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05-05-2024, 02:10 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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Relax awning, electrical question
We are in process, working with Randy at Zip Dee to get our Relaxed Awning working. We've tested the wiring for the roller motor, from the control box and pulled the wiring at the arm access hole and checked the wiring at that location first. Both tests delivered power to the roller motor. Unfortunately the awning will not respond to the control board, the blinking lights at the control board show that it's getting the signal, just nothing happens. That's the background, but my question concerns something that happened couple years ago. Our converter/charger when out and we had to charge the batteries by using a battery charger. While on the battery charger, the awing worked as it was supposed to. We replaced the batteries when we got home, so they are literally new. I will add that we changed to Trojan 6 volt batteries for more amps and installed a new converter/charger, all seems to be good on that end, but curious as to why the awning would work with charger, and not when on shore power. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I did remove the awning control box and sent it to Zip Dee to have them tested and will hear from them tomorrow. We really need the awing to be functional for summer travel.
Thanks
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05-15-2024, 12:07 PM
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#2
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Sombrero
2018 30' Classic
St-Jérôme
, Quebec
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbs
We are in process, working with Randy at Zip Dee to get our Relaxed Awning working. We've tested the wiring for the roller motor, from the control box and pulled the wiring at the arm access hole and checked the wiring at that location first. Both tests delivered power to the roller motor. Unfortunately the awning will not respond to the control board, the blinking lights at the control board show that it's getting the signal, just nothing happens. That's the background, but my question concerns something that happened couple years ago. Our converter/charger when out and we had to charge the batteries by using a battery charger. While on the battery charger, the awing worked as it was supposed to. We replaced the batteries when we got home, so they are literally new. I will add that we changed to Trojan 6 volt batteries for more amps and installed a new converter/charger, all seems to be good on that end, but curious as to why the awning would work with charger, and not when on shore power. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I did remove the awning control box and sent it to Zip Dee to have them tested and will hear from them tomorrow. We really need the awing to be functional for summer travel.
Thanks
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I'm having the same issue! we have a 30RB Classic 2018 and the front arm wont deploy the way it should? I have just replaced the battery so the pwr was cut off! Zip Dee is quick to jump on the conclusion that the $1000.00 front arm is defective and should be replaced! I knew it, I always told my wife, why bother with an automatic awning when the manual work just fine? we have had 5 Airstream with Manual never had a problem, then this silly system is a recipe for disaster, there are multiple threads about this! I'm still testing but nothing seems to work yet! this is a very bad system for many reasons, the arms cannot be taken apart to repair or replace one sub component! if they fail the whole system is scrap, plus there is no plugs to unplug the arms, if you replace the arm you have to fish all the cable inside the trailer! Ironically this awning is called the relax awning? I am not relaxing much right now as I try to figure out what is wrong with it! They say never (ever) shut the pwr off? wonder how this is possible, then they are talking about closing cycle, that things has to re-learn which position it's at everytime it's shut down! so if you went without pwr you have to close it first (even if its close) and then run the cycles again? give us news about yours, right now I'm trying to figure out if the arm is really defective!
__________________
God is the Sun
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05-17-2024, 06:48 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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"Relax" awning
The only thing we know is that the control board is functioning as it should, per Zip Dee. I had to get a meter that tests amps so I could perform the testing on the roller motor and arm motors. We're traveling, but when we get home in a few days, will run those tests and see where we're at. I can run the awning in and out using the emergency wiring harness, but the arms won't extend. I had already replaced the rear arm, couple of years ago, and Zip Dee sold me a rebuild one and I had to send them the one I replaced for a credit. I would have to dig out the receipt for costs, can't remember. I'll post my findings.
Zip Dee makes it hard to "Relax"
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05-17-2024, 07:11 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
2018 27' Globetrotter
Mooresville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,248
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We had an airstream owner do a presentation on the relax awnings. His main point was to use silicone spray and clean microfiber cloth to clean the upper arms when extended. It doesn’t take much dirt / grime to make them malfunction. He cleaned one guys arms 11 times and they finally extended and retracted properly.
