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📸Cameras & Camera Software => Legacy non Wi-Fi X10 Cameras => Camera General Discussion => Wireless Cameras(non IP) => Topic started by: BFD on December 13, 2006, 03:36:21 PM

Title: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: BFD on December 13, 2006, 03:36:21 PM
I bought 2 Vanguard cameras and they worked great so I bought 12 more.  Mostly the sat in their boxes for a couple years before I got around to installing them.  1 year after that, all 14 are broken from VERY little use.  After opening them, I found every one of them had the same problem.  There are 2 small plastic gears that are used for the pan and tilt functions and they are all cracked. Every one of them.  They didn't all crack at once.  At first I started swapping out broken gears with the cams that had good gears so that I would have at least some working cams but soon after, they were all cracked.

X10 support only told me, since my cams are out of warranty, they don't service them, sell replacement parts, or could tell me where to get replacement parts, my only offered option was to buy replacements.  When I spend over $15,000 overall on X10 equipment, I expect a little bit more than "tough luck".  I paid $600 each for the cameras and the rest was spent on other X10 equipment.  The low price was the reason for buying.  I didn't buy expecting cheap equipment for a cheap price, I expected great equipment for a cheap price.  That was what was advertised after all.

I don't expect them to replace my cameras.  But I do expect at the very least, tell me where I can get the gears elsewhere.  This is because this has been an ongoing problem with these cams for lots and lots of customers which I note after reading the forums.

What I want is, can anybody tell me specifically, where to buy the replacement gears.  A web site and part number would be nice.  Imagine how many customers would go from mad to glad if X10 could simply have this information to give to customers in a similar predicament.  I really don't want to buy 14 more cameras and them swap them with the bad cameras and return them.  This is because I know those too will eventually have the same problem.  I want a fix, not a refund or temporary solution.

Regarding the quality of x10 products in general, I found that everything can be made to work as advertised except for the wireless video transmission, which is really not good enough for use with multiple cameras in a typical home even if it is cheap.  The reason is that while you may be able to get 1 or 2 positioned just right, getting the receiver antenna positioned just right to be able to clearly receive a wireless video signal from 8 different camera locations is unlikely.   Another problem is neighbors.  I have several neighbors that apparently also have x10 wireless cams.  Not only do their signals interfere with mine, there is nothing to prevent them from receiving my signals or controlling any of my wireless equipment.  As a wired solution, the equipment works satisfactory except for the broken plastic gears.
Title: Re: Braken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: glt on December 13, 2006, 03:50:25 PM
Yep - thats sad.

14 x 600 = $8,400. So $6,600 in other X10 stuff. What the HECK did you buy?

If this is true, then you need to WAY escalate the problem. And I DON"T, mean forums, or emails, or phone calls. You need to send letters  (2nd step CERTIFIED) to the X10 bigwigs - director of sales etc. These names are available on the web.

I would believe the right person could get you some gears, but this is way outside of X-10's normal business model - I don't think they repair ANYTHING - just replace.

GLT


Title: Re: Braken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: Brian H on December 13, 2006, 05:01:37 PM
You may want to do a search of the forums. Others have had plastic gears break and I think someone found a brass gear that could be made to work.
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: BFD on December 13, 2006, 05:30:55 PM
I have done a search of the forums.  If anybody knows of a source, please tell.
Title: Re: Braken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: glt on December 13, 2006, 05:31:54 PM
On Brians advice I searched and found...

I used a RC car 32 pitch pinion gear to
replace my broken gear.Just buy one with
the same # of teeth and file the center
hole untill it slips on the driveshaft in
the Vanguard. It's worked great for a few
years now.

In this thread.........


http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=5890.0

Sounds like a plan.  Could probably search more.

GLT

and just for the heck of it....


http://www.roguerc.com/product.php?productid=8003

Don't know how many teeth.
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: BFD on December 13, 2006, 05:40:42 PM
That's not sufficient information to allow me to locate the exact gear needed and it gives no information about where to purchase such a gear.  The gear should have 12 teeth. 

(http://www.omg-omg.com/gear.jpg)
Title: Re: Braken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: glt on December 13, 2006, 05:45:23 PM
Well I'm just trying - don't have the cam myself but counting the teeth in your pic:

http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/services/advanceresultsDetail.asp?strProd=RRP0120&strSearchType=ALL&strInCategory=ALL&strInManufacturer=ALL&tag=qsrch

GLT
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: BFD on December 13, 2006, 06:01:07 PM
Thank you.  I have ordered a couple and I'll report back if they work or not when they come.
Total cost for two alloy 32-pitch 12 tooth pinion gears with shipping, $11.29.
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: BFD on December 22, 2006, 07:11:11 PM
The replacement gears I purchased worked.

