WeatherPro Awning Fault Indicator

[gdbontly]

We got a ton of rain this afternoon while the awning was extended. Went out to run an errand and retracted the awning before we left. Got back home, now just a light rain shower. Tried to extend the awning (using the remote) and nothing happened; basement switch didn't work either. I noticed on the Control Box that the Wind Sensor Light and the Power/Fault Indicator Light were blinking (alternating). According to the owner's manual, this means "Sensor Fault/Communication issue between the Wind Sensor and the Control Box". I learned how to disable the wind sensor, and the awning works (except that it's no longer "automatic" when extending). Still retracts "automatically" (meaning I can hold the switch for 3 seconds, release it, and the awning continues to retract. To extend it (with the wind sensor disabled), I have to hold the switch continuously to extend it. Anyway, I did a search on all forums and found my exact problem at Weather Pro Awning. One poster said that a possible problem may be that the "wind sensor is very wet/flooded".

Has anyone experienced this problem? Did the rain fry the sensor? Or will it correct itself once the sensor dries out? We live in a very dry climate (average rainfall is around 6" per year). What about you guys who live where it rains almost constantly? Do you just leave the rain sensor disabled? Why doesn't the auto feature work to extend the awning when the wind sensor is disabled?

[rockintom]

Glenn,

Sorry to hear about your awning issue. Based on your description, it sounds like something got wet in your windsensor. Or it possibly being a wiring or box issue. The link you looked at is an older unit and the systems have changed quite a bit in the last 3 years (older one had the windsensor on the roof and were "whirlybirds type"). We have been in VERY wet weather this spring with no issues like you describe. My last unit ('10 model Excel) had everything in the world go wrong with it (broken retracting spring, control box failure, internal fuse in box failure and windsensor failure) so I've become fairly familiar with the system. Regarding extending the awning when in the manual position, that's just the way they have it program to operate as mine does the same way. Anyway, I haven't help you diagnose your exact issue, I hope maybe just some reassurance of correct operation. I will tell you that the A&E customer service tech hotline is not very customer friendly. There solution is simply refer you to a dealer for repair. And very little written in-depth technical info available to the end user. I guess they don't want anybody messing with the awning for safety reason, as you could get hurt with the spring loaded tube and pinching of the awning arms if you are careless. If I were a guessin' man........I'd bet you have a wind sensor issue. Good luck and please let us know the outcome. rockin'

[Norm4015]

I have had that problem after a heavy rain and even when I wash the motorhome. I let it dry out several hours and it starts working again.

[gdbontly]

Thanks. It should be good and dry by the time I get home from work, so I'll give it a try then. If it's still a no-go, I give Ralph a call at RV Sales!

[gdbontly]

No Joy on the fault indicator after the wind sensor drying out. I'll give Ralph a call tomorrow and see if he has another wind sensor lying around. If that doesn't work, then it's likely a problem with the control box.

[gdbontly]

I talked to Ralph (RV Sales) yesterday. After describing how the awning reacts with the wind sensor disabled, he thinks the problem is with the control box. He has one at the store, and told me it's covered under warranty. I'll pull the box this weekend and run over to Moriarty to swap it out.

When I was looking at the wind sensor (on the end of the awning tube), I noticed that the wire connectors to the sensor and the electric motors aren't protected from the elements. They don't appear to be waterproof connectors. I plan to disconnect each of the plugs, dab on a little dielectric grease, and seal the connectors with some heat shrink tubing.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdbontly I talked to Ralph (RV Sales) yesterday. After describing how the awning reacts with the wind sensor disabled, he thinks the problem is with the control box. He has one at the store, and told me it's covered under warranty. I'll pull the box this weekend and run over to Moriarty to swap it out. When I was looking at the wind sensor (on the end of the awning tube), I noticed that the wire connectors to the sensor and the electric motors aren't protected from the elements. They don't appear to be waterproof connectors. I plan to disconnect each of the plugs, dab on a little dielectric grease, and seal the connectors with some heat shrink tubing.

