Slow retracting awnings

[refjim]

Good evening,
2018, 427 road warrior.
2 side awnings extend just fine but when trying to retract they roll in very, very slowly.
Checked voltage at the 2 motors and both show 8-9 volts.
The awnings are being rolled in, in the correct direction.
Any suggestions on what I might try?
Thank you
Jim

 

[danemayer]

Hi refjim,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum. We've got a great group of friendly and helpful owners here, so I expect someone will have some feedback for you shortly.

 

[Lou_and_Bette]

Jim, I have found that the ambient air temperature seems to affect my awning. Seems like, at times, something makes the fabric tighten up and then it rolls up somewhat slower. IIRC, it is slower the farther out it is, and increases speed as it gets closer to the rig.

 

[JohnDar]

Why does reading only 8 or 9 volts when retracting sound like a wiring problem? Try taking a reading when extending it to compare. It’s a small 12 volt motor and if it’s not getting full voltage, it’s the same effect as a brown-out on a 120V appliance. Check the switches to be sure all connections are tight.


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[refjim]

Why does reading only 8 or 9 volts when retracting sound like a wiring problem? Try taking a reading when extending it to compare. It’s a small 12 volt motor and if it’s not getting full voltage, it’s the same effect as a brown-out on a 120V appliance. Check the switches to be sure all connections are tight.


Thank you.
When I get my 427 out of storage in April I will retest in both directions.
Neglected to mention in first post that awnings are Carefree, Eclipse.
Jim

 

[BLR]

What do you consider slow??

Everyone has a different opinion of slow/fast, is it retracting??

Ours has retracted the same since day one, however it is slower than the old style that was retracted by hand, and would slap against the side, if the hook let loose

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[LBR]

What Johndar said...

Appreciate that the very small motor is trying to roll up a 14-18' awning.... which is the weight of the full aluminum roller, fighting the leverages of being out 8' trying to roll in and upward and a possible breeze fighting against the roll-up process.

Last thing to consider is the gauge of the wires running down to said motor....most people don't realize 12 volt current/amperage/voltage losses before power even reaches that motor where the voltage test was taken. Those wires are mostly insulation with a few hair-sized strands carrying the current.

I'm surprised they even can do the job with the size of wire supplied to these motors.