Solar Vents

[Zaphro]

I have two 20 year old solar vents on my boat that haven't worked since I bought it back in 2005. I recently came across 60 solar cells and thought maybe it would be fun to try and rebuild them. Has anyone tried this? Any hints or tricks? I'm a competent technician but if someone can save me from learning something the hard way I'm all ears.

 

[Maine Sail]

I have two 20 year old solar vents on my boat that haven't worked since I bought it back in 2005. I recently came across 60 solar cells and thought maybe it would be fun to try and rebuild them. Has anyone tried this? Any hints or tricks? I'm a competent technician but if someone can save me from learning something the hard way I'm all ears.

It's most likely ...

#1 the battery (usually C size nicad if it has one)

#2 the motor

The solar cell is very unlikely to fail but the motors and batteries can and do..

 

[Zaphro]

They're not day / night vents so no battery. Motor's shot, wires have been pulled which damaged the solar cells. I got the solar cells for $10 and have plenty to experiment with. The motor is only $9 (http://store.sundancesolar.com/smmoforsopr5.html) , got some very thin phone wire from way back when phones had wires. I can do the repair for less than $20 per vent. I suspect the hardest part of this project will be not breaking the solar cells. I didn't think they would be so fragile. Of course everytime I say something silly like this won't be that difficult and shouldn't cost much, something usually ends up making my life miserable and draining my wallet.