I know you are right about the wiring connection not being "weatherproof". I just figured the folks at Dometic were a lot smarter than me so I left it alone. I think you did a good thing by applying the dielectric grease to the connections. Won't hurt for sure. I use the stuff on most of my very low current flowing circuit connections. Especially those under an amp as they don't have enough push to keep themselves clean at a slightly corroded junction (high resistance). I'm still guessing the issue is the windsensor.....but that's just my "guess". We'll see. Please keep us apprised of the status of this thing!!! Ralph is a great guy, always willing to help and work with you.

Hope the box fixes it.......as dealing with Dometic A&E is a joke and frustrating too.

BTW - if anyone ever needs the "test jumper leads" for testing the motor operation of the A&E awning (isolates all components except the awning motor)......I've got a set that I would loan out for sure. rockin'

[chief02]

I dont have your exact probem because......My wind sensor HAS NEVER WORKED....The awning has been lifted 4-6 feet in the air during storms and has NEVER closed on it's own. Ralph had told me "thats normal" in a gust! He said it takes a steady wind that causes a tempreture differential in the sensor to activate. Well what good is that!.. Ralph has my rig in Moriority as we speak,,,I wonder what the answer will be this time. Has anyone else been told that explinations for the automatic awning NEVER working?

[rockintom]

Chief......I thought we talked about this....Dometic in years past (roof turbine sensors) had a reputation of retracting too easily. So I guess they went the other way.....mine awning will whip like crazy and sometimes comes in and sometimes not. I think their programing is screwy (algarythem issue). Mine comes in at 34*F as it's suppose to. The sensor has been changed and the performance is the same. You can take a hairdryer and make it retract.........I give up. rockin'

[Norm4015]

Correct, wind gusts will not retract the awning because it takes a sustained wind (whatever that is). Dometic has had about three different control units for their awnings. On at least one there were dip switches that could be set for the wind speed needed to retract the awning.

[chief02]

I give up too Rockin...I have the dip swithes and keep is set at 12 mph..i tried hair drier and canned air for key boards nothing has ever triggered it. I camped in 19 degrees it never moved automatically. I just wish they would fess up that its just a bad system,,I hate having things that dont work and refund the upcharge I paid for the system. If this were a "critical" system it would get more attention.

Sorry i'm venting

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief02 I give up too Rockin...I have the dip swithes and keep is set at 12 mph..i tried hair drier and canned air for key boards nothing has ever triggered it. I camped in 19 degrees it never moved automatically. I just wish they would fess up that its just a bad system,,I hate having things that dont work and refund the upcharge I paid for the system. If this were a "critical" system it would get more attention. Sorry i'm venting

Welcome to the RV industry. If we did half the stuff that they do in the auto industry.....we'd be out of business in a heartbeat. Competition would help this issue, but there's not much of that these day. Wine....wine....wine.....thank you yes, I'll have a glass!!!
rockybaby

[rockintom]

Oh yeah, Glenn, I forgot to mention......if you have the unit set to automatic (wind sensor on).......be very careful when servicing it.....as if you remove the windsensor wire connection near the sensor, the antenna retracts by itself to the default closed position. That could pinch your little hand or arm in the arms. Not nice. To make it extend back out...to reconnect the wires.....you must put into manual mode. Just FYI.........rockintom.

[gdbontly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Oh yeah, Glenn, I forgot to mention......if you have the unit set to automatic (wind sensor on).......be very careful when servicing it.....as if you remove the windsensor wire connection near the sensor, the antenna retracts by itself to the default closed position. That could pinch your little hand or arm in the arms. Not nice. To make it extend back out...to reconnect the wires.....you must put into manual mode. Just FYI.........rockintom.

Thanks for this info! Right now, the wind sensor is disabled. If I try to enable it, it goes into fault mode and the awning automatically retracts. So I'll be sure to keep it disabled while working on the wind sensor. I plan to ask Ralph to replace both the control box and the wind sensor. Not sure about the key fob remote. I'll have to ask him if I need a new one, or will the existing one work with the new control box.