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08-16-2022, 03:57 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-16-2022, 04:04 PM
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#2
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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Have you tested/verified with a meter the switch isn't passing current/voltage when it doesn't retract?
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=86
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08-16-2022, 04:20 PM
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#3
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,181
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Is your awning a Dometic a 9100 or 9200?
__________________
Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1659
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08-16-2022, 04:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-16-2022, 04:32 PM
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#5
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,181
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There is a data sticker (usually on the forward side). Take a pic and post it.
Looks like this:
__________________
Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1659
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08-16-2022, 04:46 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-16-2022, 06:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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Here is the pic as requested.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-16-2022, 07:26 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: GA
Posts: 5
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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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08-16-2022, 09:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 1,004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathappy
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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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/
__________________
2020 Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS
Former: 2017 Rockwood MiniLite 2104S
2015 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L Gas
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08-16-2022, 10:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Foothils CA
Posts: 1,405
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathappy
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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Mine is also very slow to retract.
__________________
2021 2205S Rockwood Minilite
2019 F 150 Lariat 3.5 Eco Fx4 Max Tow
Equal-i-zer WDH, 1809 lb payload
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08-17-2022, 06:19 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Same here.
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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08-17-2022, 10:35 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-17-2022, 12:11 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1,014
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08-17-2022, 12:12 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmarako
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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That's my post on the FB group, I just linked the post from this forum above.
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08-17-2022, 01:19 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Outer Banks of NC
Posts: 10
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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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08-17-2022, 01:43 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanBeauvais
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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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
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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08-17-2022, 02:05 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-17-2022, 04:45 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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08-17-2022, 04:58 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 1,004
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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.
__________________
2020 Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS
Former: 2017 Rockwood MiniLite 2104S
2015 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L Gas
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08-17-2022, 08:55 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 224
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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.
__________________
Outsider
2007 F150 w/5.4 V8 (& 373 rear gears)
2020 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
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