Tacktick repairs
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10966
Printed Date: 24 Jun 25 at 7:58pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Tacktick repairs
Posted By: Greavesie
Subject: Tacktick repairs
Date Posted: 12 Jul 13 at 7:44pm
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I recently dropped my Tacktick and cracked the display, when trying to find a repair agent to buy some spares from I was suprised to hear from the importer that they are not repairable and no spares are availiable so I need to give them £200 for a replacement.
As I run an electronics repair shop I thought I would take it apart and surprise surprise it looks very repairable to me. I have a replacement display and will try to fit it but this got me thinking.
I hate this attitude from manufacturers, in our company we try to repair all our products even those made in the 90's so I would like to have a go at repairing a few Tacktick's. If you have one that has stopped working please get in touch. Like most of these devices I suspect they just need a new battery and re-program but until I have actually fixed a few I will not know.
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Replies:
Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date Posted: 12 Jul 13 at 10:13pm
| Good on you-I agree 100%. This attitude is everywhere, we need to fight it! Why chuck stuff away when it can be fixed? |
Posted By: andymck
Date Posted: 12 Jul 13 at 10:18pm
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I can send you one for a new battery. There was a company in NZ doing it. Andy ------------- Andy Mck |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 13 Jul 13 at 7:19am
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That didn't take long to get a reply looks like there are other sailors out there thinking the same way!
I would be really interested to have a look at your Ticktack.
Send it to me and I will see how I get on. Don't worry about me charging you. If I can fix it I will just ask you for the cost of the battery and postage to send it back if not, well it isn't working anyway!. Send me a text for my address 07963405516.
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Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 13 Jul 13 at 10:11am
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http://www.vanaheim.co.nz/compass.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.vanaheim.co.nz/compass.htm This may be worth looking at. It has some useful pics of stripping a TackTick to replace the battery. I had trouble getting an exact match for the battery in the UK, though I managed to get one with the same spec, but slightly different terminals. Not got round to soldering it in yet, but the job doesn't look too difficult.
------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 13 Jul 13 at 12:56pm
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Hi Peter
Thanks for the link, they obviously have had the same issue in New Zealand.
I would like the spec of the battery you have found if possible.
I will send you some pictures when I fit it if you like.
There seems to be a real interest in this subject.
Tim
FF15 Sailor
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Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 14 Jul 13 at 8:28pm
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Hi Tim, The battery I got was: ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: Mark300
Date Posted: 15 Jul 13 at 8:48am
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I replaced the battery in my TackTick Micro earlier this year. I couldn't find an exact replacement battery anywhere in the UK and ended up sourcing the battery from batteryBob.com in the US. But delivery was still only a couple of days.
In replacing the battery, I couldn't find the jumper referenced in the instructions on the NZ website, a photo would be useful if anyone who is savvy in electronics is doing a replacement. ------------- |
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 15 Jul 13 at 12:51pm
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No, mine doesn't have the jumper either. ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 15 Jul 13 at 6:05pm
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Peter and Mark
Did your Tackticks work ok after the battery change?
The post from New Zealand talks about selecting a special code in a program menu,
Did you have to follow their guide?
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Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 15 Jul 13 at 9:20pm
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Sorry, not done mine, got as far taking it apart and sourcing the battery, but I have a spare and I've proved too lazy to do the job yet! ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: Mark300
Date Posted: 15 Jul 13 at 9:39pm
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I didn't need to do any of the special code stuff mentioned on the NZ site, mine worked fine after the new battery was installed. I replaced my battery in March, it has been OK ever since and charging is much improved. ------------- |
Posted By: Bender
Date Posted: 12 Aug 13 at 9:21am
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I was trying to use a tacktick that was jumping on heading i.e. it would display, say, 145 while you turned it and then suddenly jump to 200, neither of which were correct! I assume that's not a dead battery issue... ------------- Jerry Hone RS Aero 7 - 2965 |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 21 Aug 13 at 10:04pm
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Hi Peter
I have received the tacktick from Andy and it needs a button which is a bit difficult to source. Do you fancy selling your fauly tactic so I can use it for bits? You said you have a spare and I need some parts. Don't worry if you want to fix it I just think the best source of parts is going to be from faulty units.
