Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Zip Dee Awning Motor Replacement

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    MELBOURNE
    Posts
    7

    Default Zip Dee Awning Motor Replacement

    The motor in my 2003 vintage Zip Dee awning failed as an open circuit requiring replacement. After calling Zip Dee who were very nice to talk to, I got the news that the motor assembly was no longer in production but they had found some vintage motors and would have new-old stock motors in a few weeks/months.


    In the interim, I removed the motor assembly anyway to see if I could disassemble the motor to attempt a repair. Removal of the motor is an experience by itself, especially if you use the factory motor replacement procedure considering the motor is inoperative. My truncated procedure is a subject for another post. I found that the motor was flooded and beyond repair.


    The posts on POG and the rest of the RV owners forums indicated there were limited options with most posts indicating that you should consider another awning. Not wanting to go down that route, the motor I removed still had OEM part numbers legible so I found the storm shutter motor with the same part number as the 2003 OEM vintage motor in the Zip Dee assembly. It unfortunately is mechanically different. The motor manufacturer makes numerous Crowns and Drives that fit a multitude of shutter tube sizes and extrusion shapes. None were adequate for the Zip Dee awning assembly since the Zip Dee design uses the motor housing to restrain the large spring loaded arms that offload the winding spring and the weight of the awning fabric.


    Using the old motor crown and drive components as a template for new ones, I fired up the CAD tools. A local machine shop milled the new components. The picture below shows the old motor in gold and the new motor in silver.


    The new motor is mass produced for use in the shutter market. So in the event that it fails, the cost to replace is minimal when compared to the cost to replace the awning.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Beverly Hills
    Posts
    4,652

    Default

    Wow, great show of resources. Did you make enough machined parts for others ;-)
    Last edited by Gil_J; 04-03-2019 at 11:56 AM.


    Gil and Durlene
    2003 H-3 Hoffman Conversion

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    3,988

    Default

    That right there has the potential for saving a whole bunch of people a whole bunch of money. Shame on zip Dee for not doing that themselves for their customers I can only assume all bad reasons why they wouldn't. Well done.
    1990 Peterbuilt 377
    3406 B Caterpillar
    13 Speed Roadranger
    No Norgrens


    1 day on paper no machines

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Granville
    Posts
    13

    Default

    Folks that are on this forum are impressive with their can do attitude and knowledge...

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •