skeptic36 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 When was the last time you checked your PIB? Doing a clean up here (wet day), and I found and read the owners manual :coffee:for my PLB (mcmurdo). I was surprised to note that, even if it is testing o.k :compress:you are required to change the battery every five years. I was also disappointed :thumb down:to find that it has to go :plane:to a service agent for this to be carried out. Servicing - Beacons Service Agents | www.safetymarineaust.com.au Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearo Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 My PLB (And boat epirb) is tested regularly. It also has the battery replacement date on it. The AMSA registration also has prevision for battery date, which I assume emails you when you battery is about to expire. Also pays to regularly check the AMSA registration to make sure your details are still current. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 My PLB (And boat epirb) is tested regularly. It also has the battery replacement date on it. The AMSA registration also has prevision for battery date, which I assume emails you when you battery is about to expire.Also pays to regularly check the AMSA registration to make sure your details are still current. Not so sure about AMSA using your battery expiry date....I received a notice to re-register when it run out, the notice showed my battery expiry date, which was six months ago, I haven't received any further notice. I haven't de-registered it, but have bought another and registered it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRamsay Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's on my checklist for cross country flights to test my EPIRB before starting the engine. (Why an EPIRB not a PLB? Accident of purchase (doh!). But the EPIRB does look like it would be stronger in every way.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeptic36 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's on my checklist for cross country flights to test The main point of my post, is even if it tests o.k you need to replace the battery every 5 years to be legal.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRamsay Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 The main point of my post, is even if it tests o.k you need to replace the battery every 5 years to be legal.... I use the Calendar on the iPad to set the "appointment". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's on my checklist for cross country flights to test my EPIRB before starting the engine.(Why an EPIRB not a PLB? Accident of purchase (doh!). But the EPIRB does look like it would be stronger in every way.) The one I have recommends not testing too often, as it depletes battery life. They say once a month is adequate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDQDI Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 They are not all 5 years either. As a side note our boat epirb had its battery expire so I decided to send it back to the manufacturer to get them changed and they quoted me more than what I could get the exact same model for brand new!! So I now have an old one kicking around the house. And on that note make sure you do de register them and don't just throw them out as amsa doesn't like responding to beacons set off in landfill! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueadventures Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's on my checklist for cross country flights to test my EPIRB before starting the engine.(Why an EPIRB not a PLB? Accident of purchase (doh!). But the EPIRB does look like it would be stronger in every way.) Basicly EPIRBS will transmit about twice as long as the PLB standard and it will float upright in the water. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueadventures Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 My PLB (And boat epirb) is tested regularly. It also has the battery replacement date on it. The AMSA registration also has prevision for battery date, which I assume emails you when you battery is about to expire.Also pays to regularly check the AMSA registration to make sure your details are still current. Hi Pearo Just for info if your not aware a PLB is not equilivant as an EPIRB for your boat as they don't float upright and the battery duration doesn't meet the EPIRB requirement. (I read your post as maybe having only the one item not two - being an PIRB and a PLB. Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf jessup Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I just replaced my 410G with a new one as it was battery time expired in March just gone Cost me the old one $600 7 years back and this new one $285 complete with bonus hatchet Delisted and destroyed the old one as per the manufactures instruction and registered the new one with AMSA so it was a simple task $285 every 7 years ain't too bad, maybe next replacement will be $100 lol Alf 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearo Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Hi Pearo Just for info if your not aware a PLB is not equilivant as an EPIRB for your boat as they don't float upright and the battery duration doesn't meet the EPIRB requirement. (I read your post as maybe having only the one item not two - being an PIRB and a PLB.Cheers Mike Yup, understand that. I have a proper EPIRB mounted to the boat. Dont need it as I dont venture far enough out wide, but its a good insurance policy. As for the PLB, got that for motorcycle riding and hiking, plus the odd ocean race that requires all crew to have a personal PLB. Almost set the thing off on my last big trail bike accident, but thanks to a good Samaritan standing the bike up for me I managed to ride out not knowing I had a fractured leg and broken knee! They are a handy thing for idiots like me that tend to do everything solo! Thankfully I have never needed to activate one yet. