Troubleshooting Non-Function Arms On A Solera Smart Arm RV Awning

Question:

We have a 2021 Prime Time Sanibel model 3102. It has the Lippert Solara smart awning on the front awning. Under warranty 2 controllers have been replaced by Camping World which was a irritating process with them. The 3rd controller I ordered through your company which I have always been very pleased with your service and assistance! The last controller I ordered because Camping world said they couldnt get from lippert for 2 months so I ordered from your company and had in 4 or 5 days max! I also called the Hot line with Camping world complaining about the Nashville tn service departments terrible service and attitude and requesting there mobile service to come install tge part. The tech came out and I told him I wanted to assist in the installation because knowing moisture was the problem I had him connect the controller but before we slid a shrink tube on the harness also used liquid rubber tape over his electrical tape of the connections. Also put liquid rubber on the top of the controller at the connector for extra moisture protection and when dry slide the shrink tube down over the top of controller and heated the tube to shrink and seal. I then put some liquid rubber on the top of the shrink tube for good measure! So for almost 2 yrs and 7 trips the smart awning has worked well. Now Camping the light was blinking green on the controller and my wife pushed the inside awning out button and it does nothing and the green controller light went off and have no power now? Tried the reset pushing buttons top to bottom then holding bottom for 10sec and nothing. Any suggestions? Also why cant the controller be disconnected and make this awning simply operate from the inside panel as the rear awning operates? Seems that would be a fix,,,we really hate the Dumb/Smart awning system!

asked by: Curtis J

Expert Reply:

If the light is off on the controller for your Solera Awning # LC517517 then either the controller is bad or you just have a simple power issue. I recommend tracing the wiring to the power source and using a multimeter # PT89ZR to see if the line has power. If not, then your power source may need to be recharged or there could be a blown in-line fuse that needs to be replaced to allow power to pass to the controller.

Unfortunately with this style system the controller needs to be on the arms and doesn't have a remote option like a standard awning would. If you wanted to swap away from this style you would only need to replace the arms with part # LC362243. This would come with a switch that can be ran to a battery for power and installed inside the trailer for easier use.

expert reply by: Kevin C