The Nicro 3" solar-powered vent on my Catalina 30 has stopped working -- any suggestions on maintenance, or is it toast? Mike Turner S/Y Amity Long Beach, CA
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Solar Vents
If it moves and shouldn't- use ductape If it doesn't move and should- use WD-40 One of my vents was "stubborn". It would only work if I gave it a little push. One day, I was walking by with the old WD-40 can in hand and just gave it a little shot. It's worked fine ever since..
If it moves and shouldn't- use ductape If it doesn't move and should- use WD-40 One of my vents was "stubborn". It would only work if I gave it a little push. One day, I was walking by with the old WD-40 can in hand and just gave it a little shot. It's worked fine ever since..
Older ones are history!
Mike: The older ones cannot be repaired. You can call Nicro and they can tell you. The newer ones have replaceable Nicad batteries (like Rick said from Radio Shack). If you want to replace the unit, call Nicro and they have a plan for older units (discounted). I would think that some "handy sam" can figure how to open the units and replace the battery and then reseal.
Mike: The older ones cannot be repaired. You can call Nicro and they can tell you. The newer ones have replaceable Nicad batteries (like Rick said from Radio Shack). If you want to replace the unit, call Nicro and they have a plan for older units (discounted). I would think that some "handy sam" can figure how to open the units and replace the battery and then reseal.
NICRO vent Troubles
It really depends on what went wrong with it. Mine had been noisy for some time before it stopped. Being told there was no way to repair it sort of opened the door to taking it apart. The bearings hat gone dry and worn out. I was able to carefully peen the bearing to a smaller diameter and it has worked fine for 2 years.
It really depends on what went wrong with it. Mine had been noisy for some time before it stopped. Being told there was no way to repair it sort of opened the door to taking it apart. The bearings hat gone dry and worn out. I was able to carefully peen the bearing to a smaller diameter and it has worked fine for 2 years.
Website and Thanks
For the Nicro website, go to www.marinco.com Thanks to all -- if I tear it apart I'll post the results of my labors. Mike Turner S/Y Amity
For the Nicro website, go to www.marinco.com Thanks to all -- if I tear it apart I'll post the results of my labors. Mike Turner S/Y Amity
repairing a solar vent
I bought one that appeared to be several years old - the box had turned brown - but had never been installed - at a consignment shop for $10. It didn't operate in sunlight because the internal NiCd battery was dead. Rather than replace the battery I just removed it. My vent now works during daylight, off the solar cell, as a powered vent and as a passive vent at night. There are only four active components - the solar cell, switch, motor, and battery. Its not that hard to take it apart. A voltmeter can be used to easily determine which component isn't working. What do you have to lose? David
I bought one that appeared to be several years old - the box had turned brown - but had never been installed - at a consignment shop for $10. It didn't operate in sunlight because the internal NiCd battery was dead. Rather than replace the battery I just removed it. My vent now works during daylight, off the solar cell, as a powered vent and as a passive vent at night. There are only four active components - the solar cell, switch, motor, and battery. Its not that hard to take it apart. A voltmeter can be used to easily determine which component isn't working. What do you have to lose? David
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