Re batterying an epirb

snowleopard said:
Do I take it from that you have seen one for sale? If so, walk away. A new battery for an old EPIRB will cost almost as much as buying a whole new beacon, more in some cases.
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280 euros + VAT + shipping in both directions.
I know. I have one which needs a new battery - any offers????
It does include some kind of check and testing.
 
seems that it is not user serviceable.

"Battery replacement

The EPIRB uses three 9V Lithium battery packs, Kannad Marine type K82-1058A.

Typically these will have to be replaced every 5 years. The exact battery expiry date is marked on the rear of the EPIRB lens dome; if you have a full enclosure, it is also marked on the outside of the enclosure. The battery expiry date should be checked regularly.

You will need to replace the battery when:
• The expiry date has been reached or
• The EPIRB has been used in an emergency situation or
• A false activation exceeds 6 hours of use.

A battery is a one shot device. It is not rechargeable or user replaceable. Battery replacement must be carried out by a Kannad Marine approved service agent. The entire set of batteries should be replaced together.

Lithium batteries have special disposal requirements. Never incinerate a Lithium battery. Never dispose of one at sea. Your service agent will deal with battery disposal. "


I can't find any commercial lithium battery with a similar part no. :(

You might like to give these people a call, as they know a lot about lithium batteries, and a 9v battery is a standard configuration.

http://www.battery-force.co.uk/type-9V.html


The bit about do not dispose of at sea is worth noting. I was once called out to a major incident involving a lorry fire on the M5. The lorry had picked up a load of scrap from Augusta Westland in Yeovil. In one bin was a load of special helicopter batteries - lithium type. The bin became soaked in water from some other cargo, and caught fire - eliminating the lorry and quite a large part of the M5 Lane 1 and the emergency lane. The FB put the fire out, then the Environment Agency declared a Major Incident for the Somerset levels when they realised that the hose reels had flushed debris in an adjacent rhyne (dyke).

EDIT

It IS possible to gain access to the interior of the unit, in order to disable the EPIRB, via three screws at the back. If you do this, DO NOT touch any parts of the PCB. Just disconnect the three battery connectors. You may be able to replace them if you check the types carefully. But will it invalidate the warranty ... ?
 
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A new PLB?

What do you guys think about a Mcmurdo Fastfind 210 PLB With GPS and Free RNLI membership? This is about 220 pounds at the moment. I.e. cheaper than changing the battery on my Kannad 406.

This is the cheapest PLB with GPS at the moment. Is there any reason to get a more expensive one?
 
Thanks Sarabande, loads of info!
Theyvare for sale with a battery change warning but they seem to be understating the replacement costs.
A big saving on normal as they are in their last year but aT £299 is it still a bargain?
 
seems a lot of money to me, but I am not in to buying epirbs yet. I'd look around and see if there are any user-serviceable one for a similar price. The Kannad one is almost a commercial product.
 
I keep telling you guys, there is a specialist battery refurbishing company in the Midlands. Check 'em out

They cut open the pack, replace the contents & reseal it for you. Tell 'em your problem & they should be able to give you an estimated cost - plus 2x postage.

No commercial connection, just a happy customer, my ancient H/H vhf is better than my new w/p one!
 
michaelchapman said:
What do you guys think about a Mcmurdo Fastfind 210 PLB With GPS and Free RNLI membership? This is about 220 pounds at the moment. I.e. cheaper than changing the battery on my Kannad 406.

This is the cheapest PLB with GPS at the moment. Is there any reason to get a more expensive one?
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I bought one from ebay at a much lower price than that. Registered with McMurdo and the EPIRB database fine :)

Totally recommend it. Sits in my jacket pocket.
 
Thanks, all: this thread motivated me to consider my EPIRB, an ACR Aquafix 406, the battery expiry date for which is next January.

The unit is powered by two bundles of 4 Sanyo CR123A Lithium-ion cells, so 8 in all. 10 of these can be bought for £12.30 on Amazon.

So the question, and bearing in mind that an EPIRB's no us at all if it's not reliable, would it make sense to make up new bundles myself (or maybe have some specialist do it for me)?

If not, it seems cheaper to chuck the thing away and buy a new one.

P.S. I've e-mailed Strykalite (as per Searush's link) for a quote for assembling two bundles of 4 x CR123A. I'll advise of their response.
 
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macd said:
So the question, and bearing in mind that an EPIRB's no us at all if it's not reliable, would it make sense to make up new bundles myself (or maybe have some specialist do it for me)?
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The hardest part is soldering onto the battery terminals.
I can't remember which solder you have to use.
 
The issue with these things is that the EPIRB is already of a certain age (in my case 10 years). So it really needs a full service to ensure it is going to last another 5 years.

I really don't want to be trusting my life to something soldered in a garden shed - with no reassurance that none of the rest of the electronics have degraded in anyway in the meantime.

In my case, I have just ordered a brand new PLB as a back up.

When I win the lottery I will get the EPIRB replaced along with a new float free mechanism as well (not included in the service cost). And probably would anyway if I was setting off on across the Atlantic.
 
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Searush said:
I keep telling you guys, there is a specialist battery refurbishing company in the Midlands. Check 'em out

They cut open the pack, replace the contents & reseal it for you. Tell 'em your problem & they should be able to give you an estimated cost - plus 2x postage.

No commercial connection, just a happy customer, my ancient H/H vhf is better than my new w/p one!
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I also endorse them - supplied 2 x batteries to replace duff ones on my handheld VHF. Much cheaper than a new VHF.
 
michaelchapman said:
(snip)

I really don't want to be trusting my life to something hand soldered in the back of some ones garden shed - with no reassurance that none of the rest of the electronics have degraded in anyway in the meantime.

(snip)
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While I accept the comment about the rest of the electronics, that is not a nice comment to make about any company.

I suspect you have had no dealings with them & have simply slagged them off for dramatic effect. I think you should apologise or delete the comment. And I specifically pointed out that the batteries are professionally spot welded with the right gear.

Of course, if you have evidence to support your slur, I will apologise to you, but, from my own dealings with them, I very much doubt it.
 
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