Dometic A&E Systems 8500 User manual

Sunchaser, 8500 & 9000 Awnings User’s Guide
1
REVISION:
FormNo.3309804.02309/06
(Replaces3309804.015)
(French3309805.020)
©2006DometicCorporation
LaGrange,IN46761
A&E
SUNCHASER, 8500, 9000
Patio Awning
For
8275000 Series
Sunchaser Hardware
8485000 Series
Universal Hardware
used with
8500 or 9000
Model Series Awnings
USA
SERVICEOFFICE
DometicCorporation
2320IndustrialParkway
Elkhart,IN46516
574-294-2511
CANADA
DometicCorporation
46 Zatonski, Unit 3
Brantford,ONN3T5L8
CANADA
519-720-9578
For Service Center
AssistanceCall:
800-544-4881
USER’SGUIDE
USER’SGUIDE
8275000 & 8485000
SERIES
HARDWARE

Sunchaser, 8500 & 9000 Awnings User’s Guide
2
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This manual has safety information and instruc-
tionstohelpuserseliminateorreducetheriskof
accidentsandinjuries.
RECOGNIZE SAFETY INFORMATION
Thisisthe safety-alertsymbol.Whenyouseethis
symbolinthismanual,be alerttothe potentialfor
personalinjury.
Follow recommended precautions and safe op-
eratinginstructions.
UNDERSTAND SIGNAL WORDS
Asignal word ,WARNING ORCAUTION is used
withthesafety-alertsymbol.They givethelevel of
riskforpotentialinjury.
indicates apotentiallyhazard-
oussituation which, ifnot avoided, couldresultin
deathorseriousinjury.
indicates a potentially hazard-
ous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
minorormoderateinjury.
used without the safety alert
symbol indicates, a potentially hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, may result in property
damage.
Readandfollowallsafetyinformationandinstruc-
tions.
!
WARNING
!
CAUTION
CAUTION
!
A. TO OPENAWNING
1. Pinchlockto release rafter from main arm assem-
bly and loosen rafter knobs. See FIG. 1.
2. Use the pull rod to hook and pull down lock lever.
See FIG. 2.
3. Hook the pull rod in the loop on the pull strap and
pull awning all the way out. See Fig. 3.
4. Swing rafter out and towards the roller tube end
cap.Hook the rafterclaw onto torsionrod inside of
the end cap. See FIG. 4.
Hook Lock
Lever And Pull
Down
FIG. 2
Hook Pull Rod In
Loop And Pull
Awning All The
Way Out
FIG. 3
a. WhenopeninganawningwithShortUniversal
Hardware,pull ontherafterclawtotelescope
the two inner channels out of the assembly.
The innermost channel must extend out until
thespringbuttonpopsintheholeontheupper
surface of the middle channel. See FIG. 4A.
Hooktherafter clawontotorsionrodinsideof
the end cap. See FIG. 4.
Pinch Lock
To Release
FIG. 1

Sunchaser, 8500 & 9000 Awnings User’s Guide
3
Important:Never leave the roller tube level with the
awning rail, adjust both arms of the Universal Hard-
ware 7 to 8 adjustable arm holes below awning rail
(fabric slope approximately 10 degrees). Sunchaser
hardware should be in the water shed position. See
FIG. 9.
6. Slide pull strap to the right hand end of the roller
tube and wrap around arm. See FIG. 6.
7. While holding arm, pull up on the lift handle to re-
lease and lift awning to desired height. Release
handle and allow the lock button to engage into a
hole in the adjustable arm. See FIG. 7.
8. To place the awning in the carport position, press
the release lever on the bottom mounting bracket
andpull thearm away. Move to a vertical position,
and secure in place with stakes. Raise to desired
height. Repeat on opposite end. See FIG. 8.
Lifting Hazard: Use extreme caution when lift-
ing arm off bottom mounting bracket. If not
controlled Fabric Roller TubeAssembly could
cause back injury and or damage to RV and
Awning.
FIG. 8
WARNING
!
Water Pooling Hazard:
Whenever heavy rain is expected the awning
must be placed in the storage position. Pool-
ing of water on top of the awning fabric, will
make the awning unstable causing the arms
and roller tube to bend or collapse. Never re-
lease lift handle locks with water pooled on
canopy. This will result in personal injury,
death and damages to the awning and/or rec-
reational vehicle.
Wrap Pull Strap
Around RightArm
Assembly
FIG. 6
Pull Up On Handle
To Release Lock
Button, Lower
Handle to Engage
Button
FIG. 7
5. While stretching fabric taut, tighten knob. Repeat
on opposite side. The rafter in the arm with the
watershed featureis positionedhigher, this could
make tightening of the knob more difficult. The
knob is designed with a groove. Insert the end of
the 23" wire handle (supplied) in the groove and
tighten the knob by turning the handle. See FIG. 5
& 5A.
Loosen Knob Swing,
Rafter Towards End
CapAnd Hook, Stretch
Fabric Taut, Tighten
Knob
FIG. 5
Place
Rod In
Groove
ToAnd
Turn
FIG. 5A
FIG. 4 Hook Rafter Claw
Onto Torsion Rod
Torsion
Rod
FIG.
4a
Middle Channel
Innermost
Channel / Claw
Spring Button