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGL Fox Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Yes just bought a replacement for the Sportstar, I bought the same model as Alf's... a 410G. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I had a 410G, when the battery life expired, I did some research and replaced it with a KTI SA2G (Aust made also). It was slightly cheaper, higher spec, a little smaller and a 10 year battery life. They also do an EPIRB, but I selected the PLB, as it weighs 140grams (and about the size of a pack of smokes) instead of 1kg,EPIRB. The 410g is 250grams. Not that a few grams matters in the Drifter, but it also is a better pocket fit. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeptic36 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 I have just followed my own link to the service agents, to see what the battery replacement cost would be. First reply was, " we are not the agents for these anymore, try these guys in Port Adelaide". So I go through two points of contact for them before I got this answer : Cost to replace the battery in a McMurdo 211 PLB is $190.00 + GST plus $15.00 Toll Satchel for the return. The PLB would need to be sent to AMI Head Office in WA for the service to be carried out. At that price, I will be following M61A1s lead and purchasing the KTI for $249:00 +$15:00 shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf jessup Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Geez Bill You can get a 410G from a joint in Bairnsdale for $285 with a bonus hatchet thrown in and free shipping or in your case pick up 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeptic36 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 Geez BillYou can get a 410G from a joint in Bairnsdale for $285 with a bonus hatchet thrown in and free shipping or in your case pick up :drool:Where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeptic36 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 When you wrote bonus hatchet in your first post, I thought it was a typo, then you did it again I thought, what is this hatchet he speaks of? I thought a hatchet was like an axe I thinks to myself, but no I thinks it must be like some sort of carry case or something. Anyway I googles 410 PLB bonus hatchet, and sure enough, it's an axe. I reckon that will be handy for short field take-offs. You could tie the trike to the fence post, hop in, rev the ring out of it, then with trusty hatchet in hand lean out and chop that rope 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmccarthy Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 When you are sinking inverted in Bass Strait you can use the hatchet to chop your way out through the canopy then swim to the surface before activating your 410G. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Yeah I was a bit intrigued also. Thought it may have been for chopping wood to light fires for smoke signals in case the PLB failed etc. but , on reflection I think you're on the money Bill..... Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf jessup Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 When you are sinking inverted in Bass Strait you can use the hatchet to chop your way out through the canopy then swim to the surface before activating your 410G. Correct pmccaarthy, I have a canopy Bill doesn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf jessup Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Yeah I was a bit intrigued also. Thought it may have been for chopping wood to light fires for smoke signals in case the PLB failed etc. but , on reflection I think you're on the money Bill..... Bob Biggles Yes in your case for chopping wood or your engine up lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi303 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 If you don't mind voiding the expired warranty, you can usually get kits to change the battery yourself. I have a SUUNTO Gecko dive computer for my SCUBA kit, battery died and they wanted it sent back to their HQ to have the battery changed at ruinous cost, $19 USD later and I had a kit of battery, grease, O-ring and specialised propriety screwdriver. The PLBs I have seen look much the same, do them carefully, set things in place properly, don't nick the seals when setting them, ensure the grease or sealant is applied correctly and you'll be golden. Still working fine years later. In fact it's about time it got another change. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeptic36 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 If you don't mind voiding the expired warranty, you can usually get kits to change the battery yourself.I have a SUUNTO Gecko dive computer for my SCUBA kit, battery died and they wanted it sent back to their HQ to have the battery changed at ruinous cost, $19 USD later and I had a kit of battery, grease, O-ring and specialised propriety screwdriver. The PLBs I have seen look much the same, do them carefully, set things in place properly, don't nick the seals when setting them, ensure the grease or sealant is applied correctly and you'll be golden. Still working fine years later. In fact it's about time it got another change. The problem is going to be the new sticker, so you can pass the ramp check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi303 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Photoshop and a laserjet printer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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