Beatrice Lang
Awnings can get stuck when extended for a variety of reasons. One common issue is that the awning has been extended too far, causing water to collect on the awning and stretch the canvas, making it difficult to retract. If the motor senses too much load, it may stop operating to prevent damage. If your awning is stuck in a similar fashion, you can try to manually retract it by first ensuring there is no water on the awning, then climb on top of your coach to inspect the canvas at the corners and stretch it out as far as you can on both sides before trying to close the awning again. If this does not work, you may need to try other methods such as using a fabric strap to control the retraction speed or applying pressure while the switch is in the retract position.
Characteristics and Values Table for Manually Retracting a Carefree Electric Awning
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Issues | Campers may extend the awning too far, causing water to collect and stretch the canvas, making retraction difficult |
| Water Collection | If water collects on the awning, remove it and climb on top of the coach to inspect and stretch the canvas before attempting to close it |
| Motor Issues | If the motor senses too much load due to a stretched canvas, it may not operate further to prevent damage |
| Motor Troubleshooting | Try using an independent 12VDC battery to hook up to motor leads to see if the awning can be activated manually |
| Manual Retraction Methods | Some awnings have a fabric strap that fits into a groove in the retracting drum; loosen the motor screws and use the strap to control retraction speed |
| Manual Retraction Tools | An external wire harness can be attached to an external battery; a 16-foot jumper cable and test leads with alligator clips can connect to a car battery |
| Spring Rewinding | After loosening the motor screws and allowing retraction, the awning must be taken to a dealer for spring rewinding |
| Emergency Override | Some models may have an emergency override feature, but not all; consult the manual for specific information |
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What You'll Learn
Remove screw while holding the awning strap
If your electric awning is stuck in a partial open position and will not retract, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, check if there is any water on the awning as this can stretch the canvas and make it difficult to retract. If there is water, remove it and then climb on top of your coach to inspect the canvas at the corners. Try to stretch it out as far as you can on both sides before attempting to close the awning again.
If your awning is still not retracting, you may need to manually override the system. For some awnings, this can be done by using a strap wrench while another person holds down the retract button. However, it is important to note that not all awnings have a manual override, and you may need to consult your awning's user manual or seek professional help for specific instructions.
If you own a Carefree awning, there is a specific method to manually retract it. With the help of another person, you can remove a screw while holding the awning strap. You will then need to reinstall the screw after installing the strap. Please note that this method may not work for all Carefree awning models, as some models may not have a screw.
To ensure the safety of your awning and avoid any damage, it is always recommended to consult the manufacturer's instructions or seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any manual retraction methods.
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Reinstall the screw after retracting the awning
To manually retract a carefree electric awning, you will need to remove a screw while another person holds the awning strap. Once the awning is retracted, you must reinstall the screw.
Locate the Screw:
First, locate the screw that needs to be removed. It is important to identify the correct screw, as removing the wrong one could damage the awning mechanism.
Prepare the Necessary Tools:
Before beginning the process, ensure you have the necessary tools, such as a suitable screwdriver, readily available. This will make the process smoother and prevent any delays once you start.
Remove the Screw:
Using the appropriate tool, carefully remove the screw. Have your assistant hold the awning strap taut during this process to prevent any unwanted movement of the awning. Place the screw in a safe location where it will not be lost or misplaced.
Retract the Awning:
With the screw removed, you can now manually retract the awning. Ensure your assistant continues to hold the strap securely to guide the awning smoothly during this process.
Reinstall the Screw:
Once the awning is fully retracted, carefully replace the screw in its original position. Tighten it securely, but be careful not to overtighten it, as this could damage the screw thread or the surrounding material.
By following these steps, you can safely and effectively retract your carefree electric awning and reinstall the screw to secure it in place. Remember to work carefully and methodically, and always have an assistant help you during this process to ensure the awning is safely retracted.
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Inspect the canvas for water and stretch it out
If your carefree electric awning is stuck and won't retract, it could be because water has collected on the awning and stretched the canvas. If this is the case, first ensure that there is no water on your awning. Then, climb on top of your coach and inspect the canvas at the corners. Stretch the canvas out as far as you can on both sides before trying again to close the awning.
If the canvas is sagging in the middle or appears to be taut, you may need to purchase a new awning. Once stretched, the canvas will not go back. If the canvas is taut and there is no sagging, but it still won't retract, the issue may be with the motor.
