Carefree Awning

jokers99 · 06-15-2008, 10:17 AM

We have a question for the masses, we have had several problems with Carefree Awnings, mostly with gears breaking. When trying to retract the awning today it would not work. And since we have an appointment to get ladder fixed in the morning we really needed to get the awning in. Called Coach Net for assist, they were unable to find a mobile service that was available (Fathers Day), would put us down on work-orders for Monday. We turned on the genny and engine to charge all batteries, just in case we would still be able to make appointment in the AM. After half hour with charging completed, we decide to give the awning one last chance, it fully retracted. So here's the question, we are still on shore power but it seems the awning is tied to the house and/or chassis batteries, why would the awning not retract on shore power? Also, a question that has been bugging us, does the inverter help keep the batteries charged (trickle charge) when on shore power or is it just for conversion? We await the kind counsel of the masses. Thanks.

jokers99 · 06-15-2008, 10:17 AM

We have a question for the masses, we have had several problems with Carefree Awnings, mostly with gears breaking. When trying to retract the awning today it would not work. And since we have an appointment to get ladder fixed in the morning we really needed to get the awning in. Called Coach Net for assist, they were unable to find a mobile service that was available (Fathers Day), would put us down on work-orders for Monday. We turned on the genny and engine to charge all batteries, just in case we would still be able to make appointment in the AM. After half hour with charging completed, we decide to give the awning one last chance, it fully retracted. So here's the question, we are still on shore power but it seems the awning is tied to the house and/or chassis batteries, why would the awning not retract on shore power? Also, a question that has been bugging us, does the inverter help keep the batteries charged (trickle charge) when on shore power or is it just for conversion? We await the kind counsel of the masses. Thanks.

William Willard · 06-15-2008, 10:58 AM

jokers99 - What coach do you have? The chassis batteries are for starting only (& some dash electronics)The inverter charges the house batteries, but dependings on your model & year, it may not charge the chassis batteries on shore power -- Bill Willard

jokers99 · 06-15-2008, 11:15 AM

Hi,
We have a 2007 Holiday Rambler, Admiral. Tks for the response.

William Willard · 06-15-2008, 11:42 AM

jokers99 - I have a 07 Camelot,& I had to install a device to charge the chassis batteries - There are 2 popular makes that most use -- Both are simple to install - there is a thread on this forum with all the info & pictures you`ll need -- Bill Willard

Nonno · 06-15-2008, 02:56 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> So here's the question, we are still on shore power but it seems the awning is tied to the house and/or chassis batteries, why would the awning not retract on shore power? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe you'll find your awning works off the chassis battery. Starting the engine charged the battery enough to close it. Not sure about yours but some units also power the slides from the chassis battery.

As already mentioned shore power in and of itself will not charge the chassis battery that's why the awning didn't work.

jokers99 · 06-16-2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks Bob, it seems strange to us that the awning is powered off chassis battery but must be a reason for that. That happened before and we went to the service center for some warranty issues the awning worked they said it sometimes shuts itself off when it is overworked. Nice to have a real explanation. Another learning experience.

Sixpack98 · 06-16-2008, 12:38 PM

I had a failure of the Carefree OTD awning. Water got into the motor and froze it up. Replaced under warranty with better motor. Don't know the reason why the awnings are powered by the chassis batteries. Don't know but maybe if the ignition is turned on the awnings may retract or set off an alarm. Never noticed or tried it. The step retracts if the ignition is turned on.

jokers99 · 06-16-2008, 12:45 PM

We were ready to tell them take it off and put on a manual like we had on our first rig. Now we feel silly but is nice to have it working and know why it didn't work.