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Post by ComfortZone on Dec 15, 2022 7:59:50 GMT 12
Consumer have conducted and evaluation of EPIRB's, PLB's and SEND's (don't you love all the acronyms) www.consumer.org.nz/articles/emergency-alerting-devices/assessment-resultsit only covers a sample of EPIRB's on the market here but gives an indication of features to compare. I have a Mc Murdo A5G coming up for battery renewal, which is ~$500 so facing question of do I replace battery or EPIRB. |
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Post by em on Dec 15, 2022 9:08:13 GMT 12
The battery thing is a bloody rort . I can get a replacement battery from Australia for $45 for my PLB but it won’t pass any Cat inspection . Or get it changed for $200 , a new PLB the same is approx $500 .
In a perfect world the battery would have a date stamp like flares , at inspection time the inspector can check the battery date and press the test button to check it works .
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Post by ComfortZone on Dec 15, 2022 9:25:16 GMT 12
The battery thing is a bloody rort . I can get a replacement battery from Australia for $45 for my PLB but it won’t pass any Cat inspection . Or get it changed for $200 , a new PLB the same is approx $500 . In a perfect world the battery would have a date stamp like flares , at inspection time the inspector can check the battery date and press the test button to check it works . You are not wrong about the battery cost being a rip off, especially having seen inside a couple of EPIRBs. Both my EPIRB (Mc Murdo) and PLB (ACR) do have battery date stamps on them |
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Post by sabre on Dec 15, 2022 9:35:10 GMT 12
I just looked into this for my work PLB. Less than half the price of a new one to replace the battery so going to do that. Definately a rort but what isn't these days.
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Post by em on Dec 15, 2022 9:37:40 GMT 12
The battery thing is a bloody rort . I can get a replacement battery from Australia for $45 for my PLB but it won’t pass any Cat inspection . Or get it changed for $200 , a new PLB the same is approx $500 . In a perfect world the battery would have a date stamp like flares , at inspection time the inspector can check the battery date and press the test button to check it works . You are not wrong about the battery cost being a rip off, especially having seen inside a couple of EPIRBs. Both my EPIRB (Mc Murdo) and PLB (ACR) do have battery date stamps on them I have an ACR too |
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Post by em on Dec 15, 2022 9:38:56 GMT 12
I just looked into this for my work PLB. Less than half the price of a new one to replace the battery so going to do that. Definately a rort but what isn't these days. If you don’t need a category inspection for your boat you can change the battery yourself . You will just have to buy the battery offshore . That’s if it doesn’t violate any worksafe rules 😳 |
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Post by DuckMaster on Dec 16, 2022 9:34:10 GMT 12
When you send it in for a battery change.
They don't just replace the battery.
They do a full test of the unit in a Faraday cage, replace all the water proofing seals. And give it a stamp of approval for another X years.
That provides you with a higher probability that the unit will work than a diy replacement.
Given the majority of diyers have zero ability to test the 'new' battery they just received they have no idea what the state of charge is of the new battery. It could be at 50%. Or it could of come out of a recycled unit and be 10yrs old.
You might as well just continue to use the old battery. It's not like it's been used...
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Post by sabre on Dec 17, 2022 7:13:05 GMT 12
I just looked into this for my work PLB. Less than half the price of a new one to replace the battery so going to do that. Definately a rort but what isn't these days. If you don’t need a category inspection for your boat you can change the battery yourself . You will just have to buy the battery offshore . That’s if it doesn’t violate any worksafe rules 😳 Yeah unfortunately a new expiry date is needed so the right box can be ticked. Its very dangerous to leave boxes unticked don't you know? |
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Post by em on Dec 17, 2022 8:15:58 GMT 12
If you don’t need a category inspection for your boat you can change the battery yourself . You will just have to buy the battery offshore . That’s if it doesn’t violate any worksafe rules 😳 Yeah unfortunately a new expiry date is needed so the right box can be ticked. Its very dangerous to leave boxes unticked don't you know? Yeah , more dangerous even than getting hurt if you are the most Liable person on site . |
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Post by DuckMaster on Dec 17, 2022 11:34:55 GMT 12
You can buy a label printer for $20.
Your epirb won't meet the standard if you diy the battery change anyway and you'll be the only one who knows until/if there's an investigation if it doesn't work - which is pretty unlikely. (the investigation that is)
Bottom line, if you're prepared to take the risk of a diy battery change, then you might as well trick the inspector with a label printer.
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