Omnistor wind out crank handle

Hi thanks for accepting me. I recently purchased a 2007 Nuevo with an Omnistor wind out roof awning and I cannot get the telescopic handle to extend, think it's me either being thick or weak, I know it extends as the dealer extended it to show me the awning. I have tried wd40 but I'm not sure if it just twists or releases a different way. Also do you need to lubricate the winding gubbins on the actual motor home? Please and thank you. Les

Hello and welcome to this most friendly and informative forum. The midway grip section needs twisting anti clock wise to lengthen the handle. Perhaps the dealer over tightened it after demonstration? 

Thank you I'll try that, is it just a half a turn or do you keep turning until it loosens, I think I'll have to get a strong person on the job, as I've tried myself always but can't shift it.

Although I have a Fiamma awning   I might have an omnistor handle because I have what looks like a grip in the middle but I have never been able to turn it, luckily I can use it as it is so it doesn't matter but would be nice to know if it's supposed to extend.

Hi yes that's my problem and being short I have to stand on a stool to reach the thing.

It should require just half a turn. Whilst holding the winding handle in your right hand, twist midway part anti clockwise with your left. Also, it will be most helpful for you to look at the illustration of how the handle engages and disengaged from the awning.

Thank you, I will have a look at that and I think the angle I was turning it wasn't right, being a short *[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Does the Omnistor have a hook , I don't think it does, my winder has a hook so probably not an omnistor but if I have a Fiamma handle, should it extend?

Hi Lesley, further, grip the angled section to the winding handle with your right hand to give you better purchase for using your left to twist anti clockwise.

Brill, I'll try tomorrow

Paulmold wrote:Does the Omnistor have a hook , I don't think it does, my winder has a hook so probably not an omnistor but if I have a Fiamma handle, should it extend?

Hi Paul, the Omnistore handle has a T shaped end and I recall the Fiamma handle on our first non A/S coach build extended. Regards.

Apologies if I've given misinformed instruction as to how to extend Omnistore awning pole. I suggested to Lesley to twist anti clockwise but (as illustration booklet shows) it twists clockwise, I think. 

These things do have a perverse habit of jamming and it aint easy to get a good grip with the hands spread apart.  I would grip the lever end firmly in a wood-bench vice and be able to use two hands for the twist.  No bench vice ?  Jam the handle gently in the hinge side of a door.
Keith

Keith's comment makes a lot of sense, but I'd suggest it would be even easier to wait for the postman! 

Is it non-PC these days to suggest that men usually have stronger hands than ladies? 

Do tell him which way to twist it though, and once it's freed be sure not to tighten it any more than absolutely necessary when you use it. Like many others I guess, I was too enthusiastic with ours the first time, and had a heck of a job to undo it to put it away.

Good luck

Dave

Paulmold wrote:Does the Omnistor have a hook , I don't think it does, my winder has a hook so probably not an omnistor but if I have a Fiamma handle, should it extend?

I have a spare Fiamma one in my Garage I took a look at it today because I couldn't remember if it extended. They have an articulated section near winder and a rotating ribbed hand grip sleeve but they don't extend.

Paramedic wrote:

Paulmold wrote:Does the Omnistor have a hook , I don't think it does, my winder has a hook so probably not an omnistor but if I have a Fiamma handle, should it extend?

Hi Paul, the Omnistore handle has a T shaped end and I recall the Fiamma handle on our first non A/S coach build extended. Regards.

agreed, my Thule Omnistore has a T-connector and extends. my Swift had a Fiamma which had a hook connector, i thought the handle extended but cant be sure, but you would thinks so as folk are of different heights and to have a long one (to help short people) that doesnt retract would be difficult to store.
However, Marconis post suggests they arent extendible...oh well....perhaps short folk couldnt reach their Fiamma awnings.....

bolero boy wrote:

Paramedic wrote:

Paulmold wrote:Does the Omnistor have a hook , I don't think it does, my winder has a hook so probably not an omnistor but if I have a Fiamma handle, should it extend?

Hi Paul, the Omnistore handle has a T shaped end and I recall the Fiamma handle on our first non A/S coach build extended. Regards.

agreed, my Thule Omnistore has a T-connector and extends. my Swift had a Fiamma which had a hook connector, i thought the handle extended but cant be sure, but you would thinks so as folk are of different heights and to have a long one (to help short people) that doesnt retract would be difficult to store.
However, Marconis post suggests they arent extendible...oh well....perhaps short folk couldnt reach their Fiamma awnings.....

 Well this one in my garage is No. 3 that I have had over 20 years and they were all the same except for one being white not silver. The articulated section near the handle gives a shortening choice of 15cm.

Other than that with the square on the hypotenuse and all that, I suppose taller people stand further away.

It must be lock down, or is it just avoiding getting on with the decorating, such fun you can have with a couple of winding poles.

The Fiamma stored length is 1385mm and shortens. The Thule is 1400mm stored length and extends.

I guess the reason is that the angle of engagement for a T piece on the winder, in the awning socket, is far more critical than that of a hook in a closed ring. The applied force for the Fiamma is at a downward angle, whereas the Thule is upward to engage.

The T piece also denies the lazy camper the chance of leaving the winder hanging in the loop.

I dont think the Omnister T piece is as good as the the Fiamma Hook and certainly not as safe when inserting and removing it from the awning. Take care till you get used to it Lesley