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Old 08-16-2022, 03:57 PM   #1
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Awning slow or no retraction.

2020 GeoPro G19FD with electric Dometic awning.


I know from talking with "Rockwood" that there have been numerous awning motor problems reported for this awning/camper. I think mine might be something else.


Here's the problem. We are the 2nd owners having bought it at about 9 months old. (Original owner traded it in and went bigger.) Awning extends fine, first time, every time with one switch depression, good speed and no laboring or hesitation. However it ALWAYS retracts MUCH more slowly and seems to be laboring some as if the battery is weak or it is not getting a good current supply. It does the same thing on battery and when plugged into 110VAC. Also, it often takes 2,3, or 4 switch depressions (or more) before there is ANY movement at all.


I used to be a computer bench tech so I pulled the control panel out of the cabinet, disconnected and pulled the switch out, and then actually carefully pulled the switch apart, cleaned and re-lubed it, and put everything back together. The switch seemed to be a little more reliable for only a couple of camping trips but there was little or no improvement in retraction speed.


Yesterday I pulled the 12vdc wiring connector apart (6" below the motor) and cleaned the contacts good. This seemed to help some at the time but it failed the first 2 Retraction switch depressions again today. I also actually reversed the 12vdc wiring at that connector as a test (switch then worked backwards of course) and the retraction was still slow but it did not fail any of 5-7 depressions (to the Extend side) of the switch.



I looked up a generic switch replacement online and found a couple of comments by purchasers of the switch that their awning now worked perfectly after installing the new switch but no description of camper brand or model was given.


Has anyone else had and fixed this problem. This problem is so consistent that I cannot believe I could be the only one having it.


Thanks for your help.
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Old 08-16-2022, 04:04 PM   #2
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Have you tested/verified with a meter the switch isn't passing current/voltage when it doesn't retract?
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Old 08-16-2022, 04:20 PM   #3
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Is your awning a Dometic a 9100 or 9200?
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Old 08-16-2022, 04:29 PM   #4
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1) Have not verified if current or voltage changes while switch is depressed but motor not turning. Will do that soon.


2) How do you tell the model for sure? The SKU is 9600001979.
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Old 08-16-2022, 04:32 PM   #5
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Smile

There is a data sticker (usually on the forward side). Take a pic and post it.


Looks like this:
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Old 08-16-2022, 04:46 PM   #6
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More info: 1) Just went out to test a couple more things after more reading and the unit would NOT retract at all. Tried 6-8 times - nothing. I then had my wife press the retract button while I put my ear on the motor and there is a very faint click inside the motor each time the switch is depressed but NO movement. Extend still works fine, EVERY time.


2) Just found this out. If I go IMMEDIATELY from Extend to Retract (and I do mean IMMEDIATE, BANG-BANG), it worked multiple times.



It is looking more like a motor issue since it does click inside the motor every time the switch is depressed.
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Old 08-16-2022, 06:53 PM   #7
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Here is the pic as requested.
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Old 08-16-2022, 07:26 PM   #8
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same issue

I have the 9100 and it takes forever to retract, I have even had to get a painters pole and push the switch and pull on the awning.. it is horrible. I would love to figure out what is wrong - I get the point I hate to put it down and then when I do I cannot open the door or get it back up..
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Old 08-16-2022, 09:06 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathappy View Post
I have the 9100 and it takes forever to retract, I have even had to get a painters pole and push the switch and pull on the awning.. it is horrible. I would love to figure out what is wrong - I get the point I hate to put it down and then when I do I cannot open the door or get it back up..
On my facebook group people have determined that the wiring is too long and too light gauge for the awning. So as it draws power, the voltage drop slows the motor down.
What they did was mount this form of "double relay" up front near where the awning power wires exit the trailer. You wire your awning switch into this relay, and connect the relays to directly to the batteries with heavy wire. They say it helps alot.
Sorry I know this isn't enough info, but its all I could find now. Maybe a Google search of "awning double relay" can help.

Jim M.

On edit it might be reversing relay. You probably can not see the facebook post.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DKDSSB9...L4jYAUDoxcUd7Y

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mini...6340477319218/
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Old 08-16-2022, 10:39 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathappy View Post
I have the 9100 and it takes forever to retract, I have even had to get a painters pole and push the switch and pull on the awning.. it is horrible. I would love to figure out what is wrong - I get the point I hate to put it down and then when I do I cannot open the door or get it back up..
Mine is also very slow to retract.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:19 AM   #11
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Same here.
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Old 08-17-2022, 10:35 AM   #12
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Corrected pic of awning label

Sorry, the first pic is of the label on the awning frame.


This is the label on the actual awning "roll-up" tube when full extended. (Same basic info.)