If the canvas is not sagging, but the awning is still not retracting, the issue could be with the motor. If it's clicking, the gear may be stripped or binding, causing the motor to try but shut down. If there is no sound, the motor may have completely failed, or it could be an issue with the switch.
To troubleshoot a potential motor issue, you can try hooking up an independent 12VDC battery to your motor leads to see if you can activate it manually. If it works with independent power, then the issue is likely with the wiring or the switch. If independent power does not work, then your Carefree motor has likely failed and needs to be replaced.
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Check for a failed motor by connecting an independent 12VDC battery
If your electric awning is stuck in a partially open position, it may be due to a faulty motor. Before attempting any repairs, ensure that there is no water on the awning as this can cause the canvas to stretch and put too much tension on the motor. If there is water, climb on top of your coach and inspect the canvas at the corners, stretching it out as far as you can on both sides before trying again to close the awning.
If the awning still won't retract, the next step is to check for a failed motor by connecting an independent 12VDC battery. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Disconnect the motor from its power source by removing the set screws from the wire connections between the motor and battery.
- Expose the ends of the wires if necessary, so you can use them to complete the test circuit.
- Remove the motor from its housing to allow the rotor to move freely during diagnostics.
- Set up your volt-ohm meter: set it to the ohms setting and connect the red lead to the ohms point, and the black lead to the ground point.
- Attach the alligator clip leads to each motor power input wire.
- Touch the two leads together and ensure the volt-ohm meter reads zero ohms.
- Connect an independent 12VDC battery to the motor leads. If the awning operates with the independent power source, then the issue is likely with the wiring or switch. If the awning still doesn't work, you may have a failed motor.
- If you have a SepEx motor, be careful not to connect it like a series motor. Use a single 12-volt battery and adjust the field to about 6 to 8 amps.
- Slowly bring the armature voltage up while watching the RPM. You're aiming for around 2000 RPM.
- Adjust the field voltage while keeping the armature voltage constant.
- Ensure that the armature and brushes don't overheat. You can run the motor for a while to break it in and even hook up a battery charger to run it longer.
- If you have a separate battery on the field, ensure it doesn't run down while the armature is excited, as it will speed up.
- Be cautious: while 12 volts won't electrocute you, it can draw a big arc that could be hazardous. Always wear safety glasses.
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Use a strap wrench to retract the awning
A strap wrench is a useful tool to have when retracting an electric awning manually. It is particularly helpful when you need to tighten or loosen a round object, as a standard wrench may not provide enough grip.
To use a strap wrench, first, loop the strap around the object and tighten it. Be sure that the arrow on the wrench is pointing in the direction you want to turn the object. If your strap wrench doesn’t have printed arrows, then position it so the flat section is on the left if you're tightening or on the right if loosening.
Next, you'll want to pull the strap through the slot until the loop is tight around the object. Look for the channel or slot on the top of the strap wrench and slide the end of the strap through it. Keep pulling the end of the strap until the loop is tight around the object.
Now, move the handle in the direction of the arrow to tighten or loosen the object. Hold the end of the handle to get the most leverage. Slowly pull the handle in the direction the arrow is pointing so the strap catches on the top of the wrench.
If you’re loosening the object, turn it enough that you can unscrew it by hand. If you’re tightening the object, screw it in until you meet resistance. Hold the end of the strap tightly against the handle to prevent it from going slack.
You can also use a nylon ratchet strap and wrench to get more leverage. Wrap the strap around the object 2–3 times, keeping the metal hook on top. Pull the loops tight against the surface, and position the handle of a wrench through the metal hook. Push the handle in the direction you want to turn the object until it tightens or loosens.
Remember to always refer to your awning's manual for specific instructions, as there are many varieties of awnings available.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check that there is no water on your awning. If it has rained, water may have collected on the awning, causing the canvas to stretch and buckle, which puts too much tension on the motor. If there is no water, climb on top of your coach to inspect the canvas at the corners. Stretch it out as far as you can on both sides before trying again to close the awning.
There is no standard method for manually retracting an awning, as it depends on the brand and model. Some awnings come with a fabric strap that fits into a groove in the awning retracting drum. If the awning fails to close, attach the strap and loosen the motor screws at the end of the drum. Use the strap to control how fast the awning retracts.
If the manual retraction method described above does not work, you may need to take apart the drive mechanism and clean and lubricate it. You should also check that all of the electrical connections are free of corrosion and that they are secure.
