Dometic CATALINA 2500 installation Guide

A&E Systems

A&E CATALINA 2500

USA
Service Office

The Dometic Corp.
509 South Poplar St.
LaGrange, IN 46761

CANADA

Dometic Dist.
866 Langs Dr.
Cambridge, Ontario
CANADA N3H 2N7

INSTALLATION & OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS

REVISION

Form No. 3103624.023 3/98
(Replaces 3103624.015)
(French 3108310.024)

©1998 The Dometic Corporation
LaGrange, IN 46761

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Catalina

2500

A&E CATALINA 2500

A&E CATALINA 2500

INSTALLATION/OPERATION

APPLICATION

The A&E Catalina 2500 Case Awning is designed and
intended for direct mounting on straight and most curved
mini-motorhomes, pick-up campers, vans, van conversions
and pop-up tent trailers.

The optional Universal Van Adapter Kit, A&E Part No.
930035 allows permanent or temporary mounting to vans
with rain gutters without drilling holes in the van.

Important: Read the entire installation procedure

before starting installation.

Note: The Dometic Corporation assumes no liability for
damages or injuries resulting from installation or operation
of this product.

The Dometic Corporation reserves the right to modify
appearances and specifications without notice.

INSTALLATION

Tools Required:

o Measuring Tape o Pencil
o Electric Drill o Pop Rivet Gun (Necessary
o Drill Bits #& or 3/6, 1/8 only if Backing Plate is
o Center Punch needed)
o Phillips Screw Driver o Silicone Sealant

Note: Awning must be mounted with case back parallel to
side wall of vehicle.

Shim not supplied

NO YES

Note: Be sure to use a dab of silicone sealant on every

screw where a hole has been drilled in the side of the
vehicle. This will prevent possible water leakage.

YES

For Direct Wall Mounting:
Note: When determining location for awning make sure to

consider door clearance, if required, and location of other
vehicle components like compartment doors, mirrors, etc..

1. A. Install C-Channel of awning case into awning rail by
inserting C-Channel into one end of awning rail and
sliding awning case into position (FIG. 1A), or by
tilting case up and inserting entire C-Channel into
awning rail and rotating case down into position
(FIG. 1B).

B. Using the end caps as templates, drill one 1/8 Dia.

hole into vehicle for each end cap (FIG. 1A). Secure
each end cap using one #10 x 3/4 Phillips pan head
sheet metal screw with a small dab of silicone
sealant on each screw (FIG 1A & 1B).

2. Using the wand, open awning case by inserting the pin
on the end of the wand into hole in arm assembly
indicated by arrows on bottom of case (FIG. 2)

3. Lower arm assembly out of awning case (FIG. 3)

4. A. Allow arm to hang freely from case. Tighten lock

knob (FIG. 4A). Repeat for other side.

Note: For curved sided vehicles proceed to Step 4B. For
straight sided vehicles skip to Step 5.

B. Lower arm assembly to ground. With foot still on

ground raise inner arm as high as it will go (FIG. 4B).

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Note: Make sure lock in top of awning arm assembly clears
top of case lip (FIG. 4C). This is necessary for awning to
open properly.

Tighten lock knob. Repeat steps 4B & 4C for other
side.

C. Using wand, hook pull-strap and pull awning out

about 3 feet (1 meter) (FIG. 4D).

D. While securely holding the pull-strap, tighten the lock

knobs on the rafter arms (FIG. 4E).

A&E CATALINA 2500

Note: Positioning of left and right bottom mounting brack­ets should be at same level and centered to the awning
arms (FIG. 6).

7. Loosen lock knob and extend arm assembly keeping
arm perpendicular to awning case. Once location is
determined, tighten lock knob (FIG. 7).

Note: The bottom mounting brackets should be mounted to
the floorline of solid structural member whenever possible.

8. Using the foot and bottom mounting bracket as a
template, drill a 1/8 dia. hole for the bottom screw.
Secure bottom mounting bracket with foot attached to
vehicle using a #10 x 1-1/2 long Phillips pan head
sheet metal screw thorough the foot and the bottom
mounting bracket. Use a small dab of silicone sealant
on screw (FIG. 8)

5. Snap awning foot into bottom mounting bracket (FIG.5).

6. Select a location for mounting of bottom mounting
bracket on side of vehicle. The minimum mounting
distance from the bottom of the awning case to the
bottom of the bottom mounting bracket for the 2.5 meter
awning is 48. For the 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 meter awnings it
is 58 (FIG. 6).

