Community Forums

swagn · 04-04-2018, 01:24 PM

I am wanting to convert a manual controlled awning to electric controlled. I see "kits" from Amazon and is it a DIY project? Where is best place to get replacement arms etc. 19' Awning

wildtoad · 04-04-2018, 01:27 PM

I’ve never seen a conversion system for a RV awning, not saying they don’t exist. All I know is the electric awning I have now has a totally different motion and support arms than a manual.

swagn · 04-04-2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildtoad

I’ve never seen a conversion system for a RV awning, not saying they don’t exist. All I know is the electric awning I have now has a totally different motion and support arms than a manual.

Shucks, I was hoping but was concerned with the arm kit they sold too...oh well just another thought I had

keymastr · 04-04-2018, 01:35 PM

Call Dometic or whoever made your awning and ask them.

tmw188 · 04-04-2018, 01:47 PM

If your manual awning allows you to tilt it be sure the electric one can do the same or you won’t be happy. I have an electric and it doesn’t do anything except run in and out. It doesn’t tilt and the arms are not adjustable to get the front to angle down.

jporietis · 04-04-2018, 02:27 PM

I just recently did exactly what you want to do. When I replaced the awning material the spring mechanism let go. Ouch. Went to a used parts guy (gamblers RV) and got a drive motor $100, put it in where the spring fits, wired a dpdt switch and works like a charm. Mine is a dometic two step

wildtoad · 04-04-2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

I have an electric and it doesn’t do anything except run in and out. It doesn’t tilt and the arms are not adjustable to get the front to angle down.

I thought this too until I started snooping. On mine there are two knobs - one on each arm. I have to use a step stool but I can pull the awning side down and tighten the knob and it stays “tilted”. I can do both sides to create a higher angle for the whole awning. Just need to remember to loosen the knob before retracting.

hohenwald48 · 04-04-2018, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

If your manual awning allows you to tilt it be sure the electric one can do the same or you won’t be happy. I have an electric and it doesn’t do anything except run in and out. It doesn’t tilt and the arms are not adjustable to get the front to angle down.

Every electric awning I've ever had could be tilted. It wasn't necessary as they auto-dump rain anyway but there were buttons on the arms to allow a tilt in the fabric. What kind do you have?

See page 6 in this Carefree owners manual to see what I'm talking about.

https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/d...ers-Manual.pdf

winniman · 04-04-2018, 02:59 PM

The electric ones i have seen have a break away feature, that when too much weight gets on it, the one end drops and relieves the water off it. This would eliminate the need to leave one side tilted, as you need to do with a manual one. Maybe some electrics dont, but the ones I am familiar with do dump automatically.

Mr_D · 04-04-2018, 03:14 PM

Some do have (or did) have kits to convert from manual to electric. They used to be available through the CW catalog. I don't remember seeing them in this years catalog.