Day/Night Shade Repair

[etex211]

I've got two day night shades in my 2013 RLTS that have lost their tension. I assumed the strings broke, and I finally got around this evening to taking a look.

In both cases, the string is not broken. The plastic cord retainers/tensioners are broken. I am attaching a picture of one of the broken retainers.

I inspected a few other shades, and I discovered that most all of the retainers in my camper are cracked. I assume that whoever installed the shades at the factory overtightened those screws. I've found lots of other screws (cabinet hardware, etc.) in this camper that were overtightened at the factory.

So I am on a quest now to replace all of these retainers. I found a two piece retainer that looks like it will be easier to install than my original one piece retainer. I've sent an email to United Shade with a couple of questions about their two piece retainers. Here is link to those retainers...

Cord Retainers | The Dicor Corporation | Official Website

I'll post an update here when I complete this project.

[abarkl]

We've had those randomly break and even completely disintegrate in some cases. In our first RV we finally removed all the plastic ones and used lifetime replacements.
https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Sewin.../dp/B008MM5BDE

We found the best solution is usually to place the shade string loop around the retainer shaft and not try and use the holes. The string can be looped multiple times to create the proper tension and have the shades operate normally.

[Rustysocket]

There are a number of different type of fasteners that can be used. The two piece retainers simply capture the string(s) and allow you to pull on them to tension to taste and then tighten them down to hold.

[edatlanta]

This is the source I use for all shade parts, etc.: Blinds & Shades Replacement Parts | Repair Instructions | FixMyBlinds.com

[TCNashville]

I replaced all of the day/night shades in our living area with blinds. I had to restring a 2 string in the bedroom and it was a PITA. The shades in the living area were all 4-6 string and after 2 of them broke, I said the heck with it. The wooden blinds look great and weren't that expensive. Lots easier to open/close than a day/night shade.

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE

I replaced all of the day/night shades in our living area with blinds. I had to restring a 2 string in the bedroom and it was a PITA. The shades in the living area were all 4-6 string and after 2 of them broke, I said the heck with it. The wooden blinds look great and weren't that expensive. Lots easier to open/close than a day/night shade.

I could see how restringing a day/night shade could be considered difficult going into it completely blind (hehe).

I don't know that I'd describe it easier to replace all the blinds in the RV with new because one requires a new fastener or replacing a string. They all wear out eventually.

[Crablad]

We also replaced shades with mini blinds.....can control light so much better. One of our better mods.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Rustysocket

I don't know that I'd describe it easier to replace all the blinds in the RV with new because one requires a new fastener or replacing a string. They all wear out eventually.

Yeah, I agree. Just giving other options. The YouTube videos on string replacement make it look easier than it is. When my spindles started breaking I just pulled out the string and looped it around the existing spindle. That worked fine until the string broke on a 4 string blind and got lodged up in the blind. That particular blind in wood [28"x40''] was $44 and included all mounting hardware. Only the living area windows [3] were converted to wood blinds and a whole lot easier to operate.