If you notice the PCB is damaged, then, instead of replacing the sensor by yourself, the unit should be sent for checking to Lunatico Astronomia.
1) Open the CW box, you'll notice a few wires joining the sensors on the cover to the PCB.
2) You'll notice the IR sensor wires, top in the image (inside red circle), with some white protection product:
Press firmly from the outside to free the sensor (it's glued to the cover).
Now depending on the serial number of your CloudWatcher,
the procedure varies:
For units from serial number 1206 (June 2017)
3) Loosen the 4 screw terminals holding the wires from the old ir sensor
4) Take note of the colors of the wires of the new sensor (keep in mind, purple could be green).
Insert them in the terminals, as shown in the image
For units up to serial number 1205 (June 2017)
3) Notice where the leads from the sensor are soldered
aNotice where the leads from the sensor are soldered.
3-a) Take note of the color of the wires, in relation to
the tab in sensor (the color code should have been
honored but unfortunately that's not always the
case):
3-b) Unsolder old sensor, solder new one, using heat shrink tube. Apply some heat so the tube actually shrinks.
And now in both cases, the last step is the same:
5) Lastly, press new sensor firmly into the cover, and a sealant to both the inside (generously) and outside (scarcely here, just to fill the gap but never touching the sensitive – central – part).
For sealant, we currently use Plastidip, so far the best option we've found. Alternatively, you can use a polyurethane based sealant, and even silicone – just remember to check the sensor from time to time.
