Title: Girard patio awning retract issue solved
Post by: Dick S on April 21, 2011, 04:05:54 pm
Post by: Dick S on April 21, 2011, 04:05:54 pm
Our Girard was not retracting properly. It would always go out ok, but when we hit "In", either with the switch or the remote, it would move 1/2" and stop a few times. The problem turned out to be the "Current Limiter" and with help from Tech Support at Girard I was able to bypass the limiter.
The purpose of the current limiter is to allow the motor to continue to turn after the awning is fully retracted to insure the fabric is wound tight on the roll. As the fabric tightens, it causes more and more resistance to the motor and drives the motor current up. The limiter senses this increased current and shuts off the motor.
We can get by fine without the limiter by making sure that the motor "In" limit switch is properly adjusted. I will be checking the adjustment two or three times a year.
I forgot to take photos of the control box and current limiter box. They are located behind the cabinet to the right of the TV (passenger side) behind the finish paneling.
This was my second occasion dealing with Girard Tech Support and they are very helpful.
Dick
The purpose of the current limiter is to allow the motor to continue to turn after the awning is fully retracted to insure the fabric is wound tight on the roll. As the fabric tightens, it causes more and more resistance to the motor and drives the motor current up. The limiter senses this increased current and shuts off the motor.
We can get by fine without the limiter by making sure that the motor "In" limit switch is properly adjusted. I will be checking the adjustment two or three times a year.
I forgot to take photos of the control box and current limiter box. They are located behind the cabinet to the right of the TV (passenger side) behind the finish paneling.
This was my second occasion dealing with Girard Tech Support and they are very helpful.
Dick
Title: Re: Girard patio awning retract issue solved
Post by: Michelle on April 21, 2011, 05:08:36 pm
Post by: Michelle on April 21, 2011, 05:08:36 pm
Our Girard was not retracting properly. It would always go out ok, but when we hit "In", either with the switch or the remote, it would move 1/2" and stop a few times. The problem turned out to be the "Current Limiter" and with help from Tech Support at Girard I was able to bypass the limiter.
We had the same problem in 2009, and also had great tech support from Girard. Ricky sent us the .PDF of the service manual as well as walking us through the process of determining it was the current limiter.
The part itself had to be ordered through an authorized partner, so we did so through FOT parts. With MC discount and shipping, but no tax since we had it shipped out of state, $194.44 in 2009. FOT invoice shows a p/n of 960012700.
If you don't have the service manual, remind me and I'll upload it when we get back home. It's on the other computer.
Michelle
Title: Re: Girard patio awning retract issue solved
Post by: Michelle on April 25, 2011, 07:48:30 pm
Post by: Michelle on April 25, 2011, 07:48:30 pm
We had the same problem in 2009, and also had great tech support from Girard. Ricky sent us the .PDF of the service manual as well as walking us through the process of determining it was the current limiter.
Service manual uploaded. It's a 5M file so it will take a bit of bandwidth to download.
Michelle