Zip Dee Awning problem

[Mollysdad]

Also, my experience is that Zip Dee awnings are not precision machined. I bought a second lower hinge bar to experiment with and discovered that the pre drilled holes were an INCH off.
I think they use the "This looks about right", measure.

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Also, my experience is that Zip Dee awnings are not precision machined. I bought a second lower hinge bar to experiment with and discovered that the pre drilled holes were an INCH off.
I think they use the "This looks about right", measure.

Not knocking them, in any way, but when I ordered a few things, they sent hand written duplicate yellow copy for the receipt. They are still operating in the 60-80's decade.

Definitely old school in many aspects. Not necessarily a bad thing, but off the beaten path of today's experiences.

[rbs]

Originally Posted by thewarden

I have a 2016 that has cost me thousands in repairs (both arm motors fried and 3 control boards).

There is some good advice here; always hit close before deploying the awning, never power down your rig while the awning is deployed, check the wiring connections to the control board, etc., But another critical issue is to make sure that the arm motor assembly is regularly lubricated with lithium spray and you regularly spray the struts with silicon spray.

The motors in the arms seem very sensitive to resistance and will stop when any resistance is detected, thus messing up the awning sync.

My struts and arms are so lubricated a fly can't land on them, but I've never lubricated the motor assembly. Would you describe, or better show a picture of where to lubricate the motor? Thanks in advance

[thewarden]

Originally Posted by rbs

My struts and arms are so lubricated a fly can't land on them, but I've never lubricated the motor assembly. Would you describe, or better show a picture of where to lubricate the motor? Thanks in advance

Check the video "Zip Dee Relax Awning Routine Maintenance"
https://www.awningsbyzipdee.com/reso...tional-videos/

[akarakos]

For Boba911, when I accidentally turn off the power switch to my awning it performs exactly as you described. Then I open & close it again and it works like it’s supposed to. You must leave the power on when you open it and until it’s closed. If you call ZipDee they are very good at customer service and will talk you through it. Every once in a while I extend the awning and my index finger, apparently with a mind of a own, turns the power off. I immediately turn the power back on, open the awning, and leave the power button on so it will close properly when I close it. Once you close it, turn the power off.

[pboomerx]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

This was the key for us. We'd deploy and turn it off to conserve power. Then it wouldn't close and we had to hit open and close again, sometimes several times. I finally got around to reading the manual and now we leave it on when camping and have no trouble closing it. I don't think it uses much power when idle. We don't do any other machinations except of course lighting incense and praying to the Zip Dee gods for continued good fortune. Alas we fell out of favor with the Fantastic Fan gods and are being punished with cracked covers, so we don't take anything for granted.

When I have partial deployment or closure of my power awning, I press the battery disconnect, count to 10, then press the battery disconnect (to reconnect the battery). My understanding is that this reboots the awning computer. The awning then works. It has worked without fsil.

[evamcmahan]

I had to have the motors and other components replaced on the awning of my 2016 30 ft Classic, at a cost of almost $3K. On another note, I bought the sunshade from Zip Dee, and in trying to install it found the male pieces of the snaps were too large and did not fit in the female pieces. I talked to Randy and he agreed to accept return and give a refund, but was not interested in sending working snaps. I asked if he tried to fit the components and he said he did not but the ladies in the sewing department said they are using the same snaps they always have. I have no doubt they kept shipping faulty product for some more time. Laziness. On another note yet, I also have found Randy to be polite, and have found the other person to be curt, but not quite rude, just that she seemed to hate her job.

[milesinmyles]

These awnings are very finicky. After following these steps my awning on my 2019 27 GT the awning operates perfectly 100% of the time.

First, Never, ever shut main power when awning is not fully closed. It has memory of the position that it is supposed to be. (So I am told by Colonial AS).

Second, if tilted to front or back always straight back to normal before closing. Motors are on a timer so the extra time it takes to straighten the tilt will cause the awning to stop closing a foot or so from being completely closed. (So I am told by Colonial AS).

Third, Before locking up to leave and my awning is closed I always shut main power. This is my idea. Seems to me that the computer benefits from a reboot.

After always, always, following these 3 steps I have no issues any more. The first year I owned the trailer I had anxiety over using it and wished I had a manual awning.

Charlie

[rbs]

Originally Posted by thewarden

Check the video "Zip Dee Relax Awning Routine Maintenance"
https://www.awningsbyzipdee.com/reso...tional-videos/

can't find any reference to lubing the motor assembly

[evamcmahan]

On another note, one time I asked the “other person” about electric awning maintenance, particularly how I should lubricate, the manual being silent on that point, and she said don’t lubricate anything ever because I may get lubricant in the motors, short out wiring, or do other damage with lubricants.

[thewarden]

Originally Posted by evamcmahan

On another note, one time I asked the “other person” about electric awning maintenance, particularly how I should lubricate, the manual being silent on that point, and she said don’t lubricate anything ever because I may get lubricant in the motors, short out wiring, or do other damage with lubricants.

Not sure who to believe, the "other person" or the president of Zip Dee.

[thewarden]

Originally Posted by rbs

can't find any reference to lubing the motor assembly

The awning arm assembly, where the motor assembly is located, would have been more precise.

