Replacing PLB battery

[Cantata]

I've got a McMurdo FF210 PLB that came with the boat, 5 years ago. The battery became life-expired around the same time.
Even now, the thing still does the self-test OK but I guess I shouldn't rely on it.
What do people do about these? I found a place that will replace the battery - 'Spares Marine' - and they want £126 to do it. I can buy a brand new equivalent PLB for about double that. And an Ocean Signal equivalent is less than double that.
I can't help but wonder if I am throwing money away on a battery replacement for an old device. But it's still £120 cheaper than a new device.
I'd guess it may be a reasonable DIY job if you know how (I see there's at least one Youtube about doing it), plus where to get the right battery.
What does the team think?

 

[TernVI]

If you feel the need to carry a PLB, buy a new one.
You may get a trade in discount?

If you're prefectly happy without one, just carry the old one as it is and it can't do any harm.

 

[HughClayton]

Spares Marine did a great job for me.

If you’re going to have safety kit like EPIRBs or life rafts on board having them professionally serviced is sensible.

I’m an aerospace engineer by trade and I’m 99.99% sure that I could have serviced my own ..... but without the service manual and test kit I’d not have been certain. If you ever have to use safety kit then things have already gone badly wrong and you don’t need the risk of one more thing not working.

 

[dunedin]

When my first McMurdo PLB reached official expiry date I bought a second one, and also kept the original. Currently 4 years over but self test suggests full battery.
Clearly if sailing solo I carry the newest one. But if sailing offshore with crew better to have both in our pockets.
Also gives options if one was lost in an emergency

 

[William_H]

A PLB with GPS would be a far better thing to have so maybe buy a new one with GPS. ol'will

 

[MoodySabre]

A PLB with GPS would be a far better thing to have so maybe buy a new one with GPS. ol'will

They have GPS to transmit your position. The new ones also have Galileo.

 

[TernVI]

They have GPS to transmit your position. The new ones also have Galileo.

The OP is talking about an old device. Possibly a non-GPS PLB, these do not transmit your position, the SARSAT satellites work it out as they go past.
Edit: Just looked it up, the 210 was a GPS PLB, the 200 was non-GPS.

FWIW, I found the service manual online, which shows there is slightly more to it than simply changing a battery. The right batteries are also quite expensive, if you can even get them as a consumer.

 

[V1701]

I've replaced them in my 210 based on a couple of videos - the part one is here. The hardest thing was finding batteries that had an appropriate presoldered connection. I'm not recommending that anybody else does the same...

 

[PabloPicasso]

Is there a local battery suppllier I wonder?

That device couls so easily have been made aith a user changes battery.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I had the batteries replaced in my EPIRB by a local to me supplier then had it checked by the EPIRB agent, but the local safety authority would not accept it against the local competition legislation.

The OEM refused to supply replacement batteries to force me to buy a replacement EPIRB

 

[MoodySabre]

Is there a local battery suppllier I wonder?

That device couls so easily have been made aith a user changes battery.

It also has to be waterproof tested. there's a company on ebay who do this.

 

[OCuea]

I've got a McMurdo FF210 PLB that came with the boat, 5 years ago. The battery became life-expired around the same time.
Even now, the thing still does the self-test OK but I guess I shouldn't rely on it.
What do people do about these? I found a place that will replace the battery - 'Spares Marine' - and they want £126 to do it. I can buy a brand new equivalent PLB for about double that. And an Ocean Signal equivalent is less than double that.
I can't help but wonder if I am throwing money away on a battery replacement for an old device. But it's still £120 cheaper than a new device.
I'd guess it may be a reasonable DIY job if you know how (I see there's at least one Youtube about doing it), plus where to get the right battery.
What does the team think?

I cannot comment upon changing battery or buying new except to give a link to companies that provide the service. Isn’t it odd - if true- that the Amazon replacement battery is only £15 but services charge £150 plus. Cost of the pressure test I am sure they might say.
Google Search

I have not watched any of these videos, just posting for info McMurdo FF210 battery replacement - Google Search

I wouldn’t trust a battery from amazon but this forum has posted about other places that make bespoke replacement battery packs. And YouTube shows some plbs that are user fixable, don’t know if yours is.

2nd thoughts, my comment would be dependent upon type of sailing - going across ocean buy new and keep old one as backup. If just day sailing with crew, wear lj, clip on, keep handheld clipped on person. Perhaps your sailing has changed, perhaps not. Pricey service costs though , all strange.

 

[OCuea]

It also has to be waterproof tested. there's a company on ebay who do this.

Have just watched this video - I can’t even see a waterproof gasket which seems odd. There must be one. I would add a bead of something suitable around the lid as a backup to ensure watertight

Personally, knowing my skills, I would be happy to do DIY with good batteries and place my life in its hands. Depends on skills or knowledge and experience of person doing the job I suppose . Not for the unskilled with just a multi tool in their toolbox for sure