Mcmurdo Fastfind 406 battery replacement

[Caladh]

Has anyone done this ? It looks very easy. The battery can be bought for around £75 but a "service" from Mcmurdo or Sartech is around £250.

 

[eebygum]

Has anyone done this ? It looks very easy. The battery can be bought for around £75 but a "service" from Mcmurdo or Sartech is around £250.

I've just replaced mine, now valid till 2108 for £72.

If you change a plug, you can change the battery !

Cheers

 

[prv]

I'm not worried about the actual battery change, but how does the case open? Is it easy to be sure you've made it properly waterproof when you close it?

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

I'm not worried about the actual battery change, but how does the case open?

RtM p13-14

 

[prv]

RtM p13-14

Those pages appear to be the French instructions for doing a self-test: http://www.mcmurdomarine.com/images/documents/fastfind_220_brochure.pdf

I wouldn't expect the manual to have case-opening instructions, because these units are supposedly non-user-serviceable. Hence the OP's post about doing it yourself regardless (and saving £175).

I guess perhaps you're talking about the older FastFinds with clip-on battery packs? They're presumably not what the thread is about, because why post about changing a battery pack that's designed to be changed?

Must try harder

EDIT: Doh. Apparently the OP did want advice on changing a user-replaceable battery pack after all

I'd still be interested if anyone knows about changing batteries on the new models (220 / 230 / etc).

Pete

 

[Caladh]

Thanks for your inputs. Reading further I ascertained than this EPIRB is designed for bateery replacement by the user, so I got a screwdriver out and took the battery out quite easily, and a new battery would fit back just as simply. However I ended up going for a "service" at £105 incl. which will get the GPS tested as well.

 

[lw395]

Thanks for your inputs. Reading further I ascertained than this EPIRB is designed for bateery replacement by the user, so I got a screwdriver out and took the battery out quite easily, and a new battery would fit back just as simply. However I ended up going for a "service" at £105 incl. which will get the GPS tested as well.

I think an extra £30 or so to include testing is worth doing. Was that Sartech?

 

[Caladh]

Yes it is. I filled in the on-line quote form (incl.battery expiry date and s/n) and they responded very quickly. I also wanted the serviced unit back toutes suite which they've agreed to do.

 

[V1701]

Here's a rather lengthy thread from a while ago about PLB battery replacement...

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?291902-McMurdo-PLB-battery-replacement

 

[rogerthebodger]

I had my EPIRB serviced, battery replaced and reprogrammed to South Africa by SARTECH last time I was in London in 2009.

I took it in personally went off to lunch and some shopping in then went back and it was all done OK. They even showed me how they check it send the signal to the satellite. No connection just very pleased with the service.

 

[murdmerc]

Do it yourself - Easy
4 x Duracell CR123 3v batteries eBay £7
I did mine - no worries!

Here’s a demo - I used one layer of heat shrink over each set - fitted beautifully

https://youtu.be/klTR0kh1BwQ