Under the right conditions the genoa sheet would launch it like a clay pigeon from a catapult.. (lol) For posterity and for anyone evaluating this at the moment, I share a blog entry written at the time. https://cncwindstar.blogspot.com/2019/07/33-2-ventilation-strategies.html
Dave, 33-2 Windstar On Fri, 16 Sept 2022 at 22:54, Matthew via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > 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> 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 > > > >
