Community Forums

GaryKD · 01-09-2009, 08:04 AM

For those mentioning their awnings retract for no reason, there is a possible answer. There is a thermister in the same housing the wind sensor is in. The main job of the thermister is to ensure the awning retracts when it senses 32 degrees F. This is mentioned in the instruction manual. Now comes the interesting part. The high limit of the thermistor is about 120 degrees F. When the temp, in the sensor housing, gets to 120 the awning will retract, regardless of the wind (or no wind). My sensor is mounted on the coach roof. My awning would also retract for no reason. The fix for this is here. I made a sun shade for the sensor tower. It works well except for the very hotest days. New models of awnings have a reflector installed. Go here to see the A&E factory reflector.

One can also turn off the auto retract feature on very hot days.

AFChap · 01-09-2009, 01:17 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">one thing they don't like, and you may want to consider in your purchase, is that the awning goes straight from the rig. They would like to have the ability to lower the front edge to provide more shade </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I have noticed that about too many newer awnings... not enough slope. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my Carefree OneTouch has the automatic option but it is not installed on ours. Our OneTouch has enough slope to provide shade and that the awning does not collect rain water on top. But I don't know if the OneTouch is still available from Carefree. I wouldn't want one of the newer "straight-out" awnings whether it was automatic or not!!

Easyrider · 01-09-2009, 02:30 PM

Some of the new awnings can be adjusted for angle as the sun goes down. Ours can't but it would be nice if it did. The main thing to remember is that with an electric awning it is so easy to retract or extend it that there is no reason to leave it extended out when not there using it. With a simple push of a button either on the unit or the remote, you can extend or retract the awning in seconds! We've used the manual awnings before for years and while it didn't take minutes to put up or take down, it definately wasn't as quick and easy as the electric! I wouldn't want to go back the a manual awning.

beaverjim · 01-09-2009, 02:36 PM

carefree's eclipse (sissor type) has 6 positions. in the sixth position it will shed water very well. the neat thing about it is you can leave it in any position when retracting.when you reopen it will still be in that preset position. nice feature! jim

AFChap · 01-09-2009, 03:45 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">so easy to retract or extend it that there is no reason to leave it extended out when not there using it </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
...except when you have hung lights or something similar from the awning, as we have done in some locations.

footdoc · 01-09-2009, 05:02 PM

I have a 22 ft Girard....its a great awning with a lifetime guarantee BUT would never trust the wind sensor to pull it in on time...I have seen that thing almost take off before the sensor tells it to come in!

steelheadbluesman · 01-12-2009, 04:52 PM

My automatic awning gives a great sun angle, as it is sized a little shorter than many because it does not come out over the BR slide, but it's big enough to give us shade. Also because of the angle, there is no water collection issue. I've had two rigs with manual awnings, and I love this electric one! Oh yeah, it always comes in if I'm leaving the site on a potentially windy day.