Topic: Thinking of taking apart a WN36 Pool Thermometer?

[Rover1822]

I tried this with a unit whose battery eventually died

• Don't bother if you ever want to use it again
• Even a heat gun won't separate the glue or whatever that attaches the top portion to the lower (the only seam). I mean it might but I went pretty hot to the point I was melting the plastic (see pic below)

I gave up, I may break into it , but the units are fairly cheap, depends on how curious I get on the battery that powers it.


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[Gyvate]

as per Ecowitt, there is no non-invasive, non-desctructive way to open it.
Probably a cutting disk would be the best tool - used as high as possible towards the top portion - and, if you want to re-use the WN36, in a way you can glue-seal it again tightly.

[Rover1822]

Yep, I knew that going in. But hey ... it was there , it was dead, no harm lol.

I will break into it , as I am a bit curious. And you are right, cutting and gluing back may be possible with something like 3M 5200 for a glue , etc.  But in reality , once you calculate the cost of the replacement battery, the effort, the cost of the glue... my opinion, why bother if nothing more than curious, as the units are not that expensive.

Although , this one lasted until right at the 2.5 year mark (less than the minimum 3 years). The owner (my friend who I had given it to) , did not turn it off after one season though. Still a bit shy of what they say of 3 years always on, and 5 years if you turn it off between seasons. But nothing to worry about. I have already bought him a new one , as , well, I get to use the pool LOL.

[Rover1822]

Interestingly enough, I did get into it the lower portion. Which is where I assumed they had the battery and used it for ballast .

In there was a battery holder with 2 Energizer MAX alkaline batteries connected in series. The series connection was soldered to the battery.
The battery holder itself is probably removable, it is held in place by 2 Phillips screws. I say probably because my heat gun had already deformed the area and I was not able to remove the battery cassette intact  (further destruction ensued).

Anyway... about it on the topic.

I see no point in tearing one of these apart, unless out of curiosity.