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Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Yahoo Message Number: 94757
I installed a new Girard anemometer for my Allure's Carefree of Colorado Mirage awning. It is supposed to be a suitable replacement for the original. All they do is send a pulsing resistance that activates the awning motor. I tested it and it responds appropriately by retracting the awning. However, after a couple of successful tests, the awning would extend with the switch, but on retract, either by the anemometer or the switch in the cabinet, the motor would run, but the awning would not retract.

I am suspect of a coincidental failure of the motor drive system, however, the motor runs, but the awning does not retract, so I don't see how that could be the anemometer. I know it has a tube motor, but I don't know the details of how the drive system works. Has anyone removed the motor assembly? How could the drive mechanism fail in one direction, but not the other?

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94770
George,

When my motor went bad, as you, the awning was out and would not retract. I discovered when I took the motor out, that it has a plastic type gear system that broke. It broke either going out or when I tried to retract it. I called Carefree and after speaking to a couple of people in the office and complaining and explaining my situation (in Alaska) they sent me a new motor which was installed and so far all is good. The gears can not be repaired, you have to get a new motor and gears (at least that is what they told me)... Good Luck
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
2 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal


On Thursday, April 3, 2014 9:34 AM, "gharper22@..." wrote:

I installed a new Girard anemometer for my Allure's Carefree of Colorado Mirage awning. It is supposed to be a suitable replacement for the original. All they do is send a pulsing resistance that activates the awning motor. I tested it and it responds appropriately by retracting the awning. However, after a couple of successful tests, the awning would extend with the switch, but on retract, either by the anemometer or the switch in the cabinet, the motor would run, but the awning would not retract.

I am suspect of a coincidental failure of the motor drive system, however, the motor runs, but the awning does not retract, so I don't see how that could be the anemometer. I know it has a tube motor, but I don't know the details of how the drive system works. Has anyone removed the motor assembly? How could the drive mechanism fail in one direction, but not the other?

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94778
Dave

Thanks for the reply. Now the awning will not move out or in. The motor runs, however. I'm pretty sure I have a co-incidental problem unrelated to installing a new anemometer. The tubular motor/drive unit is sold as one assembly, and is very expensive...around a thousand dollars.

Did you remove and replace the motor yourself? It looks like you have to support the roller from the ground as when the motor is removed it could drop. Was there sufficient wire coming through the wall to cut and splice in a new motor? In my case it looks like CC siliconed in a rubber flap between the awning case and the wall and covering up the rubber plug on top of the case where you get access to remove the end cap. Any other tips?

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94781
George,

Yes you do need to support the awning as you remove the motor. We rolled out the awning to work on it. There was 3 of us. it was more of unscrew black cap on the front end. unplug the old motor and and plug in the new motor and button it back up. You need to support the awning because when you take out the motor it bolts/screws to the awning tube, we just used ladders and shoulders. We lowered the awning with the positions pins to make it easier on us.
As I tried to explain, I was in Alaska and getting ready to leave when the awning would not come in, when I pushed the button. We rolled it up by hand. Prior to this, we slightly unscrewed the top 2 screws and slide in heavy duty plastic straps and tightened up the screws. rolled it up and tighten up the plastic zip ties. It held it against the coach, but it slightly unrolled in later. We had to re-secure the roller (awning) later in the trip. My only irritating problem now, is that when the awning rolls out and then slightly rolls in (to tighten up the awning) that groove where you can put in lights, rolls up to far. I have not figured out how to make it roll up less.
I just hoping we are talking about the same type of awning (between yours and mine) I have a carefree awning and my coach is an 07.
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
2 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal


On Friday, April 4, 2014 7:44 AM, "gharper22@..." wrote:

Dave

Thanks for the reply. Now the awning will not move out or in. The motor runs, however. I'm pretty sure I have a co-incidental problem unrelated to installing a new anemometer. The tubular motor/drive unit is sold as one assembly, and is very expensive...around a thousand dollars.

Did you remove and replace the motor yourself? It looks like you have to support the roller from the ground as when the motor is removed it could drop. Was there sufficient wire coming through the wall to cut and splice in a new motor? In my case it looks like CC siliconed in a rubber flap between the awning case and the wall and covering up the rubber plug on top of the case where you get access to remove the end cap. Any other tips?

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94798
Thanks for the further clarification, Dave. I spent some time with the awning today, and now I'm wondering how far out the motor comes before you can remove it. My door awning is very close forward of the Mirage. Man, if I have to remove the door awning to get it out, I may just take it to a shop.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94861
George,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.. When I replaced the motor, I rolled out the awning out as far as it would go. In that position it should not interfere with anything. The motor has a round mechanism that fits inside the awning tube. It only goes inside the awning tube maybe an inch to inch and half. I believe that there are 2 screws that attach the motor part sleve to the awning tube. Once you unscrew these screws from the tube and motor, you must support the awning because the awning arm will separate from the tube. I hope I'm making sense to you about this. With any type of mechanical skills, you should be able to complete the task but you do need help supporting the awning while working on it. That is why there was 3 of us to support the awning while we worked on it.
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
2 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal


On Friday, April 4, 2014 6:18 PM, "gharper22@..." wrote:

Thanks, Barney.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev
 

Re: Anyone worked on a Carefree Mirage 110V?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94896
Dave

Your description does not quite fit with what I've learned from Carefree tech support via e-mail.
The awning arms appear to be attached to the case underneath the roller tube thus preventing the roller tube from falling down when the motor/drive mechanism is unattached from its support on the forward end of the awning. The manual says to support the awning nonetheless. Carefree says when they say support the awning they do not mean from the ground vertically. They mean when you remove the motor/drive assembly from the roller tube, hold the roller tube back. That is because if it moves forward with the motor/drive assembly more than two inches the roller tube will disengage from the aft end.

They also told me the motor/drive assembly is 2.5 feet long. Since my door awning sits only a few inches forward of the main awning with the bad motor, it looks to me like I would have to remove the door awning in order to make way for the motor/drive assembly to come out. Considering all that, I have decided that this job is best left to a couple of young guys at an RV shop that has experience with these awnings.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093