9. A. Release foot from bottom mounting bracket and drill
a 1/8 dia. hole for the top screw. Using a #10 x 1 long
Phillips pan head sheet metal screw with a dab of
silicone sealant on it, secure the top of the bottom
mounting bracket to vehicle (FIG. 9A).

Repeat Steps 5 thorough 9A for other side.

Note: For curved sided vehicles proceed to Step 9B. For
straight sided vehicles skip to Step 10.

B. Loosen lock knob and lower arm assembly to

ground. With foot still on ground raise inner arm as
high as it will go (FIG. 9B).

Note: Make sure lock in top of awning arm assembly clears
top of case lip (FIG. 9C).

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A&E CATALINA 2500

Tighten lock knob.

Repeat Step 9B for other side.

Note: For curved sided vehicles skip to Step 13.

10. Reattach foot to bottom mounting bracket. Loosen
lock knob on arm assembly. Raise inner arm as high
as it will go. Then tighten lock knob (FIG. 10).

Note: Make sure lock in top of awning arm assembly clears
top of case lip (FIG 9C). This is necessary for awning to
open properly.

Repeat for other side.

11. Using wand, hook pull-strap and pull awning out about
3 feet (1 meter) (FIG. 11).

13. A. On the back wall inside the awning case, measure in
from edge of end cap 1 inch (2.54 cm) and up 1/2

inch (1.27 cm) from bottom edge of back wall as

shown in FIG. 13 and mark this location.

B. Drill a 3/16 dia. hole through the back of the awning

case and into the vehicle. Repeat for other side.

14. Secure case to vehicle using the two #14 Phillips pan

head sheet metal screws provided with a small dab of
silicone sealant on each screw (FIG. 14).

15. While holding pull-strap firmly, release lock knobs on

rafter arms and allow awning to roll up (FIG. 15).
Awning case should close tightly.

AND LOCKED

AWNING
UNLOCKED

12. While securely holding the pull-strap, tighten the lock
knobs on the rafter arms (FIG. 12).

16. For correct installation, lock in top of awning arm
assembly must engage case lip (FIGS. 16A and 16B).

Note: For proper operation it is very important for lock to
clear top of case lip when opening and for lock to engage
case lip when awning is closed.

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17. Using wand, check to see if awning opens and closes
correctly by pulling awning open about 3 feet (1 meter)
(FIG. 17).

Note: For installation on some curved sided vehicles Step
18 does no apply.

18. When awning is at proper setting and operates cor
rectly, mark location of arm setting on inner arm assem­bly with supplied arrow labels (FIG. 18).
Repeat for other side.

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

A&E CATALINA 2500

TO OPEN

1. Using wand, open awning case by inserting pin on end
of wand into hole in arm assembly indicated by arrows
on bottom of case (FIG. 1).

2. Lower arm assembly out of awning case (FIG. 2).

Note: For curved sided vehicles proceed to Step 3. For
straight sided vehicles skip to Step 4.

B. Using wand, hook pull-strap and pull awning out

about 1 meter (3 feet) (FIG. 3C).

C. While securely holding the pull-strap, tighten the lock

knobs on the rafter arms (FIG. 3D).

D. Set awning into pivot position by inserting the

awning foot into the bottom mounting bracket (FIGS.
4A and 4B).

Note: For curved sided vehicles skip to Step 5.

4. A. Set awning into pivot position by inserting the
awning foot into the bottom mounting bracket (FIGS.
4A, 4B and 4C).

3. A. Slide outer arm down to ground. With foot still on
ground, raise inner arm as high as it will go and
tighten lock knob (FIG. 3A).

Note: Make sure lock in top of awning arm assembly clears
top of case lip (FIG. 3B). This is necessary for awning to
open properly.

B. Extend arm assembly until arrow on inner arm lines

up with outer arm (FIG. 4D). This allows lock in top
of awning arm assembly to clear top of case lip (FIG.
3B).

Note: This is necessary for awning to open properly.