Sunchaser, 8500 & 9000 Awnings User’s Guide
4
B. TO CLOSE AWNING
1. When in the carport position, remove stakes from
thegroundandunwrappullstrap. Grasptheupper
arm with both hands, and raise lift handle to re-
leaselock button. Lowerarms to theirshortest po-
sition against the stops. See FIG. 10.
2. Makesure the lock lever on the awning right hand
torsion is in the roll down position.
Pinch hazard: Always check to ensure the
lock lever is in the roll down position. Failure
to place Lock Lever in the roll down position
will allow the awning to roll up unexpectedly
andquickly resulting in pinching of hand, arm
and/or damage to awning.
WARNING
!
4. Loosen knob and unhook the rafter end from the
torsion top casting.
a. If using Short Universal Hardware, telescope
theinnermostchannel into the middlechannel
by proessing down on the spring button and
pushing the channel inward. Make sure that
the innermost and middle channels will tele-
scopefreelyintotheoutermostchannel before
attempting to roll up the awining.
3. Snap the patio foot into the bottom mounting bracket
on the coach side wall. Repeat on opposite side. See
FIG. 11.
Raise Handle To
Release Lock
Button, Lower To
Shortest Position
FIG. 10
ON Universal models: Be sure to follow the
instructionsinsidethe of the hardwareregard-
ing proper stowing. Attempting to stow the
rafteron the footat the base ofthe water dump
device could damage the hardware.
CAUTION
FIG. 11
Snap Patio Foot Into Bracket
FIG. 12
Push Lock Lever
Up
5. ForSunchasermodels, swing raftersbackagainst
side wall resting on top of the patio foot in the arm
assembly.Repeat for oppositeside. For Universal
models do the same thing on the side without the
water dump feature. However, on the water dump
featureinstall the endof the rafteron the pinat the
topof the gasspring. (See decalinside Water fea-
turearm.)
6. Grasppull strap in lefthand and movetowardsthe
center of the roller tube. Hook the pull rod in the
pull strap loop. See FIG. 12.
Important: Do Not release pull strap. Awning is un-
der spring tension and it could roll up unexpectedly
and quickly against the vehicle side.
Note: Universal hardware is designed with a water dump
featurethat will lowerone side of theawning to allowwater
to run off. Before the water dump feature will operate as
designed, lower both arms 7 to 8 holes (fabric slope ap-
proximately10 degrees)below thecoach awningrail. The
water dump feature will not work if awning is flat. See FIG.
9.
Important: If the 8485000 hardware is used with a
tension rafter the water dump feature is disabled. The
awning must be placed in the water dump position
the same as the 8275000 hardware.
Note: Sunchaser Model Series 8275000 hardware is not
equippedwiththewaterdumpfeatureandonearmmustbe
an additional 7-8 holes (fabric slope approximately 10 de-
grees) lower than the other arm before it is in the water
dumpconfiguration SeeFIG. 9.
Note: Neverleaveanopenawningunattended.
FIG. 9
Lower Arm Away From
Door 7-8Additional Holes
1. If lightrains are expected, place theawning in the
water shed position. See FIG. 9.

Sunchaser, 8500 & 9000 Awnings User’s Guide
5
7. Whileholding the pullstrap, push thelock lever on
the right awning end cap to the roll up position.
8. Controlthe speed of theawning and allowit to roll
up,whilemovingthepullstrap diagonally to the left
or right to prevent it from bunching up.
9. Squeezethe rafter into themain arm untila click is
heard.Thiswillindicateitislockedinplace. Tighten
knobs on both sides to secure in place.
C. CAREAND USE
1. Whenever the awning is wet while rolled up, as
soon as conditions allow, roll it out and let it dry
before rolling it up again. This will help prevent
mildew and rotting.
2. Mildew does not form on the fabric itself, but on
the accumulated dust, dirt and grime. Periodi-
cally clean vinyl or woven acrylic. Refer to clean-
ing instructions below for fabric care.
3. Always make sure the awning is extended high
enoughbefore opening the entry door.
4. Apply silicone spray lubricant as needed to keep
theawning’smovingpartsoperating smoothly. For
easeof operation onhardware, rub candle waxon
all sliding surfaces.
5. A&E8500and SUNCHASER:
a. Abrasion, weather and long hours in the sun
arevinyl’s worst enemies.Toavoidtheseprob-
lems,you will needto keep yourawning fabric
clean.Use a mixture of1/4 cup dish soap,1/4
cupbleach andfivegallonsoffreshwater.Soap
the open awning with this mixture, then roll it
up and let stand for five minutes. Rolling up of
theawning willapply the mixture to the under-
side of the fabric. Unroll the awning and hose
offthetopandbottomwithcleanwater. Repeat
if necessary and allow to completely dry.
6. A&E 9000 :
a. Inaddition to itsbeauty and softtranslucence,
woven acrylic fabric offers the advantages of
strength and breathable. It is water repellent;
but because it is a woven cloth, it is not water
proof. To keep youracrylic awning clean, sim-
ply hose it off occasionally and let it dry. Do
NotScrub.
b. Avoidtouchingtheundersideofthe9000canopy
when it is wet. To do so will break the surface
tension of the water and encourage seepage
throughthefabric.
c. Because woven acrylic is of a much lighter
weightthan vinyl, shifting may occur if theaw-
ningandpull straparenotcentrallyalignedwith
the fabric roller tube while the awning is being
rolledup. Ifnecessary, roll theawning out and
adjustthe alignment.
7. When To Get More Help:
a. Ifmalfunctionsoccur that cannot be corrected
byreviewing this user’s guide,contact a quali-
fiedDometicservice technician.
Note: Aslight “travel line” mayappearwherethedoorroller
contacts the awning fabric. This is considered normal and
does not affect the integrity of the awning.