Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: dlkj07 on July 18, 2022, 10:18:37 pm

Title: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: dlkj07 on July 18, 2022, 10:18:37 pm
Short video on what's going on while awning is rolling out. Tube roller working fine, but looks like arms are having a hard time unstowing. They do eventually pop away from coach but worried something's going to bind up eventually.

Microsoft services (https://1drv.ms/v/s!ApiXgan5g2FagvdxTb1gqA32JMs6EA)
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: nitehawk on July 18, 2022, 11:05:35 pm
Spray with dry silicone spray (CRC brand) where the parts slide together. I believe there are supposed to be some silicone pads that are in each arm to keep the metal of the arms apart and still lube them.
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: dlkj07 on July 19, 2022, 02:27:15 am
Spray with dry silicone spray (CRC brand) where the parts slide together. I believe there are supposed to be some silicone pads that are in each arm to keep the metal of the arms apart and still lube them.
There is water dripping out of the arms where the extending arms slide in and out, could this be what is binding them up? When rolling in, sometimes the breaker at the control box pops because the strain of the motors. There's doesn't seem to be any weep/drain holes anywhere to let water drain.
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: Old Toolmaker on July 19, 2022, 07:30:31 am
Short video on what's going on while awning is rolling out. Tube roller working fine, but looks like arms are having a hard time unstowing. They do eventually pop away from coach but worried something's going to bind up eventually.

Microsoft services (https://1drv.ms/v/s!ApiXgan5g2FagvdxTb1gqA32JMs6EA)
I like where your mind is at dlkj07, and I've seen this before.  You've become comfortable with the operation of your awning to the point where you're noticing little details for the first time.

You wrote "They do eventually pop away from coach . . ."

The initial "drop" of that awning is by gravity.  That's it.  If it were me, I'd dis-assemble those gear boxes and re-lubricate them, but I'm sure that ZipDee would be happy to do that for you.  Also, I second the suggestion that you wipe clean and lubricate the sliding part of the arms with a GOOD silicone spray.  The NAPA brand is another good silicone spray.  WalMart brand is mostly hexane. Lots of bubbles but not much silicone.

Art

Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: nitehawk on July 19, 2022, 08:31:45 am
Once again my philosophy re chips /liquid when I designed fixtures: If you can't keep "it" out, let it out. Drill a small weep/drain hole where it won't cause problems, on the under side of the arm. (unless the arm is hydraulic actuated)
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: dsd on July 19, 2022, 02:35:12 pm
There is water dripping out of the arms where the extending arms slide in and out. There's doesn't seem to be any weep/drain holes anywhere to let water drain.
I think you may have Air pressurized extend arms. I don't know anything about them. Is there a small airline at the top I think going into them?
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: dlkj07 on July 19, 2022, 03:17:34 pm
I think you may have Air pressurized extend arms. I don't know anything about them. Is there a small airline at the top I think going into them?

Yes, air actuated..though I also don't know how they work internally. Assuming some kind of air ram inside the rail.
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: dsd on July 19, 2022, 03:28:41 pm
You could only drill a Drainhole if it is above the seal.  Until you know the exact dimensions I would not drill a hole, yet. My coach was built 63 units earlier and is a manual extension. 👍👍
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: Rudy on July 19, 2022, 03:35:59 pm
You might consult Zip Dee.  My memory is Zip Dee recommends a dedicted air compressor at 120 lbs.  The Foretravel provided aux compressor is challanged to support the air arms and Foretravel chooses to not follow Zip Dees suggestion.

Good luck sorting this out
Title: Re: Zip Dee roll out issues
Post by: Teudy on July 19, 2022, 05:36:54 pm
I have the same year coach build #5827 my water issues were coming from the air supply lines, make sure the bowl beside the air valves and controller is drained, also your can open the valves manually to drain any condensation in the lines, also look at the PSI gauge at the  awning controller and adjust to maximum pressure allowed by the guage.