BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Dan Murphy on April 16, 2017, 08:22:42 PM
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Ok we have docked for the day and I want to extend my awning on the 09 Contessa ----but---no joy!! I have used search and found some references to a fuse in the bathroom linked to the Sat booster and thermostats --but our Sat and our air conditioners are ok. Could the fuse still be bad??
I can't find any fuse anywhere that says awning power on it!! Does anyone have a suggestion?? We seem to have power everywhere but to the awning switch. The switch to turn the awning power on does not light up at all.
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Dan, on our 07Contessa there is a fuse behind the awning switch. We had to remove the panel behind the switch to acces.s the fuse. We have the Carefree Eclips patio awning. Not sure if your rig was wired like ours.
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I looked through all my info and couldn't find a separate fuse or circuit breaker. The manual implies there is a 15 amp "mini breaker" in the electrical bay, but I don't see it. My next notion would be that it comes down to a fuse behind everyone's switch panel, as Bryan points out. But I'd also look for why it blew, such as something jamming the arm/roller mechanism.
The only other thing is to be sure the ignition is off, as I think the awning is otherwise locked out. That alone indicates a relay somewhere that cuts awning power when the ignition is on, but I don't see it in the bay either.
If it's the Carefree Eclipse, be especially mindful there's nothing askew with the motor drive, front arm, top black plastic housing. That's the only thing holding the thing up; ours free-fell/unrolled on a freeway because the drive shaft to roller tube sleeve connection failed. It's a poor design. There is as of last fall an aftermarket device available to securely pin the roller tube in place, but one has to remember to unlock it prior to hitting the extend switch or risk motor and drive sleeve damage.
Sorry. I got off your track a bit and on my soap box.
Joel
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I don't find any fuses behind the switches that are located on the passengers side console.The fuse in the bath area must be good cause the thermostats are working. Must be some kind of relay since I understand the switch is locked out by ignition switch. I think I have a CD disc of the wiring diagram somewhere and I will try to look at it tonite but not very likely I will see anything on it. The last time I referred to it I couldn't follow it very well.
Off to see St Augustine for the day!!
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Dan,
On my 07, the fuse is located in the awning controller box.
Steve
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Steve
Where is your awning controller box located??
Dan
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Indeed I proved to myself the awning power switch lamp was out if the 10 amp minifuse labeled thermostat/sat dish/TV boost was pulled in the bathroom electric box. Thanks, Dan for pointing that out, so I could addendum the fuse labels in my documents. But there has to be more if there's an ignition interlock.
I'm not sure where the controller box is either at the moment, but I'd guess, and that's all it is, behind the switch panel. You'd have to remove the entire all-inclusive backboard panel to get at it, not just the switch escutcheon. Here's a link to an installation manual, which may not be your exact model of course, but has diagrams of the controller box so you know what you may need to find and where its 15 amp minifuse is.
http://www.nwrvsupply.com/manuals/cc_eclipse_installation.pdf
-Joel
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Dan,
It's behind the controls on the inside of the magazine rack next to the co-pilot's seat. I happened to be working on mine so was able to get a couple of pics that may help. Note the fuse in the controller.
Steve
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Thanks, Steve. I had no idea all that stuff might be behind there. Maybe the ignition interlock device noted in the installation instructions is in there also.
Joel
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Thanks Steve and Joel. I will try to look at this soon and get back to you.Sightseeing is on the agenda today and no time to look.
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Update-------I was able to find the awning controller behind a small panel UNDERneath the magazine rack where the fire extinguisher is mounted. Wow! was it tough to get to but by moving the seat various ways i got it undone and found the little white box. Now the next trick was getting my arms in there to try and remove fuse for testing. I am realizing why it takes so long and cost so much to troubleshoot these machines!!
It is a 15 amp fuse and it was good---so that is not the fix. Could this be some kind of relay and where will I find THAT???
Golfing in 1 hr here at Pawleys Island so no more looking today. I will look some more on Sunday probably but if anyone can help with any more information jump in here please.
Been talking to Dave Atherton also about the engine---running fine on flat ground but NO BOOST! I have no idea what is up with that!I will make a separate post about that!
Still love Rv'ing!!!!!
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Dan,
Check the connectors that go into the white controller box. I was working on mine earlier this week and found that one of the pins in the power connector was not seated. It showed up as an intermittent power problem when I wiggled the wires. Fix was to slightly bend the 2 tabs on the pin and reinsert it into the connector. Also, if you have a volt meter, check that you have 12V on the 12V connector going into the controller.
Steve
Steve
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Thanks Steve, I will check the connector for 12 volt when we park Monday.
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Update on patio awning----I never could figure out why I had no power to the of-on switch for the patio awning. I looked everywhere but finally I ran a jumper wire from the power supply to the door awning switch over to the patio awning switch and now it works.
Does anybody see a future or possible problem with running this jumper wire??? It seemed like a simple fix.
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Dan,
The patio awning uses less current then the main awning so the supply current could be limited if it was originally intended to be wired separately with a lighter gauge wire. It seems more likely that there was one 12V supply line to both awnings and they were just never wired right to begin with. If the main awning motor seems to not struggle and extends and retracts normally and no fuse or breaker opens then it all should be fine.
Later Ed
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Dan,
Following up on Ed's advice, check your voltage when operating the awning. Mine was only getting about 9V, (12V when not operating) even at supply wire going into awning controller, indicating a poor connection. I picked up a better voltage and ground source by tapping in to the co-pilot chair power. The leads are 12awg and you'll never be operating both awning and chair at the same time. You can easily fish the wires under the carpet and use a screw driver to gently pry up the magazine rack just enough to get them to the awning supply circuit. I took this route because I couldn't locate the sources of the awning ground and power.
Steve
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Steve and Ed
When I jumped the hot lead to the power on/off switch the awning worked but I did not ck the voltage. How would I know would I check at the motor on the awning??
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Hope you loved St Augustine as much as we did. Touristy us, we took the red trolley for two days. Flager College's student led tour of the former Ponce De Leon Hotel is a must. The gilded age for sure!
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Because you have a multiplex wiring system before leaving that jumper wire disconnect all batteries and solar for no less than 30 minutes. Reconnect and see if it resets. Found that out workin on Mike Humbles coach at Hilton Head Island rally.
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Dan,
There should be 2 "studs" on the motor cover (on end of awning arm nearest front of coach). They are 12v & Gnd at the motor. On mine I got pretty much same reading at the controller (12v in and at awning motor power out) as I did at motor so I'd check at controller first. It's easier ot access and if it's low there it's low at the awning.
Steve
Steve
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Dan,
You can measure right where you made the jumper connections while the awning is being operated, voltage at awning motor will be the same given it is so close.
Later Ed