[CmdrDCM]

Does anyone know where the electric connectors for the Zip Dee are located on a 2022 23 FBT International?

[Jason P M]

As others have said, if you want it to close first try you need to leave the awning power button on after opening it. It has a memory. If you turn the power off after extending the awning, the system forgets how far it must retract the awning when closing.

[milesinmyles]

After the 1st year of having all the same challenges as others mentioned in this thread, my awning is now 99% trouble free by following these do's and don'ts.
1.When tilted, always straighten before closing. I've been told that the separate motors are on a timer so the extra time to straighten before closing will make the awning stop closing prematurely. This is a suggestion from Colonial.
2. Never shut off main power to the awning or the trailer while awning is open. It has memory so it knows it is open. Interrupting the power causes it to lose its memory. Another Colonial suggestion.
3.When I leave my trailer, awning is closed and I shut power to the awning. When I return to the trailer I turn power back on. This my idea as I feel like it is a computer reset.

I always do these 3 things and am problem free. Last weekend, with the awning open, my wife shut power to the trailer because she couldn't connect to audio system via Bluetooth (another common problem). Her music played fine but the next day I went to close the awning before going home and guess what? Awning closed but stopped 12 inches from fully closing. She didn't realize the awning was open. Hope this helps.

[mikeinca]

I always leave the power button in the on position after opening the awning and have yet to have a problem with retracting the awning. Knock on wood...

[cop294]

Originally Posted by CmdrDCM

Does anyone know where the electric connectors for the Zip Dee are located on a 2022 23 FBT International?

Mike- usually mounted on the wall behind the kitchen sink--you will see a circuit board that runs the awning. I have the 27ft GT and i can access from the disposal plastic cans mounted behind the sink. I have learned that if you are having issues---it is usually a wire or connector to the circuit board that came loose--even the connection on the awning that you use to manually deploy will loosen up.

I still wish I had a manual but will keep working through these minor issues.

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by rbs

Actually, it boils down to who you are talking with at Zip Dee, if it's Randy count your blessing, but if it is the "other" person, you're in for a rough time. The other person I think is a woman, but not 100% sure about that, but very abrasive, confrontational, and just plain rude. Like almost every Relax owner, we have experienced all of the failings, and will add if you own one and haven't had an issue, it's coming. My latest communication with Zip Dee, unfortunately spoke with the "other" person, amounted to a total waste of time. I've discovered the problems I've experienced can largely be attributed to the wiring connectors to the brain box. They come loose and create the havoc. I have removed the box from the wall mount and have room for it on the floor. I now have easier access to the connectors. I am also getting ready to go thru every wire connection to make sure there is a solid connection and try and determine a way to make sure the connectors stay securely in place.
Lastly, a question to Airstream, why do you continue to stick with Zip Dee? And if you are committed to using them at least offer the option of a manual awning. We like it when it works, but every time you use it there is a worry associated with it. Our friends with other branded powered awings seem to have zero issues. What are you going to tell a potential buyer when you're ready to sell, good luck with the awning?

I truly hope Airstream read the last portion of your comment which make so much sense and probably what everybody's thinking? What a piece of crap this stupid awning! I would have paid extra dollars to get a manual awning. a manual awning takes 5 min. to open? No problems EVER! this awning control board is 1972 technologies, just the cover said it all, hand cut with a Dremel, the connections are so bad, with the control board left on its own under the sink, not screwed to anything! Airstream is really taking people for Idiots!

[Monoman]

We have a power awning that the motor keeps attempting to close for an extra ten seconds or so after it is closed. ZD support sent us instructions to add some rivets since the internal motor stops must have broken.

It worked fine until it didn't. I agree that a manual awning would probably give some piece of mind.

We love the airstream but there are a few cut corners that we would gladly pay a bit extra to never deal with.

[Britgirl]

I just thought I’d weigh in with our experience with our power awning, which has been poor from the start. The first time we used it, it stuck when trying to close. Troubleshooting found it to be a loose wire on the mother board. The board is under the right front bed. Thank goodness there is an access panel. It must shake itself silly on the road. Since then we have rarely used it. On a very long trip we decided not to open it until we reached our final destination. However, yesterday it was over 100 so we opened it, having first checked the connection. It opened! Two hours later, a wind getting up and then rain we tried to close it. It wouldn’t close. We tried everything. Nothing worked. We spend the next half hour, in torrential rain, with a long broom pushing up on the awning in order to get the water off. You know what happens if you don’t. We then began searching for answers and the tools needed to close it manually. As it was getting dark we decided to leave it until morning. We watched the video from Colonial Airstream. I have to say I wish we’d bought there instead of where we live near Phoenix. Our Airstream dealer, with a very slick operation, is worse than useless. Once sold they wash their hands of you.
This morning, it crosses my mind that it might be a heat related issue! I turned the power back on and then pressed open and close. Repeated it and the awning started to close. Stuck part way do I opened it and tried closing it again. This time it closed. I cannot tell you how this lighted our mood, instantly. What we must do when we get to a dry place is get it open again to dry it out before the fabric gets mold. Fingers crossed.