I had mine exchanged last year by GME for $150, did it while I waited. Price has gone up somewhat!

Yeah, I'm tempted to do exactly that Poodle. The EPIRB is is still in brand new condition. I could still buy a new one (for piece of mind) but why throw the old one out when it just needs a couple of batteries. Bit like keeping out of date flares that still work. I had a life raft that was about 6 years past its service date. It was new in about 2000 so we popped it in the back yard (2013). Checked out the gear inside and then set off a few out of date flares that all worked correctly. If I was floating around in the water waiting for a rescue, it would be good to have another EPIRB to switch on as the battery petered out on the last one. Maybe I should get a hand full of these batteries (and a screw driver) and put them in the emergency grab bag.

Enjoy your beers

Hello Sirgallivant, Sorry to get your hackles up, but just to clarify my position. I carry 3 x EBIRBs. One (MT403G) inside the life raft, one (MT403G) attached in the companion way and the smaller unit (MT401G) I have on me at all times. What I was suggesting (actually wrote) was to buy a new unit and keep the old unit as well. Which would give me 3 x factory sealed units and 1 possible spare that I could keep replacing batteries (if needed) till help arrived. Now if you add this to the fact most of my sailing is done solo, there shouldn't be problem with the crew.

And just what do you do when the battery runs out on your EPIRB and help hasn't arrived yet. Poodle's suggestion gave me a glimmer of hope. Think of it this way. Its like having an emergency rudder on you boat for when the main one fails or a backup GPS plotter, or a back up Auto Pilot or spare sheet ropes, spare spark plugs for the outboard. Why shouldn't we all have a backup plan for the EPIRB if it fails before help arrives.


For me, an EPIRB is the absolute last resort and activating it would only be done after exhausting all other avenues. I don't believe other people should endanger their lives to come to my aid. Just read "Fatal Storm". What the rescue crews did during that operation was too much to ask of anyone. You make your own bed, so you should be prepared to lie in it.

If having a backup plan is Criminal, then guilt as charged.

Whoooaaaaa! Dear Crusoe you do not owe me any explanation, l am not aware of your PERSONAL situation, even if l was, l would not dare to criticize you, personally.
My observations were general in nature, anyone might call them conservative nevertheless sound, l am sure of that.

Poodle said..
Last time I popped one of these babies open, it was just powered by a bunch of standard penlight aa eveready batteries. Expiry date driven by battery use by date. A quick $5 spend on bats had her good for many more years. Let amsa know the new date when you re-register the epirb.

Have I missed something? *




* Ive had a few beers this evening

Great idea, Poodle. I thought the Epirb case might be plastic-welded together so you can't easily open it. Are you saying your's could be readily opened - did you just undo some screws or was it tricky?

One my fishing vessel I had a New Zealand made Epirb that had easy battery replacement. Just had to make sure the date of the battery replacement was kept up to date for the annual survey. It had screws and a rubber gasket for ease of service.

Ambler said..
My GME is the same model as yours and takes 2 lithium batteries model 123 (3 volt batteries) except with little metal tags spot welded each end of the battery. Those lithiums are only about $20 for a packet of 2. See if you can get advice from your electronic store about attaching the wiring.
I am always prepared to have a go at servicing my stuff. As so called experts have let me down too many times including a faulty life raft product and service that could have cost me my life. Its your life your responsibility.

Those little tags are spot welded onto the battery, there are a number of battery specialists that can do that job for you. On larger batteries you can solder the lead directly, but on the smaller batteries eg. 123 there is a likelyhood of heat from the iron damaging the battery. I can highly recommend this bloke, his name is Norm ....... www.batterydoctor.com.au/