Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 14-06-2012, 02:48   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

My Tacktick Mn-102 stopped giving the correct wind speed as the bearings were broken on the wind "mill" / indicator instrument in the top of the mast.

I contacted the supplier in Norway, who told me that there was no replacement kit for the bearings, and that I had to buy a new unit at 550 USD.

This sounded insane, so I dismanteld the thing, and fixed it myself. Here is a short "how to" for future sailors with the same problem:

- To dismantle the thing, take of the sticker with the serial no. and so on.
- Once done, open the thing with a micro torque tool / screwdriver.

From there it´s rather intuitive.

The bearings (x2) you will need to replace are the following:

604-ZZ, 4 x 12 x 4 Millimeters

I orderd theese from Boca Bearing Company :: Ceramic Bearing Specialists
SMR604C-ZZ #3 (4x12x4) mm

Theese are stainless steel bearings with ceramic balls. Total price for to units came to 40 USD. Photo attached shows the unit dismantled.

Hope this is useful for someone who encounters the same problem.

Andreas
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2700.jpg
Views:	2873
Size:	401.3 KB
ID:	42255  
Konsensus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-06-2012, 18:13   #2
Registered User
 
zumsel's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Nova Scotia/Canada
Boat: 42' Cruising Cat, designed by Bernd Kohler
Posts: 49
Images: 32
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Konsensus View Post
My Tacktick Mn-102 stopped giving the correct wind speed as the bearings were broken on the wind "mill" / indicator instrument in the top of the mast.

I contacted the supplier in Norway, who told me that there was no replacement kit for the bearings, and that I had to buy a new unit at 550 USD.

This sounded insane, so I dismanteld the thing, and fixed it myself. Here is a short "how to" for future sailors with the same problem:

- To dismantle the thing, take of the sticker with the serial no. and so on.
- Once done, open the thing with a micro torque tool / screwdriver.

From there it´s rather intuitive.

The bearings (x2) you will need to replace are the following:

604-ZZ, 4 x 12 x 4 Millimeters

I orderd theese from Boca Bearing Company :: Ceramic Bearing Specialists
SMR604C-ZZ #3 (4x12x4) mm

Theese are stainless steel bearings with ceramic balls. Total price for to units came to 40 USD. Photo attached shows the unit dismantled.

Hope this is useful for someone who encounters the same problem.

Andreas
I know $550 sounds insane but I would happily pay these. My mast unit T120 did break off and is laying somewhere on the bottom of the North Atlantic and my dealer wants $870 for it.
Jochen
zumsel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2013, 15:02   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Konsensus View Post
My Tacktick Mn-102 stopped giving the correct wind speed as the bearings were broken on the wind "mill" / indicator instrument in the top of the mast.

I contacted the supplier in Norway, who told me that there was no replacement kit for the bearings, and that I had to buy a new unit at 550 USD.

This sounded insane, so I dismanteld the thing, and fixed it myself. Here is a short "how to" for future sailors with the same problem:

- To dismantle the thing, take of the sticker with the serial no. and so on.
- Once done, open the thing with a micro torque tool / screwdriver.

From there it´s rather intuitive.

The bearings (x2) you will need to replace are the following:

604-ZZ, 4 x 12 x 4 Millimeters

I orderd theese from Boca Bearing Company :: Ceramic Bearing Specialists
SMR604C-ZZ #3 (4x12x4) mm

Theese are stainless steel bearings with ceramic balls. Total price for to units came to 40 USD. Photo attached shows the unit dismantled.

Hope this is useful for someone who encounters the same problem.

Andreas
Andreus, First thanks much for your detailed description, picture and link to the bearing company.

I have the exact same tacktick windtransmitter. My anemometer cups suddently stoped turning a couple months ago. I have gotten little help from Raymarine and was starting to wonder if I needed to spend $500 plus and replace the whole unit. But maybe I can do the service you outlined.

I, just this afternoon, climbed the mast and took the unit down. The anemometer cups would hardly turn...I sprayed the axle gap with "PB Blaster" (a penetrating lubricant) and have gotten the cups to turn better. But their momentum is sluggish coming to a stop about a second and a half after I flick them with my finger. I would expect them to continue to spin for about 5 seconds if running smoothly.

