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Power cord retractor

Yahoo Message Number: 94789
I have been having trouble retracting my power cord. Usually the last 3-6feet will not go in. When I investigate in the closet with the coil I usually find a knot or a jam of some kind. The problem seems to be better in summer or after running the engine - heat makes the cord more flexible and softer. But overall it is getting worse.
Any ingenious suggestions?

Tom Oelsner

drtomo@...
2006 Intrigue 12060
504 452 4545

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94790
we're having the same problem. Cold weather makes it worse. I'll be watching this! Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94792
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THE CORD WHERE THE ISSUE ARRISES AS COMPARED TO WHERE THE CORD IS LESS USED WHEN ITS FULLY EXTENDED? I think you'll find the cord seems to be of smaller diameter and the covering highly polished,. If you take the cover off the cord retractor and examine the unit you will find an adjustment that will tighten the the split pulley that grabs the cord. You can choose to tighten the adjustment or you can try thoroughly cleaning the cord, pulley and the rollers. I have enclosed a manual of my retractor.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94793
Me too. You may notice the last 6 feet are bumpy. I've heard other say that what they did is cut off the last few feet and reconnect the plug end. Use it that way. Also buy a 15 foot extension (Amazon?) to use what necessary.

I'm gonna do that!

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94795
Had a problem with mine slipping while retracting. Made it better by fully extending the cord and scuffing it up with a wire brush which gave it more grip as it rolled against itself while retracting. Not perfect but better.

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94796
We had a similar problem this winter. Ended up getting a new power cord and replacing the motor. Ordered a whole new unit, but the box on the new units is larger than the ones used in 2006. Motor mounts fine on the old box and all works well. We were in Georgia, headed to Florida, when the problem occurred, so had the work done at Fountain RV in Lakeland, FL. Butch Williams ordered the unit and had it there in a few days.

S. Brandt, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94800
Lee. I had same problem I removed the reel cover and increased the tension on the drive disks with the Adjusting spring loaded screw the Problem is gone I consider it a
Normal maintenance item Bob

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94801
I had similar problems. Firstly got all the cable out and untwisted it. Then cleaned it. Inside I removed the box in the wardrobe covering the roller mechanism. There is a spring adjuster to the rollers and I played around with it to get a decent hold of the cable. Rolled some in and out to see how it worked. I then reeled the cable in slowly bit by bit, well the wife did, and I used silicone spray and a rag down the rubber shield. This was in winter in my barn. Now it runs smoothly and goes all the way in properly. I do tend to help it to ensure that the cable goes in easily and unkinked.

Michael

2008 Allure 31683, in the UK!

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94802
Mine got like that, I extended the cord completely and left it out a week. I got the kinks and twists out then just it lay out straight for a week, in some sun. This seems to relax the cable.

It has been good since.

Mikee

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94807
Many thanks for all the responses to my query.
My problem seems to be primarily with the stiffness in the cord and its inability to get a relaxed coil inside the box. The motor seems to work well but it hangs up when there is no more room in the box for the cord to go. I would imagine that a new cord is softer and more relaxed but that seems like an expensive way to go.
Maybe it is too long and shortening it would help, and I already carry a 25 ft extension cord.
Michael, when you used the silicone spray was that on the cord to make it slide on itself better when coiling in the box?

Tom Oelsner

2006 Intrigue 12060

drtomo@...

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94809
I cut the top of the round black pot off so there is more room for the cord. Working fine for three years.

Bob Mussman

2006 Allure 31434

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94810
What's worked for me is to run the cord all the way out. Then lay it out on the ground straight and remove, by twisting, any coils or twists in the cord. then run it back in. If it starts to slip on the last few feet don't push it. Rather, pull it so that there is resistance on the cord. Mine has always run well after performing this exercise.

Good luck

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94811
Hi George

I wish some of these suggestions could have helped me on my last trip back to NH. I pushed the switch and I could hear the gears grinding. I had to wrap the cable around the tow hitch and drive that way from Nashville to NH. You can't push it back in by hand. When I got back. sure enough the drum was not turning.

Don Seager

Former CC Owner

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94813
Tom, That's exactly right. The coil binds up on itself, it's not a very satisfactory way of storing it frankly. But making the plastic sheath slippery helps enormously and providing the roller clamp is correctly adjusted no problems. I also cut a circular hole about 6 inches in diameter in the top of the box to access the adjuster in future and to get my hand into the coil drum. Got a disc of aluminium to cover it and replaced the carpet on top.
I had a somewhat similar problem on my boat many years back. The chain heaps up in the chain locker and then in boisterous conditions the heap falls over somewhat and so when you try to drop the anchor the chain would not release. This was because it was galvanised and rough. I changed to stainless steel, A4 316 stamped, slippery, and no more problems under any circumstance. So I applied the same principle... sort of!

Michael

2008 Allure 31683, in the UK!

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94814
We struggled with the same problem with our 2005 Eagle, but found a very simple solution. Twisting the cord gently as it retracts solved it. Nice when there is an easy answer to an ongoing problem. Norma and Tom Heck
2008 Intrigue (now)

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94817
Michael a couple of things you accomplished when you performed these steps. 1 you stretched the cable out taking all the kinks and bumps out. 2 you completely unrolled the cable which removes any loose wraps and less than optimum winds on the reel. 3 you cleaned all the dust and grime from the cover of the cable and also helped relax the individual wires inside the covering by wiping it down.
The silicon may even help the covering stay more pliable which helps too.
 

Re: Power cord retractor

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94926
Hello Tom ---This is a common problem and I stopped by the factory and they told me the problem is only about 10 feet is only used and what's left is like new and sticky and what they told me to do was to get some baby power and on a decent temp day to run the cord all the way out and put the power on a rag and wipe it down. And by golly it works, I just put it on my hands and that was easier.
Jack---2004 CC Alure