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01/19/2022 09:26PM  
Anyone replace the battery on an ACR Resqlink PLB? Did you send it in or buy a battery online and self install? Does REI offer battery replacement service? I have the 375 model, it’s 4-5 years old. Please advise.
 
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01/20/2022 07:37AM  
 
01/20/2022 07:43AM  
Here's what ACR has to say about it.
 
01/20/2022 09:44AM  
OOPs wrong post but related, this is what I wanted, PLB battery replacement
specifically
My mistake!

butthead
 
01/20/2022 10:56AM  
OK, now I am confused. I have the PLB-375 ResQLink+, and my battery expired on 01/2021. I also just got notice from the NOAA that my registration needed to be renewed, which I just logged in and did - so now I'm good on that front until 2024.

It looks to me that on the ACR website, they still are saying that you have to have the batteries replaced by a certified center (at least for the 400, which I think is the newer replacement for the 375), but (1) they do not provide a list - just a crappy map that only shows me one option, and (2) they do not specify what the consequences of using a non-certified battery replacement center or doing DIY replacement with a non-OEM battery like the ones available from Beacon Battery Replacement?

Clearly re-registration with NOAA is not the issue, as I was just successful even with an expired battery. I also did not see anywhere on the NOAA site where it asks about the battery in any way.

I'm assuming ACR warranty is not an issue either, as I think that was only for 5 years anyway.

Am I missing something?
 
01/20/2022 03:39PM  
butthead: "OOPs wrong post but related, this is what I wanted, PLB battery replacement
specifically
My mistake!


butthead"


Thanks butthead!
 
01/20/2022 03:40PM  
Jaywalker: "….Am I missing something?"


No, I think you got it right. As long as the battery works and the signal is received you get rescued, presumably. Acrartex has no part of that. Maybe Acrartex warranties the unit for another 5 years if they install the new battery but I doubt it. And in the end I’m not sure what the warranty value is if the unit fails.

I called Acrartex. They will replace the battery. It takes 30-40 days turnaround once they receive it. Cost is $160-170 they said.

Like you, I also got the email from NOAA telling me to renew and that’s what triggered my question in the first place. I think I will replace the battery myself with one I buy online. I can’t imagine it matters who installs the battery.
 
01/20/2022 05:18PM  
Jaywalker: "OK, now I am confused. I have the PLB-375 ResQLink+, and my battery expired on 01/2021. I also just got notice from the NOAA that my registration needed to be renewed, which I just logged in and did - so now I'm good on that front until 2024.


It looks to me that on the ACR website, they still are saying that you have to have the batteries replaced by a certified center (at least for the 400, which I think is the newer replacement for the 375), but (1) they do not provide a list - just a crappy map that only shows me one option, and (2) they do not specify what the consequences of using a non-certified battery replacement center or doing DIY replacement with a non-OEM battery like the ones available from Beacon Battery Replacement?


Clearly re-registration with NOAA is not the issue, as I was just successful even with an expired battery. I also did not see anywhere on the NOAA site where it asks about the battery in any way.


I'm assuming ACR warranty is not an issue either, as I think that was only for 5 years anyway.


Am I missing something?"


The battery replacement is every 5 years to be registered. But the registration period with NOAA is 2 years. I believe that is the source of confusion. You can register with NOAA 3 times for a 6 year period as the battery is still good at 4 years, but the 4th registration will need a new battery installed battery which has a serial number update.

The 5 year battery life is a PLB requirement by law.

butthead
 
01/20/2022 05:45PM  
butthead: "
Jaywalker: "OK, now I am confused. I have the PLB-375 ResQLink+, and my battery expired on 01/2021. I also just got notice from the NOAA that my registration needed to be renewed, which I just logged in and did - so now I'm good on that front until 2024.



