Weak Awning Motor

dneeld52 · 03-03-2021, 05:54 PM

Is there a known issue with these weak awning motors? My 2018 is so SLOW that I wonder if it's going to crap out. We've only been out in it once and I didn't have an extension ladder handy to check it out. These awnings are so high they're not accessible for a normal person without a rear ladder or a lift.

Who makes the motor for our awnings? Girard?

Thanks in advance for all the help that I'll get. Much appreciated.

Damian Neeld
2018 Seneca HJ
Carmel, IN

RVermont · 03-03-2021, 06:22 PM

Not sure who makes the motor but I would think it is Carefree of Colorado. I agree these motors are slow as heck. The new units a have the tablet and it probably is not as big of deal. But having to hold the button while it slowly slowly closes or opens is a drag.

Rustynuts · 03-03-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dneeld52

Is there a known issue with these weak awning motors? My 2018 is so SLOW that I wonder if it's going to crap out. We've only been out in it once and I didn't have an extension ladder handy to check it out. These awnings are so high they're not accessible for a normal person without a rear ladder or a lift.

Who makes the motor for our awnings? Girard?

Thanks in advance for all the help that I'll get. Much appreciated.

Damian Neeld
2018 Seneca HJ
Carmel, IN

They are made by Carefree and yes, they are just slow. I did some work on mine today by adding a tube support and fixing a known issue with the end caps that can cause some binding.

Here is the post about the work.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...tml#post942468

CAG · 03-03-2021, 06:40 PM

Known issue with lots of threads on the problems. My Heartland Cyclone was fast and no problem. This one, order a beer and then order a second before it is down. Pretty poor.

hoppers4 · 03-03-2021, 06:40 PM

Yeah, I thought something was wrong with mine too, it was so slow. Apparently that's how it's designed. Tiny motor, geared way down.

eyagel1234 · 03-04-2021, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dneeld52

Is there a known issue with these weak awning motors? My 2018 is so SLOW that I wonder if it's going to crap out. We've only been out in it once and I didn't have an extension ladder handy to check it out. These awnings are so high they're not accessible for a normal person without a rear ladder or a lift.

Who makes the motor for our awnings? Girard?

Thanks in advance for all the help that I'll get. Much appreciated.

Damian Neeld
2018 Seneca HJ
Carmel, IN

Our motor was slow on our last class C, Our brand new Seneca seems quick compared to the last one.

P.S Greetings from Brownsburg!

Camper_bob · 03-04-2021, 01:41 PM

The awning on my Greyhawk is a Carefree, and it's SUPER slow. Like 2 or 3 beers slow!

My JayFlight had a Dometic awning that was MUCH faster.

craigav · 03-04-2021, 03:09 PM

When you (any of you) say slow, how long does it take to extend or retract yours? Mine takes about 45 seconds each way.

RVermont · 03-04-2021, 04:20 PM

I can’t do it right now due to ice but I would say 35 to 45 seconds would seem right. The problem with my unit 37ts is that the button is located at floor level in the stairwell opening. So it is a pain in the a... to sit on the floor or lean in and hold the switch and watch the unit unfurl. The other problem I have is that once I push the button to iopen I have to go out and pull each arm to get them to operate.

Jagiven · 03-04-2021, 04:26 PM

Mine is incredibly slow. Always has been. I went up and jumpered the wire connections, and used a deep cycle battery in the box of my TV, and it was still very slow.

craigav · 03-04-2021, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVermont

I can’t do it right now due to ice but I would say 35 to 45 seconds would seem right. The problem with my unit 37ts is that the button is located at floor level in the stairwell opening. So it is a pain in the a... to sit on the floor or lean in and hold the switch and watch the unit unfurl. The other problem I have is that once I push the button to iopen I have to go out and pull each arm to get them to operate.

Thanks, that is about how long mine takes. I also had the problem of it not wanting to go out until I replaced the hydraulic push (lift) cylinders, now it opens every time and keeps the awning a bit tighter when extended. Also, the button is at the same location on mine, I hate to keep the door open for any extended time (most days) but I have found the only way I can do it easily is to have the door open and stand just outside the door. Mine doesn't have any remote option. ~CA

Camper_bob · 03-04-2021, 04:31 PM

Yeah, I'd say 45 seconds would be about right. I lube mine, so I usually don't have to go "coax" it out, but still sometimes have to do that.

The Dometic on my TT was probably half that time or less?

So if I ALWAYS had this awning, I probably wouldn't think much of it, but since I ran that Dometic on my TT for 4 years or so, the last 3 years with this Carefree has been SUPER annoying. Especially if I'm trying to get it rolled up during a "pop-up" storm or sudden weather event. Feels like it takes YEARS in that situation...

craigav · 03-04-2021, 04:36 PM

I remember the two RV's I had back in 90's (and earlier ones) which didn't even have a motorized awning, it would go in and out as fast as you could turn the crank.

Never once had a reliability issue though, kind of like some of you remember the hand crank windows in your car, a thing of the past for almost every car I have been in for some time now.

Camper_bob · 03-04-2021, 05:27 PM

Well, sure. Compared to a manual awning, it's lightning fast. But compared to other electric awnings, it's SLLLLOOOOOOWWWW.

I feel like I lose new gray hairs waiting for that thing... I'm going to retire and still be waiting on it... Dirt and rocks get noticeably older while I'm standing there holding down that stinkin' switch...

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