. I wondered if anyone has an awning that does work properly and retracts when the wind kicks up. I did find the switch was in the disable position, but when I put it in the enable position it constantly beeps. I did some further troubleshooting and it looks like the wind sensor is bad. From what I have read, the sensor is a high failure item and it has to be replaced with the control box since they have to be matched. Also,when the patio awning retracts is the door awning supposed to retract too?
Don

DaveG39 · 07-18-2011, 08:31 PM

on my 2007 TropiCal, the door and patio awnings are controlled by two separate switches. If you have the remote, there is one button for each. If not, there should be two switches on the panel just inside the door.

As for the wind sensor, mine goes in with not much wind but does work automatically.

Don and Kim · 07-19-2011, 05:51 AM

Thanks for the reply Dave. Do you know where your wind sensor is located? Ours is on the roof, but Dometic later changed the design and mounted the sensor on the awning arm. Ours has separate switches also, 2 by the entry door and the remote will open either awning individually. My question was if the wind kicks up do both awnings close ?
Thx, Don

DaveG39 · 07-19-2011, 09:38 AM

no, only the large awning closes automtically. My wind sensor is on the roof and the control box is in the pass through storage locker (second behind the door on the passenger side). When we leave the MH for any length of time I close the awnings "just in case".

bdpreece · 07-19-2011, 10:11 AM

On my 04 Tropi Cal the control box had a set of switches so that you could change the wind speed that it closed at. I found the settings by searching on the internet. You might want to reset each switch and even pick a different wind speed to see if that helps. On ours I just disabled the wind sensor as the awning would close if the neighbors sneezed.

Don and Kim · 07-19-2011, 11:36 AM

Thanks for the additional info. The wiring diagrams suggest that both awnings are designed to close when the wind sensor determines its too windy. I have the dip switch settings but haven't tried adjusting them. When I opened up the wind sensor, one of the thermistors was fried. I'm going to try & replace the thermistors and see what happens. From what I've read, the wind sensors get too much sun & heat on the roof and don't hold up well.