It looks to me that on the ACR website, they still are saying that you have to have the batteries replaced by a certified center (at least for the 400, which I think is the newer replacement for the 375), but (1) they do not provide a list - just a crappy map that only shows me one option, and (2) they do not specify what the consequences of using a non-certified battery replacement center or doing DIY replacement with a non-OEM battery like the ones available from Beacon Battery Replacement?



Clearly re-registration with NOAA is not the issue, as I was just successful even with an expired battery. I also did not see anywhere on the NOAA site where it asks about the battery in any way.



I'm assuming ACR warranty is not an issue either, as I think that was only for 5 years anyway.



Am I missing something?"



The battery replacement is every 5 years to be registered. But the registration period with NOAA is 2 years. I believe that is the source of confusion. You can register with NOAA 3 times for a 6 year period as the battery is still good at 4 years, but the 4th registration will need a new battery installed battery which has a serial number update.

The 5 year battery life is a PLB requirement by law.

butthead"


Thanks butthead for the explanation. I stand corrected. I have not have the device long enough to encounter this situation. This spring will be my second NOAA registration-so 4 years old. Will have to deal with it next registration.
 
01/20/2022 08:44PM  
butthead: "The battery replacement is every 5 years to be registered. But the registration period with NOAA is 2 years. I believe that is the source of confusion. You can register with NOAA 3 times for a 6 year period as the battery is still good at 4 years, but the 4th registration will need a new battery installed battery which has a serial number update.

The 5 year battery life is a PLB requirement by law.

butthead"


Again maybe I’m missing something, but this does not fit my experience. I re-registered my PLB with the NOAA today and it was the fourth time. I got it in spring of 2016 and registered, and then re-registered two years later in 2018 - both stickers are on my PLB. I registered again in 2020. I do not have the sticker, but when I logged in today my status was active but set to expire in March 2022. I renewed again today - with my battery expired 12 months ago - with no battery info requested.

Either way, I am not seeing anything that suggest the NOAA cares whether a PLB battery is replaced by an ARC certified battery center or not. Other than my assumption that ACR wants us all to use a preferred battery replacement center, I am so far seeing no consequences to either using a non-certified center or changing on your own with a non-OEM battery. The only downside to the cheaper battery replacement options is whether or not you have confidence in the battery and replacement process.
 
01/21/2022 08:17AM  
The serial number, I may be wrong about. It has been a few years, and never pushed the battery life.
You still have a 2 year registration and a mandated 5 year (half) battery life. Those I know are fact. If NOAA lets you register an out dated unit, I do not know what to tell you. Other than using a PLB with a substandard battery is your problem.
I keep mine up to date.
I also posted a site to buy replacement batteries that is not affiliated with any PLB manufacturer, so yes you can replace your own PLB battery.

butthead
 
01/21/2022 08:43AM  
Jaywalker: "
butthead: "The battery replacement is every 5 years to be registered. But the registration period with NOAA is 2 years. I believe that is the source of confusion. You can register with NOAA 3 times for a 6 year period as the battery is still good at 4 years, but the 4th registration will need a new battery installed battery which has a serial number update.


The 5 year battery life is a PLB requirement by law.


butthead"



Again maybe I’m missing something, but this does not fit my experience. I re-registered my PLB with the NOAA today and it was the fourth time. I got it in spring of 2016 and registered, and then re-registered two years later in 2018 - both stickers are on my PLB. I registered again in 2020. I do not have the sticker, but when I logged in today my status was active but set to expire in March 2022. I renewed again today - with my battery expired 12 months ago - with no battery info requested.


Either way, I am not seeing anything that suggest the NOAA cares whether a PLB battery is replaced by an ARC certified battery center or not. Other than my assumption that ACR wants us all to use a preferred battery replacement center, I am so far seeing no consequences to either using a non-certified center or changing on your own with a non-OEM battery. The only downside to the cheaper battery replacement options is whether or not you have confidence in the battery and replacement process. "


Nowhere on the NOAA website could I find any info on a battery registration number so I sent an email to NOAA yesterday with the following question:

I have an NOAA resistered PLB (ACR ResQLink 375) that needs the battery replaced in the next year or so (at the 5 year mark). Is there any requirement associated with the battery replacement process? The manufacturer will replace the battery ($160+) or I can find the batteries available online ($39) and replace it myself. I ask because I was told the following… "You can register with NOAA 3 times for a 6 year period as the battery is still good at 4 years, but the 4th registration will need a new battery installed battery which has a serial number update.” Please advise.

