CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Topic: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING (Read 749 times) previous topic - next topic

CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

October 31, 2018, 04:48:57 pm

Hey guys, has anyone modified the air-operated awning (grrrrrrr) to just a manual awning? I have read on previous posts that several have just had it removed/replaced and that is certainly an option. But I don't remember reading anything about converting it to a manual operation.......if it is even possible. Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #1 – October 31, 2018, 04:59:05 pm

We had the controller board rebuilt on our 2002 and the front strut replaced (the one with the motor wire in it) and after that it worked flawlessly. Jimmy at zip dee knows those things inside out.

I know that's not exactly an answer to your question but we had success with our repair.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #2 – October 31, 2018, 05:01:14 pm

Thanks Rick, did you ship the board to Zipdee for the rebuild?

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #3 – October 31, 2018, 05:04:57 pm

I just had both arms rebuilt by them and shipped back.. little over a week to get it done and not as expensive as I thought it was.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #4 – October 31, 2018, 05:08:41 pm

David, what is the tip-off that the arms need to be rebuilt. How do I tell when that is necessary and that the problem is with something else? We have only had this coach three weeks so we are learning from the ground up on this type awning.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #5 – October 31, 2018, 05:23:04 pm

They told us that if the controller is out there is a good chance that the wire that goes down the arm had a short in it. They didn't recommend replacing the controller without going to the new style wire that is inside that arm.

Give Jimmy a call up there.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #6 – October 31, 2018, 07:09:06 pm

Mine were never operated in about 10 years When I acquired the coach and tried to get them working they were frozen and filled with water. I just sent them in and had the pneumatic seals replaced and electrical.. will install in the next week or so

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #7 – October 31, 2018, 09:20:25 pm

I replaced one. Zipdee told me that you have to replace the complete awning as the fabric is a different size and manual arms will not work.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #8 – October 31, 2018, 09:51:38 pm

you can have the awning fabric made.. mine is sitting in the garage to be put on

.. made in any size you tell them ( my fabric guy).

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #9 – November 01, 2018, 05:42:15 pm

Ron, who did your replacement? And what, roughly, kind of cost are we looking at?

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #10 – November 01, 2018, 06:01:25 pm

The charge to rebuild and ship back was under $800

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #11 – November 01, 2018, 06:04:33 pm

Thanks David.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #12 – November 01, 2018, 07:51:56 pm

George you also want to make sure you have 110 min psi going to the awning control box. The control board requires 110 psi to operate. After our control board was replaced as well as rebuilt arms and the addition of a small air compressor the awning on our 2002 worked flawlessly for years. I believe the aux comp shuts down at 110 psi.

Call Jimmy.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #13 – November 01, 2018, 08:29:30 pm

George if I remember it was around $4000.00 but not sure. I will have to find the paperwork.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #14 – November 01, 2018, 09:31:14 pm

Thanks for the good info guys. Sounds like I probably will have to learn to love what I have. And learn how to operate it!

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #15 – November 01, 2018, 11:06:45 pm

I do not know anyone that has converted a power awning to a manual one. This system only existed in the 2002 model year. Have asked FT and Zip Dee about the problem but never received an answer.

A number of years ago FT offered, after 2 techs worked on our 2002 for 2/3 hours, to replace our Zip Dee with an auto Girard for about $4500. I declined and a few months later met with Jimmy and the owner in Gillett, WY, where the repair was made. Cost: $20.00. Jim, the owner, said it would pay for drinks before dinner.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #16 – November 02, 2018, 10:00:37 am

Have 02 coach. Jimmy in support at Zip Dee has kept my awning working just fine.
Must let water out of arms by using only electric out.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #17 – November 02, 2018, 07:09:58 pm

Dan, what do you mean "by using only water out". I didn't get that.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #18 – November 02, 2018, 08:31:10 pm

Remove water from arms -
http://nebula.wsimg.com/b362d758e6410fd496779bd58a6d078b?AccessKeyId=C8A729CF410B06765C18&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Lubrication of arms -
http://nebula.wsimg.com/709f60d11040d50563ed903a62d60be0?AccessKeyId=C8A729CF410B06765C18&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Trouble shooting guide -
http://nebula.wsimg.com/d545145b70f912e7184179330a82ac91?AccessKeyId=C8A729CF410B06765C18&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #19 – November 02, 2018, 09:53:23 pm

Thanks Scott, that about covers it all.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #20 – November 02, 2018, 09:58:54 pm

You might visit their web site some time.

PM me if you wish to chat...

Oh.....Keep us informed.

Re: CONVERTING AIR-OPERATED AWNING

Reply #21 – November 02, 2018, 10:44:13 pm

Will do. It's on my DW's to do list. Thanks for the help.

Affiliate Notice