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ACR PLB Battery Replacement

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Started 2 years ago by MicroTom
Latest reply from BustedRudder

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MicroTom
Key Master

Time to replace the battery in one of my PLBs. I called ACR directly and they quoted me $155 and 10-15 day turn around. They went on to say you can do better using one of our authorized service shops and recommended:

Solution One Maritime
Phone: 813-241-6654

Address:
2721 East Adamo Dr
Tampa, FL 33605

Cost for service on my PLB-375 ResQLink+ is $89.99. Turn around time is 3-5 days. They also mentioned to make sure you include your contact info. They will call for payment once the device is done and ready to go out.

Check you expiration dates. Get your PLB serviced if its due.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cat5
Member

I know it's not supposed to be done, but I just made a new battery pack. The cells that they use are readily available and cheap

Posted 2 years ago #
danceswithmullet
Member

Thanks MicroTom and timely. I need to send mine in and that is definitely a cheaper option.I did see the youtubes on doing it yourself but having someone that does this all the time and may notice something else amiss looking at it I will spend the money. Also this should come with a new official expiration sticker.The folks that pull these apart have noted the batteries have a 10 year life so ACR is probably being over cautious.DWM

Posted 2 years ago #
WindwardMark
Member

I got mine done at survivalatsea.com in Maine. They do a series of checks on it after, which sounds good. Considering all the money we're spending, what's another hundred?

Posted 2 years ago #
OERentals
Member

try beaconbatteryreplacement.com for a cheap aftermarket alternative.

Posted 2 years ago #
WindwardMark
Member

Now ya tell me...

Posted 2 years ago #
danceswithmullet
Member

Got mine back from solution marine. Tax shipping ect $107. Reminded me my registration was expired. Registered, new battery sticker all good now. Learned my lesson years ago getting boarded by the coast guard. If you show them safety gear above the required to be onboatd but the battery or registration is expired you will get dinged. Be polite and show minimum!DWM

Posted 2 years ago #
BustedRudder
Member

We have 2 ResQlink PLBs (plb-375).

It would cost 125$ each to have them "serviced"

I just changed the batteries in both for $9.68 total. The units were shipped with Panasonic CR123A lithium's which is exactly what i got from Amazon.

Of note, Mine was the oldest. It was manufactured 1/2012 and had a battery exp sticker of 1/2018.

Out of date but it still passed both tests.

The original batteries were stamped 11/2021 exp.

It showed 9.58V on the multi meter, the new batteries 9.6V.

The replacements from Amazon are stamped exp 9/2030. There is a good chance I will never have to do this again!
I even made a professional looking label with the new battery exp date of 1/2027

If your handy with a soldering gun it is a very easy job. The 3 batteries are glued together then wired in series. Easy to reuse the original plug.
There is no "requirement" to submit to "professional" service providers for this, only to maintain registration. Besides, a PLB is not a required device by the coast guard. They will be stunned you have one and immediatly know you are a triber because no one else would be stupid enough to have both a SPOT and a PLB.

Do test your unit before an EC.

There are 2 tests. The basic test can be done 60 times over the life of the battery. This test transmits on 121.5 so must be done in the first 5 minutes of any hour.

The second test is a GPS test which can only be done 12 times then it is disabled until new batteries.
Procedure on ACRARTEX dot com

End PSA

Posted 1 year ago #

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