Agreed. Another annoying aspect of the new model is the space between the unit and mounting surface for a genny sheet to catch on. If they get any taller I’ll need to put police tape around them. Maybe they didn’t know the vents would be used on sailboats.
From: Dave S via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Friday, September 16, 2022 7:02 PM To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Re: Marinco Nicro Day/Night Solar Vent motor replacement Mine is a newer gen 3” model. 5 years old maybe, and I’d not buy another. I’ve tried my best to upgrade/repair/modify WINDSTAR in ways that are top notch, robust and reliable, and this product definitely isn’t. It still works but the slide-switch is intermittent - the cheapest junk available, so the unit can’t be relied on to work as intended. I’m quite able to repair or modify it to improve this, but life is short. When It fails outright I’ll give it away and replace with an offshore-quality passive vent. (4”) YMMV…. Dave. 33-2 Sent from my iPhone On Sep 16, 2022, at 6:31 PM, Robert Abbott via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: 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
