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Old 06-21-2017, 06:46 PM   #41
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Come to another Fall NOG and we'll give it a workout and determine it's ability
No doubt, 18 days with rain pretty much every day, and a few days where it was extremely wicked, but made for really cool ocean watching.
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Jim, did you check the setting on the sensor? Ours was set originally between 3 and 4. I tried 1 and it is very sensitive, it still takes about 8 seconds but very minor shaking set it off. I have it on 8 so it does not go off now though since there is an issue with ours possibly catching the tab on the front.
It's a good last resort but I do not plan on trusting it when I fix the slope problem. I'll retract if we are not around the trailer.
At least doing so is easy now. I do remember the one with an 18 footer it was a pain to do by myself. Even the 10 foot on the last was not quick to do, Push a button now and watch.
I do plan to reset my awning, just have not got around to it. I may try a setting of 8 first to see how that works for me.

You are right, to retract it is so darn easy now. I am more than glad to do that for potential winds, just disappointing I have to do it in case it rains. I am just used to deploying the awning as part of my camp set up, and leaving it extended for the duration of my stay. Only when strong winds are threatening, did I ever bring the awning in while still set up.

Like I said previously, I guess I may have to go with a separate stand alone shelter. I hate being forced inside just because of rain.
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Old 06-21-2017, 06:53 PM   #42
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The manufacturer of the Carefree Fiesta awning says to not leave it deployed and unattended. They also recommend stowing it when it's windy.

We've been frequent violators of those rules, guilty as charged. There have been quite a few times when the wind started blowing and I've watched Casita owners running back to their trailer to stow their Fiamma awning while I sat under ours doing nothing. Its very sturdy and can stand up to a breeze easily. In fact, if deployed properly, its so rigid that a wind gust will make it shake the trailer. Of course, if its really gusty or stormy we stow it.

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Thanks for the feedback!
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:00 PM   #43
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We have had our awning retract a couple times in light wind. It has also retracted while I was wiping leaves off of it. I have adjusted the slope on mine to allow for better water run off but dont want to test the dump feature and will not deploy more than a couple feet in the rain until I know more about this feature. I changed the batteries in the sensor just so I know it has a fresh set in it.
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:04 PM   #44
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awning

Where is this sensitivity switch ? Is it the little plastic thing that holds the batteries ? so maybe set it at 3-4 ? Jim
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:07 PM   #45
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?.. Are they deploying them at orientation but no way to tell if wind or water feature works? That could be a first check on the shake-down stays or right outside of the factory. No telling, I guess, how yours worked, or did not, in the first place.
Dennis did our orientation and shook the open awning to show the auto retract feature. He was also careful to show us how to change the sensors setting and battery.
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:08 PM   #46
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Where is this sensitivity switch ? Is it the little plastic thing that holds the batteries ? so maybe set it at 3-4 ? Jim
Yes, if I remember correct the lower the number the more sensitive it is but its in the manual.
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:25 PM   #47
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For those with manual awning experiences.... Did you leave your awning out over night, and/or away for a few hours during the day? ...or is it always supposed to be closed when not in attendance, electronic OR supported with the manual set-up?
At night it depends on the weather and where I'm located.

If it's heavily treed I leave it out.
When we are out west where it's dry I take it in.
When on the east coast where dew covers everything at night I try and leave it out, or at least leave it out enough to cover the chairs, weather permitting.
Pretty much if I think there's any chance of an issue, I take it in.
I'd bet it takes me less then a minute to take it in.

I do drop one corner, and sometime the whole front at night if leaving it out.

The awning makes a good deal of noise when the wind starts to kick up, so far I've always heard it. Same with thunder. If I hear either I take it in.

I always take it in if we are leaving the campground.

I did pick up a sun screen for next winter in AZ, thinking on getting a set of awning tie downs as it may be a hassle to take it in every night. The big class A's is see leave them out all the time, tied down.
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:35 PM   #48
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Where is this sensitivity switch ? Is it the little plastic thing that holds the batteries ? so maybe set it at 3-4 ? Jim
Yes, retract your awning to the point where you can reach the little white plastic box under the awning. Now shut the power off to the awning, you do not want it to possibly move while you are doing things to it. Grab the box and pull it to the left. It has arrows on it showing that. There is a little open spot in the back, slip a knife in and press and the back opens up. The little dial has 1 to 9 on it on the circuit board. Ours was set between 3 and 4. While there consider replacing the AAA batteries. Going back is simply reversing steps with turning power back to the awning the last thing you do.

