Community Forums

rdvan · 04-28-2019, 04:44 AM

I've had a problem with the Care Free awning over the door kind of catching at a couple of points as it goes out and then finally going out as it should. It also does not appear to be retracting all the way in leaving about a 3/4'' gap from being fully in and flush. The large Girard I though worked flawlessly until I was on top of the coach trying to figure out the Care Free and I noticed the Girard was not in all the way either. The first thing I noticed was that about 2 inches of the frabric was exposed to all the elements and upon further examination found that the awning was freely dangling and easily bobbing up and down. From the ground you would never notice this and of course this is not right because of the awning not being supported by the end brackets as it should be. The three arms that extend out were the only thing holding the awning and they were being stressed by the weight of the awning flopping up and down while the coach was being driven. I have an appointment with NIRV - Dallas in early May for that and a couple of other minor issues (satellite doesn't work - says no "No LNB Voltage").
Anyone else had the awning problem? If not, you may want to examine your awnings closure point. All kinds of bad things can happen when an awning is not fully retracted while under way and also the constant sun exposure is not good. Thanks for listening to this long winded post.
R. D. Vanderslice
2018 New Aire 3341

lostinfla · 04-28-2019, 04:55 AM

The Girards have adjustment screws for in and out limits on the motor drive. Check your manual for adjustment.

Dutch Star Don · 04-28-2019, 11:20 AM

There are two limit screws on the end of the Girard (motor side). If you extend the awning about 2', you'll see the two screws. In your bag of manuals, they gave you a black plastic tool that looks like a large coffee stirrer. That's used to adjust the two limit switches. You need to give a 1/4 turn to the (IN) limit switch and see if it brings in the awning. If it doesn't, but improves, another 1/4 turn.

In regards to your awning, the no LNB voltage is often the short cable that runs down the arm of your sat dish. That block that is on the end of the arm, with the round discs, is the LNB. There is a coax cable that attaches to the LNB, runs inside the hollow arm to the base of the unit.....about 24". Mine went bad giving me the same error. I called Winegard and they said to just buy a short piece of coax and replace it. I opted to have them send me the OEM cable since we were on the road and it would be there when I got home.

Lastly.....there are many adjustments in the Carefree awning over the door. You can adjust the height, adjust the limit switches which makes it close tighter and move the awning front to back within the awning box. I found when I adjusted mine, it took a lot of study and trial and error to determine the adjustments. If you're not up to that, I would leave that one alone. It's one of those things that once you know how to do it, it's simple.

rdvan · 04-30-2019, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

There are two limit screws on the end of the Girard (motor side). If you extend the awning about 2', you'll see the two screws. In your bag of manuals, they gave you a black plastic tool that looks like a large coffee stirrer. That's used to adjust the two limit switches. You need to give a 1/4 turn to the (IN) limit switch and see if it brings in the awning. If it doesn't, but improves, another 1/4 turn.

In regards to your awning, the no LNB voltage is often the short cable that runs down the arm of your sat dish. That block that is on the end of the arm, with the round discs, is the LNB. There is a coax cable that attaches to the LNB, runs inside the hollow arm to the base of the unit.....about 24". Mine went bad giving me the same error. I called Winegard and they said to just buy a short piece of coax and replace it. I opted to have them send me the OEM cable since we were on the road and it would be there when I got home.

Lastly.....there are many adjustments in the Carefree awning over the door. You can adjust the height, adjust the limit switches which makes it close tighter and move the awning front to back within the awning box. I found when I adjusted mine, it took a lot of study and trial and error to determine the adjustments. If you're not up to that, I would leave that one alone. It's one of those things that once you know how to do it, it's simple.

Thanks Don, I hope to crawl up there this week when the weather allows it. I had read somewhere in the past, maybe another forum or someone with the same problem, about the coax cable potential problem. I will check it out. I should have a short coax cable somewhere to use as a dummy to give it a shot before replacing it. I got a Installation Manual but no User Manual or Trouble Shooting guide. I did get a DVD that I haven't checked out yet. The Girard is hanging out about 2 inches so I may be able to see the adjustment
screws, I did find the "coffee stirrer" tool". Always wondered what that was for. I'll report back after I have checked it out. It may have been that way from the factory all along. Sure would be nice if that is all it takes.
R. D. Vanderslice
2018 New Aire 3341

rdvan · 04-30-2019, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostinfla

The Girards have adjustment screws for in and out limits on the motor drive. Check your manual for adjustment.

Jim, I didn't get a Manual, but did get a DVD, Maybe the info is on it. I'll check it out. Thanks for the help. I'll report back later - good or bad. May be a while though, it's raining here and windy.
R. D. Vanderslice
2018 New Aire 3341