PLB Replacement

[Earl Pike]

Late last year my PLB failed to light on test. The three flashing lights failed to flash.

 

Following conventional wisdom I brought a new one, a bargain at $356.

 

A couple of months ago, I thought I had better dispose of the old one responsibly and set about removing the batteries for proper disposal.

 

I was surprised that there were no anti tamper screws or glued components, three coarse plastic screws and that was it. Two 6 volt batteries piggy backed on the circuit board and the whole lot just slid out, further to my surprise the batteries had a replacement date, a quick look on line, $25.75 each. Bugger!!

 

I noticed the battery plugs looked just like the plugs on the batteries in my R/C boat.

 

Beauty!

 

A look on line about charging lithium manganese batteries revealed nothing sinister, on the charger they went. I tested the charger and batteries for heat production, and nope, nothing.

 

After a couple of hours, the batteries read 6.3 volts, two days later, 6.3volts.

 

Reassembled, and three months later, three big flashes on test.

 

Now I have two PLBs, one in the plane, one on the trail bike.

 

I think I investigate a bit deeper next time rather than rely on on line forums.

 

 

[old man emu]

Google - The Truth is out there!

 

 

[fly_tornado]

I think I investigate a bit deeper next time rather than rely on on line forums.

those batteries can fail at any time. unlike other components in your PLB

 

 

[kgwilson]

Get a Spot tracker. Smaller, lighter, far more versatile with in addition to being a PLB is a check in device, I'm lost but OK, come & get me and a tracking device. Uses 4 x AAA lithium batteries. Costs about $200.00 but there is an annual fee.

 

 

[KRviator]

Get a Spot tracker. Smaller, lighter, far more versatile with in addition to being a PLB is a check in device, I'm lost but OK, come & get me and a tracking device. Uses 4 x AAA lithium batteries. Costs about $200.00 but there is an annual fee.

But a spot tracker doesn't meet the requirements for a PLB/ELT for XC flying

[jetjr]

It also relies on a private company having their act together and your subscription right for it to save your life

 

A nice tool for sure but not in the same game as a PLB despite what the marketing says