Awning won't go back

[montiem]

I went yesterday to have my batteries checked, we are leaving on a trip. When I returned I noticed the patio awning was loose, the coach has been setting for two months. I extended the awning and about half way through the awning almost feel to the end and when I tried to retract it would not go up. The motor was running but it seemed their was not enough power, my wife held the button and I got on a ladder and started to roll it back up and then it seem to have caught and went back up but did not seem to be tight. This morning I went back out thinking the batteries might have been not charged enough and the same thing happened, it is the original awning and has not been used much, maybe ten times. The reason it is almost useless because when the side is out it only covers about six feet, therefore we don't use it. Any ideas before I go to the service center for a soaking

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by montiem I went yesterday to have my batteries checked, we are leaving on a trip. When I returned I noticed the patio awning was loose, the coach has been setting for two months. I extended the awning and about half way through the awning almost feel to the end and when I tried to retract it would not go up. The motor was running but it seemed their was not enough power, my wife held the button and I got on a ladder and started to roll it back up and then it seem to have caught and went back up but did not seem to be tight. This morning I went back out thinking the batteries might have been not charged enough and the same thing happened, it is the original awning and has not been used much, maybe ten times. The reason it is almost useless because when the side is out it only covers about six feet, therefore we don't use it. Any ideas before I go to the service center for a soaking

I'm sure someone will be here to help you , but it may be helpful to list the make and model of your awning.

Cliff

[montiem]

Sorry, Carefree Eclipse

[wa8yxm]

With any awning there are several possible answers.

Most are electricial (Bad connection, bad ground, Bad relay in control box, Low battery)

Some are mechanical.. If this is the kind of awning that rolls up, there is usually a spring in the roller's other end.. Could be broken (mine kind of is.. (Actually it's not yet re-attached.. That happens Tomorrow or Saturday or Monday).. I'm working on it)

Motor could be bad (OUCH!)

Alas, that about covers it..

If you can measure the voltage near the motor. that will find bad connections.

[itdave]

I just had the same problem but also the coach was getting hard to start. I found that if I pressed the battery boost switch the awning would go in. Checked the chassis batteries and found that they were only at 11.8 volts and that was after driving all day so I was sure they should have been fully charge. Ended up replacing the chassis battrries now everything is working fine.

[JFC]

I was driving and noticed that the patio awning looked "loose". I extended it and had to get out the ladder and roll it back up while my wife held the switch. I tied it closed and called a mobile mechanic at the next CG. When I called and said it was a carefree patio they said "we're sure we know the problem" and sent out two techs. My awning motor is under the cover on the right side facing the coach. The motor has a square drive shaft the moves the awning through a square hole in the plastic end of the awning shaft. That hole is lined with a metal of some sort. That hole had "rounded" and the drive shaft could not turn the awning shaft. The techs drilled and pinned the drive shaft and the awning end cap. Seems to have fixed the problem. We used the awning very little (2007 coach) so I'm not sure what lead to the hole rounding. In our case, the motor turned but not the awning. Seemed like a simple fix, but we were on the road, so I called the techs. Cost to fix on the road was $120. We've used the awning a few times and it seems to be working, and has always stayed closed since. It took two techs because one had to hold the awning part way open while the other removed the motor cover and made the fix, both on ladders.

Hope this helps.

[Diplomat Don]

montiem.....When you check it again, pull the plug (at the front end of the awning) loose from the coach and clean the contacts. Then start the generator so that you know you have good power and try the awning again. If the awning works, you have/had one of two problems....the batteries were too low or the plug was dirty. If it doesn't resolve the issue, you probably have to take it in for service.

[montiem]

I just got home from the NE, great trip but as I drove through the north part of Ind. I noticed a bump, it was my awning getting loose on the front end, the back seemed tight. I had trouble with my motor shaft slipping and I think the awning canvas is out of sync with the back leaving the front not a tight. I have tried to take up the slack but have not bee able to get the from and the back, (left and right), is there a way to adjust the roll to take up more on one end than the other, this seems really confusing.

[Nonno]

FYI - Eclipse units purchased (original owner) prior to 2009 have a 4 year warranty from Carefree of Colorado for parts, labor, and freight on springs, rollers, hardware and electronic components. Complete Limited Warranty is found on page 11 of the Eclipse Owner's Manual.

[Diplomat Don]

montiem....sometimes the material will shift in one direction or the other on the roller. Look to see that the material is coming straight out from the side of the coach and isn't pushed forward or back on the roller. You may have to get on a ladder and tug it in either direction.

Just so you know.....on my Carefree awning, once it is in, I push the short covers (about one foot long cover on the lower end of each arm) closed until they lock. They will stay slightly open if you don't do this after using the awning.

[Dancing Bear]

Montiem,

The drive shaft(stainless steel) has stripped out the inside of your end cap(pot metal). You will not be able to hold the awning tight against the coach without it.

I swapped end caps as both ends will accept the drive shaft. This solved the problem.

Then went to dealers in an effort to order a new end cap. Dealers unable to find the end cap in any Carefree diagrams and suggested I contact them direct, which I have done.

Currently working with Carefree Customer Service, Kimberly McEachern @ kmceachern@carefreeofcolorado.com to get a replacement end cap.

Good news still under warrenty. Not so smart news - they will replace the entire assembly under warranty, including motor, when all that is needed is an end cap...

Go figure.

I liked the other members info about drilling and pinning the shaft to the end cap as a permanent fix once I get a new end cap(or entire assembly!).

[montiem]

Thanks, if what I did does not fix the problem I will switch the end caps. I put a SS shem in the cap and put cap back on, I have not driven but a couple of miles but the awning stayed tight. Thanks for the reply, I will keep you informed.

[montiem]

One question, do you have any idea why the shaft turned inside the cap, other that stupid engineering,

[Drifter]

Our awning cap did the same thing and I swapped ends. In passing I talked to a tech from Carefree and was told that they expect 100% failure but under shot the warranty time. I think if you just pin it, that it may be the best fix.