Once you get them clean it is easier to keep them clean. If your arm upper arm won’t extend all the way, try cleaning why you can. Make sure you use silicone and not WD 40. Also, use white lithium grease in that little hole in each of the thicker lower arms to lubricate the worm gears.
Not sure if this is your issue but worth a try.
__________________
2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax
Equal-I-zer Weight Distribution attached to the Gen-Y Torsion Flex Weight Distribution Hitch
"Roadrunner"
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05-17-2024, 08:28 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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cleaning
our arms are so slick a fly can't land on them
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05-26-2024, 07:17 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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running out of options and patience
Current operating status, the awning now refuses to do anything. The button/panel show "closed" when you hit the close button, and "open" when you hit the open button, with a very short "status" light between, but nothing happens. You can hear the control box getting the signal, when you push the button, but nothing happens. Checked the power delivered to the control box, needs to be 12 V, the meter shows it's getting the same volts the charger/converter shows, 13.3 V. We know the roller motor wiring is intact from testing, haven't checked the arm motors yet. Sent the control box to Zip Dee for testing, they say it's working fine. They want me to test amp draw, but that's impossible when the motors aren't operating. The wiring connectors were the original suspects, and checking them found several wiring connections that were hanging on by threads. Attempted to make better/stronger connections, but the quality of the wires is very marginal, stripping the insulation required holding your breath and hoping there was enough wire left to complete the task. I don't think I installed the wiring wrong to the plugs, but want to eliminate that possibility. I want to attach photos of the plugs with hopes someone can confirm everything looks correct, a lot to ask, but maybe someone has taken a similar picture. Otherwise I have to wait until after the holidays to call Randy, and he's been very patient to say the least, can't even imagine how many calls he gets about these awnings. I still think its the control box
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05-27-2024, 07:19 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
2018 27' Globetrotter
Mooresville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,248
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This is a long shot. I read you had not checked the arm motors yet. I had front end separation on my 2018 globetrotter. I had a leak in my front curbside storage compartment. After much frustration testing I found there is a grommet that the awning wiring goes thru the inside and outside shell into the awning arm that feeds power up the arm to the motor.
They forgot to install that grommet fully after the repair and this caused the leak. All of this is to say if your grommet is faulty, that is an area that could cause some wear in the wire feeding the motor. However, if you can’t extend your awning I don’t know how you inspect that area. If you are not getting power the motor that could be the area where the issue is.
I know this is frustrating for you.
__________________
2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax
Equal-I-zer Weight Distribution attached to the Gen-Y Torsion Flex Weight Distribution Hitch
"Roadrunner"
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05-28-2024, 05:52 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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I can extend the awning using the emergency power wiring, and probably could extend each arm by hot wiring the arm motors wires, know more when I get back in touch with Randy. Leaving in a few days.
Thanks for the suggestion
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05-31-2024, 06:51 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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more information to share
Several conversations with Randy and he has always remained kind and helpful, don't know how he does it.
Learned more today about the roller motor. I had assumed if you were able to hot wire the roller motor and it worked, then it must be alright. Well, I learned that is not the case. If the roller motor is drawing more than 5 amps, it will not function correctly, causing the motor to stop! Finally able to test the amp draw on the roller motor, and it's drawing over 7 amps, alibi the test was only for a few seconds, as the awing will not roll out, so I'm just getting a short reading. Randy assured me the roller motor is not difficult to install, just need to follow instructions. I will have to tackle it when we return from a trip.
If anyone reading this has replaced a roller motor, as always, I would appreciate any and all advice
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05-31-2024, 07:15 AM
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#10
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New Member
Elk Grove Village, IL
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 1
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Hello,
The awning does require at least 11.5v to operate. You mentioned that you are using a 6v battery. I'm assuming you are using 2 inline with each other?