I am happy to report that I received the gears that I purchased for $3.15 each at http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/services/advanceresultsDetail.asp?strProd=RRP0120&strSearchType=ALL&strInCategory=ALL&strInManufacturer=ALL&tag=qsrch and after drilling holes in them using 3/16" drill bit, the replacement gears worked.  Each came with a screw in the side that could be tightened with an Allen wrench to make the fit tight.  Thanks to those who pointed me in the right direction.  I am now ordering 2 dozen more so that I can fix all my other cameras.

The vertical motion gear needed to be mounted upside down and I did have to file the inside of each gear with a circular file just slightly because the fit after drilling was too snug.  I drilled the first gear with too large of a drill bit but was able to fill it with a $3 product called FASTSTEEL from Home Depot that allowed me to drill it again and although it filled in the screw hole, the fit was tight enough to not need it.

The gears used were a 32 Pitch Pinion Gear,12 Teeth made of alloy steel.   Unfortunately, the place where I bought them is out of stock but it seems there are a lot of places that sell them, I just needed to know what to order.

BFD
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: KDR on December 23, 2006, 06:27:24 AM
(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/xmasl.gif)

Good to hear BFD. You said you had to use a 3/16 drill bit and file just a little.


A number 11 or 12 drill bit might eliminate the filing step, also the shaft for the gear is probably metric. I wonder if the gears used in the Ninja Pan/Tilt units are the same? I have several but at this time none have failed. Anyway this is good to hear since I am looking at getting a Vanguard. Thanks BFD for the follow up post.

(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: glt on December 23, 2006, 07:47:04 PM
BFD -

That is quite nice that you took the time to post your success and tips - not enough people do that!

Merry Christmas to all !

GLT
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: w5sno on January 31, 2007, 12:26:37 PM
I have had vanguard camera 3 years now.  Mostly out in front of my place under the underhang to keepout of the weather,  The same gear broke, and you will not be finding it as I went thru the same thing.   If you happen to have the Pan and Tilt nija base, the same gears are in it, I had several so took one out and fixed mine.  You can put on top of that gear plastic epoxy cement after fitting it in to make it last.
w5sno@yahoo.com
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: akeene on October 25, 2007, 04:28:29 PM
When mine broke..
I made a plaster cast and then filled it with JB WELD.
Cleaned up after they hardened with a file and installed the "new" gears. Be sure to put a SMALL anount of greese to keep them happy.
Working now for over a year in hot Arizona.
 ;D
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) on October 26, 2007, 11:05:17 PM
Quote from: akeene on October 25, 2007, 04:28:29 PM
When mine broke..
I made a plaster cast and then filled it with JB WELD.
Cleaned up after they hardened with a file and installed the "new" gears. Be sure to put a SMALL anount of greese to keep them happy.
Working now for over a year in hot Arizona.
 ;D

Very cool (and helpful)  idea!   8)
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: Aquadeveloper on October 27, 2007, 11:28:41 AM
Hi guys,

Do the Ninja Pan & Tilt use the same gear?
I seem to remember it often breaks also.

If its not the same, can someone please post info on it, (specs) and where they might have found a replacement.

Thanks,
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: HA Dave on October 27, 2007, 12:11:56 PM
Quote from: akeene on October 25, 2007, 04:28:29 PM

When mine broke..
I made a plaster cast and then filled it with JB WELD.


Great.... and HELPFUL idea akeene.
Title: Re: Braken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, using multiple wireless cams
Post by: tom j on November 19, 2007, 03:09:45 AM
Quote from: glt on December 13, 2006, 05:45:23 PM
Well I'm just trying - don't have the cam myself but counting the teeth in your pic:

http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/services/advanceresultsDetail.asp?strProd=RRP0120&strSearchType=ALL&strInCategory=ALL&strInManufacturer=ALL&tag=qsrch

GLT

Good looking out glt!!! everyone should at least give you a brownie point for this! you possibly have saved folks HUNDREDS of dollars, I might even buy one now but  shame on x10 though!!

Tom j
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: Frank3d on July 11, 2011, 03:21:39 PM
Anyone know where to get these gears now. RC Hobbies Online is and has been out of stock for a while now. B:( B:(
Title: Re: Broken plastic gears on Vanguard Cameras, replacement gears/parts
Post by: hssst on January 04, 2013, 07:49:32 PM
I hope someone is still reading this thread..I have two Model VK77A Vanguard PTZ Cameras mounted and in use in my church. One of them has lost its tilt due to broken gear. I have tried to get to the problem and can't find my way into the works..Can anyone get me inside this thing? The camera is no longer in production that I can find..I purchased one off eBay used and hope to keep me going until I find a suitable replacement..It would be nice to repair the broken gear as that would give me a replacement camera when one of the others go out of service..Anyone out there know of similar cameras?