Community Forums

clane · 11-30-2022, 07:00 PM

Anyone know why this is happening
On the way out the awning puts out 12 volts
On the way in only 7 volts and the awning barley even comes in
Any help would be great.
TY
Chris

jacwjames · 11-30-2022, 07:57 PM

It doesn't take much power to extend an awning, take more to retract it.

I had a problem with mine, it's a One-Touch Awning Carefree of Colorado. They used a cheesy bayonet connector mounted on the side of the motorhome. Over time the contacts would corrode. I finally did away with the bayonet connector and solved the problem.

In your case I'd check all the connections and voltage coming into the control board. You may have to run a larger gauge wire to reduce voltage drop.

Lv2Roam2 · 11-30-2022, 08:19 PM

Haven't seen that voltage difference before - how about running a jumper wire from the coach to the awning motor and see what you get?? May clearly rule-in-or-out the existing wire...

twinboat · 12-01-2022, 01:14 AM

My awning has the motor and roller out on the moving part. The wires are thin and run thru the edge of the material.

If you have this type of awning, voltage drop on rolling it in will be higher then rolling out.

The awning doesn't put out any voltage, it draws power. The more power it draws, the more voltage drop you will see. Long, thin wiring runs have higher voltage drop.

clane · 12-01-2022, 09:41 AM

With only 7 volts awning coming in and 12 going out must be a wire is pinched I will probably take it I have a good RV repair guy here in Tucson
Thank You everyone

bigb56 · 12-01-2022, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

The awning doesn't put out any voltage, it draws power. The more power it draws, the more voltage drop you will see. Long, thin wiring runs have higher voltage drop.

Exactly, you are experiencing voltage drop due to inadequate wiring or low battery. Have you tried it with the engine running? While plugged in with the converter charging the batteries?

bigb56 · 12-01-2022, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clane

With only 7 volts awning coming in and 12 going out must be a wire is pinched I will probably take it I have a good RV repair guy here in Tucson
Thank You everyone

I'm in Tucson also, would you mind sharing your repair guy's info in case I am ever in need? Thanks.

twinboat · 12-01-2022, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clane

With only 7 volts awning coming in and 12 going out must be a wire is pinched I will probably take it I have a good RV repair guy here in Tucson
Thank You everyone

A DC motor uses both wires in forward and reverse, the polarity is reversed.
It's not a pinched wire, if that was a thing, it would effect both directions.

bentjm · 12-02-2022, 08:50 AM

I have the same basic problem. In my case, it ts the relay soldered on the controller board.

How do I know this? - I switched the outgoing wires on the controller board for the door awning and the side awning. The side awning will work fine going through that relay. My theory is that the higher amperage draw of the side awning creates arcing that over the years has built up carbon on the contacts inside the relay - thereby reducing its ability to pass current.

I have new relays, but have not gotten around to replacing them yet.

clane · 12-02-2022, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb56

I'm in Tucson also, would you mind sharing your repair guy's info in case I am ever in need? Thanks.

Carls RV 520-889-9900

bigb56 · 12-02-2022, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clane

Carls RV 520-889-9900

Thanks, I have shopped there. Great people.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-03-2022, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

A DC motor uses both wires in forward and reverse, the polarity is reversed.
It's not a pinched wire, if that was a thing, it would effect both directions.

Right. And the voltage drop is relative to the power draw. Most powered awnings extend out under spring or gas strut, so the motor merely freewheels to let it extend. Retracting requires overcoming the pressure that extended it, so the power draw is higher.

glwinger · 12-04-2022, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

A DC motor uses both wires in forward and reverse, the polarity is reversed.
It's not a pinched wire, if that was a thing, it would effect both directions.

A pinched wire would produce a dead short to the 12 volt line in one direction or the other, blowing a fuse. I don't really see a problem since the motor works harder to pull the awning back in. You can actually hear it labor more on the retract position.

twinboat · 12-04-2022, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwinger

A pinched wire would produce a dead short to the 12 volt line in one direction or the other, blowing a fuse. I don't really see a problem since the motor works harder to pull the awning back in. You can actually hear it labor more on the retract position.

Not if it's pinched between non-conductive materials.
My point is pinching a wire does not slow the flow of electricity.