EPIRB battery replacement

[Maxi_10]

My EPIRB is due for battery replacement in July.

Cost to change it is £200
a new EPIRB same model is £239

some newer ones also contain a GPS but cost £400+

what would you do?

Graham

 

[colingr]

Buy a bigger box of flares /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Just kidding. I'd replace the battery. Unless you really want to upgrade then buy the posh one with GPS.

 

[BlueChip]

I'd buy a new one, then open up the old one and have a go at changing the batteries myself, that way in a few years time when the batteries on the new one expire you will know if its possible/practical to do it again.
In the mean time you have two epirbs, one for the grab bag?

 

[temptress]

What's the EPRIB?

I had the batteries replaced in mine by the manufactures last year and AFSIR it was £50 QUID.

 

[Maxi_10]

EPIRB is ARC Electronics Satellite2 406

cost is from Ocean Safety, replace battery, seals and pressure test.

seems a lot to change a battery.

Graham

 

[matelot]

eaxctly the same silly cost with my tron 45. the batteries could be bought on line for a pound or two but tron have "potted" the batteries in epoxy in the handle to prevent that. stupid cos you can be sure that if I have to buy another one because the cost of battery and replace are so close, the one brand I wont buy is tron.

you can only screw your customer once

 

[temptress]

I took mine to McMurdo in portsmouth. Left it there and picked it uip a week later all done, tected and 50 quid for my trouble.

Some of the more recent EPIRBs I've seen have 'user replacable batteries' perhaps you should get one of these.

Try someone other than Ocean saftey?

Ireland Co. Donegal Swan Net Gundry Ltd. Kelly's Quay, Killybegs +353 74 9731180 +353 74 9731574

Or you have to buy a new one.....

 

[Maxi_10]

Thankyou all, seems there isn't a cheap solution.

However if I do buy a new one it will be a McMurdo so I can afford to change the battery next time.

 

[NorthUp]

Try this bunch

http://www.sartech.com/

 

[Talulah]

Open up Epirb and check expiry date on battery. Bet it's got another 4 to 5 years to go.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
Open up Epirb and check expiry date on battery. Bet it's got another 4 to 5 years to go.

[/ QUOTE ]But presumably that is shelf life? You are supposed to test the EPIRB regularly and that uses power. Might there also be a small leakage current?

 

[Talulah]

Another thing to note is that the unit itself has a shelf life irrespective of battery life.
What I mean by that is that ACR issued instructions to service centres not to service units that were more than 13 years old.
They should be replaced instead.

 

[DaiB]

I have the same EPIRB and shopped around but could not find any cheaper battery change out. So I left it!! (please please for the PC guys no need to tell me how bad this is) Next one I get will be one with user replaceable batteries and it will be the first thing I check the cost of when buying a new EPIRB.

 

[snowleopard]

[ QUOTE ]
You are supposed to test the EPIRB regularly

[/ QUOTE ]
Last time I tested my Tron, I had a call from Falmouth Coastguard about 15 mins later asking if I was in distress.

 

[awol]

I have a GME MT400 EPIRB whose battery replacement is due in October this year. In a moment of boredom I dismantled the thing and found that it contains 2 x LiSO2 "D" cells dated 09/03. The individual cells appear to be available for £10 (+VAT) each compared with £109.25 from SARTECH though they do offer a "full service" as well for that.
I wonder which path I shall take?

... and for those of a doomsaying disposition, the thing was reassembled in a dry nitrogen atmosphere with a new silica gel pack and works to the extent of chirping, flashing and putting out a radio interference pulse when I press the test button.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd do it myself in your position. You've had it apart once and can get it back together, working, so it shouldn't be a problem next time. You'll test it every so often and in any case before going to sea so if it stops you can decide whether to fix it or buy a new one. The probability of needing the EPIRB times the probability that what you have done badly is going to cause it to fail suddenly when you need it, is so remote you are probably going to die of old age long before it happens.

 

[maxi77]

LiSO2 batteries can be nasty especially if shorted, so need carefull handling and disposal, which is probably why so many try to get you to use approved service agents. When I was involved with them most manufacturers would only supply then in special made up packs with built in short circuit protection. Also as I understand it few ailrlines will allow you to carry them either in the cabin or the hold.

One of those perfectly safe as long as you remeber it is bl**dy dangerous things.

Good luck

 

[Chris_Robb]

If you go to Sartech they give you back £50 for your old one. The battery life and therefore the service intervals are now 6 years,
SARTECH

Not worth serviceing the old one, but upgrade to one with GPS, then you could get rid of those dangerous rockets!