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Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 21 Aug 13 at 10:13pm
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Hi Bender
This sounds like an issue with the compass I have looked at it and it seems to have something like 30 degree segments I would suspect you have a bad connection to one segment and it is jumping over the faulty one to the next one that works. I could have a look at it for you but it is early days for me and I need to worK out exactly how they work. Let me know if your interested. I find them quite simple in their construction so I should be able to work it out. Text me on 07963405516
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Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 21 Aug 13 at 10:20pm
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Hi Andy
Just back from holiday and have received you TackTick. I think replacing the battery will be staight forward but the missing button may be an issue. Do you know anyone with a dead instrument I could use for spares?
Basically I just need some parts......Can any one please Help!
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Posted By: andymck
Date Posted: 22 Aug 13 at 1:19am
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Hi Grievsie
I don't i am afraid. The button went the sail after we arranged to send it to you. Does anyone have any ideas? Andy ------------- Andy Mck |
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 22 Aug 13 at 10:11am
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Sorry, Greavsie, mine just needs a new battery, and I'm going to fix it as a spare. ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 26 Sep 13 at 6:52pm
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Hi Andy
I am getting on quite well with this little project.
I decided to buy a dead one from ebay and have put a non rechargable battery in it just to test how to calibrate them. It all seems quite straight forward and the unit is working fine now. I have ordered a couple of the correct batteries and will fit it one your instrument and the other inmy test unit when they arrive.
Your missing button is a problem but I have found that the white rubber from the top of a pencil works perfectly so you may just need to use one of those if we can't find a dead tacktick to rob a keypad from. It is still waterproof with no button so its not a big issue Tim
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Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 23 May 14 at 4:13pm
| I think I am getting to understand this instrument now and have just replaced a battery in one. There seem to be several issues of PCB's The latest is a surface mount board which doesn't have a link to isolate the battery and seems to accept a battery swap without loosing its calibration. If anyone needs to know how to do it get in touch and I will explain it to you. |
Posted By: Timg
Date Posted: 18 Oct 14 at 10:13am
| Hi Greavsie, is it easy to change the battery or is this something you could help with as my tacktick doesn't turn on but did briefly do I think it may be the battery? |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 20 Oct 14 at 1:05pm
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Hi The battery change is ok if you have the correct kit. The problem you face it that the early units display an error code (ERR) when you replace the battery and you can't get rid of it.
I am happy to have a look at it if you want and say which type it is. Let me know what you want to do. |
Posted By: Timg
Date Posted: 20 Oct 14 at 5:34pm
| Thanks for that is there a way i can identify if it is one of the old or newer ones? Cheers |
Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 13 Nov 14 at 8:50pm
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I have seen a couple for spares/repair on fleabay recently.
Shame, Tack Tick used to have an excellent reputation for support. |
Posted By: Alistair426
Date Posted: 28 Apr 15 at 1:27pm
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Makes sense to add this query to the existing thread... The heading reading on my Tacktick 060 (Micro) is jumping all over the place, even whilst sitting stationary. Not a battery issue as it shows Bat 160 and isn't turning itself off. Timer still working fine. I've had a look at the reset instructions on the Vanaheim NZ site but that hasn't helped as I get slightly different figures (28P) in my re-set display. Anybody had and resolved a similar issue?
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Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 01 May 15 at 10:23am
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that sounds like the compass is unstable which would be a serious fault.
Maybe time for a new one! |
Posted By: Alistair426
Date Posted: 01 May 15 at 10:33am
| Bullet already bitten and new one on the way. I was hoping I could salvage the old one as a spare but apparently not. |
Posted By: skiertwo
Date Posted: 11 May 15 at 3:19pm
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Hi All, I have a micro and a race master. Both, I think, need new batteries. Can anyone tell me if they use the same battery, or are they both different? Cheers.
