Taming the Wind

Dometic’s Power Pro Kit will signal the awning to close in strong winds automatically, restoring peace of mind while preventing expensive collateral damage and down time.

Not all awnings are created equal, however. While summertime weather — prime camping season — is somewhat more predictable, the wind can still be a menace, causing substantial damage to the awning fabric and hardware if left out during a hard blow. Leaving the awning open while away from camp can present a whole new set of problems if the wind comes up unexpectedly. In my 50 years of working on RVs, I can’t even count the number of customers who came into my shop with awnings that did not fare well during a windstorm that came up unexpectedly while they were out hiking or boating. Returning to the camp and seeing a shredded awning and mangled hardware, along with a surprising amount of collateral damage, is always disheartening. Insurance will typically cover the repairs, but there’s still a deductible and the prospect of a ruined trip — or, at the very least, experiencing a lot of difficulty jury-rigging the leftover parts in order to get back on the road and to a service center.

While just about every RV built these days has a patio awning, some are equipped with sensors that will automatically put away the awning in strong winds. Heck, my own awning put itself away dozens of times during the last 12 years of full time living. Unfortunately, those without such protection are vulnerable to weather that can sometimes change on a dime — which is why Dometic’s Power Awning Pro Kit is a game-changer.

Closing in the Wind
Not long ago, adding sensors that automatically put away an awning was a complicated project. Dometic’s Power Awning Pro Kit (www.dometic.com) can be added with minimal effort and at a relatively low ($130) cost. Thanks to modern technology, the Dometic Pro Kit wind/motion sensor can now be installed on a power awning without much fanfare. The kit incorporates an advanced, wireless motion sensor that mounts easily to an existing bolt on most awnings. Included in the kit is a remote control, capable of operating the awning up to 100 feet away as well as being able to turn on/off and dim your LED strip lights, and sensitivity can be adjusted to customize your needs when parked in areas where the wind is not quite as strong. The control module has an ignition lockout for motorhomes to prevent accidental opening during travel, which complicates the installation a bit, and the kit comes with an On/Off switch so that the awning can be disabled when on the road. The kit is available on Amazon and at RV supply stores.

The installation process starts by extending the awning about 12 inches in order to mount the wireless sensor/receiver bracket on either end of the awning, using the existing ¼-inch bolt that holds the roller tube assembly in the hardware. You’ll need a helper to make sure the awning tube doesn’t jump out of position when the bolt is removed; if no one’s available, you might be able to stabilize the awning arm with cable ties or straps to ensure that the hardware doesn’t let loose. A rivet is then added to make sure the bracket is secured to the arm; a 3/16-inch hole will need to be drilled to install the rivet. Be sure you do not over tighten the ¼-inch bolt as it will break the bracket that holds the sensor in place.

You will need to attach the extend and the retract wires to the brown and blue wires from the control module. Unfortunately, they are not marked for direction so you will have to experiment to make sure that you get them correct; it won’t hurt anything if they are hooked up backwards by mistake. If the wires are reversed, the awning will try to retract instead of extend and vise-versa. If this happens, simply switch the two wires. Carefully follow the wiring instructions when hooking up the positive, negative, extend and retract wires. I recommend retaining the existing control switch in case there is a failure with one of the parts down the road.

If this product is being installed in a motorhome, it’s highly recommend to use the ignition lockout, if possible; this brings a secondary measure of safety while driving should you forget to disable the system with the On/Off switch. This process will not be easy, because the ignition switch is obviously nowhere near the awning. If you install the sensor at the front of the awning, you could run the ignition lockout wires down through the post between the windshield and a side window where there is always a trim on the inside. If you are unable to hook up the ignition lockout, use some kind of a clip or a notepad attached to the steering wheel as a reminder to shut the awning power off before you travel.

One thing to keep in mind: The awning will do a small amount of extending and retracting while pairing the wind sensor. Once the pairing is complete, the awning will extend and retract properly. To verify that the auto retract feature is working, climb on a ladder and, with the palm of your hand, shake the hardware near the sensor. In about 5-10 seconds, the awning will start to put itself away. When testing the motion sensor on the project trailer it worked flawlessly every time.

The only tools needed were a sufficient ladder to reach the top of the hardware, a voltmeter, miscellaneous terminals, screwdrivers, drill and bits, rivet gun, electrical tape and a scratch pad. You might want to take copious notes so as not to lose track of the wires. Also, you’ll need a fish tape if you end up pulling wires.