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Old 08-11-2018, 11:17 PM   #1
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2019 27' Globetrotter
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 28
Zip Dee “Relax” Power Awning FIXED

We picked-up our 2019 Globetrotter on Thursday in Baton Rouge. The dealer demonstrated the power awning; no hint of trouble. Back home in Houston on Friday night we tried the awning: NUTHIN’. No lights at all on the control board.

We were fixin’ to call Zip Dee and Airstream on Monday, but in the meantime the dealer sent excellent schematics of the whole trailer (much more detailed than the User Manual).

On a random Airstream owner’s website (trailandhitch.com) I found that the Zip Dee control circuit board is located “under the sink”. On the Globetrotter, the only place than could be is OUTBOARD of the wastebasket compartment.

Found a thin white laminate cover secured by two Phillips screws; removed it and discovered the Zip Dee control board laying in the bottom of the cavity underneath.

Apparently, the board is supposed to be secured in the compartment with a couple of strips of double-sided foam tape. I’m guessing that that idea didn’t survive the Summer heat in Baton Rouge. Gonna need a new idea, maybe a little shelf and a bungee cord?

I pulled the board up and out of the aft hole in the countertop, still attached to its wires. If you’ve ever see a Caesarian Section (don’t ask), it was like that.

I quickly noticed a green receptacle on the board labeled +12v/-12vdc, with NO PLUG IN IT. Scrounged around in the bottom of the cavity and found the matching green plug. Presumably, the plug got knocked out of the receptacle when the board fell to the bottom of the cavity. See photo; the green plug/receptacle is at 4:00 o’clock.

When I plugged it in, the LEDs on the board lit-up and the CLOSE LED on the switch panel lit-up too. Ran the awning out about half-way, stopped, then closed it all the way. It’s late, so I’ll button it up tomorrow.

Easy fix that never should have been required. Hope this helps somebody down the road...
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Old 08-12-2018, 12:45 AM   #2
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Thanks, That should save someone a bunch of grief .

I wonder if there are any more hidden control boards for other stuff and where they are .
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Old 08-12-2018, 05:36 AM   #3
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Excellent post illustrating the capability of an owner to fix problems. Congrats.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:37 PM   #4
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2019 27' Globetrotter
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Thanks for the nice comments; just trying to pay-back a tiny fraction of the help that the Forum has provided me over the last couple of years.

Here's the "fix" I employed (sorry, forgot to take pictures):

(a) cut a 5" x 8" piece of scrap 3/4" baltic birch ply
(b) cut a 5" x 8" piece of ~1/4" closed cell foam (like a mouse pad).

[note: I have tons of stuff like that squirreled-away in my shop. Your squirreliness may vary.]

(c) screwed the circuit board (with foam underneath) to the plywood with small pan-head screws, one each top and bottom. Tighten screws just enough to compress the foam a bit.

(d) apply 2" 3M double-sided tape to back of plywood. Test-fit with the tape still covered. Uncover the tape and ROCK the plywood into place from the top edge.

Note that I applied about 5x the tape area that was originally on the circuit board. It isn't going anywhere.

The circuit board can now be removed with a stubby Phillips head screwdriver (or more to the point, a swiss army knife) without prying-off foam tape.

Elapsed time was maybe 30 minutes, including sanding the scrap plywood.
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Old 08-19-2018, 08:23 AM   #5
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Cumberland , Maryland
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I also screwed mine down to a piece of plywood then to the floor just because I think that is how it should be and of course I had issues too. Thanks for posting.
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Old 08-21-2018, 01:31 PM   #6
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I sent a letter to Justin Humphreys about this thread just to let him know the issues you and others have had. Not only did he acknowledge my email, he commented on having already found your thread and sending it over to one of his factory team members.

I'm glad he's listening! That's very encouraging.
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Old 08-21-2018, 11:42 PM   #7
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2019 27' Globetrotter
Houston , Texas
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Brilliant, thanks.
Good to know that Jackson Center is monitoring the Forum.

The tighter the Quality feedback loop, the more valuable the brand, and the better our resale. Oh, and the lower the Rework costs for Airstream.

BTW we moved the Globetrotter down to our woodlot in Rockport Texas last weekend; tows extremely well with a RAM 1500 Ecodiesel and ProPride 3P hitch.

Storage is fantastic, especially the overheads.
Chief Cook & Bottle-Washer is very happy with the fancy marine fabric floor.
The light decor (ours is “London Gray”) is super bright and airy; we think it’s more “beachy” than the Tommy Bahama editions.
Even our skittish old dog Nellie Pepper likes it, particularly the new (to us) aloo-minium steps.Two paws up.
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Old 01-08-2019, 07:25 AM   #8
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Litchfield Park , Arizona
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hareynolds View Post
We were fixin’ to call Zip Dee and Airstream on Monday, but in the meantime the dealer sent excellent schematics of the whole trailer (much more detailed than the User Manual).
Hi, any possibility of posting those schematics? Are they PDFs?

Thanks,

Steve
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Old 09-18-2019, 09:57 PM   #9
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Powhatan , Virginia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevejones View Post
Hi, any possibility of posting those schematics? Are they PDFs?

Thanks,

Steve
+1 on that. As someone who likes to diagnose and fix things himself (had the same issue you did without the the circuit board falling) I would love to have the wiring schematics.

When I took delivery of it the dealership couldn’t figure out the problem. Literally took me 10 minutes once I read the manual.
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Old 01-06-2021, 05:42 PM   #10
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Palm Springs , California
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Zip Dee Awning Power - FIXED

I have a 2018 19’ Tommy Bahama.
Was having issues described by all with power awning; sometimes it would work, sometimes not, sometimes partially, etc...

Long story short, there was a green connector that was loose from the Zip Dee motherboard, hidden beneath the dining area seat where all the power enters the trailer.

My assumption is that the motor vibration from the water pump (it’s very aggressive when in use!) shook the cable loose over time and then finally shook it out.

I spent hours and hours diagnosing every electrical possibility, even re-wired the breaker circuits to check fuse terminals, etc...

Luckily it was a simple fix, but it started out as a pain in the you know what!

See pics, but basically, check the connection to Zip Dee boards (on the wall panel and at the main terminals) first, before calling a tech out..,

-Scott
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Old 09-07-2024, 12:27 PM   #11
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Oro Valley , Arizona
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I guess they didn’t listen because the power board on our 2013 International is hanging loose under the bed. A constant source of problems.
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