Awning Arm Motor - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 05-30-2017, 08:53 PM   #1
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Awning Arm Motor

I am STILL dealing with the "floppy arms" on my electric Carefree awning. Just had the arms dealer replaced. Arms move an inch or so when rolled up for traveling. Dealer said it was due to awning being 1/2" out of square, and they adjusted the rubber nipples that catch the metal cover and pull the arms snug, the best the could do. I would have to pay to have new fabric installed to make it right. Called customer service at Carefree and spoke to tech support. Awnings are cut to have 1" leeway, so a half inch is within specs. She said that there is some type of limiter or adjustment in the motor that can take up the slack. Looked at my spare motor (didn't take it apart), but didn't see an adjustment. Is there such a thing, or are the nipples the only adjustment. Either way, for a $1000 claim on my extended warranty, I want it fixed right. Thanks in advance.
Rusty
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Old 06-09-2017, 07:38 PM   #2
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Dealer called back on my Carefree awning. He says there is no adjustment on the Carefree electric awning motor. Opposite of what Carefree said. I trust the forum more than either. Can someone tell me definitively if there are awning adjustments beyond the rubber nipples that pull the awning snug against the aluminum awning cover, specifically motor adjustments? Have a July 4th trip planned and have to have this corrected before I go down the road with my awning arms banging against my Voltage. Duct tape is not an alternative.
Rusty
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Old 06-09-2017, 08:52 PM   #3
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Is it just one side "flopping"?

Do a visual check of the pitch adjustment. Extend out, make sure both side are on same lock tab for pitch adjustment.

Picture (sry really bright) look just above red sticker. See push lock pin, check both sides of awning.
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Old 06-09-2017, 10:00 PM   #4
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Thanks for the reply. Sadly, both arms are set to the same setting.
Rusty
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Old 06-10-2017, 12:43 AM   #5
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Yw. I looked through the Carefree service manual. I would agree with them it's an adjustment that could be made. But this really comes down to attitude of the tech fixing it. Just looking for a quick way to move on. I worked in building automation. Sometimes it would take days to fix something, bulldog it, and it was broke when you got there. Many times I was 3rd / 4th person there, but I always put it right.

I'm with you on the extended warranty. Make them fix it right. Up to and including completely uninstalling/reinstalling.
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Old 06-10-2017, 01:03 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lcv800 View Post
Thanks for the reply. Sadly, both arms are set to the same setting.
Rusty
Yeah Rusty, but the question remains. Is it just one arm with slack, or both?

If just one, and the pins are the same... I'd agree with the 'out of square' argument. Not necessarily that the fabric itself isn't square, but that maybe the roller tube itself isn't installed on the atoms with the fabric polycord parallel to the ground.

If it's both, then I really have no idea. My motor wraps the canopy so tight that it has actually pulled the poly cord out of the track on the rig before.

Here's an idea to maybe make things tighter... I have one of the Carefree Zip-shades also installed on my main awning. The upper part of it (available in either a 1', 2', or 3' drop) stays attached to the tube. (I have the 3' drop model)

When the awning is retracted, there's obviously more material that rolls up on to the tube... making it thicker, and taking up more slack. Maybe that might work?

https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/p...ipblocker.html


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Old 06-10-2017, 10:28 AM   #7
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Sorry, it's both arms are slack and there is a Zip Shade in there already. Pisser is that when it went in, the rear arm was snug and the front arm had a bit of slack. Service manager called me back and said he was still researching.
Rusty
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Old 06-10-2017, 12:56 PM   #8
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Interesting... it just seems weird that the motor would stop turning before the canopy is wound tight.
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