--------


Their response this morning:

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us. For information on replacing your beacon's battery, please refer to the manual provided with your beacon or contact the manufacturer directly. NOAA only handles the registration aspect of the beacon. Contact information for beacon manufacturers is provided here (select “Beacon Manufacturers” under “Contact Type”):

http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/beacons-pro/experts-beacon-information/contacts-for beacon-manufacturers-and-accepted-test-facilities


Best Regards,
Simone Stewart

SARSAT Beacon Registration Database Team
Toll-Free: 1.888.212.7283 | Local: 301.817.4515 | Fax: 301.817.4565
beacon.registration@noaa.gov | beaconregistration.noaa.gov
---------


The link above didn't work for me but I did find the following statement on the cospas-serasat website .

"Always use replacement batteries that have been approved as a part of the original Cospas-Sarsat type approval, and as directed by the beacon manufacturer or one of its approved service centers. Use of after-market batteries not approved by the manufacturer (purchased, for example, from some on-line vendors) could result in inadequate beacon performance during an emergency"

Anyway, I have at least a year to replace the battery and when I do, I guess I'll try the online one first. If the self-test doesn't work, then I probably just get a new unit. Here the is a link to info on beacon testing .
 
01/22/2022 08:37PM  
butthead: "...If NOAA lets you register an out dated unit, I do not know what to tell you. Other than using a PLB with a substandard battery is your problem.....butthead"

I definitely don't want to have a substandard battery! NOAA did allow me to renew my registration, which was 5.5 years after my initial registration, but I do not want to trip with my battery being out of date at all. Actually Butthead, it was your comments about signal strength on my recent post about having had a failed satellite connection thus summer on my Garmin InReach Mini that caused me to dust off my ACR PLB and look into this. I let my battery expire only because I stopped carrying it since I got my Garmin but I'm beginning to think it would be a good backup, especially on any longer and more remote trips.
 
01/22/2022 08:45PM  
plander: ".... The manufacturer will replace the battery ($160+) or I can find the batteries available online ($39) and replace it myself. "

Don't forget there is another option - the network of ACR certified battery replacement centers. I inquired and ACR emailed me a list of about 50-60 places, some of which pop up online. Prices can vary a lot! One vender, who was mentioned as a best price on a past thread, gave me a written quote of $238! Another certified place online is just $109, plus initial shipping too them. That's a huge difference. It pays to shop around.

plander: ".... http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/beacons-pro/experts-beacon-information/contacts-for beacon-manufacturers-and-accepted-test-facilities
.....The link above didn't work for me..."

The link did not work because there is a hyphen missing between the words "for beacon". It's a moot point though, because all that page does is give a lot a addressees.

I'm still leaning toward getting my ACR PLB-375 battery replaced so that I can use it as a back up to my Garmin Mini, or during times when I have turned off my Garmin subscription. I am still very much on the fence between using the above referenced non-OEM battery pack builder/distributor and replacing it myself or going with a certified place for about $70-80 more. Is the extra price a small price to pay for potentially life-saving equipment? Or is it a needless price to pay for what would essentially be a cheaper and just-as-good battery? I don't have the expertise in electronics to know. And it's not just ACR that recommends a certified place, NOAA recommends following ACR's recommendations. On the other hand, it reminds me of the emails I keep getting from my Ford dealership trying to convince me they are the only ones who really now how to change the oil on my Escape.

Personally, I'm not sure what to do one this one, and won't need to decide until spring.
 
