Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Awning Wind Sensor (Read 5368 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Awning Wind Sensor

Yahoo Message Number: 62882
We got caught in a hailstorm at Lake Tahoe a couple weeks ago and it broke me awning wind sensor off the top of my roof. I'm not having much luck finding a replacement. Any ideas where I can find one?

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62884
Dan,

Who made the awning? Have you checked with them?

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62887
Dan

I found a replacement for mine. Call me 406-257-2724

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62888
Hey, Dan, let the rest of us know too, please.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62963
Dan

The awning on my 2006 Allure was made by Carefree. The wind sensor (anometer) was stamped with the name Somfy. The Somfy tech staff stated and their website does not show any such item for an RV. They said it is possible that there was a special order made up for Carefree. A Somfy sister company us.simu.com 561-995-7502 shows a similar item for a retractactable awning. Reference 2279058 Replacement /Additional Wind Sensor. I got mine from a awning installer who was putting a automatic awning on my house and he had the item on his shelf. The installer sold it to me for $50 just to get rid of it. I did not price the item from SIMU.
I carefully pulled the old sensor off the shaft and pushed the new sensor on .

Hope this helps

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62981
Thanks Dan for taking the time to research the details for my wind sensor. I do have a Carefree, not a Girard. After talking to Kevin from K&M today I've decided to order a new one through him. If I understood you correctly, you "pulled your old sensor off the shaft and pushed the new one on". Mine didn't have a shaft, just two wires poking out a hole. Thanks to everyone else for responding. I belong to a couple other yahoo motorhome groups and they don't hold a candle to this group.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62993
I too have a Carefree, not a Girard.
The point is this. Neither Carefree nor Girard manufactured the sensor.
Carefree will no longer sell you the part. They want you to buy a $500 upgrade control kit.
Girard will still you the part which is the same part Carefree used in the past.

Jw

06 inspire 51544

Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62995
I have taken the KISS approach on the anemometer. After branches broke off two of the 'spoons' even with a cage protecting it I said 'screw it.' First, what the manufacturers want for a replacement is highway robbery. Second, I can read the weather forecast and use some common sense.

Going to bed . . . close the awning.

Going out for the day . . . close the awning.

Saved myself $100 or so.
Lee

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63004
Hi Dan

On our inspire with a carefree awning one of our cups was broken off when we bought it so i have been looking for the part for a while.A week or so ago at the redmond rally we had the awning out when we left and the awning was retracted when we got back. Couldnt figure it out because it kept happening and the wind sensor wasnt moving in the wind. I took a broom and bounced the end of the awning when it was out and the unit retacted. So i guess there is a sensor in the awning itself and i dont need the anenimometer. You might try shaking yours to see if it will still retract.

Rod
Inspire

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63005
Jw, since I had a Carefree, I tried to contact them and had less than a good experience, which seems to be the norm. The part I ordered is coming from Girard.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63018
Rod

I suspect your rig now has Carefree's upgrade kit which uses what they call a shaker box which is mounted to the awning arm. Those kits are $500 plus installation.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63022
I have an 07 Allure with auto A&E and I do not see any wind sensor for it. Think CC forgot? Mayhbe I don't kown what it looks like. It can be set for high low, etc. wind speed but never foound a wind sensor. I noticed most have a wheel that spins around on roof. So what am I missing on this Coach.
Don 07 Allure 31588

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63024
I have an A&E automatic on my coach and it does have a wind sensor. It however is a venturi type and not a spinner type. The sensor on mine appears to be a small pipe sticking up on the roof with a round cap on top. It is help up off the top of the pipe to allow wind to blow across the top creating a venturi effect in the pipe.

You have a much newer coach so maybe they did it differently.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63026
Interesting. We also have a 2007 Allure, serial 31447. Our coach has the anemometer type sensor for wind speed. It had three cups that spun a micro DC generator to provide wind speed signal. I say, had three cups on the shaft, now there are two after passing through a too low tree branch.
I called to order the cup device replacement and was told they no longer use that, I could buy the small generator with all cups but was told they now use a vibration sensing device that is less easily damaged. I could replace mine with that but just haven't. It hasn't been a priority as we have only had the awning extended once in the past year.
As our coaches are close in serial and both production model year 2007 I will be curious to hear your solution. Could your anemometer device have been totally removed by an obstruction or do you have the vibration sensing device already? Gerry Brown

2007 Allure 31447 430 Hood River

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63031
Lee I love your approach. The only thing wrong is I was standing just 10 yards from our coach and a hugh gust of wind came up. I ran to the coach (I am not that fast, but 10 yards is 10 yards) could not stop awing from collapse. Since it was a Giraud it just fell down and came back together and fixed its self while I just stared. Then when I got my 2006 (Care Free Awing) it does close. No matter how I adjust the awing the wind of a Bald Eagle fart will close the unit. So like you I really don't use it.

Jim Spivey 2006 Allure 31432

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63037
I agree Jim. While working at a park in Moab, UT one summer, I have seen the wind dead calm one minute and literally 30 seconds later doing 50 to 60 mph. I could tell by the cloud formation when 'norther' was going to strike but people would not listen. I could have saved so many awnings.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63050
Then when I got my 2006 (Care Free Awing) it does close. No matter how I adjust the awing the wind of a Bald Eagle fart will close the unit. So like you I really don't use it.

LOL

I have the same issue and solution. I don't use the awning unless I am around to manually set and retract it. I saw the cup barely move one revolution and trigger a retract. Carefree doesn't seem to care about this.

John

2007 Inspire 52028

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63052
I put a loop of string around my awning wind speed sensor because it reacts too slowly when it needs to, and over reacts when it does not need to. Also, the wind speed indicator is getting worn so it rattles and clatters when it turns. Now mine is essentially a manual awning rarely used, but exercised with all the other systems monthly.
I had a dust devil blow through when I first had the coach, and watched my awning blow up to a 45 degree angle - probably a 50 MPH gust. I just knew it was ruined. But, when it retracted is was fine. Girard (G-2000) builds good equipment, just takes too long to react to something like that. I can't imagine how it can be designed better.
If you had a way to anchor the end of the awning on poles, so it is not cantilevered so far, it would be much less likely to be damaged. If I ever decide on a stopping place, that may be an option. A portable support for temporary anchoring might use a ground screw type anchor and line to hold the awning down, and a pole to hold it up. In the forests of Oregon that might work well, but I would be reluctant to leave the awning out unsupervised in Texas or other windy place.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527

Re: Awning Wind Sensor

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63054
Replacement anemometer is available from Girard, about $100.00 plus tax/shipping. Part #9800151-04, described as "Wind Sensor II & V Anemometer". Girard's number is (949) 259-4000, located in San Clemente, CA. I found them as a source after extensive search; and had considering abandoning the hunt for a replacement, sealing off the hole, and just doing the awning thing manually as I have experienced the awning automatically closing in a light wind. I would like to be able to have the safety factor of an "automatic close" if we're not around when the wind kicks up though.

Jim Westling

'06 Allure #31400