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Topic: Electric automatic awning (Read 1043 times) previous topic - next topic

Electric automatic awning

I would like to replace our zipdee with an electric with a auto sensor wind retract awning. We have a 1999 U320. Any info or recommendations or comments?
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #1 –
i had MOT put on the Girard -

Pros - My 87 year old Mom can operate - in the past she just had to leave the zip dee rolled up and do without an awning. Nicer looking than zip dee when ope or closed

Cons

Mine cost $6K installed

Wind sensor stows the awning when wind is above about 20MPH - so it rolls in on its own which can be aggravating - I have resorted to blocking the wind sensor on days when it wasn't windy but an occasional gust would cause the awning to retract - Don't think it would take much rain - Zip dee can be out in a big rain if sloped correctly
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #2 –
We had the manual type on our U225.  VERY easy to manage and maintain.  Then we had a much longer manual on the 40' 1995 U320.  A bit more difficult to use, but I could do it by myself, if need be.  On this coach, we have the ZipDee automatic awning.  There have been issues with this model, which is original to the '02 coaches.  We have replaced the front arm, the wind sensor is broken and to fix it the entire sensor business must be replaced, not just parts.  It is great when it works ... but it makes me nervous.  I am thinking I would rather have a manual awning that I can tie down to enjoy, raise and lower myself and not have a mind of it's own. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #3 –
We have the Girard as installed as original equipment on our coach.  In 2009 the current limiter failed (~$200), which meant having to manually retract the awning.  From what I saw, it was more laborious winding it up than operating a manual awning (Steve did the awning-winding).  Plus it's persnickety to adjust the wind speed retraction setpoint.  It has a fixed motor speed, so you can't retract it any faster in a high wind emergency (the manual retract speed is slower than the motor).

One of our "parts" to get this year is a new wind sensor since the old one is making a bit of noise.

The positives are being able to "stop" the awning just a short way out if needed, and being able to deploy and retract it from inside when it's raining (as long as the current limiter hasn't failed...).  That helps with the Posse.  We never leave it out when we're not at the coach (or overnight if there's any chance of wind.)

OTOH, we love our manual Zip Dee window awnings - those are almost always out, especially since we learned from Tom that you can pull then in from inside the coach ^.^d

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the response I am reconsidering my desire sounds like more hassle than it is worth!
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
We have the Girard as installed as original equipment on our coach.  In 2009 the current limiter failed (~$200), which meant having to manually retract the awning.  From what I saw, it was more laborious winding it up than operating a manual awning (Steve did the awning-winding).  Plus it's persnickety to adjust the wind speed retraction set point.  It has a fixed motor speed, so you can't retract it any faster in a high wind emergency (the manual retract speed is slower than the motor).
We pulled in to a park in Montana and extended our Girard awning and went over to check in at the office on a perfectly calm day when out of no where a Gail wind came up and blew our awning up and over. I came back to find 3 men hanging on it to hold it down. Of coarse the remote would not wind it up so I had to manually do it and it took forever at something like 10 to 1 ratio >:(  When I got it up it had pushed back so I could not seat it properly but enough to where I could drive. I called Girard about a repair facility and they said I would have to wait until I got back to civilization.
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
We never leave it out when we're not at the coach (or overnight if there's any chance of wind.)
OTOH, we love our manual Zip Dee window awnings - those are almost always out, especially since we learned from Tom that you can pull then in from inside the coach ^.^d
Michelle
I never understood until that day why you needed a window awning if you had the Girard.
I had one installed at the Zip Dee factory.
Now I will never leave that Girard out if I leave the coach even for a few minutes. ::)
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #6 –
We learned decades ago not to leave awnings out at night. On our cruising sailboat we had a primitive tarp that just covered the companionway and part of the cockpit but gave us some respite from the tropical sun. If we left that thing out at night it seemed that we always had a naked firedrill (we were *much* younger then) in the middle of the night.

The lesson was hammered into us when we were in our 29' Alpenlite 5th wheel at a popular fishing lake north of Soap Lake, WA. You can just park on the wide gravel shoulder alongside the lake and fish for a few days. However at night the wind funnels through and wreaks havoc with awnings. One night our two kids were sleeping in a small tent next to our 5er and the wind was trying to roll the tent into the water.

I'm not sure I'd leave the window awnings out at night, either. I'm pretty jumpy about that stuff nowadays. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."
 

Re: Electric automatic awning

Reply #7 –
Agree.  We do leave our window awnings out at night.  But, when we hear the "THUMP THUMP THUMP" of the strap hitting the window or side of the coach, we know it's time to roll them up.  And you can do it from inside the coach!  Just open the window, reach out and grab the strap and SLOWLY let it retract!  Done it many a time!



Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee