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Miriam Wade

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I know this could be moved to the Product Forum, but I never look there!

I have 2 Zinger Wingers w/ remotes that I am very, very happy with. One wasn't launching & I did narrow the problem down a bit. Both receivers & the transmitter are fine & operate one of the wingers. However the "bad" winger when hooked up to either receiver emits the duck call sound, but doesn't launch. It will launch manually. The little plug on that winger doesn't seem to fit as snugly into the receiver as the other winger. I was just about to call Zinger Winger's customer service, but scrolled through the "Troubleshooting" page first (BTW-if your winger tips over-it could be due to being placed on uneven ground. Who knew?!? HAHAHA!) & it mentioned using WD-40 to make sure mechanics are lubricated & free from debris. I'll do that, BUT could the problem be with the little plug even if it gets enough juice to make the duck call sound work?

Any thoughts before I bother the guys at Zinger Winger?

Thanks!

M
 
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#2 ·
I use Zinger Wingers also and use Tritronics to remote launch. I would set up the winger but not load it and touch the button to see if the release is working. If not then, assuming that your electronics are OK it most likely is the plug. I've had that problem before myself and it was a loose plug. The "female" end in the receiver would not hold the plug in. I sent the receiver back to TT and they replaced it. Works great now!
 
#3 ·
Miriam

I too have several Zingers, keeping the release clean, lubed with a light spray of WD, and working freely makes a huge difference. Not only in the winger releasing the bird, but also firing the primer. Make sure when you lube it to turn the winger on its side and spray a little into the bore of the solenoid.

As far as the little plug on the winger that plugs into your release. It’s a standard 1/8” male mono jack plug available at any radio shack for around a buck. The problems I have encountered with the plug are that the terminals inside the plug can get crushed, when the winger is handled and stored, causing the wires to touch, and preventing the winger from operating. You can fix this on the plug that comes from Zinger by pulling back the black cover on the plug and applying a dab of silicone between the contacts and sliding the cover back on. If the barb on your plug gets bent or crushed, you can replace it with one from radio shack, when you do cover each of the terminals with some heat shrink insulation after you solder it on, and you’ll be good to go.

Your release making the duck sound or not has nothing to do with it operating the winger, completely different function.

The only other issue I have with the Zingers is the 209 primer can be a pain in the arse to get out after it’s fired, depending on what brand primer your using. To fix this I bent some wire into a “J” shape, inserting the short end of the J into the bottom of the 209 hole, and the long end sticking up out of the sound chamber. Just pull on the long end to kick the spent primer out.
 
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#4 ·
wingers

make sure both controllers will launch the good winger.
Make sure it not a controller/release issue.

set it up but dont load it. push the button and listen. If you hear the servo deal activate but not release the basket the wiring may be backwards. Just undo both wire connectors and switch them You may have to remove the bottom plate. a screwdriver and a small pair of pliars is all you need.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
THANK YOU!!!! I knew folks here could help & the best part is that it sounds like I won't need to be sending anything back to the company. I'll try everything suggested-starting with the WD40 & get this worked out.

Right now if I want a multiple mark setup it's been one long mark thrown by remote winger, 2nd longest w/ a loooooooooooooooong string attached to launch manually & a hand thrown (by me) mark off line!

The other day before I realized I had a problem w/ the winger I set up a mark I've been dying to run. Initial line through cover (which if dog cheated threw them off line to mark) then about 160 yards downhill & then it planes out then about 50 yards across a pond & back uphill another 40 yards to the mark. I set it up (& plant the blind I want to run after) -dog is focused &... ...nothing! "No bird" Put the dog up & come out to try again (he was sure it was his fault & heeled sooo perfectly!)...
...nothing! I almost started crying! (I wish I could afford bird boys!!) I left my dog on the line and ran out (turning around & saying "sit" the first 100 or so yards) around the pond-up the hill & turn & look-he's still on line. I gave a big "Hey Hey!" & kicked the winger. I don't know who was more relieved -me or the dog & it ended very, very well, but...

...I am going to fix that winger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again!

M

I RAN
 
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#6 ·
Has it ever worked on that winger?

Make sure the connections at the bottom are the right way and not lose. They are configured one way for TT and another for Dogtra. If you can hear the servo working but the release is not moving far enough to allow it to go off it is probably wired backwards and you simply unplug and switch the 2 wires.

The last one I got was set up for Dotra and my TT would not work untill I changed the wires, it tells you how to do it on the instruction sheet that comes with them.

Kevin
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Kevin Hannah said:
Has it ever worked on that winger?

Make sure the connections at the bottom are the right way and not lose. They are configured one way for TT and another for Dogtra. If you can hear the servo working but the release is not moving far enough to allow it to go off it is probably wired backwards and you simply unplug and switch the 2 wires.

The last one I got was set up for Dotra and my TT would not work untill I changed the wires, it tells you how to do it on the instruction sheet that comes with them.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Thanks Kevin, but I've had the same wingers & remotes for 2 years & this is the first problem. I am not mechanically inclined (understatement), but after reading the (much appreciated) responses I do think the plug likely needs to be replaced, but am going to try every suggestion given!

M
 
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#8 ·
TT & Dogtra remotes are pretty much "bullit proof" as long as they are charged, so I'd bet money that the plug is bad. They are usually the weak link in the deal as they are cheap, easy to break, and the solder lets go when tipped over or stressed.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Retired Gunner 2 said:
OK, I have a question. How do you get your TT remotes to sound like a duck? Ours, some old and some new, just make a noise, nothing like a duck.
Click to expand...

I should have been specific-I have Dogtra remotes. I have a TT collar & an Amish training philosophy!

M
 
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#12 ·
Kevin Hannah said:
Only way to do it is strap a Dogtra release to the TT one ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah - even then it takes quite a bit of imagination to hear the "duck" sound.... Atleast the dog knows what a DOGTRA "duck" sounds like now and it gets his attention just fine.
 
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#13 ·
Miriam,

There's one more thing that I haven't seen anyone mention, the soleniod that actuates the trigger.

If you have been using these for two year, the wiring isn't backwards. As long as the remote is charged (you said it works with your other winger, right?), and the wiring is good, and nothing is mechanically binding, the actual firing solenoid may be bad.

I got two new wingers a couple months ago. Right away I started having trouble with one. I troubleshot it down to the solenoid, got one from the folks in Canada and it fixed it right up. When I pulled the bad one off you could tell the difference between the good one when turning it slowly. The new one turns slowly by hand, the bad one was jerky and would stick.

To prove it's the solenoid, you can take the solenoid off your good winger, put it on the bad one and try it. If the problem was the soleniod, it will work. If it still doesn't work, it's the wiring or the trigger is binding.

Good luck!

(I'll add that the customer service at ZingerWinger was great. They sent the solenoid right away and a couple of carrying cases for the Wingers since it was dead out of the box and I was willing to fix it myself. I'd buy from then again, no problem)
 
#14 ·
servo - vs - solenoid

Ron's advice is right on, but you first need to figure out if your Zingers have a servo or a solenoid type release. The easiest way to tell is to trigger the winger with your remote without the pouch hooked up.

If it’s a solenoid type you will here a distinct “click” and an instant movement of the release catch.

If it’s a servo type you will here a hum or whirling sound and a slower movement of the release catch.

All the issue’s regarding wiring hooked up wrong apply only to the servo type, you can’t wire a solenoid wrong, polarity makes no difference.
 
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Matt Griffiths
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