EPIRB Service

[emandvee44]

I seem to recall a thread some time ago about this and did a search earlier today but could not find any useful info so if you can help....

I have a McMurdo 406 EPIRB and it is due service (battery change etc). I have been quoted £ 207 + carriage which seems a bit steep as I can get a new one for £299 (probably cheaper if I look around), which would include a guarantee of course.

Any advice.......?

 

[exfinnsailor]

Bit of a con really they get you both ways .. You buy a new one at a discount or spend the money on a service .. Same old thing really got boat stamped all over it .. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JONDAVIS]

Try Sartec for new battery I am sure they would replace for a lot less

 

[Maxi_10]

I posted a question about EPIRB services a week or so ago. As I had been quoted £200 for a replacement battery.

Someone had had a replacement battery for a McMurdo for £50. A search would give you the details.

 

[hightech]

Because EPIRB's fall under the GMDSS rules etc, the service provided by the likes of McMurdo and my own company and others, we have to work to a specific set of tests and have to have expensive test equipment to make the tests. Unfortunately, for the correct batteries, temp spec, life, capacity etc, they do not come cheap.

A proper "factory" service returns the unit back to full functionality, it also ensures that the unit is operating on the correct frequencies, is sending the correct data and is fully sealed.

DIY EPIRB repairs will be untested, may not be transmitting on the correct frequency, may use the wrong/old parts.

Its yours and your families lives you put at risk by trying to save a few pounds. Think about this before you make a cheap choice.

Climbing down from my soapbox now /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[NorthUp]

Hitech- can you give a guestimate of how many epirbs are rejected during service for whatever reason?
Are the older models reaching the end of their lives as electronic components break down with age, or have the transmission standards tightened up ?
I don't have any axe to grind- I agree with you that for the sake of a few quid I would always replace if unsure- its my neck after all!
I have changed a battery in one years ago, but the last one I could not obtain a battery for, so sent to specialists, who advised it was off frequency and advised against repair. It was replaced.

 

[sgreenway]

Hi there,

I do work in the PLB market - similar to EPIRBs (but not quite)

The older EPRIRBs as well as PLBs and ELTs are now basicall obsolete if they only transmit on 121.5 MHz and/or 243MHz (generally military guard channel).

As of 1 February 2009, the satellite system COSPAS-SARSAT are no longer monitoring the 121.5MHz channel. For global satellite coverage you will need a 406MHz beacon/EPRIRB/ELT.

To find out all about if, I suggest looking at this website:
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/MainPages/indexEnglish.htm it has all you could ask for and more!!!!