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Posted By: Pewit
Date Posted: 22 Aug 16 at 12:11am
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I like the twin display of the TackTick but I'd like to link it to the more intelligent output of the Apps on my iPhone which could then be kept below deck. Does anyone have the knowledge to re-engineer one of these with a Bluetooth module so that, for example, it could be linked to the output of iRegatta or RaceQs both of which have used Bluetooth for 2-way communications with the Pebble SmartWatch. I know it would be possible to use WiFi for this but WiFi uses much more battery capacity. Here's are some examples of interfaces http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Bluetooth-remote-lcd-display/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=TqZTBoepZsY http://redbearlab.com/bleshield/ https://hackerspaceshop.com/products/teensy-ble Development board (3.0 requires 3.5V input as opposed to the 3v of the TackTick) https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/index.html Here's a teardown of a pebble SmartWatch which might be the basis of the module if you could power the display. https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Pebble+Teardown/13319 I know you could achieve the same thing using two phones but (a) it would be difficult to Synchronise them and the displays aren't as readable in sunlight. |
Posted By: zippyRN
Date Posted: 23 Aug 16 at 1:38pm
and much as people despise a certain well known high street electrical retailer, in their repair centre they have a cell of 'proper' techs / engineers who work on developing repairs for 'unrepairable' per the manufacturer faults (or faults where the only suggestion from the manufacturer is to replace expensive components) as well as other 'difficult' fixes ... |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 14 Sep 16 at 4:57pm
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Hi guys
Well finally after what has been a long time I finally cracked the "CAL" problem that comes up on the older Tacktick instruments. You just need to follow the instructions on the New Zealand web site and with a bit of luck it all starts to work again with a new battery. Tim |
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 15 Sep 16 at 8:37am
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Thanks Greavsie. ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 05 Feb 17 at 2:08pm
Hi Greavsie, do you have any more info on which early models do this (how to identify one), and whether it is solvable? Mine is probably 10yrs old or more! (but does have the power jumper). I've not yet changed the battery - just looking to be prepared, in case. Another thing I'd point out to people - be careful when sourcing a new battery. I've just been searching and have come across one which, though described as 'ML2430', isn't rechargeable. |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 06 Feb 17 at 9:05am
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Hi ColH
The early one is the one with the power jumper and they can be tricky to get the "CAL" off the left hand display. I have found a rechargeable battery but you need to cut a leg off before you solder it in. There is obviously a need for a repair service as I am surprised by the number of people who send me their units to repair having found this post. Having fixed quite a few now they are quite straight forward really. |
Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 06 Feb 17 at 12:37pm
"Tricky"? Is that the stuff I've read about pressing the buttons when prompted by the 'Tst' displays? I've found a similar/same battery - http://www.allbatteries.co.uk/lithium-rech-industrial-battery-ml2430-hs1-3v-100mah-abl7602.html - as you say, needs a pin trimming off. (Got the thing apart yesterday without too much trouble; my iron at home is a bit chunky, so I need to take it into work for decent iron and some solder wick). |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 06 Feb 17 at 12:54pm
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Yes tricky is about the best way of putting it.
The first page of this post has a link to the site in New Zealand where it is all explained. Here it is again http://www.vanaheim.co.nz/compass.htm |
Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 06 Feb 17 at 7:06pm
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I think its a shame the Tacktick is taking some stick for the built-in battery. Having just taken one apart I can appreciate that its actually very well designed - a one piece clear cover, sealing with a rubber gasket around the electronics. Hall-effect buttons so that they don't need to have holes in that cover (albeit hence calibration being needed).
