Ebirb Battery replacement or new ?

[tara11]

Hi all,
I have a 406 Ebirb, I saw the this one today ACR AquaLink 406 GPS PLB - 2882, it is almost the same price as the battery replacement for the one I have, and it does the same thing I think, but when we had our life raft repacked, the guy tested our Ebirb, and from the date and all, he said I need to change the battery next Aug, 2010 and that it was about $300.00, so I think I am better off getting a new one, am I ? Oh yea, I got mine from BOE about 4 years ago and new it was $900 plus, it was a good deal back then.


ACR AquaLink 406 GPS PLB - 2882

 

[BradV]

check to see what signal your current epirb sends out. I know the government is changing the signal to a newer frequency and the older ones are going to be obsolete. chances are as well that the newer one has a longer battery life and may also have a capability of changing the battery yourself. Just an idea.

 

[tara11]

Thanks Brad,
That is kind of how I was thinking !

 

[grouperjim]

look up the specs on your current EPIRB battery. it is designed to last 9-11 years if not used. 5 years is an arbitrary time frame for changing.....probably for liability reasons (just a guess).

 

[pelagic2530]

as is always the argument with an EPIRB vs a PLB, the EPIRB battery is going to last almost twice as long as the PLB. i would think very carefully about replacing an EPIRB with a PLB, based on the distance from shore you typically travel. as far as signal, if your current EPIRB puts out a 406 signal, you should be fine, i dont think thats going to change. if its 121.5 or 243 mhz, its already obsolete and should absolutely be replaced. however, if theres nothing wrong with your current unit and youre not gaining any new features by downsizing to the PLB, than i would say replace the battery instead.

 

[BradV]

well with the newer technology that they are using unless it takes them 24 hours to get to you, you should be fine. The new system has it where the diameter is like 1/8 of a mile or something like that for the search zone where before it was 5 miles. Pretty neat. Hope to never find out.

 

[Megabyte]

Since you bought it from BOE Marine, why not give Jim a call and discuss it with him? He may have some insight on battery replacement from an industry perspective. He might have a better price too. :wink:

866-735-5926 toll free

 

[pelagic2530]

well with the newer technology that they are using unless it takes them 24 hours to get to you, you should be fine. The new system has it where the diameter is like 1/8 of a mile or something like that for the search zone where before it was 5 miles. Pretty neat. Hope to never find out.

knowing some coasties, you might be suprised. depending on weather, available resources in your boating area, and other factors, 24 hours might not be a totally unreasonable amount of time. also the 1/8 of a mile is up for debate, it can actually end up being quite a bit more as 1/8 is under ideal conditions. like i said i would be very careful about "downsizing" my system at all even with the advancements.

 

[tara11]

I vanished, I will call Jim, he always seems to steer me in the correct direction, right now we are redoing the trailer, OUCH

 

[BradV]

The plb works for me down here in SE FL never more than 30 miles from land. Plus the coast guards main station is out of Lauderdale and there is a 120' coast guard ship that does two week missions in the waters between the bahamas and FL. No idea how you guys do it up north going as far as you typically have to go

 

[pelagic2530]

The plb works for me down here in SE FL never more than 30 miles from land. Plus the coast guards main station is out of Lauderdale and there is a 120' coast guard ship that does two week missions in the waters between the bahamas and FL. No idea how you guys do it up north going as far as you typically have to go

GPIRB, Life raft, and well-stocked ditch bag :wink:

 

[tara11]

We vare set up as far as life raft etc... hope I never need it and I just saw the one for cheaper, but proablly I will just keep what we have, if we ever need it, I want the best , I hope not ! Winter is here and we love going on the ocean in the winter ! something about it, the cold crisp mornings