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N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Thu 27 Dec 2012 5:30 pm
by romseyrob
Hi.

Just a bit of a heads up really, regarding an N96GY I purchased from Maplin Electronics in November '12.

Unfortunately the wind speed and direction indicators became stiff/seized within 3 weeks of purchase. Maplins did not have these as individual componenents, so paid for my faulty weather station as a whole to be collected, replaced, and shipped. I received a replacement N96GY within 7 days, and was back up an running again.

Just as an aside, I only run Linux at home, so I "virtualised" a Windows XP environment in order to run Cumulus. All appears well, but it looses communication with the station every few days. I tend to shut down the virtual system, shutdown Virtualbox, then restart in that order and all is well.

Seasons Greetings to all forum users.

Rob.

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Fri 28 Dec 2012 11:33 am
by robynfali
If it happens again (3 times to me), GENTLY prise off the faulty components, and put a generous amount of wd40 into the cheap racer bearings

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Sat 29 Dec 2012 10:47 am
by romseyrob
Spoke too soon!

Hi and thanks for the Reply Rob.

Got up this morning, and the little bearing has indeed seized. Again.

I've taken off the top and done as you suggest. Isn't WD40 a little "light" though?

Anyway, I'll give it a go.

Regards,

Robert.

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Sat 29 Dec 2012 10:54 am
by ironeagleuk
You seem to be suffering some bad luck there.......I wonder what's causing you so many failures, I've not known them to be this bad. I've had 2 running for about 4 years without problems.
Maybe it's a bad batch, or the quality has gone downhill

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Sat 29 Dec 2012 11:00 am
by robynfali
It's worked for mine mate, and it's been hammered by high winds over the last 24 hours

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Sat 29 Dec 2012 11:01 am
by robynfali
ironeagleuk wrote: Maybe it's a bad batch, or the quality has gone downhill

I think this is the problem!

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Sat 29 Dec 2012 9:27 pm
by romseyrob
Maybe a dodgy batch!

Yes, it has been rather windy of late, but not that bad.

I took the top off the sensors and the little bearings are indeed feeling "dry".

I didn't have any sewing machine oil, but I did have a little bottle of oil to lubircate my hair clippers. Brought the sensors inside and applied a few drops. Let them sit upright for a little while then re-assemble. Am happy to report that all appears well. For now! Hopefully I caught them early enough.

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

Robert.

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Sun 30 Dec 2012 8:20 am
by robynfali
Aaaaaaand!

Its gone again!!, my spare has just frozen up on the roof, so it's gotta come down, and be replaced with the "other spare" that i have in the shed, that one thankfully has been stripped and oiled!

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Wed 02 Jan 2013 4:46 pm
by alexndriawx
Update...

Since reading this thread and subsequently stripping my anemometer (the bearing quality is shockingly bad), I have ordered a replacement bearing. Once I have the new bearing fitted I'll come back with an update and let you all know if this solves the problem, it could be a much better choice than trying to work with the shoddy bearings supplied with the anemometer.

The bearing has cost me less than £5ukp so is a fairly inexpensive answer to the problem (I hope).

Cheers,

Aldo.

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Wed 02 Jan 2013 5:20 pm
by robynfali
If it works make sure you post a link for the exact bearing please buddy

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Wed 02 Jan 2013 6:02 pm
by bruce45
check out this post
https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... ent#p41874

there are a few sites mentioned as to where you can get replacements

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Wed 02 Jan 2013 6:46 pm
by alexndriawx
robynfali wrote:If it works make sure you post a link for the exact bearing please buddy
I sure will, hopefully it will be here by the weekend. The temporary repair seems to be holding so far but I don't fancy it withstanding some of the winds we get here.

Cheers,

Aldo.
www.alexandriawx.info

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Wed 02 Jan 2013 6:56 pm
by robynfali
I know what you mean mate, used to live a bit north of you

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Wed 02 Jan 2013 7:30 pm
by bruce45
ebay has them as well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miniature-MR- ... 20cddcd315

£1.95 free postage you need to select MR105ZZ which is 5mm x 10mm x 4mm

Re: N96GY Replacement (Maplin)

Posted: Thu 03 Jan 2013 9:26 pm
by alexndriawx
bruce45 wrote:ebay has them as well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miniature-MR- ... 20cddcd315

£1.95 free postage you need to select MR105ZZ which is 5mm x 10mm x 4mm
Thanks Bruce,

I've ordered one from them too, let's see what one is the best quality :-) Hopefully the cheaper one from Ebay with free postage!