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05-31-2024, 01:14 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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making 12 volts
the two 6 volt batteries are wired in series to produce 12 volts, and have checked power to the control box, it fine
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06-30-2024, 06:28 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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Relax update!
First I want to again compliment Randy, from Zip Dee, he is a very nice person. Personally, I don't know how he copes. He talks with so many people, it's impossible for him to remember your particular issues, which requires you to completely retell your story(s).
We have, I think, solved our Relax Awning issues, mostly! We had purchased a new control box, came with control panel and new connectors with wiring, on Ebay. Also replaced the roller motor, nearly $500! I could go into the details about the roller motor, but the bottom line, the roller motor was not the issue. The wiring connectors have been a previous issue, by coming loose and the wires themselves breaking. Just a note here about the wires, they are very small gauge and require some finesse striping. I don't think you can strip them with a tool, I used a razor blade to score the insulation and my thumb nail to remove it. After installing the new roller motor, with no success, and running out of options, I decided to replace the connectors with the new ones that came with the new control box. A tedious process, in a very confined area, but got it done. Plugged in the new connectors, burned some sage, turned on the power, hit the close then open button and the awning opened, almost had forgotten what it looked like. This is when you hold your breath, we hit the close button and she closed with no hiccups. We sat down for a moment, it was almost surreal, and decided to give it another go. Same procedure, starts to open but stopped, most likely from the rear arm refusing to come away from the trailer easily. Closed, then pushed open and out she goes, just like the old days, numbered as they are. The closing cycle stopped about halfway closed, but pushing the close button, the awning completed closing. Not done testing yet, we went for a third time, and the awning performed just like it was supposed to, no hiccups. Who knows, it's a Relax Awning.
Couple of things. I've replaced the rear arm a few years ago and it was a challenge, definitely need two people any time you're dealing with these arms. I used the emergency connector, plugs into motor and connects to battery, to unroll the awning. It will unroll to the lowest position, unable to open/close your door, so make sure it's open, but makes access much easier. Removing and especially reinstalling the gas props are MUCH easier with the awning in this position, plus access to everything while standing on the ground. Installing the roller motor was pretty simple, although the new ones are longer and require installing a line of rivets for the motor's gear to engage, the instructions were pretty good.
Final words (probably shouldn't have said that) I have a spare control box and roller motor, and some costly advice, check your connectors to the control box.
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09-26-2024, 08:34 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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Awning is now working!
A story too long to repeat, but continuity testing the front arm wiring discovered that there was a problem in the wiring to the roller motor, that started out intermittently and could/would change to totally, so hard to diagnose. Replaced the front arm, Zip Dee sells a rebuilt arm, and you send them your arm for a $200 credit. When the dust settles you'll have better than $800 cost to replace, but hopefully a functioning awning. It's been a long and exhausting journey, that I'm anxious to move on from.
As a side note, my journey has allowed me to accumulate an extra control board, new switches and a extra roller motor, if anyone is looking for such, contact me
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10-13-2024, 07:25 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 767
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it never ends
After replacing the front arm, and the awning was working fine, the rear arm shot craps, i.e. the tilt function wouldn't work. On recent trip when we extended the awning, it opened but was in full lower tilt, both arms. I got the front arm to extend up, but the rear arm's motor was running but wasn't moving the awning. It was making a lot of noise when I'd opened the awning during testing, and I was pretty sure that was a bad sign, as I'd replaced that arm a few years ago, same issue. Called Zip Dee, Randy confirmed my suspicion and got a rebuilt rear arm shipped to me. Replacing the rear arm is a little more involved as you have to unwind the spring before removing and of course rewind when installed. I use the emergency electrical hookup and lower the entire awning to its lowest position, makes it a lot easier to work on. Hopefully this will be the final installment in this "not so relaxing awning" story
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