I even replaced the motor with a well-rated one, but it still doesn’t start easily enough to turn the fan and give accurate temperature readings. In winter it’s relatively accurate, but in summer when keeping the inner case from overheating in direct sun is critical, the motor fails to overcome start resistance and the readout can get up to 10 degrees higher than the accepted actual temp.

Replacing the panel may not be enough. Even after the company replaced mine with a new double-paneled head, its temp still reads much higher than actual, because the case-cooling fan’s motor that the panel drives won’t start up. Once running it’s okay, although it probably doesn’t cool the case enough even then. But as the sun comes up the panel puts out not enough to get the motor rolling, then the motor can’t overcome static resistance even as the sun goes through the day. If you bump the device a little while the panel is solar exposed, the momentum energy will get it turning (a few years ago I added a brief video to YouTube demonstrating that). But there’s no practical way to bump the case each day while the device is mounted in place.

Why not just desolder the wires loose so they’ll be at full length?