ReadytoRide
Alexandria, VA
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Joined: 11/15/2004
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I have an A&E Weatherpro Automatic awning on my MH. Last year, the wind sensor and control box were replaced because the control box failed. All was working well until recently when I observed that the awning failed to retract in some fairly strong gusts. I later tested the wind sensor with an air hose...didn't seem to work. To further troubleshoot, I unplugged the sensor line (telephone type jack) from the control box. The beeping started, and after about 30 seconds, the awning retracted - just as it should have. Dealer had Winnebago drop ship me another sensor/control box. They have both been replaced, along with the connection pigtails...it is still displaying the same problem. Anyone with a suggestion or experience with what else I could/should check before I call Dometic/A&E and see if they can help?
Thanks.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
Cummins ISL 400/Allison 6-spd
FMCA F354960, Good Sam, WIT
2005 Saturn VUE (FWD V6) Toad
with Blue Ox Aventa II and ToadStopQi with ProPort Control braking system
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don b
Allentown,Pa
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Joined: 05/16/2001
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A dumb question but could you have accidentally hit the toggle switch and disabled the system? Don't ask how I know this can happen.
2003 Dolphin Model 5380, Workhorse 8.1, 04 Honda CRV, Brake Buddy, Blue Ox, Banks System, Garmin 7200.
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Scatback
Sun City West, Arizona
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Joined: 11/22/2002
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don b wrote:A dumb question but could you have accidentally hit the toggle switch and disabled the system? Don't ask how I know this can happen.
Or have the ignition key in the "accessory" or "on" position?
Retired USAF Nav/Flight Ops
Itasca Meridian 34H
330 Caterpillar
Chev Tracker 4-Dr.4x4
Blue Ox and Brake Buddy
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FreshAir
Utah
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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According to A&E, the awning isn't supposed to retract with a Gust of wind. It's designed to monitor wind speed and retract at about 18 MPH sustained wind speed for some period of time. I went through the same procedure, RV Tech. tried the air hose thing before replacing sensor and box. New one acted the same and the service mgr. called A&E and was told the above and that the air hose is not a good test.
I personally think the, "period of Time" setting is too long and my awning could be long gone. Since I found this out I have noticed that is how it works but, I just don't trust it.
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rj_winger
SF Bay Area
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Joined: 01/29/2006
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I'm having the same problem on my 2007 National Tropi-Cal LX. On my first trip out I thought I'd try my automatic awning. I flipped the switch (hearing nothing but beeping) and about 30-60 seconds later the awning rolled up. I took it back to the dealership and they told me I needed a Printed Circuit board. Well the deal called the manufacture to only find that it was on back order with no idea of any due date. I then called the coach manufacture (National) to find out that you could no longer just get the printed circuit board you had to get a awning kit which included and new roof sensor, new wire harness and new controller box. Well after having to deal with this problem for the last 90 days it looks like on the 20th I'll have a new awning kit installed. Do anyone know if A & E is know for problems with their automatic wind sensors?
Thanks
Rod
07 National Tropi-Cal LX T370
06 Honda CR-V toad
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Tyro2u
Lethbridge, Alberta
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Joined: 04/27/2003
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They are known for their problems as was told by a tech at the Tiffin factory and I believe they have since switched to Carefree. Had my sensor and control box replaced and it would work with air hose test. Has only closed oned day since then. I don't trust them at all and I have heard some bad stories about A&E not backing their products at all, always have an excuse that it must be your fault.
40ft Class A DP
400hp Cummins
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full timer
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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Broken record here.... Same problem and A&E customer service is useless. Mine rolls up at 3MPH sustained (I carry an anemometer).
If you make any progress with them please let us all borrow your magic wand.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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1rooster
Warrenton, VA
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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I've also had my control unit replaced ('06 Discovery). No problems since. I did see the following information on this site about adjusting the "wind sensitivity". I can't remember where it was, but it was on this site. Here is the information:
If you have a control board with dip switches, you can change the settings to determine how sensitive the retraction activates. For the following settings, off = toward the switch number and on = away from the switch number. Either switch #2 or 3 should be in the on position. Never have both 2 and 3 on or off at the same time.
1 = always off
2 = on 3 mph
3 = on 6 mph
4 = off = more wind needed to retract, on = less wind needed to retract.
5 = always off
An example of the most sensitive setting is:
1 = off
2 = on
3 = off
4 = on
5 = off
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ReadytoRide
Alexandria, VA
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Joined: 11/15/2004
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Well, my experience so far with my awning problem(s) have been handled very well by my dealer and Winnebago - I haven't had to deal with A&E. My previous MH (an 05 Adventurer) also had the automatic awning and I had to have that sensor replaced once also. The air hose test has always been recommended as being the best way to check the operation of the sensor, and it was a reliable test on the Adventurer.
Oh - I can assure you my tests have not been done with the system disabled or the ignition on. In fact, I have tested it with the toggle in both enabled and disabled position to be sure the switch wasn't wired incorrectly.
Since we live fulltime in our MH, taking it to a repair facility for this problem would be more of an inconvenience than it is worth. Until/unless I know that the awning does work properly, DW and I simply bring it in before we leave the MH unattended or when the wind is really kicking up. It's not nearly as difficult to bring in as a manual one...just hold the button in for about 10-15 seconds.
I just noticed the post concerning the dipswitches. I do have a group of dip switches on the circuit board...white switches in a red housing. I will check those as well, although it seems the factory settings should be correct.
Other than that, the only thing in common with both this latest control box/sensor and the last one is the internal MH wiring between the sensor and the box. Everything else was replaced.
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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1rooster wrote:I've also had my control unit replaced ('06 Discovery). No problems since. I did see the following information on this site about adjusting the "wind sensitivity". I can't remember where it was, but it was on this site. Here is the information:
If you have a control board with dip switches, you can change the settings to determine how sensitive the retraction activates. For the following settings, off = toward the switch number and on = away from the switch number. Either switch #2 or 3 should be in the on position. Never have both 2 and 3 on or off at the same time.
1 = always off
2 = on 3 mph
3 = on 6 mph
4 = off = more wind needed to retract, on = less wind needed to retract.
5 = always off
An example of the most sensitive setting is:
1 = off
2 = on
3 = off
4 = on
5 = off Interesting.. I will go and look at the control board this weekend. But I find some of these redundunt, and/ or confusing:
1- Always Off: Whats the difference with just shutting it down from the bypass switch?
2&3- That doesn't equal 16MPH no matter how you arrange them.
4- Wonder what this really means. What's "more"?
AND TO THE FLOOR:
Does anyones aluminum 'C'-Channel angle (where the gas shock attaches) bowed? Mine are.
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