BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Jason Worman on August 01, 2020, 08:45:24 PM

Title: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Jason Worman on August 01, 2020, 08:45:24 PM
Hi All,
I was curious about what max wind speed do you all allow before bringing in your awnings.

Thanks

Jason Worman
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: David T. Richelderfer on August 01, 2020, 08:58:11 PM
I believe the Girard automatic awnings have a wind-speed measuring device that automatically retracts the awning if 22 mph is registered.  Otherwise, we don't much worry about wind speeds unless the coach is rocking.
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Bill Lampkin on August 01, 2020, 10:03:36 PM
We have the automatic Girard awning on our Beaver. It will pull the awning in when the wind sensor says its too windy. The sensor's wind speed is adjustable, but really, the awning will tell you when you should retract it. If the awning is rockin', you probably should have pulled it in an hour ago. Its the wind gusts, not the average wind speed, that will spell trouble for your awning. I pull ours in at night regardless. There is a lot of force acting on that big awning, like the sail on a sailboat. I'll err on the side of caution on this one.
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Fred Brooks on August 02, 2020, 01:23:26 AM
     Jason,
  On the original Girard 2000, I believe there is 4 settings you can choose from. They are 13 mph up to 22 mph. Once you locate the 4" by 6" control box hidden in the front upper passenger side cabinets, remove the cover and locate the potentiometer and rotate to the desired adventure. Too low and it goes in all the time and too high and the awning gets to dancing before it retracts. Hope this helps, Fred
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Gerald Farris on August 02, 2020, 03:45:52 AM
Jason,
Since you do not have a Girard awning, and you have to manually retract your awning, I would put it in when winds between 12 and 15 MPH, depending on direction, and weather or it is gusting much above that speed. 

Gerald
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Jason Worman on August 02, 2020, 05:22:53 AM
Thank you everybody, all of you gave great advice from experience. As a follow up buying the 1995 Marquis Sapphire for the sale, the DW, just can't part with her beloved 1991 Contessa :)

Jason
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Richard Hicks on August 02, 2020, 02:22:12 PM
Where can you source the 3 cup wind speed rotor?
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Fred Brooks on August 02, 2020, 02:57:18 PM
  Hi Richard,
 I would recommend the newer style anemometer that Girard has engineered. The original 3 cup was never engineered for the rigors of an RV application. The original application of Girard awnings was on patios in France and the wind sensor was to retract them in excessive wind. The newer 3 finger version has stronger bearings to endure 60 mph winds as you travel down the road. Caution: on the older 2000 models, reverse wiring can cause the awning to extend instead of retracting. Check you installation with a hair dryer or other source of air movement. You can purchase them directly from Girard or Amazon. Hope this helps, Fred
Title: Re: Awning max wind speed
Post by: Gary Curtis on August 02, 2020, 04:31:22 PM
Thanks for that tip Fred!  I did not know I even needed one of these until this thread appeared.