My Nicro Solar Vent on the front hatch came with the boat when I bought
it 16 years ago (2006)....it still works fine...no idea actually how old
it is...I replaced the rechargeable battery maybe 6 years ago....it
doesn't look as pretty as yours...mine has a white plastic frame.
Sooner or later the sun will deteriorate the frame but I will wait until
that happens .
Rob Abbott
AZURA
C&C 32 - #277
Halifax, N.S.
On 2022-09-16 5:16 p.m., Dennis C. via CnC-List wrote:
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
