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Topic: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms (Read 845 times) previous topic - next topic

Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Again Awning not doing as should.  Started out with remote just fine but the back side would not go up. Extended but would not raise up or extend the air rise on the back arm.  So I lifted it by hand and it locked in place.  Up in correct position.  After about two hours it would not close by remote. Opened the box and the motorswitch would run just fine. Inserted (screwed) the screw into the two sq  boxes and it released the arms and then closed with the motor switch.  Drained a little water out of both arms.  I just don't think this awning will ever work right. Any suggestions on repair this time??  DAN

   
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #1 –
I heard from A FT owner that you need more air pressure to run it right. He plumbed his airline into a small pancake compressor in his first bay and has not had a problem with it since.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #2 –
Dan, I feel your pain.. Went to extend ours today..NOT.. Didn't have time to fool with it but it will be replaced by a manual first chance I get.  PITA< POS
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #3 –
Yea those autoawnings can be a bit of a pain.  Try running it in with the close awning switch in the box.  Then do a reset by turning the power off and then on.  Then try the remote.  Remember to wait about 10 min for the awning timer.  If all else fails ask for Jimmy at tech support at ZipDee.  800.338.2378.  He has been a big big help.  He has walked me thru too many times to count.  Hope this helps.

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #4 –
Quote..walked me thru too many times to count unquote..

Exactly...
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John S –
I heard from A FT owner that you need more air pressure to run it right. He plumbed his airline into a small pancake compressor in his first bay and has not had a problem with it since.

If you know that FT owner I would like to see his mod.
Ron Sedgley
Former 2002 U320 - Custom 38' Owner
            (2007 to 2021)    Build No. 6001

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #6 –
Jimmy has told me before that FT was advised to use a larger compressor at the time but decided against.  He said that is the main problem.  Just rebuilt the front control arm because of a wiring failure. Sent both to the factory so they could be synchronized to the proper load of 60lbs.  Works great now. Really a good system. One just needs to understand the dynamics a little bit. Not for everyone I guess.

David

(Jimmy at Zip-Dee is very helpful and patient).
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #7 –
When we acquired our coach the control box was fried, had melted wires in the box.  Had the box rebuilt by Zip-Dee and had both arms replaced.  FT said that the awning was not worth putting any $$$ into but would be pleased to sell and install a Girrard for $6500.  FT also advise that they could sell me a new arm for $650 and 3 hours to install.

Jimmy @ Zip Dee was very helpful to us and can walk you through diagnosis and solutions.  He also advised that the awning needs 110 psi min to operate.  Again a FT decision NOT to use an aux comp with sufficient psi to operate the awning was mentioned.  Somewhere along the line FY and Zip Dee had a fall out and neither company would share with me why.  Zip Dee awnings are still used on many coaches and high end travel trailers.  We installed a small air compressor that powers the awning and also use to air up tires, as required.  You can send the arm to Zip Dee for rebuild, for a reasonable cost.

We like our Zip Dee and ours functions great.  We invested about $2500 to get it operating correctly.  Our control box was $1500 +/-.  We also replaced the arms with a couple that were rebuilt at the factory. 

Would be pleased to walk you through our mod.  PM me with phone # and I will contact you.  This is not difficult to do.

BTW - The awning arms should be drained about once a month and should be lubed with 3 in 1 oil at the same time.  I believe Barry's web site has the PM procedure on his web site that will provide instruction on How to do this.

Good luck,  :D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #8 –
Our AutoAwn is cranky, to be sure ... but it DOES get 110 psi. We recently replaced the little clear, plastic bulb that hangs off of the air thingy in the bay.  It was cracked and leaking air, but we had no idea!!  We were looking for an air leak and sprayed the bejesus out of EVERYTHING else ... but no that.  We had a bad motor arm at one time, also.  We ordered a REBuiLT arm from ZipDee ... about half the cost of a new one ... had it shipped to FOT for installation and were charged the reduced price after our faulty one was received at ZipDee to be rebuilt for someone else.  PM me if you think this scenario is something you might want to do ... there were some wrinkles that I had to deal with. 
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: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #9 –
It was Corbett Poole who had the compressor wired in and it worked well. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Never ends with this 02 auto Zip Dee Awning with arms

Reply #10 –
"We like our Zip Dee and ours functions great.  We invested about $2500 to get it operating correctly.  Our control box was $1500 +/-.  We also replaced the arms with a couple that were rebuilt at the factory." 


First chance I get I will replace with a manual..  Just not worth the hassle.
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others