Is the Solera Awning Power Kit More Reliable Than the Manual Kit  

Question:

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are referring to the Solera Manual Pull Style to Power Awning Conversion Kit part # LC329251 for black or part # LC337727 for white. The gears in either of these or the Solera Manual Crank Style Awning Drive Head part # LC300031 for black or part # LC300029 are made of metal, not plastic. The construction of the gears are the same but the configuration will be different when comparing manual to power.

It's rather hard to say one is going to last longer than the other as they are just different. The gearing in the power version is more sophisticated but you also have to worry about the electric motor going bad. I was however able to speak with Lippert and they said that the power kits are assembled in house whereas the manual kits are assembled by another manufacturer. They both have a one year warranty.

Please note that when using the manual kit, the angle at which you turn the output shaft on the head does matter. This will need to be done as straight up and down as possible. If you turn the output shaft at an angle this will then create a pitch which causes the gears to wear faster. There could also be a binding issue on the awning which is causing the gears to strip faster which you will want to check before installing either of the new kits.

expert reply by: Conner L

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