A couple of questions:
1. When you put your unit back together do feel fairly confident you sealed it up properly?
2. Since you replaced the 2 bearings I assume you believed them worn...but in hindsight could they have simply been dirty and needed to be cleaned...or couldn't you tell and figured you might as well replace them just to be sure?
3. I only see one bearing in the picture. Am I missing one?

Thanks much!
Big C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-01-2013, 11:18   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Just completed changing the bearings in accordance with Andreas's guidance and wanted to confirm that his instructions and picture were exactly correct.

Also wanted to update that the link provided is still good and Boco Bearing Company still carries the necessary replacement bearings.

Also wanted to add that I could not locate a stainless steel retaining clip/ring to replace the one that you need to pry off the shaft of the anemometer. (which one needs to remove in order to get at the bearings). It is in Andreas's picture next to the group of the 4 screws. I attempted to reinstall the old retaining clip but was unable to.

I ultimately obtained a 3 mm e-style stainless steel retaining ring from Boco Tools. The ring however was a fraction of a milimeter to thick to fit into the shaft groove. Using a Dremel tool with grinding wheel I ground the e-style retaining ring so that it would fit into the shaft groove. This substitute ring does not secure the disc (black and white disc in the bottom right hand corner of Andreas's picture) as well as the old retaining clip. But I believe the clip will be adequate...time will tell.

My other concern is wether the inner electronics will remain protected from the elemnets. The seals remained sticky and flexible so I'm optimistic. Also I reapplied the lable to cover the 4 tiny housing screws. The adhesive was still intact and appear to firmy adhere properly. Again time will tell.

If the Tactick fails at some future time I will post an update.

Last comment...This tacktick wind transmitter is 5 years old and I consider it unacceptable that the bearings corroded and failed in such a short period. The unit whose replacement value is in the $600-$700 range, should be better engineered. Apparently Raymarine has re-engineered the unit so that the user can more easily replace the bearings with their $80 kit. Never the less I still find it unacceptable (if I'm guessing correctly) that one need to change the bearings every 5 years. Also I found Raymarine totally unresponsive to my request for help with my older unit.
Big C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-05-2014, 08:38   #5
Registered User

Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Hi I am just embarking on the similar repair route - but having a problem removing the small plastic cover over the circlip/bearing assembly. I cant seem to pry it out - any guidance will be welcome
Dilligafsa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2014, 15:08   #6
Registered User

Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Ok solved the problem but needed to drill 2 small holes the inverted plastic cup in order to get the long plier nose into it,then twist and lift it out
Dilligafsa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-06-2014, 06:15   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2014
Boat: Farr 11.6
Posts: 11
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Thanks for the post Andreas, I was scratching my head how to get the thing open until I read your post regarding the sticker which I hadn't noticed.

Dilligafsa, too late now but if you take it slow you can pry that cup out with a flathead, trick is to go slowly to let the glue separate. some heat might help. mine took a few pries around the perimeter. Leavering the screwdriver where the gasket goes around the screws stops you from damaging it.

The Metal retaining clip looks like it can be bent into shape and reused. The glue on the seals is very sticky and should seal well on assembly. I'm thinking a bit of waterproof grease at the exposed bottom end of the shaft should slow the salt spray corroding the bottom bearing.

If anyone needs new batts, the MSU uses 2x Sanyo ML2430 3v MnO2 batts.

I'm just waiting on a new set of bearings from Boco on eBay and I'm back in action
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5710_result.JPG
Views:	970
Size:	84.9 KB
ID:	83247   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5712_result.JPG
Views:	692
Size:	59.9 KB
ID:	83248  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5713_result.JPG
Views:	630
Size:	90.1 KB
ID:	83249   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5714_result.JPG
Views:	566
Size:	62.8 KB
ID:	83250  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5715_result.JPG
Views:	551
Size:	78.6 KB
ID:	83251   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5717_result.JPG
Views:	619
Size:	84.3 KB
ID:	83252  

johol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2014, 07:01   #8
Registered User
 
Mike OReilly's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Good question
Boat: Rafiki 37
Posts: 14,144
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

I have a slightly different problem. My MN102 has stopped producing wind direction data. The wind direction pointer spins, so it's not a bearing issue. But it's not sending any data, or rather the direction showing on the cockpit display always points in the same direction.