01/22/2022 09:31PM  
Jaywalker: "
plander: ".... The manufacturer will replace the battery ($160+) or I can find the batteries available online ($39) and replace it myself. "

Don't forget there is another option - the network of ACR certified battery replacement centers. I inquired and ACR emailed me a list of about 50-60 places, some of which pop up online. Prices can vary a lot! One vender, who was mentioned as a best price on a past thread, gave me a written quote of $238! Another certified place online is just $109, plus initial shipping too them. That's a huge difference. It pays to shop around.

plander: ".... http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/beacons-pro/experts-beacon-information/contacts-for beacon-manufacturers-and-accepted-test-facilities
.....The link above didn't work for me..."

The link did not work because there is a hyphen missing between the words "for beacon". It's a moot point though, because all that page does is give a lot a addressees.

I'm still leaning toward getting my ACR PLB-375 battery replaced so that I can use it as a back up to my Garmin Mini, or during times when I have turned off my Garmin subscription. I am still very much on the fence between using the above referenced non-OEM battery pack builder/distributor and replacing it myself or going with a certified place for about $70-80 more. Is the extra price a small price to pay for potentially life-saving equipment? Or is it a needless price to pay for what would essentially be a cheaper and just-as-good battery? I don't have the expertise in electronics to know. And it's not just ACR that recommends a certified place, NOAA recommends following ACR's recommendations. On the other hand, it reminds me of the emails I keep getting from my Ford dealership trying to convince me they are the only ones who really now how to change the oil on my Escape.

Personally, I'm not sure what to do one this one, and won't need to decide until spring. "


As I said previously my plan is to replace the ACR PLB-375 battery with something I find on the internet. All I can do is test the battery (multimeter) and the beacon (self-test) before I head into the backcountry.
 
01/23/2022 09:22AM  
I finally found my old battery replacement paperwork (It was done by West Marine) they did update the existing serial number with a new battery replacement date.
The DIY directions from BBR include replacing the battery expiration sticker.
As noted NOAA only tenders registrations, nothing to do with the build requirements. Those are set by governmental agencies and the FCC. The requirements deal with transmission frequencies and power, waterproofing, and a 5 year 1/2 life from the battery. 1/2 life is to ensure the signal transmission is sent for I believe 24 hours.
I have owned 2 PLB's West Marine replaced the battery in trhe first unit,m and I bought the second smaller unit 5 years ago and am also looking at a fresh battery this summer. This time I will purchase the BBR kit.

butthead
 
gotwins
distinguished member (267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/27/2022 08:29PM  
butthead: "I finally found my old battery replacement paperwork (It was done by West Marine) they did update the existing serial number with a new battery replacement date.
The DIY directions from BBR include replacing the battery expiration sticker.
As noted NOAA only tenders registrations, nothing to do with the build requirements. Those are set by governmental agencies and the FCC. The requirements deal with transmission frequencies and power, waterproofing, and a 5 year 1/2 life from the battery. 1/2 life is to ensure the signal transmission is sent for I believe 24 hours.
I have owned 2 PLB's West Marine replaced the battery in trhe first unit,m and I bought the second smaller unit 5 years ago and am also looking at a fresh battery this summer. This time I will purchase the BBR kit.


butthead"


Hi Butthead,

I just checked my PLB (ACR-PLB-300). It's due for a new battery in May of this year. I remember when I did it 5 years ago, it was about $130 to get it professionally done. At the time, I debated getting a new one, like the ACR-400 due to its smaller size and weight. My wife said at the time, just get the battery replaced, then decide what you want to do the next time it needs to be replaced. Well, that time is now. Options are:

1. Official battery change
2. BBR Kit $69
3. New PLB.

I don't want one that sends texts, gets weather reports, etc., I just want the cavalry to come a runnin when I hit the button! I feel like the Spot/Garmin In Reach are not the real deal, plus I don't want to pay a subscription! What would you do? The ACR-300 I have is a bit heavy compared to the 400 - 12 oz compared to 5.28 oz.
 
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