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Zip Dee auto air awning stuck out
On beginning of a two month trip. Put out the big awning a couple days ago (only the third time since getting coach), went out fine. Next morning hit close on the remote, awning dropped – presume air vented, then just stayed there. Changed batteries in remote, no joy. Went outside and activated remote OPEN/CLOSE, could hear air hissing when pressing close so the controller is getting signal and working the air portion. Unplugged connecter at front end of awning and checked for voltage, none with either open or close button presses. Got out battery charger and jumpered 12 v to the feed to the roller motor and it slowly began to close. With a little manual help got awning completely closed.
So, presumptions so far are the motor probably is 24v and I have a break in wiring between controller and the plug I disconected. Or controller is bad/some limit switch is bad or hung up, or circuit breaker or fuse blown.
Questions:
Where is the controller unit?
Verify is 24 v motor?
Is there a circuit breaker or fuse somewhere in the system after the controller board?
Is there a “direct” replacement manual awning?
So far plan to just leave the thing closed for duration of the trip.
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11 Replies
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Last I check the motors were 24V. Somebody jump in if Im wrong but Id start by changing out the batteries that power the motor.
If you open the passenger side of your OTR bay, there will be an access panel on the rear bulkhead that you can unscrew and access the awning board/controller & batteries. There will be two batteries and they will be wired in series to make 24V so make sure you remember to wire them back up correctly.
The batteries can be purchased at Home Depot or a similar store for about $30/ea.
I think there is a breaker in there as well you could check but I would think the awning would not respond at all to your remote if it was tripped. Again, PC, jump in if you know more. Im just trying to get back with him as quick as I can.
A friend of mine had a similar problem on his 02 Liberty where his awning would close about half way and he would have to walk away while the bad batteries had enough charge to roll the awning the rest of the way in. I have also heard of some people hard wiring the motor to a 24v source on the coach and avoiding the batteries all together. People lose track of time and forget how old those batteries could be.
You could verify this with a multimeter at the battery connectors before you went further searching for a broken wire. A broken wire could be checked using that same multimeter as well.
Considering the model of the awning and the known problems, I like to look at mine closed all the time.
There is a manual model, very popular over the air/electric model b/c of its reliablity. However, it will be way cheaper to fix what you have at the moment.
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Yes motor is 24 volt….
1. Verify ignition key is off, it has a ignition over-ride
2. Box is in bus air bay passenger side
3. Unit should have a breaker at the top of the box on the left
4. With a voltmeter verify you have 24 volts at the batteries
5. If batteries not charged verify fuses In the blue box on the left if you open it up (4 screws) you will see the charge board and depending on unit will have either 1 or 2 fuses on that
6. On the outside of the blue box is the connections. You will see it labeled motor, you can check voltage using the manual motor only switch…If power going out and none at the motor than more than likely is the arm.
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call zip dee. They have great support and assistance. In my H the unit is in the second bay, and that box has a culircuot breaker on the top that can pop up (up is a broken connection) – if so presss it down.
If you go to thie zip dee site it will allow you to down load the “manual ” use step by step instructions.
Ithey recommend using the battery in the zip dee cabinet to jump straight to the awning motor to get it to roll up
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Thanks to all for the very prompt and informative replies. I got into the controller box, found 27+ volts at the batteries. Awning went out and in with the manual switch. I only let it go out a few inches lest something happen and it be stuck out away from home, we are leaving this site Sat AM. Will download the Zip Dee manual and study up on the operation before I take another shot at using it.
Maybe if we get in an unshaded spot with sunny days where we will be for a few days and really need it will take a couple brave pills and roll it out and see what happens. Maybe I’ll wait for Driggs where I can plead for volunteers to help roll it back in if it gets stuck.
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David:
As you may already know, there is a time out built into the opening and closing of the zip dee awning.
If you stop the motion of the awning either in the opening , or closing of the awning by hitting the stop button, it will time out for 20 min. In the manual it tells you that you can overide this delay, but does not tell you how.
I have encountered times when the awning does not go out all the way, and I have to wait the 20 min to cycle it again. what a PITA.
this thread was great as I knew about the compressor and box, but did not know about the batteries in the box.
Learn something new every day.
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David the controller does have a time delay after you operate the awning in or out.
You can over ride the time out by simply turning off the controller with the on off switch at the bottom of the white plastic strip below the buttons you have already operated. Turning off the power resets the timer.
Also if you are checking batttery voltage you have to turn the controller off or you will be seeing the 27 volts the battery charger is putting out instead of actual battery voltage.
Also in the future ther is a circut breaker built into the top of the controller cabinet that rests the motor if it trips.
It is a little white button that will pop up if tripped. Just push it back in to reset.
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WOW! Buddy has been at ETLC so long he is becoming like Jeff and giving out useful and helpful information.
Keep up the good work Erectile Dis … uh, I mean ED
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Where are my RAMPS !!!!!!!
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Turned off bottom switch in the control box, all lights went out. Couple days later checked battery voltage, still shows 27+.
New question, the awning air compressor is still running periodically. I remember seeing somewhere a post about where the on/off switch if there was one, or fuse/breaker for it was, but can’t remember the location or where I read about it. Any one who remembers where it is please advise.
Thank you.
Leaving Bismark ND headed towards Missoula. One stop in between. Get to Seattle next Tuesday
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Dont quote me but give this a try….
It has been over a year ago since Ive asked Troy at Liberty how to turn off the awning compressor. The circled thing should be the awning circuit. This is not my picture (one I found on Olympias site) nor my bus but look for that type of circuit on the forward wall of your computer bay and unscrew the fuse. Worse case scenario it doesnt stop your compressor and you have to screw the terminals back on.
As for testing it, the only thing I could think of is to drain some air out of the holding tank for the awning compressor. I have plumbed mine to a valve I can easily reach to drain moisture out of; otherwise you will have to reach though the chicken wire underneath. There my be an airline you could unhook in the control box or on the arm too.
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My coach has a chrome toggle switch located on a panel inside the electrical bay (second bay left side on mine).
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