I'm guessing it's a sensor problem with the masthead unit, but just wondering if anyone has seen this kind of problem.
__________________
Why go fast, when you can go slow.
BLOG: www.helplink.com/CLAFC
Mike OReilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-04-2015, 05:54   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Terrific post. Thanks to all who contributed... this info is just what I needed. Poor design allows the elements to corrode the lower bearing.
Goldfinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-03-2018, 11:34   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Klaipeda, Lithuania
Boat: Linjett 30
Posts: 3
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Great post, thanks! Helped me to disassemble, now trying to see if can revive lower bearing or need to source new one.

Meanwhile, if anybody could share ideas on:

- while prying steel clip, I scratched quite a lot "metal" part of the white/black top cover, which assume what gives rotation signal while spinning. Any ideas with what I could "touch-up"/repaint that part?

- is there a way to check if batteries need replacement? I did not had problems with lost signals, on other hand it's been running for 10 years now.
adrungil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-03-2018, 11:42   #11
Registered User
 
Mike OReilly's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Good question
Boat: Rafiki 37
Posts: 14,144
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike OReilly View Post
I have a slightly different problem. My MN102 has stopped producing wind direction data. The wind direction pointer spins, so it's not a bearing issue. But it's not sending any data, or rather the direction showing on the cockpit display always points in the same direction.

I'm guessing it's a sensor problem with the masthead unit, but just wondering if anyone has seen this kind of problem.
A bit of a blast from the past… Just to update my situation, I did take mine apart but was never able to get it to function. I replaced the battery, but that wasn’t it. I think the transmitter died. Not sure...

I contacted Raymarine (who now own Tacktick). After some back and forth they agreed to repair it. I sent my unit in. They gave me a repair price of about 1/3rd of a new unit. I received back what looked like a new or completely refurbished unit.

It’s been working well ever since, although I do occasionally see a drop in the signal. I think my mast height is right at the edge of the rated distance.
__________________
Why go fast, when you can go slow.
BLOG: www.helplink.com/CLAFC
Mike OReilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2018, 12:50   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Irish Sea
Posts: 1,321
Images: 7
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

The cups of my tacktick are not turning tooking around in the marina, a boat aruond 50 yards from me has the same issue... I have to climb the mast for a couple of things, I am seriously thinking on ditching the whole thing and get a classic, wired wind instrument.

Direction is shown correctly/the pointer moves, but question is, for how long??
__________________
Useful as a fireproof bottom paint...
GTom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2019, 11:11   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike OReilly View Post
A bit of a blast from the past… Just to update my situation, I did take mine apart but was never able to get it to function. I replaced the battery, but that wasn’t it. I think the transmitter died. Not sure...

I contacted Raymarine (who now own Tacktick). After some back and forth they agreed to repair it. I sent my unit in. They gave me a repair price of about 1/3rd of a new unit. I received back what looked like a new or completely refurbished unit.

It’s been working well ever since, although I do occasionally see a drop in the signal. I think my mast height is right at the edge of the rated distance.
I have a similar issue in that the bearings are fine and the wind direction works fine but there is no wind speed information being sent over the system so the true wind speed shows the same as the boat speed. Can one assume that the speed and direction are powered by one or other of the batteries and maybe one battery has died? I am planning to test the theory by replacing the batteries anyway.

Many thanks for the original post very helpful...
mikkiFinn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2019, 17:48   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2014
Boat: Farr 11.6
Posts: 11
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Hi mikkiFinn,

So moving in zero true wind, your instruments are showing true wind equal to apparent wind, which is your boat speed. What about when there is some wind present? Am asking as maybe your boat speed sensor is to blame?

Also from memory, the batteries are spot welded together via a plate, so both sensors share power supply.

Johol
johol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-05-2019, 00:51   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
Re: Wind speed Tacktick Mn-102 change of bearings

Thanks for the response johol. The wind speed indicated is zero irrespective of how quickly the anemometer is spinning so even in F5 the display is showing zero while the boat is stationary. When under way the true wind speed shows the same value as the boat speed.
I am going to purchase the kit for replacement batteries etc. In the uk this is £61.75 plus delivery.
mikkiFinn is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
wind

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 00:41.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.