In-Op Carefree Door Awning

[chiefdave]

My carefree door awning stopped working completely. I've only used this awning a limited number of times. Coach is 2 years old. I have no knowledge of trouble- shooting this awning. Can anyone help? Does this unit use a tubular motor ? Whats the best way of trouble-shooting? Any idea what a replacement motor costs? Can you install them yourself?

I do remember seeing a thread where a motor went bad due to water getting inside the cover. If I install a new motor what should I do to prevent this form happening again, other than never using the awning again.....

Any assitance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Happycarz]

When the tube motor on my Carefree failed, my awning extended fully and wouldn't retract. So, I called Carefree of Colorado to ask where in the Phoenix area I might purchase a tube motor assembly, as I was just leaving on a 2 week trip. They said most shops order them as needed from Carefree and did not stock them. Then she asked how old my coach was as the awnings are warranted for three years. The only requirement was that I take it to an authorized repair center.
This is the second time they have come through for me.
Hopefully yours too will still be in warranty. Give them a call. (303) 469-3324

[waco kid]

My door awning worked fine for two years then all of a sudden it would only work once in a while. Long story short, if you can find the two wires that lead to your awning (mine was behind the access panel in the cabinet above the entry door) cut them and touch them to a 12 or 18 volt cordless drill battery (try swaping the wires on the terminals one way will extend the other will retract) If nothing happens, its probably you motor. Mine had a short between the switch and the motor, so I ran new wires from the switch to the wires I cut in the overhead cabinet. I hope this helps....Bruce

[AFChap]

Dave

If your Carefree door awning has plastic end caps, it is the Freedom model. It is dis-continued, and was made in manual, power with tubular motor, and power with extermal motor. If it has metal end caps, it is the Marquee model. There are technical manuals/parts manuals available for both on the Carefree website. I had problems with my Freedome model just last week, and got very quick email responses from Carefree to get my questions answered. I was lucky as after I removed the plastic cover from the motor (external motor model) I found the snap-together electrical connector was loose and damp from several days rain. Drying it out and reconnecting it securely got mine to working again. Under warranty in the first year we had it, the motor stopped and was found to be full of water. The dealer dried the motor out and drilled a drain hole in the bottom of the motor and we never had that problem again.

The manuals will tell you that if/when the motor is removed, the awning will rapidly deploy ...they caution you to tie it closed before removing the motor. If extended when it fails, most have no manual retraction capability. You simply push it closed and tie it securely, or totally remove it from the coach.

[Beaverfamily]

Quote:

Originally Posted by waco kid My door awning worked fine for two years then all of a sudden it would only work once in a while. Long story short, if you can find the two wires that lead to your awning (mine was behind the access panel in the cabinet above the entry door) cut them and touch them to a 12 or 18 volt cordless drill battery (try swaping the wires on the terminals one way will extend the other will retract) If nothing happens, its probably you motor. Mine had a short between the switch and the motor, so I ran new wires from the switch to the wires I cut in the overhead cabinet. I hope this helps....Bruce

I must say nice job and thanks!!! One of the last things on my list to fix was my over the door carefree awning. Being an electrical contractor I naturaly verified voltage going to motor and assumed bad motor. Called carefree ans was so mad at what they wanted for a simple 12 volt motor I said forget for now I will have my guy rebulid mine shen I get the chance. Anyway you gave me a great idea. I drilled a small hole at bottom for drainage then sprayed some 3m lube in there ( here's where you come in) I then took a 20 volt battery and hit it with that. Well I just saved myself 500.00 it works perfect. Thanks for the great idea.