My Relax Awning (I have never understood that name -- some folks are trouble free, others not so much.
Last week, my awning would not operate. I checked the usual things, power, ground, kill switch was operating.
I used the Zip Dee “in case of emergency kit.” Since it wouldn’t unroll, I concluded it was the roller motor.
Called both Nate and Randy at Zip Dee, They agreed with my diagnosis. Naturally, UPS had a mixup and sent my motor to Fresno, CA instead of Greensboro, NC.
Since we’re heading out, Nate sent me another motor. i talked to him Friday, Motor arrived Sat AM. I set to work. Zip Dee does provide instructions to replace the roller motor. It took me about 6 hours to do the swap out. That was 6 hours of work. You have to do everything in sequence EXACTLY as their instructions suggest. When it says “hook your motor directly to
12V (car battery, etc.) they mean it. The new motoris programmed to CLOSE the awning first, so You MUST close your awning using the emergency cable. After the first close with the emergency kit, the awning works perfectly.
BE ADVISED. My trailer has the first generation roller motor in it. It is about 18” long. The NEW motor is MUCH longer. I looked at the specs on the longer motor and it is somewhat heavier duty. That is good news.
Not so good news is that the motor assembly is manufactured in Italy. (These are the same people who may be diverted from motor building to other more enjoyable activities. In Italy’s defense, though, I had a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Convertible for 8 years. It was flawless. I’m hoping the new motor will be reliable.
I always like t see if I can figure why something failed. I disassembled the inop motor to find I could have fixed it instead of buying a new one. The issue was a binding problem between a couple of plastic parts. My suspicion it was dirt getting into the roller mechanism.
So, now I have a new,”high speed” roller motor AND an old roller motor that I’ll carry in my “spares” section in my truck.
Sorry this is a bit long. I’m not sure which “new” system has been more frustration, the Relax Awning or the Alde Furnace/Hot Water set up.
If guessing that a roller motor replacement is a 4-5 hour job if you’ve worked with a Zip Dee Relax awning before. The motor is a bit over $325. If you have this done at your dealer, I’m guessing it’d run about $1,200.