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Topic: automatic awning (Read 911 times) previous topic - next topic

automatic awning

Onmy new (to me) 2002 U320 I cannot get the automatic awning to work.  Remote has new batteries.  Compressor is working. Pressure to guage on control panel is good.  Remote causes click in contol housing followed by an air release.  No movement of awning.  Is there another switch I am missing?  Any clues?  Thanks very much.  Currently traveling in Montana 

Re: automatic awning

Reply #1 –
Quote from: gordon cole –
Onmy new (to me) 2002 U320 I cannot get the automatic awning to work. 

Is this a Zip Dee automatic awning?  If so, hopefully Tom (txforetravel) will chime in.  He's very experienced with that awning.  IIRC there is also battery power for the awning itself (not just the remote) that may be at issue.

Michelle

Re: automatic awning

Reply #2 –
I think I have the same auto awning on my 02 295.  I had a problem trying to get mine to open. Tks to this forum I got the issue solved.  I opened mine using the manual switch in the control box in the passenger side main storage bay.  The remote then closed it.  I waited over ten minutes ( There is a ten minute delay to move the awning from one position to another)
Then I tried to open it and it would not open.  Hit the stop button on the remote then hit open and it opened.  Make sure you have good batteries in remote and in the control box.  Also 90 # of air pressure works best.  DAN 

Re: automatic awning

Reply #3 –
Hi Gordon,
Great timing for your question...today at FMCA in Madison, WS... for 2002 coaches (like mine) the valve stack needs replacement. A very common problem! It is \lpocated on the outside of the control box in the basement... a mere $475.
If you are more fortunate, the two gel cell 12 volt batteries in the control box may be dead and/or the remote control battery may be dead also.
Then you may also need help with the arms too because rain water leaves corrosion in the arms. There is a procedure for draining it on a regular basis. ,
It is amazing what you can learn from competent techs when they rescue you from major problems.
Good luck.

Re: automatic awning

Reply #4 –
Zip Dee Auto Awning - be sure your batteries in the control box are charged.  We replace ours every two years.  If you do not, you can get yourself into a situation where the awning will roll out but when you go to retract it, it attempts to retract but then stops due to lack of power, the arms will slide into themselves and you have to resort to a manual retraction.  This manual retraction is at total PITA.  You must remove the bolt that holds the motor to the arm. 

Zip Dee has software upgrades to this awning and you should contact Zip Dee for these upgrades.  Based on 7 years experience with this awning, you need to be in contact with Zip Dee on a regular basis for updates.  Also, you need to run this awning in and out on a regular basis.  And yes, water will go into the awning arms and there are electrical wires running through the front awning arms. 

I have plenty of experience with these.  If you would like to here more, just send me a pvt message. 

Tom

Re: automatic awning

Reply #5 –
Quote from: txforetravel –
Zip Dee Auto Awning - be sure your batteries in the control box are charged. 
Tom

All good suggestions from Tom.. One additional suggestion is to check the air pressure gauge for your awning located with the awning control box in your storage bay [P3]. If low, the system does not have enough pressure to activate the awning. There is a circuit breaker in the panel behind a large off white cover secured with wing nuts in one of your storage bays.  Mine is located in D3 [Driver's side 3rd from front].  These are resetable breakers.  About 1/2 way down is one labelled "HWH".  Maker sure that it is push in [reset].  You may immediately hear your air pump.  Wait until it is finished recharging the system and then try the awning.

Re: automatic awning

Reply #6 –
Our automatic awning works very well when retracting ... but when extending, one of the lower arms has some kind of air leak that requires a person to stand on a step ladder and manually push the thing into place. I can hear it quite clearly ... may be coming from that little "box" on the arm.  Is this something we can replace ourselves,, or do I need to plan on going to the FMCA convention in Albuquerque for some service?  We also need one of the little spinning things on the roof that measure the wind speed for the automatic retract feature.  It is broken and was never replaced. It is good to know about the 10 minute "delay" with the remote!  I was implementing the delay with going to hunt for the manual and trying to figure out why the thing didn't work!  sigh .... learning curves ...

Re: automatic awning

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
We also need one of the little spinning things on the roof that measure the wind speed for the automatic retract feature.  It is broken and was never replaced.

I would not rely on the wind sensor to close the awning in time.  I have had winds come up in our motorhome where I closed the awning before the wind sensor kicked in.  Play it safe and close the awning when away and/or not needed (i.e. at night).

Hmmm... Maybe I should go up on the roof and test my wind sensor with a hairdryer or something to see if it even works. ::) :o

Also I learned the hard way that an unexpected downpour could come up and severely bend the roller arm caused by water accumulation on the awning.  It is a bit testy to unbend the roller...

Re: automatic awning

Reply #8 –
Quote
"I would not rely on the wind sensor to close the awning in time.  I have had winds come up in our motorhome where I closed the awning before the wind sensor kicked in.  Play it safe and close the awning when away and/or not needed (i.e. at night). "

Yeah ... I am pretty cautious about the awning and any wind gusts.  We never leave the big awning out while we are gone, and are pretty conservative with the smaller ones, as well. We are getting regular afternoon winds here in Angel Fire, and thundershowers to go with them. The automatic up and down is a beautiful thing, when it works ...
 

Re: automatic awning

Reply #9 –
Carol,
Perfectly said with something added .  "Works beautifully when it works, and it really really sucks when it doesn't".

Tom