Its not ever-lasting, nothing electronic truly is. Especially if it has a battery. I'm impressed with the design from an engineering point-of-view, but perhaps they should have acknowledged, and *serviced*, the need for eventually replacing the battery. Mine is now needing a new battery - when a mere 12+ yrs old lol. Anyone got a 12yr old phone with fixed battery that they could get replaced when it dies..? [And, let's get partisan, with apologies to non-uk readers, they may be Raymarine now but they began as a British startup  ]
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Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 17 Feb 17 at 11:44am
Yep tricky indeed! When I can get it into 'the sequence', which isn't always, the first step has "F" on the end, not "P" - I'm getting same/similar fail codes mentioned in http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=75282 in particular, F72 at the end. And during "tst A1", the A1 is flashing - is that normal? Any tips? Just keep trying? Or would it be worth dismantling, cycling the jumper again, and starting again. |
Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 17 Feb 17 at 12:01pm
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Just been sat looking at this thing again - it's stuck in Cal such that although it beeps when pressing the buttons, it won't switch off. Had this earlier today while trying to cal it - think I just pressed randomly until it starting behaving a bit more. But anyway, I've noticed the left screen in showing 065 but goes to ~115 when the Mode button is pressed. I'd say that's some sort of diag readout of the button operation. However the right screen is alternating ~108 to ~138 every half second, and is unaffected by pressing Set (although the unit does beep). Oh and CAL in the corner is solid on left side, flashing on the right. Not sure what any of this means, just thought I'd mention it to increase the collective knowledge!  |
Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 14 Mar 17 at 5:18pm
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Any ideas, anyone.....? :S |
Posted By: Tennis
Date Posted: 01 Aug 17 at 10:24am
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Hello, We have a TacKtick base station with dead batteries I have extracted them but cant find any ML2430 in the UK. Do you have any or know where I can buy some UK sources because shipping LI bats costs a lot. $90-00 typically. Christopher ------------- VanDiemen Films Ltd |
Posted By: ColH
Date Posted: 01 Aug 17 at 10:31am
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I bought http://www.allbatteries.co.uk/lithium-rech-industrial-battery-ml2430-hs1-3v-100mah-abl7602.html - though their site says currently out of stock. You could ask them lead-time though. |
Posted By: Tennis
Date Posted: 01 Aug 17 at 2:01pm
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Hello Thank you , I had found them but delivery too lengthy for my purposes
------------- VanDiemen Films Ltd |
Posted By: Gene Albacore
Date Posted: 01 Sep 17 at 7:24pm
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Hello,
I have an old Tacktick Compass that unfortunately was roughly handled and the Starboard display ended up being cracked. Are you still fixing them and if so, would you like to repair mine? |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 2:26pm
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I have just bought a used TackTick Micro. It had 0 battery hours whenI picked it up but powered on under normal indoor lighting. I charged the battery (using a very bright LED light BTW which seemed to work just fine) overnight, it read 170 hours immediately after charging which fell to 140 overnight in it's case (presumably as it cooled down) but it has fallen to 120 since yesterday, again while in it's case. Does this sound normal or is there a problem. I will try it next week in the real world and hopefully it will perform fine but I am a little concerned in advance. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 2:38pm
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One of the symptoms of aged batteries is failure to hold charge. It sounds like yours is getting old. Difficult to tell if it still has practical life in it for your usage. Should be fine if you stick to sailing on sunny days! But you may find you need to help it with your LED light if its cloudy. ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 2:54pm
| charge it up with led overnight, check hours, then leave it out in the garden all day, see if it stays charged in daylight, sunny or dull. |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 3:07pm
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Makes sense. Will play with it next week when I'm away at the coast. Slightly concerned that it is, apparently, losing charge when it is switched off (I would expect a little but 10% overnight (given that it should run for 200 hours in darkness form a full charge). I paid a very fair price for it and will be happy as long as it works in the real world (which it seems to do ok). ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: rich96
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 3:45pm
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I had a similar problem
Left it on window cill for a week or two in a sunny spot - its as good as new now |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 3:52pm
Ta, I suspect I'm just being paranoid  ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 3:53pm
| Some of older type batteries will develope a memory, if you don't occasionally allow them to go flat, but keep charging them up everytime they are half charged, you can lose 50% of the batteries capacity. |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 4:02pm
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Thanks 432zero that had crossed my mind but I believe the battery in the Tacktick is Li-Ion which does not exhibit memory. Either way, as it was fully discharged when I collected it, I don't think that is the issue in this case unless it has been ill treated in the past.
