New Dometic power awning

[Barryengleman]

I had a new Dometic power awning installed about a year ago after losing the old one in a wind storm. Sometimes it works just fine. Other times I can’t get it to extend. We were in Alaska all summer and didn’t use it. Now we are in South Texas and I want to use it. It wouldn’t extend but when I push the extend button I hear a click up by the awning motor. I checked the control to make it was sending 12 volts to the motor and it was. The polarity was also changing when I went from the extend button to the retract button. But the awning wouldn’t extend. I went and did something else, then came back and pushed the extend button and the awning went right out. Anyone ever experience an intermittent problem like this?

[marjoa]

What I'd try first is:
Since this awning sat for a long time, unused, in Alaska and you now you hear a "clicking" sound when pushing the button PLUS it intermittently works, I would get that awning extended out, get on your ladder and then pull and clean those contacts right at the end of the awning roller tube where the wires go into to the motor. That area of wiring is pretty exposed right there and the contacts may just need some cleaning or maybe they are possible loose.

my 2 cents.

[Barryengleman]

Originally Posted by marjoa

What I'd try first is:
Since this awning sat for a long time, unused, in Alaska and you now you hear a "clicking" sound when pushing the button PLUS it intermittently works, I would get that awning extended out, get on your ladder and then pull and clean those contacts right at the end of the awning roller tube where the wires go into to the motor. That area of wiring is pretty exposed right there and the contacts may just need some cleaning or maybe they are possible loose.

my 2 cents.

Good answer. I have been nervous about extending it all the way out for fear I couldn’t get it to come back in but we will be in one location for a couple of months next week so I’ll give that idea a go then. Thanks!

[Bob_C]

There is a manual way to bring the awning back in.....google your awning for a manual, if you don't have one....takes a strap that slides into the sunscreen slot on roller tube....

[Mr_D]

When I had trouble with my Carefree Apex awning being intermittent I found that water had gotten into what was supposed to be a sealed bix where the control wires connected together. I "fixed" it once, then I had to redo it again as the box leaked again. Now it's working fine. Start checking the connections.

[Wbonsell]

I have the same issue with my Dometic Weatherpro awning. It will retract but once retracted will not deploy. Just a motor clicking for a while and then silence. Motor is brand new. ShadePro says 99% probably a fault with the Control Box which I have found on line for $250 plus tax. Debating whether to do this to my 9 year old system or upgrade to a new Carefree Eclispse system.

[Knightly]

FYI:
I have a 2007 Itasca Sunrise with a Dometic Weatherpro awning. I had exactly the same problem extending and retracting the awning shortly after purchasing the unit new. The control box plus remote was replaced under warranty while attending the Grand National Rally at the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa. The technician said there was nothing wrong with the motor. However, the same problems continued with no improvement. I found that I could get the awning to retract by assisting the motor during retraction by pushing on the awning drum with a broom to lighten the load on the motor. However, sometimes I had to disconnect the motor 12V connector located in the front awning arm and plug in a separate 12V harness direct to the chassis battery(the harness came with the unit). Just reverse the wire ends on the battery to retract or extend the awning. The gears in the motor eventually broke. I replaced the motor and found that all my problems disappeared! It has now been two years since replacing the motor and my awning still works great.
Good luck.