I wish somebody would make a bombproof solar day/night vent. I get about 4-6 years out of the Nicro day/night vents. At $180 a pop that can add up.
However, I don't replace them anymore. If replacing the battery doesn't work, it's usually the motor. I keep a spare with a replacement motor. When one fails, I just swap the vents and replace the motor in the dead one to keep as the spare. Anyway, the motor is under $10. I just bought a two pack of them on Amazon for $9. Search for RF-500TB DC hobby motor. The voltage may vary from 3-10 VDC. The listed RPM can run up to 6000 but with the blade on, it's much less. Its approximate dimensions are 32 mm (1.2 in) diameter x 19-20 mm (0.76 in) tall. If you're handy with a soldering iron/gun, it's about a 20-30 minute job to replace the motor. The trick is to pull the entire assembly out of the housing. Makes soldering a lot easier. Here's a step by step procedure. 1. Remove the three mounting screws and save the o-rings (Important!) 2. Remove the rubber cover on the switch and then the switch retaining ring 3. Remove the fan blade 4. Remove the solar panel assembly. There are pry slots opposite each other on the periphery 5. Remove the tiny screw beside the switch that holds in the motor assembly 6. Note the color of wires to the battery contacts. It would be smart to mark white and black on the housing by the +/- marks 7. Using needle nose pliers, pull up and remove the battery contacts. 8. Remove the battery contact/switch/motor assembly 9. Note the wiring and maybe draw a diagram for reference 10. Unsolder the motor wires and solder in the new motor 11. Put a couple wraps of duct tape around the body of the motor to keep it firmly in place. The motor is a bit small. 12. Reassemble in reverse order For reference, it's the Marinco Nicro model like this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f-koKUykESjorhZhwg6sZ2GS0MNYqUu5/view?usp=sharing -- Dennis C. Touche' 35-1 #83 Mandeville, LA
