Installing Lippert Components Solera Power Awning Replacement Motor

Updated 09/14/2020 | Published 05/16/2017

Question:

Changing the motor seems simple at a glance but I am concerned about the tension in the roller and does removal of the motor disconnect the roller from the support arm? I see you say a couple of screws but what about the gears the motor drives to move the roller?

asked by: Thomas

Expert Reply:

The Solera awnings do not use a spring that applies tension on it so that won't be a concern. What you will want to do when installing the Solera Power Awning Replacement Motor # LC266149 is to bring the awning out about 12 inches or so and then secure the arms. Lippert suggests using zip ties on the arms to keep them in place.

Once you have the arms secured it's just plug and play to install the new motor.

expert reply by: Charles S

S.dean

6/2/2020

I have read other Q&A threads on this site regarding installation questions for this replacement motor, and they suggest that there “is” some spring tension in the roll tube. I recently removed my faulty motor with the awning fully extended, not knowing that tension would be lost. Please explain how to reset the correct spring tension in the roll tube to ensure the awning will operate properly.

Chris R.

6/5/2020

When installing/adjusting a Solera Awning tension is applied by rotating the awning roller around 12 to 14 times.

S.dean

6/5/2020

@ChrisR Is there a way to add this tension without detaching the fabric?

Chris R.

6/9/2020

@SDean I wish I had a better solution for but that's the only way we know of to apply or adjust the tension on these awnings.

Dennis H.

9/6/2020

Hi, I just replaced my motor on my solera awning on a 17' Starcraft trailer. The trailer is 4 years old and since the day I bought it the awning retracts very slowly which I figured why the motor burned up. Now the new motor doesn't do any better in retracting the awning. I was going to try to adjust the spring tension but in your Q and A on that you said Solera doesn't use a spring, If that's the case then why are so many of these awnings having difficulties in retracting the awning. I know this motor isn't going to last very long if I don't get the the bottom of this problem.

Jon G.

9/9/2020

Here is what Lippert says about a Solera awning moving slowly in their troubleshooting manual: A. The awning will run slower during retract than extend. Retract is approximately 35 seconds while extend is approximately 27 seconds on a fully-charged battery. B. Ensure there are 12 volts where the unit wire meets the awning wire during retract. C. Ensure the pitch arms are not bent in an upward direction. D. Ensure the ground wire before the switch has a good connection to the battery or chassis.

Dennis H.

9/9/2020

Thanks Jon, I read that too. My awning takes 23 seconds to open and 34 seconds to close. Still doesn't answer if there is any spring assist in the awning. I also don't understand S. Dean's situation. If the spring tension was lost taking the motor off then I would think there should be a way to wind it back on again without removing the material. Does the drive shaft go straight thru to the idler side of the tube or is that the shaft for a spring torsion bar assembly?

Jon G.

9/14/2020

@DennisH The only Lippert Solera awnings that will use a spring tensioner are manual patio awnings or if it's a slide topper. SDean could very well have had either of those when he asked his question. I reached out to my contact at Lippert who confirmed this and suggested that maybe SDean has a awning from a different manufacturer. For the electric Solera awnings you will want to follow the steps in this manual (under the power and hybrid section) https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/technical-information-sheets/awnings/ccd_0002066.pdf