NASA BM1 monitor problem

[Sniper]

On reconnecting my batteries today, I was disappointed to find that the BM1 seems to have developed a display fault. It appears to be working but the display is missing a few horizontal segments which makes it difficult to read. It is about 3 years old now and has worked perfectly up until now. The display was absolutely fine at the end of last season.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and if so, was it fixable? I'm hoping that it might sort itself out with a bit of current flowing through it. It has been mounted inside the cabin, by the way, so not in a particularly hostile environment.

 

[Lindsay All At Sea]

That sort of fault is caused by the crystal Display interface with the conducting rubber mat which then conducts onto the PCB. Often caused by damp environment and lack of use.

Worth stripping down and cleaning with Isopropyl Alcohol on cotton bud.

 

[superheat6k]

I fitted a BM1 on my last boat,but it gave up the ghost after 18 months, and Nasa weren't interested. I now have a two decimal digital voltmeter on each bank, and find this far simpler and more reliable for monitoring the state of the batteries.

 

[Sniper]

Thanks for the responses. I contacted NASA who said they would quote me for fitting a new display, which is fair enough. I took it apart and couldn't see any way of cleaning it up in any way.

 

[VicMallows]

I took it apart and couldn't see any way of cleaning it up in any way.

To enlarge on Post#2: The LCD display will be attached to the PCB in some way (maybe screws; maybe a clip-in plastic moulding). Both the LCD and the PCB will have copper contact areas, and between these will be a self-adhesive strip which looks like rubber but in fact has numerous conductive channels running through it. It is the copper contact areas that need cleaning up. I have never had very good success re-using the old contact strip, but it is fairly standard and readily available online.

 

[Amulet]

I fitted a BM1 on my last boat,but it gave up the ghost after 18 months, and Nasa weren't interested. I now have a two decimal digital voltmeter on each bank, and find this far simpler and more reliable for monitoring the state of the batteries.

I have two BM1s. They have worked perfectly for six years. NASA equipment is in receipt of much criticism, but is affordabled for me. I'm surprised by your experience. I have had some problems with NASA instruments and have always had efficient help and on one occasion cheap repairs from them.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I fitted a BM1 on my last boat,but it gave up the ghost after 18 months, and Nasa weren't interested. I now have a two decimal digital voltmeter on each bank, and find this far simpler and more reliable for monitoring the state of the batteries.

That's the route I'm going when I fit electrics...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321159799368?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Mandarin331]

I have two BM1s. They have worked perfectly for six years. NASA equipment is in receipt of much criticism, but is affordabled for me. I'm surprised by your experience. I have had some problems with NASA instruments and have always had efficient help and on one occasion cheap repairs from them.

Likewise. I had one blow up due to voltage spike, although no fault of nasa they replaced it in 48 hours free of charge,

 

[makingplansfor]

I had the same fault with a NASA wind display - left it switched on for a couple of days and it sorted itself - presumably the heat dried it out?