------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 4:38pm
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Yes, Tackticks are designed to be constantly charged when in use - if there's any sun - so I can't memory problems being an issue ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 20 Oct 18 at 5:58pm
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Mine had been left unused for a fair while, the battery hours display read 0 but it had switched on immediately it sensed bright indoor lighting so the PhV cell is working fine......
I can't work out why Raymarine insist that charging is impossible using artificial light. It does need bright light, in my case I stood a 20 watt LED fitting directly on top of the PhV cell so probably brighter than bright sunshine due to the proximity. Either way it definitely charged the battery. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 01 Nov 18 at 2:29pm
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Well I used the TackTick last week, the reporting of battery hours seems somewhat erratic but it works just fine so I'll stop being paranoid and just get on with it. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 01 Nov 18 at 2:42pm
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Temperature, was it cold where you left it? Batteries don't like the cold as we're beginning to find out watching the useable range of our electric car dropping away with the temperature. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 01 Nov 18 at 3:29pm
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Actually it was quite cold (7-8ºC) but when it had been out in the sun it registered the most battery hours I've seen. Maybe the direct sunlight warmed it up enough to affect the reading. However, while resting in it's bag it has dropped from 220+ hours to 120 hours over the course of a few days. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Greavesie
Date Posted: 11 Mar 20 at 12:14am
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Hi Guys Its over 6 years since I started this post and have really worked out how to fix them. If you need any help just get in touch I am always happy to help. In fact I have fixed 2 of them this week! Tim 07963 405516
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Posted By: Sail BEL86
Date Posted: 29 Jun 20 at 8:45am
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Hi, I have same issue : one of the displays is broken on my Raymarine Micro Compass, and no repair services offered through the dealership in Belgium. I noticed your 'old' message on this forum. Could you repair my compass and fit a new LCD or any other suggestions ? Regards Koen ------------- Koen |
Posted By: W0153R
Date Posted: 21 May 21 at 3:33pm
| I dropped my T110 and the display broke, I'm capable of doing the repair myself but have trouble sourcing a LCD module. Anyone has any pointers? |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 08 Jul 21 at 5:13pm
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Another dropped (off the top of the car, at speed, Tacktick here. It seems to be working fine but the front cover (including the mode and set buttons) is missing and it's looking distinctly battered. If anybody has a dead one with an intact case they might move on I'd be very interested (I hate the idea of binning a functioning device). ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 09 Jul 21 at 10:42am
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I'm now sorted with a used but serviceable case on it's way to me
If 'Greaveasie' is still around I might need some advice, I believe fitting the LCDs is tricky and the keypad needs calibrating after assembly? ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 07 Sep 21 at 11:26pm
Final update, the used but perfect case parts arrived and fitting was straightforward so I now have a TackTick that looks like new, seems to work perfectly and has shown no signs of leaking. Well pleased  ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Rispinge
Date Posted: 13 Jun 23 at 10:31pm
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Hi @Greavesie After replacing the battery in my tacktick, I get CAL in the left display but the calibration does not work. When I get it into the calibration mode, the first step shows 013 24F on the display Instead of 013 16P. When pressing shortly on MODE and SET I'm getting “tst A” first and then "tst A1", the A and A1 are flashing. After that I press and hold both MODE and SET and then I get “tst F72” at the end. This is the same as @ColH wrote back in 2017. My unit is a CL044-rev01 Any ideas how this can be solved? Did you ever see this with other units? I tried many times but always the same behaviour… |
Posted By: catmandoo
Date Posted: 04 Oct 23 at 3:44pm
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on similar thread , how about optimum series 12 battery replacement , sealed case no battery support from OT cant be done ??? ------------- |