I have a new to me 1992 Hunter 30 with two of the Nicro Day and Night Solar Vents. The forward one is mounted in the hatch over the v-berth, and it has the intake fan on it. The aft one is mounted in the hatch over the galley, and it has the exhaust fan on it. I took the fan blades out this weekend and cleaned them thoroughly; the aft one wasn't turning consistently. I also looked for the ni-cad battery that the information sheet describes. The vents are not turning at night, so I suspect that the batteries need to be replaced. But I couldn't find the battery. I did not completely remove the vents to look, because they are sealed nicely and not leaking at all, and I didn't want to create problems. Any idea where the battery is in the vent and how to access it? Thanks!
Nicro Day and Night Solar Vent - 1991
- Thread starter Sherry
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Pull Out
The entire unit should simply pull out of the deck fitting. It should be a press fit. As I recall, the NiCad is the size of a 'C' cell and you can pick up a replacement at Radio Shack. I do think it is soldered in tho. I replaced mine twice, but then the motor tanked.
The entire unit should simply pull out of the deck fitting. It should be a press fit. As I recall, the NiCad is the size of a 'C' cell and you can pick up a replacement at Radio Shack. I do think it is soldered in tho. I replaced mine twice, but then the motor tanked.
Four Screws
No need to take the whole thing off if it does not slide off easily. Remove the four screws in the solar panel and you get right to the battery. I do not remember mine being soldered. Grab some dielectric grease to seal it back up and be careful of the O ring.
No need to take the whole thing off if it does not slide off easily. Remove the four screws in the solar panel and you get right to the battery. I do not remember mine being soldered. Grab some dielectric grease to seal it back up and be careful of the O ring.
Just replaced mine this summer
My unit just pulled right out of the fitting and the battery has a plastic cover held on with 2 screws viewable from the underneath side. It was a size "C" that just slides in (no solder) and I used a regular type "C" battery to check it before buying a new rechargable. Radio Shack only sold the rechargable "C" in a two-pack so you will have a spare for the other fan when it fails. Good luck. Jim
My unit just pulled right out of the fitting and the battery has a plastic cover held on with 2 screws viewable from the underneath side. It was a size "C" that just slides in (no solder) and I used a regular type "C" battery to check it before buying a new rechargable. Radio Shack only sold the rechargable "C" in a two-pack so you will have a spare for the other fan when it fails. Good luck. Jim
Charge the New one before installing
The little solar cell produces a little more juice than needed to turn the fan. This extra is used to trickle charge the battery. If you don’t make sure it’s topped off before you install it will take days of good sunshine before it’s changed enough to last the night. S/v Anodyne
The little solar cell produces a little more juice than needed to turn the fan. This extra is used to trickle charge the battery. If you don’t make sure it’s topped off before you install it will take days of good sunshine before it’s changed enough to last the night. S/v Anodyne
The old ones were not made to replace.
Sherry: The old Nicro Day/Nite vents were not made for the batteries to be replaced. According to one of the fellows in their customer service "that was a dumb design". The new ones are made to service the batteries. You may want to contact them. They gave me a deal on a newer replacement model. I gave them the old unit in exchange.
Sherry: The old Nicro Day/Nite vents were not made for the batteries to be replaced. According to one of the fellows in their customer service "that was a dumb design". The new ones are made to service the batteries. You may want to contact them. They gave me a deal on a newer replacement model. I gave them the old unit in exchange.
Nicro customer service
Talked w/Nicro today. My unit may or may not have a battery. It is of the era where the old, non-battery units were still around. However, the info sheet that I inherited with my owners manual describe the battery. But the guy at Nicro said that if my unit has a battery that is dead, the fan shouldn't be turning at all, even in the day time. When the battery is dead, the fan doesn't get power from the solar panel. Possibly, the battery is missing altogether. To find out (and to replace the battery), I will have to life the unit up out of its deck fitting (topside) and remove it. The battery (or battery connection) should be right there. Will check all this next time I get the chance. Very nice customer service.
Talked w/Nicro today. My unit may or may not have a battery. It is of the era where the old, non-battery units were still around. However, the info sheet that I inherited with my owners manual describe the battery. But the guy at Nicro said that if my unit has a battery that is dead, the fan shouldn't be turning at all, even in the day time. When the battery is dead, the fan doesn't get power from the solar panel. Possibly, the battery is missing altogether. To find out (and to replace the battery), I will have to life the unit up out of its deck fitting (topside) and remove it. The battery (or battery connection) should be right there. Will check all this next time I get the chance. Very nice customer service.
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