Power awning problem

[dialh]

My power awning (Dometic 9100) will automatically retract at times after being deployed. I don't know how to troubleshoot this problem as it always happens though not at specific times. Because it is intermittent it is tough to catch it in operation and to know where to start if I did.

[Arch Hoagland]

Does it have a wind sensor on it?

[BillyBass]

I will like to know to being i have a power awning

[UsualSuspect]

I cleaned the wind sensor, replaced it, and mine still did it. I finally disabled the wind sensor and the random retraction stopped. I was able to unplug mine from the control box.

[Mac99]

X2 on the post by UsualSuspect. The wind sensor, which
also senses moisture and retracts, is often the culprit.
Go figure, when you want a little cover from the rain, the
genius who designed the system has it retract in the rain.

[Arch Hoagland]

I've had two electric awnings. The first had a wind sensor with a mind of it's own.

The second one...I told them to not install the wind sensor.

[USMCRET]

Another wind sensor disabler here.

[Darrel]

In one of your compartments the awning controller lives. A tiny switch on the side of the controller will deactivate the sensor so that the auto-retract will not occur.

Have a nice day - Darrel

[pointrow]

Mine has an adjustment for how sensitive the wind sensor is. It will be on the control box where the shut off switch is located. Mine is above the door.

[Gordon Dewald]

Our awnings have a power switch besides the sensitivity switch. If the sensitivity level is not right we can over ride by extending the awning and turning the power off.

IMO it is better to have to redeploy the awning than repair it.

[dialh]

Yes, my 9100 power awning has a wind sensor inside the left front awning arm, not on the roof. I was not aware there was any way to disable the wind sensor only and I have just been pulling the power plug on the control box after I put the awning down. No remote just with the power switch located near the door. Not the best solution when I want to leave the MH for a while. My control is in a cabinet above and forward of the entry door. I will try to find the switch that is located on the control tomorrow. Thanks to all who replied to this post.

[mojoracing]

As previously mentioned, the Dometic can have a wind sensor which is adjustable for different wind speeds. Another little known fact is that they also have temperature sensors. If memory serves me correctly, the awning will retract somewhere between 35 and 32 degrees. The awning will not be able to extend until temps get higher than previously mentioned. Im sure Dometic built this feature in to combat problems associated with arms and fabric freezing and thereby preventing accidental damage. I have had good luck by simply turning up the windspeed adjustment.

[mojoracing]

Funny story about how I found out about the temp sensor. The wife and kids got to the campground before me and decided to set up before I got there against my protests. They set up and deployed the awning and put up our awning lights. My wife then proceeded to start a campfire which quickly got out of control (thats another story). As the flames were licking very close to the awning of our brand new bounder, my daughters became scared and decided to roll up the awning with the lights and extension cord attached. Needless to say the awning quickly became jammed while still being extended roughly 1/3 the way out. When I got there I was unable to move the awning in or out and after testing, realized their was no power to it. I broke out the manual for the awning and read about the temp sensor and after looking at my outside temp gauge realized it was 20 degrees outside. When it warmed up in the morning, I was able to extend the awning and untangle the mess. I could have saved a whole bunch of diagnostic time had I read the instructions. Could also have saved me the embarrassment of having to apologize for telling them they had burnt out the motor and how much it was going to cost dad to replace.

[RayJr]

Unfortunitly you need to replace both the sensor and the control unit, find one on Ebay or just disconnect the sensor at the control. The cable looks like a phone line.