If you've spent any time in an RV with a high-end setup, you've probably heard the whir of your girard awning wind sensor kicking in just as a breeze picks up. It's one of those components you don't really think about until it either saves your awning from a nasty gust or starts acting up in the middle of a quiet afternoon. These sensors are basically the "panic button" for your outdoor shade, designed to pull everything back in before the wind can turn your expensive patio cover into a giant sail.
Let's be honest, Girard awnings aren't exactly cheap. They're beautiful, sleek, and add a ton of value to a coach, but they are also vulnerable to the elements. That's where the wind sensor comes into play. It acts as a silent sentry, constantly measuring how much movement or wind speed is happening, and making the executive decision to retract the awning when things get a bit too dicey.
Why This Little Sensor Is a Big Deal
You might think you can just keep an eye on the weather yourself, but wind is unpredictable. One minute it's a light breeze, and the next, a microburst is trying to rip the arms off your mounting brackets. The girard awning wind sensor is there because humans get distracted. We go inside to make a sandwich, we take a nap, or we walk over to a neighbor's campsite. In those ten minutes, a lot can happen.
Most of these sensors work on a pretty simple principle, but the technology varies depending on the model you have. Some older setups use an anemometer—those little spinning cups you see on top of some RV roofs. Others use a motion sensor (often called a G-force sensor) tucked right inside the lead rail of the awning itself. Regardless of the style, the goal is the same: prevent structural damage.
How the Sensor Actually Does Its Job
If you have the motion-style girard awning wind sensor, it's actually measuring the physical "bounce" of the awning. When the wind gets under the fabric, it starts to oscillate. Once that vibration hits a certain threshold that the control box deems "dangerous," it sends a signal to the motor to bring it in. It's pretty smart because it ignores minor shakes but reacts quickly to sustained or violent movement.
The roof-mounted versions are a bit more literal. They measure actual wind speed in miles per hour. If the cups spin fast enough to hit your preset limit, the awning closes. Both systems are reliable, but they do require a little bit of understanding to keep them running right. You don't want to be the person standing outside in a rainstorm wondering why your awning is still fully extended while the wind is howling.
Dialing in the Right Sensitivity
One of the most common things RV owners deal with is a sensor that's just a bit too sensitive. It can be frustrating when your girard awning wind sensor pulls the awning in because someone closed the RV door too hard or a tiny puff of air blew by. On the flip side, you definitely don't want it so "lazy" that the awning is flapping like a flag before it decides to move.
Most Girard systems allow you to adjust this. Usually, there's a small dial on the control box or a setting on your remote. It's often a trial-and-error process. If you find the awning is retracting way too often, you can nudge the sensitivity down a notch. Just remember, every time you lower the sensitivity, you're taking a bit more of a risk. It's always better to have an "annoying" sensor that retracts too much than a broken awning arm that costs thousands to replace.
When Things Go Wrong: Quick Troubleshooting
It's inevitable that at some point, you'll look up and realize things aren't working quite right. Maybe the awning won't come out at all, or maybe it's ignoring the wind entirely. If your girard awning wind sensor seems to be on strike, the first thing to check is the power. It sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how often a blown fuse or a disconnected wire is the culprit.
If you have the wireless motion sensor version, check the batteries. These little units usually run on AAA or coin-cell batteries, and when they get low, they often send a "fail-safe" signal to the motor. This means the awning might stay retracted and refuse to extend because the system doesn't know if it's safe or not. Replacing the batteries once a year is a solid habit to get into, even if they aren't dead yet.
Another common issue is debris. If you have the spinning cup style on the roof, a stray leaf or a spider web can actually jam the mechanism. If the cups can't spin, the system thinks there's zero wind, which is a recipe for disaster. A quick climb up the ladder to make sure everything is spinning freely can save you a lot of heartaches.
Keeping the Sensor Happy Over Time
Maintenance for a girard awning wind sensor isn't exactly a full-time job, but a little bit of love goes a long way. If your sensor is the roof-mounted type, give it a visual inspection every time you wash the rig. Look for cracks in the plastic or any signs of UV damage. The sun is brutal on these components, and eventually, the plastic can become brittle.
For the internal motion sensors, make sure the housing is snapped shut tightly. If moisture gets inside the sensor pod, it can corrode the circuit board. If you notice any weird behavior after a heavy rain, that might be why. You can usually pop the cover off and let it dry out, but if the corrosion has already started, you might be looking at a replacement.
Replacing a Dead Sensor
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the sensor just gives up the ghost. Maybe it took a hit from a low-hanging branch, or maybe it just reached the end of its natural life. Replacing a girard awning wind sensor isn't usually a massive project, but you do need to make sure you get the exact replacement model. Girard has updated their tech over the years, and older control boxes might not "talk" to the newest sensors.
Once you have the new part, it's usually a matter of syncing it to your control box. This often involves holding down a button on the remote or the control module until it beeps, then triggering the sensor so they can pair up. It's a lot like pairing a garage door opener. If you aren't comfortable with electronics, any decent RV tech can do this in about twenty minutes.
Is It Really Necessary?
I've met a few old-school campers who swear they don't need a girard awning wind sensor. They say they just "know" when to pull it in. That's fine until you're deep in a conversation or a sudden thunderstorm rolls over the ridge faster than expected. The reality is that these sensors are a safety feature, much like the airbags in your car. You hope you never truly need them to "save" you, but you're sure glad they're there when things get hairy.
Ultimately, owning a Girard awning is a bit of a luxury, and part of that luxury is the peace of mind that comes with automation. When that girard awning wind sensor does its thing and starts pulling in the fabric while you're still sitting on the sofa, it's a great feeling. It's one less thing to worry about in a lifestyle that's supposed to be all about relaxing and enjoying the view. Keep it clean, keep the batteries fresh, and let it do the heavy lifting for you.