Additional info: unit rolled out (extended) at first click but failed to Retract multiple times until I did the Extend/Retract (bang-bang) trick on the switch this morning.
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Old 08-17-2022, 12:11 PM   #13
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Post #514 & 521-524 -

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...184896-26.html
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Old 08-17-2022, 12:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmarako View Post
On my facebook group people have determined that the wiring is too long and too light gauge for the awning. So as it draws power, the voltage drop slows the motor down.
What they did was mount this form of "double relay" up front near where the awning power wires exit the trailer. You wire your awning switch into this relay, and connect the relays to directly to the batteries with heavy wire. They say it helps alot.
Sorry I know this isn't enough info, but its all I could find now. Maybe a Google search of "awning double relay" can help.

Jim M.

On edit it might be reversing relay. You probably can not see the facebook post.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DKDSSB9...L4jYAUDoxcUd7Y

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mini...6340477319218/
That's my post on the FB group, I just linked the post from this forum above.
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Old 08-17-2022, 01:19 PM   #15
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I have a Solara awning on my Apex Nano 187RB. Same problem. Extended fine. Slow to no retraction. Switch and wiring were fine. I replaced the motor, $60 from Amazon. Solved the problem.

I also read a hint once. The gas assist cylinder struts are fighting retraction. Retract about a third, wait 5-6 seconds to let the struts equalize, retract another third, pause again, then finish. Seems to help.
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Old 08-17-2022, 01:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanBeauvais View Post
I have a Solara awning on my Apex Nano 187RB. Same problem. Extended fine. Slow to no retraction. Switch and wiring were fine. I replaced the motor, $60 from Amazon. Solved the problem.

I also read a hint once. The gas assist cylinder struts are fighting retraction. Retract about a third, wait 5-6 seconds to let the struts equalize, retract another third, pause again, then finish. Seems to help.
Might be some truth to the gas shock part. Strut helps awning extend. Motor works against it to retract . Struts enable rain dump feature and return . If you have ever had one out , they take a good amount of force to compress
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Old 08-17-2022, 02:05 PM   #17
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Thanks 01tundra, that is very good info. (Boy, you do beautiful work. Both the actual alterations you make and the drawings and write-ups you are providing.) Since you have a totally differently designed layout in your TT I'll need to re-think all of this. I do believe (as I posted in the very first post) that the reversing of the awning motor is failing because of a current/voltage drop issue as well. (No, I have not actually measured it yet.)


Questions: 1) Do you know if my 2020 GeoPro G19FD single axle TT would have a relay in the awning circuitry as well or could everything be done right through the wall mounted Extend/Retract switch?


2) If I could find where the wiring runs do you think that replacing the present wiring from the 12vdc source to the switch (or to the motor) with 10 awg wiring might be sufficient to fix my issue? (I just checked my wiring coming out of the TT, up & down the awning frame arms and to the motor is 16 awg. Just the outside run is approx 12-15 feet or wiring.)


3) When that wiring comes inside the TT does it go directly to the switch in the wall mounted control panel, to a relay first, or what? I'm trying to figure out where to look for it inside.


Thanks for your help.
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Old 08-17-2022, 04:45 PM   #18
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Does anyone know what route the 12vdc wiring from the awning motor takes inside the camper once it comes inside where the awning frame attaches to the lower edge of the camper wall? I'm considering running new 10awg wire from the motor back to the relay or switch, wherever it goes. (I called Rockwood too late for an answer today.)



Would there be a drawing available of the physical layout of the camper showing the wiring and plumbing anywhere?



As a reminder, this is a Rockwood GeoPro G19FD which is the same as a Flagstaff E-Pro E19FD and probable several others.


Thanks
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Old 08-17-2022, 04:58 PM   #19
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What you need to is go outside and see were the wires are for the awning. Most likely they are inside the front arm. Follow them down and they will go through the wall. I do not own a GeoPro but I'm willing to bet they will go through the wall into the front pass through storage area.

It is inside this storage area that you want to mount the new relay, and the wires from the battery. Its very unlikely there is a relay in the current system. There may be a false wall hiding were the wires come into the trailer. You will be running new wires from you battery to this location, then connecting the relay outputs to the existing wires going to the motor. The existing wires from the switch become the switch connections to the relay.

If you just want to run new wires to the existing switch you are on your own. You'll have to remove the plastic cover under the trailer, pull new wires, figure out how to fish them to where ever the switch panel is, etc..

Jim M.
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Old 08-17-2022, 08:55 PM   #20
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JimMarako,


That is part of the problem. This 2020 19', single axle, Murphy bed model does not have any pass-through storage. There is only a 2 cubic foot storage area on each side of the front. The awning motor wires enter the camper under-floor area through the outside wall about 4-6 inches behind the right/passenger side cubby storage area and disappear. The left/driver side cubby storage contains the 1000w inverter and a few wires coming from the floor area but no black/red pair. I have no way of knowing how the motor wires currently get to the battery, switch, or relay (if there is one). See pics in next post.


Thanks.
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