If you have an older coach with the manual Zip Dee awning I recommend you check the condition of the #10-32 bolts on the ends of the main roller! They should be Grade 8, not rusty, and not loose! If one breaks and comes out on the front end when the awning is extended the front end of the awning will drop down and likely break the rafter casting on the rear. The castings are pewter and cannot be repaired. Also, Zip Dee does not make identical replacement parts for these old styles. The replacement part you can get from Zip Dee fits on the axle shaft of the awning roller instead of being bolted to the main arm. You will have to have a rivet tool, drill new holes, and retension the roller spring. Easiest way to retension roller: Disconnect main arm at the coach wall, carefully rotate arm counter clockwise until all tension is off the roller spring. Add new pewter casting etc. and then rotate arm assembly clockwise (as viewed while standing at rear of coach) until tension is restored. This may take a few more trial turns until correct tension is achieved. Use the ENTIRE arm and hold on firmly!! Just trying to turn using the pewter casting alone and you will experience severe pain..Don't ask!!!
Try 1 turn for each foot of awning length + 7 more turns. I learned that from Zip Dee. Works good!
John, thanks for the info. When my rafter bracket broke last February I ordered a new part from Zip Dee ($6.35) and asked about how to retension the awning. The guy said he would put instructions in package. Never did! I just kept increasing turns until awning would finally roll all the way up if I let it go. Took a few times (3) to get it just right.
Zip Dee window awning spring winding:
(not patio awning)
Measure awning tube length by measuring arm center to center where arm is connected to side of coach
And then subtract 1-1/2". This should be the same as directly measuring the tube itself
The four different length goups have completely different springs and tube thickness, etc.
They are completely different products with different spring wind requirements.
Always tighten or loosen spring by turning the left arm as you are facing window awning.
Someone needs to hold roller to prevent tearing strap or busting mountings as arm is rotated.
Never let go of arm as it will spring away and do damage to coach and person.
Better to start from completely unwound position, otherwise the # of turns is unknown and may be too tight.
tube length # of turns
5' & under 16-18
5' 1" - 10' 10-13
10' 1" - 17' 15-17
17' 1" & over 18-21
and according to the Zip Dee manual the awning should not start to retract on its own without a push with the rod to get it started after the first foot or so.
Yup
(and I didn't have to use spell check)
The 1 turn per foot plus 7 is for patio awnings. Thanks for the info on window awnings!
Thanks John. I fixed the above "# Turns" info to show the whole posting is just for Window Awnings, not patio awning.