Thread: PLB battery replacement

Have a RescueMe PLB that needs its battery replaced.
Wondering where’s it best to have sent for this to be done.
Doesn’t appear to be that cheap and then they have a shorter battery expiration time, almost seems a little more can just get a new one with no hassles…

Cheers

These guys do it sales@beacons.co.nz Tauranga based
They check GPS and accuracy, replace antenna & top cap as required and replace battery

$320 including GST and return freight For McMurdo 211, 220 and Kannad XS4 series

I am not affiliated with them in any way

I stretched mine out in the McMurdo 221 by replacing the battery once and then it was 14 yr old and I decided to go for a new untraveled unit, hopefully with newer technology. Iguess it depends a bit how youve looked after it. Mine lives in its padded cover inside another cordura case in my survival kit so was fairly well protected and i ran the battery test and it passed.

It looks to me as if they boost the price to just the tipping point where many people would but a new PLB. Probably quite unrelated to the cost of making a new battery and labour which is around $100 for a brand name OEM cell phone batt.

Last one I got quoted to have replaced in a phone was much dearer than that - requires the screen and back unglued, the seals replaced with new adhesive ones on each side plus the clean up (or so they say). Plus, the glass bits might fail during the operation and have to be replaced at your cost as well and also the digitiser on the touch screen might not play. I'm not sure that the idea of cellphones being cheaper for battery replacement plays - but the actual cost of the batteries does appear about the same. I do think that the labour component, seal and battery kit and the testing and guarantee on the returned unit isn't likely to cost the amount that is charged but then I guess you're paying profit margin and the cost of liability insurance for PLB work - that ain't cheap.

batterymasta in gasson st chch

I've ordered a tack welder and 3 new Panasonic batteries for an out of date ACR - will post pics if it does a decent job.

Originally Posted by Tikka7mm08

I've ordered a tack welder and 3 new Panasonic batteries for an out of date ACR - will post pics if it does a decent job.

Good to hear, practice on yours then I will drop mine down.

Sent mine to Hutchwilco 2021 expecting to lose a year on battery and it came back good till 2027 so was pleasantly surprised. I originally bought it at the Sika Show 2016.

https://www.lusty-blundell.co.nz/

I brought 2-3 on my work account a few years back and just sent 1 back recently for a new battery and test.
Well cheaper than buying a new one.

Think they are the NZ agent for Rescue Me.
Z

As promised.

New Panasonic batteries $9.99ea, tack welder $46.50. Old batteries (5.5 years past experience on plb) test 3.20 to 3.18v. New batteries 3.24v. Tack welded and very strong same as factory (can't use ordinary solder iron because the heat required ruins the battery and not strong enough).

Test batteries individually after and no voltage loss.

Ran plb battery and GPS tests and AOK.



Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

That is awesome, book number 2 in.

Tidy job too