Re batterying an epirb

[westernman]

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.

No slur of any kind intended upon their expertise in soldering.

Indeed I have no dealings with them. However, while they may be very good at spot welding I still would not trust my life with them as I am guessing from your garden shed description that they do not have the RF lab equipment necessary to properly test and verify the EPIRBs transmission performance and may not the experience need to properly verify the rest of the electronics.

My point is, it is not like changing batteries in a torch.

 

[macd]

My point is, it is not like changing batteries in a torch.

Can't see why, except that EPIRB manufacturers seem to go out of their way to make it so.

 

[FullCircle]

Can't see why, except that EPIRB manufacturers seem to go out of their way to make it so.

Totally agree.
Scandalous.

 

[benw]

Great discussion around this thank you for your interest.
I have contacted the chandlery who are checking the life left in the battery pack which may well be in it's last 3 yrs.
As an aside, whilst it is a personal choice how many of us carry an epirb for Coastal and offshore sailing?
I am east coast based and enjoyed a nth sea crossing, it is highly likely that commercial shipping would be able to renderr assistance fairly quickly and if the crew have aborted to a liferaft VHF contact could be maintained. I am not planning any ocean passages just yet ( sadly) so is this a bit of overkill.
As we are all on a budget funds can be spent at least 3times over!

 

[Searush]

No slur of any kind intended upon their expertise in soldering.

Indeed I have no dealings with them. However, while they may be very good at spot welding I still would not trust my life with them as I am guessing from your garden shed description that they do not have the RF lab equipment necessary to properly test and verify the EPIRBs transmission performance and may not the experience need to properly verify the rest of the electronics.

My point is, it is not like changing batteries in a torch.

Do you not understand the difference between soldering & welding, or are you being deliberately ignorant?

Of course they will not test the Epirb, no-one suggested they would, and I don't understand why you would expect a battery repairer to do that.

How is it not like changing batteries in a torch? Replacement of a battery pack cannot affect the other circuitry, it may damage seals, but that's up to you to remove the old & replace the repaired pack with care. And don't say that a torch isn't a life saver - it quite easily can be. It may not be a long range device like an epirb, but a short range & at night it is probably more accurate & effective. Just because a device is expensive, you don't have to ascribe magic powers to it. Changing the battery pack will not affect its "Ju-Ju".

I've never had (or wanted) an epirb, but don't they have built in test circuitry? If you don't trust the original manufacturer's test procedures, you clearly won't trust anyone. How paranoid are you? I recommend that you'd best never get out of bed - then you may feel safer.

 

[westernman]

Of course they will not test the Epirb, no-one suggested they would, and I don't understand why you would expect a battery repairer to do that.

Which is why I am questioning the wisdom of just changing the batteries in a 10 year old piece of electronic equipement which has been sitting for all its life outside in a small plastic box in the marine environment.

How is it not like changing batteries in a torch? Replacement of a battery pack cannot affect the other circuitry, it may damage seals, but that's up to you to remove the old & replace the repaired pack with care. And don't say that a torch isn't a life saver - it quite easily can be.

Yes - but I am not dependant on one - I have a few and also a full examination and test is easy to do.

It may not be a long range device like an epirb, but a short range & at night it is probably more accurate & effective. Just because a device is expensive, you don't have to ascribe magic powers to it. Changing the battery pack will not affect its "Ju-Ju".

If it has any Ju-Ju left

I've never had (or wanted) an epirb, but don't they have built in test circuitry?

It only does a minimal test.

If you don't trust the original manufacturer's test procedures, you clearly won't trust anyone.

The manufacturer's service includes a much fuller test - they set it off and check the tranmission power, the quality of the signal etc. Also it includes an inspection of the insides as well.

How paranoid are you?

My experience of electrickery on a boat is that none of it lasts much more than 10 years if in anyway exposed to fresh salty air.

I think expecting a 15 year old EPIRB to work which has not been serviced but just had its batteries changed is may be pushing your luck.

My opinion - but based on experience.

E.g.
1) Mains battery charger 10 years old - only works sometimes
2) Xeon light attached to the lifebuoy - crumbled and fell apart when I changed its battery
3) Engine alternator field connection - reduced to a white powder

This is why I prefer a brand new PLB.

I recommend that you'd best never get out of bed - then you may feel safer.

No - a lot of people die in their beds

 

[macd]

Which is why I am questioning the wisdom of just changing the batteries in a 10 year old piece of electronic equipement which has been sitting for all its life outside in a small plastic box in the marine environment.

Now that I can feel some justification for. Except:
mine is nothing like 10 years old;
it hasn't been outside since the day it came aboard.