Edit, also make sure to look at the polarity markings on the board. The board has 2 springs at the base making it look like both batteries would go the same way.
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Old 06-21-2017, 07:36 PM   #49
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At night it depends on the weather and where I'm located.

If it's heavily treed I leave it out.
When we are out west where it's dry I take it in.
When on the east coast where dew covers everything at night I try and leave it out, or at least leave it out enough to cover the chairs, weather permitting.
Pretty much if I think there's any chance of an issue, I take it in.
I'd bet it takes me less then a minute to take it in.

I do drop one corner, and sometime the whole front at night if leaving it out.

The awning makes a good deal of noise when the wind starts to kick up, so far I've always heard it. Same with thunder. If I hear either I take it in.

I always take it in if we are leaving the campground.

I did pick up a sun screen for next winter in AZ, thinking on getting a set of awning tie downs as it may be a hassle to take it in every night. The big class A's is see leave them out all the time, tied down.
Thank you for the additional considerations. Like to be flexible without being stupid
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:08 PM   #50
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Thank you for the additional considerations. Like to be flexible without being stupid
I hope you realize that the two last people to whom you made comments are referring to the old awning, not the one you will be getting. Any of us with Escapes prior to the new generation do not have your awning,
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:20 PM   #51
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I hope you realize that the two last people to whom you made comments are referring to the old awning, not the one you will be getting. Any of us with Escapes prior to the new generation do not have your awning,
Yep: precisely what I asked about.
Thanks for checking though.
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:35 PM   #52
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Where is this sensitivity switch ? Is it the little plastic thing that holds the batteries ? so maybe set it at 3-4 ? Jim
male poster: thingy

female poster: thingie

This according to a post on another thread.

"thing" is incorrect

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Old 06-21-2017, 10:48 PM   #53
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Guilty, I may be the male poster, cause I do use "thingy" for things with no obvious name.
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Old 07-02-2017, 01:09 AM   #54
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Just an update. Tammy told me to contact Dometic, which I did. The representative told me that it was very unlikely the damage would be covered under warranty, as it doesn't cover acts of God and shouldn't. E used in the train. (So why promote a self-dumping feature?!?). She advised me to email photos, which I hope to do tomorrow. Not feeling real happy.
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Old 07-02-2017, 01:15 AM   #55
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Just an update. Tammy told me to contact Dometic, which I did. The representative told me that it was very unlikely the damage would be covered under warranty, as it doesn't cover acts of God and shouldn't. E used in the train. (So why promote a self-dumping feature?!?). She advised me to email photos, which I hope to do tomorrow. Not feeling real happy.
The awning did not work as advertised, it seems to me.
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Old 07-02-2017, 01:19 AM   #56
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Yes, saying it shouldn't be used in the rain while also stating it has a self dumping feature is pretty silly.

Besides, sitting under our awning when it's raining is one of our favorite ways to use it, provided there's no high winds along with the rain.
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Old 07-02-2017, 01:23 AM   #57
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Just an update. Tammy told me to contact Dometic, which I did. The representative told me that it was very unlikely the damage would be covered under warranty, as it doesn't cover acts of God and shouldn't. E used in the train. (So why promote a self-dumping feature?!?). She advised me to email photos, which I hope to do tomorrow. Not feeling real happy.
As someone with a 19 ordered, this thread is disheartening. I'm going to be worried about using this awning. Really hope someone takes care of you.
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Old 07-02-2017, 01:57 AM   #58
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I'm going to be worried about using this awning.
If I am not mistaken, ETI still has the option of a manual operating awning.
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Old 07-02-2017, 02:05 AM   #59
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If I am not mistaken, ETI still has the option of a manual operating awning.
I'm sure you are correct, but certainly not listed on the build sheet as an option. Guess it would be a special request.
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Old 07-02-2017, 02:41 AM   #60
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Bakes99 - don't panic. It's a great, slick little awning and I was really loving it. Just treat it with the same caution as you would any other awning and "ignore" the self-dumping and self-retracting claims. Sure a lot easier to "set up" for one person than a manual awning!
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