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A&E CATALINA 2500

C. Tighten lock knob on arm assembly.

5. Using wand, hook pull-strap and pull awning out by

unrolling the fabric (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

FULL EXTENSION

During operation for fully extended awning, fabric can
be rolled out and rafter lock buttons will automatically
snap into place to lock awning in full extension. Listen
for Click of rafter lock buttons and continue to pull on
pull-strap to make sure that rafter locks are fully set
before releasing pull-strap. Tighten lock knobs (FIG.
5C).

FOR PATIO POSITION

6. Place arm assembly in a vertical position and adjust
height (FIG. 6).

7. Drive in the supplied spikes through awning foot to
secure arm to ground (FIG. 7). Repeat for other side.

The Catalina 2500 Awning is now ready for you to enjoy.

8. Rain Release Setting: To avoid damage to the awning
due to rain water collecting on the canopy, simply lower
one of the arms enough to let the water drain from that
side (FIG. 8).

PARTIAL EXTENSION

For partially extended awning operation, roll fabric out
to desired extension and while firmly grasping pull-strap
tighten rafter lock knobs (FIG. 5D).

Note: Make sure that rafter lock knobs are tightened before
releasing pull-strap.

TO CLOSE

Note: To close on curved sided vehicles skip to Step 6.

TO CLOSE ON STRAIGHT SIDED VEHICLE

1. IF AWNING IS SET IN PATIO POSITION:
A. Remove spikes from awning foot.

B. Attach foot to bottom mounting bracket on side of

vehicle to set awning into pivot position (FIG. 1).

2. IF AWNING IS SET IN PIVOT POSITION:
Lower each arm assembly to closing position indicated
by arrow on inner arm and tighten lock knob (FIG. 2).

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3. Firmly grasp pull-strap and loosen lock knobs (FIG. 3A).
While tightly holding pull-strap, pull on strap to relieve
pressure from rafter lock buttons and push rafter lock
buttons in to unlock rafters and allow awning to roll up
(FIG. 3B). Make sure pull-strap is centered in awning
case.

4. Loosen lock knob on each arm assembly (FIG. 4A).
Remove awning feet from bottom mounting brackets
(FIGS. 4B and 4C).

A&E CATALINA 2500

TO CLOSE ON CURVED SIDED VEHICLE

6. IF AWNING IS SET IN PATIO POSITION:
A. Remove spikes from awning foot.

B. Attach foot to bottom mounting bracket on side of

vehicle to set awning into pivot position (FIG. 6).
Repeat for other side. Then proceed to Step 7A.

7. IF AWNING IS SET IN PIVOT POSITION:
A. Firmly grasp pull-strap and loosen lock knobs (FIG.

7A). While tightly holding pull­strap, pull on strap to relieve pressure
from rafter lock buttons and push
rafter lock buttons in to unlock rafters (FIG. 7B). and

allow awning to roll up until awning extend
approximately two feet from awning case. Tighten
lock knobs on both rafter arms.

5. Insert pin at end of wand through hole in outer arm so it
aligns foot for easy storage (FIG. 5A). Swing arm up to
case (FIG. 5B). Slide arm and foot away from center of
case so foot can be inserted into center section of
awning case (FIG. 5C). Repeat for other side.

Note: To properly close and lock awning, lock in top of
awning arm assembly must engage case lip fully (FIG. 16A
and 16B).

B. Release foot from bottom mounting bracket (FIGS.

7C and 7D). Loosen lock knob and lower arm
assembly vertically to ground (FIG. 7E). With foot
still on ground raise inner arm until roller tube is
slightly above awning case, then tighten lock knob.
Repeat for other side.

C. Place awning feet directly below the awning case.

D. While firmly holding the pull-strap, loosen lock knobs

on rafter assembly and allow awning to close
(FIG. 7F).

Note: Do not release pull-strap until awning has completely
rolled up.

Note: The D ring on the pull-strap must remain outside

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AWNING
UNLOCKED

the awning case.
Note: Make sure lock in top of awning arm assembly
engages case lip (FIG. 7G). If lock does not engage case
lip, raise arm height until lock clears lip and then engages.
This is necessary for proper operation of awning case
locks.

E. Loosen lock knob on arm assembly (FIG. 7H).

Repeat for other side.

A&E CATALINA 2500

8. Insert pin at end of wand, through hole in outer arm so
it aligns foot for easy storage (FIG. 8A). Swing arm up
to case (FIG. 8B). Slide arm and foot away from center
of case so foot can be inserted into center section of
awning case (FIG. 8C). Repeat for other side.

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