Nicro Day/Night 2000 Solar Vent troubleshooting question

[Mjg407]

I found and older thread on the subject but didn’t answer the problem. I bought two new Energizer C rechargeable batteries. Installed one, the fan started spinning. Came back a week later the fan was stopped. I pulled the battery out and it ran on just solar. So a fresh battery runs it at night. Solar runs it during the day. So the motor is still okay. So what would cause it not to charge? Is there some form of troubleshooting or does it need to start with a fully charged battery? I don’t know when the unit was installed it was done by a previous owner. Thanks in advance. Does it make a difference on NiMH vs. NiCad?

Michael

 

[rgranger]

It could be that the leads from the solar panel to the battery have a short but the leads to the fan are still okay. I would touch the batter leads (without the battery in place) with a multimeter (volt meter) while the sun is out. If you read about 14 volts at the leads then it is working and maybe you need to try a different battery. If you read no voltage, then I'd start looking for a short or obvious break in the wires. I'm afraid I don't know if the type of battery matters but I can't imagine why unless one needs a larger over-potential than the other.

 

[markwbird]

You should fully charge he battery before using it. Batteries usually come with a small charge but not fully charged, If you do not go through the process of fully charging them before using it reduces the life.

 

[Brian D]

There are a couple of possibilities.
1. The battery is charging, but there is insufficient charge power to completely top off the battery.
2. The battery is charging, but the solar panel is draining the battery as is the fan. Meaning, there is no diode in the charging path to prevent the solar charger from discharging the battery.
3. The solar panel is just a poorly designed panel.

JMHO

 

[Jacktar]

According to instructions if the fan runs with the battery removed in the sun the array is good and you have a dead battery. The dead battery creates a dead short in the charging and running system. Replace with a 2500 mah size c battery, then turn the fan button off, and let charge in sunlight for at least a full day. Push button on and it should run fine. If it stops after a while you may have a bad motor or the fan is pushed too far up and is rubbing on motor housing.

 

[Mr Fox]

Agree with Jacktar- you need to start with a fully charged battery (the Nicro manual echos Jacktar's instruction). I have had the best result with EBL rechargeable batteries, they are higher capacity than the energizer (5000 mAh vs 2300 for the energizer). Let it charge up and you'll be pleased. Mine runs 24/7 even after 3 days of clouds, and it sits in the shadow of the boom.

 

[Mjg407]

Thanks, Mr. Fox.

 

[Mjg407]

Agree with Jacktar- you need to start with a fully charged battery (the Nicro manual echos Jacktar's instruction). I have had the best result with EBL rechargeable batteries, they are higher capacity than the energizer (5000 mAh vs 2300 for the energizer). Let it charge up and you'll be pleased. Mine runs 24/7 even after 3 days of clouds, and it sits in the shadow of the boom.

Got the EBL batteries, and EBL charger. DId the drain cycle on the battery charger (EBL) and popped the battery in and it dies. I’ll have to get a multimeter to see what is happening. My unit is older, there is no on off switch.

 

[Mr Fox]

Sorry just not sure what the drain cycle is- So the battery operates the fan still for a limited time, then runs out of charge, fan does not run (obviously) but then will run in sunlight with the dead battery still in place? Is that correct? If yes I think the wiring is ok.

My guess is fully charged 5000 mAh should run the fan for 2 days with no light (based on micros claim of a 2800 mAh running the fan for 30 hours). How long it will operate for? If it runs for days it's likely the solar panel, but I'm inclined to suspect the motor...

That's a pretty old unit, and they run constantly- if the brushes in that dc motor are shot I believe it's going to cause a voltage drop and draw more amps. If it's pulling too many amps the battery drains and the panel can only provide enough power to run the fan without any left over to charge the battery. just a guess but seems possible .

 

[Mjg407]

Sorry just not sure what the drain cycle is- So the battery operates the fan still for a limited time, then runs out of charge, fan does not run (obviously) but then will run in sunlight with the dead battery still in place? Is that correct? If yes I think the wiring is ok.

My guess is fully charged 5000 mAh should run the fan for 2 days with no light (based on micros claim of a 2800 mAh running the fan for 30 hours). How long it will operate for? If it runs for days it's likely the solar panel, but I'm inclined to suspect the motor...

That's a pretty old unit, and they run constantly- if the brushes in that dc motor are shot I believe it's going to cause a voltage drop and draw more amps. If it's pulling too many amps the battery drains and the panel can only provide enough power to run the fan without any left over to charge the battery. just a guess but seems possible .

Got the multimeter out today. Less than one volt coming from the solar array, which isn’t enough to charge the battery. Time for a new unit or rebuild.

 

[Mr Fox]

Bummer! Well the bigger battery will serve you well in either scenario.

 

[HMT2]

Agree with Jacktar- you need to start with a fully charged battery (the Nicro manual echos Jacktar's instruction). I have had the best result with EBL rechargeable batteries, they are higher capacity than the energizer (5000 mAh vs 2300 for the energizer). Let it charge up and you'll be pleased. Mine runs 24/7 even after 3 days of clouds, and it sits in the shadow of the boom.

Thanks Mr .Fox! Just replaced the batteries on my two Nicro vents with the ebl batts you recommended and they both fired right up.