What to do when awning motor fails?

[KyDan]

A current discussion about a failed tongue jack got me thinking- what would you do if your power awning refused to roll in??
I can crank my tongue and corner jacks by hand but how do you roll a power awning in if it refuses on it's own??

[BooBoo23]

Here is the manual that gives directions for manual operation of a Dometic electric awning.
http://www.primetimerv.com/download/...-UserGuide.pdf

[dbarr]

Don't worry....you'll get your experience soon enough.

[Teamfour]

My Lippert awning motor has a shaft that you can use a cordless drill to extend or retract.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Teamfour

My Lippert awning motor has a shaft that you can use a cordless drill to extend or retract.

Mine too. I had stopped bringing my cordless drill when we got this trailer
because it has power jacks so I didn't need the drill motor to run the jacks.

Now I guess I'll go back to bringing it so I can operate the tongue jack and
my Solera/Lippert power awning. I -think- I could get the job done with
a ratchet in both cases but it would be a slow process.

Here's a link to a Lippert video briefly showing how to roll in a Solera awning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oSFym-rayU

Note: Different awnings have different methods! Find out how to override yours before you need it.
Note 2: My solera power awning does NOT have an internal spring like many manual and some other electric brands. The Solera uses gas struts to hold tension on the awning fabric while it's open.

Happy Trails!

[Stormrider151]

I bring a corded drill for this. A tech told me he needed 2 batteries to get a solera in. We don't boondock so it's not a problem.

[MOODMAN]

The video says to use a 7/16 bit, but isn't clear what they mean by that. What KIND of 7/16 bit???

[SailorSam20500]

I recently saw a post about using a GM power window motor to replace a failed awning motor. It was supposedly a LOT lower price than getting a direct replacement. The post may have been on the IRV2 forum.

[bob caldwell]

Most power window motors shafts are on the side of motor....Dometic awning the shaft is on the end on motor.....

[5picker]

*HERE"S* the thread on using a automotive power window motor as a replacement.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by MOODMAN

The video says to use a 7/16 bit, but isn't clear what they mean by that. What KIND of 7/16 bit???

There's a big difference between a socket and a bit.

My Solera awning has a 7/16 hex shaft under the rubber cap. That means a socket
driver that can fit a drill motor or a ratchet and a LOT of time.
In my case it also means at least a 6' step ladder. Currently I'm carrying a telescopic ladder to reach the roof for cleaning off slide before closing. Now I suppose I need a step ladder as well..... it's hard to cover all contingencies.

[bob caldwell]

Carry both?.......

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[goots]

Those little motor cost about $ 375.00

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

I recently saw a post about using a GM power window motor to replace a failed awning motor. It was supposedly a LOT lower price than getting a direct replacement. The post may have been on the IRV2 forum.

Will NOT work on a Dometice/A&E awning. You can get a Dometic/A&E motor on ebay.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Will NOT work on a Dometice/A&E awning. You can get a Dometic/A&E motor on ebay.

Another piece of information for future use. Learning something every time I log on here..

[goots]

I would stick with getting the right part made for it

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by BooBoo23

Here is the manual that gives directions for manual operation of a Dometic electric awning.
http://www.primetimerv.com/download/...-UserGuide.pdf

And if your Dometic power awning did not come with a Pull Strap ???

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

And if your Dometic power awning did not come with a Pull Strap ???

Mine was in the bag with the manuals.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Mine was in the bag with the manuals.

I was wondering about that,,, I will need to check that out !!!
On our old Manual Awning you had to use Pull Strap every you put your Awning out or in !!!

[KyDan]

Time for some clarification- feel free to correct me but so far this is what
I have...

Dometic/A&E power awnings come with an emergency pull strap. IF you have
motor failure with the awning out you can install the pull strap by sliding it
in from one end and then while someone holds tension on the strap you
remove the screw on the end of the tube. With the screw removed the
strap can be eased up allowing the spring to roll up the awning much as
you would do with a manual awning. Then a trip to the dealer to fix the
motor and replace the screw.

Solera/Lippert awnings do not have an emergency pull strap. They have a
rubber cap on the top of the motor case. Removing the cap reveals a 7/16
hex shaft. You can use a drill motor with the appropriate socket to run
the awning back in.
Apparently Solera awning owners can purchase car window motors that
will fit the Solera awning. These can be found on Ebay for as low as $32
including shipping! MUCH cheaper than "official" parts from Solera.
The car part does not have the emergency hex shaft so if that one
eventually fails you would not be able to run in the awning.
ALSO- I was mistaken in some of my previous posts where I stated
the Solera awning has gas struts and not a spring. FRF contributor
Teamfour has done this swap and he told me there is a spring.
Once the motor cover is removed you can drill a hole in the large gear
and stick a punch or something similar thru the large gear
effectively locking the spring.
Then you can do the motor swap.

Solera continued-- if you visit Ebay and search dorman # 742-141
you will find several vendors selling the auto part that apparently fits the Solera awning.
Also see this thread for more discussion about the Solera
motor swap- http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...nt-110957.html

I realize this type of DIY is not for everyone but some of us like to tinker
and saving a couple hundred buck$ is good incentive. Don't attempt anything
like this unless you feel comfortable
working on a ladder as well as working with spring tension which could hurt you if it got away!
Be careful out there!