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andym
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Granite. Thanks for doing the research. I’ll be waiting to hear how it goes for you. I’m due for a replacement too.
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GraniteCliffs
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I spent 9 bucks or so to mail my device in to the SatellitePhoneStore in Sarasota, Florida. Within two weeks I got it back via FedEx. It cost me $122.37, including the return shipping.
They are factory authorized and enclosed a sheet showing some testing results, none of which I understood but do not care.
The battery life is now six years. So about 22 bucks a year.
I figure at 68 it may just be a lifetime warranty!
Overall I was happy with the replacement and would use them again.
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keth0601
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I haven't used it, but since my battery is due for replacement next year I'd be interested to hear what others have to say as well...
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joewildlife
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I'm interested too.
post a link?
Joe
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butthead
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As a long time user I have been following this since the OP. GraniteCliffs you discovered why factory service is almost mandatory. PLB's are regulated by international gov. standards. One large part is a 5-6 year sealed battery life to a maximum of 50% drain. Not certified you can't renew the registration. Rendering the unit's use (transmitting) illegal.
Glad ya found and used certified service!
butthead
PS: During my sons time in the Navy he serviced and supervised maintained on EPRIB's and PLB's along with lot's of other safety equipment associated with a helicopter squadron, turns out to be a great source of info on such topics. bh
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HappyHuskies
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GraniteCliffs: "I spent 9 bucks or so to mail my device in to the SatellitePhoneStore in Sarasota, Florida. Within two weeks I got it back via FedEx. It cost me $122.37, including the return shipping.
Overall I was happy with the replacement and would use them again."
Thanks for posting your experience. My PLB is due for a battery replacement at the end of this year and I was undecided about whether to just bite the bullet and replace it or spend the money on a battery replacement. Given you positive experience I'm now leaning toward a battery replacement. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experience.
HH
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GraniteCliffs
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Has anyone used Beacon Battery Replacement to replace a ResQLink battery? Their price is $36. Seems like a good deal, includes shipping. I have had a hard time finding reviews online.
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Jaywalker
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> Granite - I suspect there is actually just a little bit more than the battery to it all too. By example, I have a now older Suunto Observer watch - one of the early watches to have reliable barometer, altimeter, thermometer, etc. Battery replacement involves a proper cleaning of the ridges and grooves with alcohol and a Q-tip, a new rubber gasket, silicon gel, and instructions on the process. For a non-certified place, we just dont know how they are instructed in doing the change or what equipment beyond the battery they use. Maybe its perfectly good, but maybe is a terrible word in safety equipment.
- My tarp got a rip on a trip once - I put some duct tape on it.
- My stove broke on a trip once - I built a fire.
- My sleeping pad popped once - I took two aspirin and slept on the ground.
- If my PLB breaks - .............
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Jaywalker
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They are not a certified Battery Replacement Center for ACR. Instead it seems to be a person who figured out how to make the little replacement battery packs themselves using some new components and some re-use of the expired ones you send in. The business address is some person's house in rural NY. Maybe they do top quality work - or maybe they just think they do and have not really done long term testing on those packs - I don't know. It would be about a $70-80 savings. My battery is up for replacement in two years. My inclination would be to spend the extra and have it done with someone certified. ACR has a big incentive to ensure replacement batteries are done properly. Just my opinion.
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GraniteCliffs
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I forgot to mention I checked the reviews also and they were very good.
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GraniteCliffs
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It seems, after some research, that the primary purpose of battery replacement is, well, battery replacement. The factory authorized companies are able to get the ACR REsQLink battery packs from ACR. The non-authorized companies make up their own battery packs. My guess is there is very little if any difference in the batteries.
The factory authorized also check the device but it seems unlikely this would amount to much.
For me it left my mind wrestling with "my guess" is the battery is the same quality. And it "would seem unlikely" to amount to much. I added those two phrases up and thought over five years for a rescue device in an emergency it is well worth the extra cost of about 8 bucks a year to be certain it is done correctly.
After some searching I found an factory authorized outfit that said it would cost me $80 to replace it. SatellitePhone Store. It was the cheapest authorized replacement I could find.
https://satellitephonestore.com/epirb-plb-battery-replacement.
I am going to send mine in and will try to post an update when I get it back.
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