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Dreaded Zip Dee Autoawn
ok I was forewarned of this marvel of engineering. But I decided to plunge ahead and see if I could unfurl the beast. I pre-lubed it and made sure no water was trapped in the main arms. I pushed the down button on the remote and all went well except the left arm did not lock into place when fully extended. The locking pin on the right arm picture 3 engaged while the locking pin on the left arm did not….picture 2. I reviewed the Zip Dee trouble shooting material and they say call for further help for this particular issue. Now I am also aware Zip Dee is not particularly responsive to this awning as it has been discontinued……so I am seeking your help. How do I get this locking pin to engage……or should I just abandon and hope this awning closes.
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17 Replies
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Just push that arm up and it will lock…there is a hole in the arm in the position for it to lock….If you need to unlock it you can screw a bolt into the center hole and pull up….the arm will drop….
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Allan,
Is this Your first time posting pictures ? LOL Sorry , I could not resist. At least You are posting !Bsafe,
Rocky -
no I am having a bad hair day. For some unknown reason to me the pictures are upside down. I tried to correct them but had no success. Just to let everyone know, the awning is back in its stowed position and I will try agiain tomorrow to get the left arm to lock.
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Tom is the photo expert, but my guess is there is an iphone involved.
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I used my iPad….is this a bad way to go?
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I had that happen to my awning before and as Jeff had said you can simply push it in. Mine was due to dirt and grime filling in around it. I’d say clean around it and give it a shot of lube.
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Allan,
You have to take the photo with your Iphone/Ipad in the horizontal position, if in the vertical position, the photo will be upside down.
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In addition to what Tom is sayng about the pictures, you gotta hold the phone with the shutter button on the right or the picture will be 180 degrees reversed. I’m left handed and learned this the hard way. lol
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Success. Thanks for everyone’s advice. I cleaned the locking pins and siliconed lubed the secondary arms (rounded tube) and the awning set out perfectly. I will retract it later this morning…….just want to gaze at it a few more hours. Thanks again.
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Allan,
There’s a 7/16 bolt on top of each arm that should be lubed periodically with a little 3 in 1 oil per Zip Dee. I assume you already know how to get the water out of the arms by manually lowering the arms past 90 degree and then remove the black caps with 4 screws letting the water run out. This should be done often.
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Yes, I oiled the main arms and let out the trapped water per Zip Dee instructions. One thing I am going to do is purchase a 24volt DC power supply as a backup to the batteries. The former owner included a good length of wire with alligator clips to be attached presumably to back up power in case of need. Just wondering what the amperage draw of the ZIp Dee motor is……any thoughts out there.
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Allan,
Not sure if it was mentioned here on this thread, but Zip Dee made a change to heavier gauge wire for the motor and maybe your’s hasn’t been updated.
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I do not know the trick to manually get the arms down past 90 degrees.
can you enlighten me on the process.
i have only removed the 7/16 bolt to lubricate it.
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You use the manual switch inside the control box to open the awning. You will need to help it move away from the coach body since the push off buttons aren’t in use. Using that button, allow the awning to go all the way out past 90 degrees and then they will be pointed down just enough to get the water out. Your awning will thank you….
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I abandoned my zip-dee batteries a few years ago and wired into the bay door light circuit which is 24 volt chassis powered. This probably won’t work if/when you turn off your chassis master switch.
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