New Battery in ACR EPIRB: $360 ?!?

[Mambo]

If your battery needs replacement, I assume you are talking about a 5 year old EPIRB? If so, why wouldn't you buy a new one? They can be had for under $400 (google shop for ACR Globalfix).

[Kiwiboyd]

Originally Posted by Mambo

If your battery needs replacement, I assume you are talking about a 5 year old EPIRB? If so, why wouldn't you buy a new one? They can be had for under $400 (google shop for ACR Globalfix).

Typically everyone is buying GPIRBs now. these are more than $400

[Mambo]

Originally Posted by Kiwiboyd

Typically everyone is buying GPIRBs now. these are more than $400

Globalfix has onboard GPS (i.e., first burst GPS transmision)

http://www.gpsonsale.com/MarineGPS/M...ACR-2744NH.htm

[Kiwiboyd]

Originally Posted by Mambo

Globalfix has onboard GPS (i.e., first burst GPS transmision)

GlobalFix Category II EPIRB

so you can get one for $400. That's a old discontinued model

[Mambo]

Right $386 from one company $399 from GPSonsale (which has a godd reputation) vs. $360 for a new battery in an outdated unit (like you said the old units don't have gps on board). Seems like a no brainer to me.

[Kiwiboyd]

next year, we will be receiving 100 406 EPIRBs 9-10 yr old. We are going to do a battery replacement, and the usual testing and the sell them for $295 each.
They will only be good for 5 years, and won't be able to have another battery replaced due to the age.

[bob_77903]

Originally Posted by Mambo

Right $386 from one company $399 from GPSonsale (which has a godd reputation) vs. $360 for a new battery in an outdated unit (like you said the old units don't have gps on board). Seems like a no brainer to me.

I thought I got ripped off paying $900 for mine. Then looked and saw it is a GlobalFix Pro....

[Cpt Pat]

Originally Posted by svpresent

I just got a quote from an ACR dealer in St. Maarten for the renewal of the battery in my ACR GlobalFix RLB-35 eprib: 360 US dollars.

Because they also say in the quote it will be ready the next day, it can't be the costs of fedex or ups for transport to the US.

I know, this job has to be done carefully and the casing has to be watertight but this amount is beyond my comprehension.

I have never had an epirb battery replaced before. Is this amount normal?
If so, how do you go about when your battery needs replacement?

Anybody know more about the type of battery, price of the battery, reasons against DIY?

Cheers,
Len.

The cost of the batteries used in the 2842 EPRIB (model number RLB-37) IS exorbitant, considering the battery pack consists of CR-123A batteries that cost less than $2 apiece.

You can see the actual batteries that are specified here in the COSPAS-SARSAT certification: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/images/.../tac/189-3.pdf

This has to be a case of an extreme profit margin foisted on us by the manufacturer's monopoly on "certified" batteries.

A full list of the ACR types that are COSPAS-SARSAT certified can be viewd here: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/en/beac...n-manufacturer and you can drill down to see the batteries used. Most use Sanyo or Panasonic COTS batteries, and that should help the DIYer wishing to build his own battery pack.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Cpt Pat

The cost of the batteries used in the 2842 EPRIB (model number RLB-37) IS exorbitant, considering the battery pack consists of CR-123A batteries that cost less than $2 apiece.

You can see the actual batteries that are specified here in the COSPAS-SARSAT certification: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/images/.../tac/189-3.pdf

This has to be a case of an extreme profit margin foisted on us by the manufacturer's monopoly on "certified" batteries.

A full list of the ACR types that are COSPAS-SARSAT certified can be viewd here: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/en/beac...n-manufacturer and you can drill down to see the batteries used. Most use Sanyo or Panasonic COTS batteries, and that should help the DIYer wishing to build his own battery pack.

Hmmmm responding to a three year old post???