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Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Michelle on April 11, 2021, 01:27:37 pm

Title: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: Michelle on April 11, 2021, 01:27:37 pm
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
Howdy Foretravel folks, we just bought our first RV, a 2003 U320, 38T #6197. 

During my poking around, I came up with a few questions some of you seasoned veterans may be able to help shed some light on.  We'd appreciate any info or direction you can share.

  • My main awning goes out using the remote but will not retract.  I had to manually run it in this afternoon.  Ideas on where to look?  I assume the controls are behind the front, right panel above the steps, where the remotes are.


Keith & Faith
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: Hach on April 11, 2021, 01:48:11 pm
Hello Keith & Faith.  I sent you a PM on some of your questions.  I recently posted on the Girard as I have a similar coach as you.  Search "Girard Awning Service Visit".  Your motor controller is shot and outdated.  Forget spending money like I did on current limiters and other attempts.  Since replacing the motor controller and servicing the awning it works great and we love it.  Welcome to the owner's group.  Some of the best folks in the world can be found right here!
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: kathyg on April 11, 2021, 01:57:42 pm
Try not running it all the way out. If it is fully extended, crank it in about 2 ft., then try to retract it with the remote.

Mine operates flawlessly in the shop, not so much in the wild.
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: hdff on April 11, 2021, 02:00:05 pm
Quote from: Hach –
Hello Keith & Faith.  I sent you a PM on some of your questions.  I recently posted on the Girard as I have a similar coach as you.  Search "Girard Awning Service Visit".  Your motor controller is shot and outdated.  Forget spending money like I did on current limiters and other attempts.  Since replacing the motor controller and servicing the awning it works great and we love it.  Welcome to the owner's group.  Some of the best folks in the world can be found right here!
Where do I search " Girard Awning Service Visit".  , I searched above with no luck




Keith
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: Hach on April 11, 2021, 02:07:40 pm
Here you go.  Posted about 2 months ago.

Quote from: Hach –
Just back from visiting Girard in San Clemente for a service call.  After years of fooling around with my 2004 awning that would intermittently not retract over the years, I decided to finally get it resolved.  I already bypassed the current limiter without success.  Turns out the motor controller was shot.  Replacing it was roughly $1500 installed, but it included a new remote and a motion sensor on the leading edged in lieu of the anemometer.  When the leading edge starts jumping around in the wind it automatically retracts.  Apparently there were too many wind turbine failures (mostly due to low hanging tree branches).  I also had them install their new LED light package which threads into the channel along the leading edge metal fascia where one might hang a curtain.  I really liked the fact that it can be switched on from the remote even when the awning is fully retracted providing a lighted path from the rear of the coach to the door.  That was ONLY $300 more.  Crazy expensive, but you show me a deal on anything today.  Just wanted to share the options available and comment on their good service and easy in and out if anyone is interested.     
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: WS6_Keith on April 11, 2021, 03:13:50 pm
Quote from: Hach –
Hello Keith & Faith.  I sent you a PM on some of your questions.  I recently posted on the Girard as I have a similar coach as you.  Search "Girard Awning Service Visit".  Your motor controller is shot and outdated.  Forget spending money like I did on current limiters and other attempts.  Since replacing the motor controller and servicing the awning it works great and we love it.  Welcome to the owner's group.  Some of the best folks in the world can be found right here!
Thanks Hach, I see your message and will get to it shortly.  Thanks for reaching out!

Quote from: kathyg –
Try not running it all the way out. If it is fully extended, crank it in about 2 ft., then try to retract it with the remote.
Mine operates flawlessly in the shop, not so much in the wild.
I did try that yesterday.  Ran it in manually about 1/2 way but still no dice.  Even tried having it go back out another foot, stop, then tried in...still no dice.

Previous owner had already removed the current limiting switch as well.
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: Hach on April 11, 2021, 04:51:08 pm
Great, Keith:

Get a hold of Bill Park at Girard, San Clemente.  He'll schedule you for a dx and repair.  In addition to the work they did installing a new motor controller, manual switch, remote and motion detector, they removed my old wind turbine from the roof, lubricated and adjusted the awning arms and tightened the fabric.  The awning looks and works like new.  I'm not gonna lie, we love the lights.  Besides, after spending so much money and time it's nice to have a visual reminder like outdoor lighting to remind us of why we did it. :)  You've got a great coach but like mine stuff just gets old.  In our case, though, it's worth replacing and upgrading as opposed to some other brand (SOB as the folks here like to say). 
Title: Re: Girard awning won't retract (split from Re: New owner with a few questions)
Post by: Larry Rubin on April 12, 2021, 09:16:14 pm
Check the ground to the controller.  It takes a lot more power to retract than to extend and a poor ground may still get it out but not in.

I had same symptoms and the wiring looked good on first inspection but I jiggled the wires and found that was the problem.  Redid the connection and it's worked fine for years.

Remember it's 110 AC.   
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