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#282912 - 12/06/16 02:42 AM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: EMPnotImplyNuclear]
Quietly_Learning Offline
Member

Registered: 05/29/12
Posts: 164
My question in buying one used and replacing the batteries is, how do I know it was stored properly and will work when my life depends on it?

I have bought a lot of slightly used gear but I stay away from used electronics for the back country.

If there is a way to be sure it will work I'm listening...

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#282913 - 12/06/16 04:31 AM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: hikermor]
chaosmagnet Offline
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3819
Loc: USA
The engineering problem for smoke alarm batteries is very different than the one for a PLB. A PLB requires much more power and is subject to wildly different environmental factors in terms of temperature, pressure, water, dust, shock, and movement. A smoke alarm has a test mode that does not activate a worldwide rescue system. A PLB would probably have to be a lot bigger to hold enough AA batteries to reliably have enough power compared to the batteries they use today.

I am not saying it could not be done, especially with CR123A lithium primaries and a different form factor, but it is not the same engineering problem as a smoke detector.

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#282915 - 12/06/16 05:22 AM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: bws48]
ChicagoCraig Offline
Member

Registered: 11/30/09
Posts: 113
Originally Posted By: bws48
In a device like a PLB, as an attorney, I would advise the Company to NOT design to allow users to easily change batteries, say like in a flashlight, and to make sure that a certified service is available to change the batteries. IMO, the legal risk of not doing so would be too high.


I'm pretty sure AEDs have user replaceable batteries.

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#282917 - 12/06/16 09:15 AM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: Quietly_Learning]
EMPnotImplyNuclear Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 382
Originally Posted By: Quietly_Learning
My question in buying one used and replacing the batteries is, how do I know it was stored properly and will work when my life depends on it?

I have bought a lot of slightly used gear but I stay away from used electronics for the back country.

If there is a way to be sure it will work I'm listening...

Hi,
There is talk of a self-test feature,
a switch/button on the device

some devices offer a paid subscription service with free 2 day triel, to get a email/sms when performing a test , see 406link.com

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#282918 - 12/06/16 09:33 AM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: chaosmagnet]
EMPnotImplyNuclear Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 382
Originally Posted By: chaosmagnet
The engineering problem for smoke alarm batteries is very different than the one for a PLB. A PLB requires much more power and is subject to wildly different environmental factors in terms of temperature, pressure, water, dust, shock, and movement. A smoke alarm has a test mode that does not activate a worldwide rescue system. A PLB would probably have to be a lot bigger to hold enough AA batteries to reliably have enough power compared to the batteries they use today.

I am not saying it could not be done, especially with CR123A lithium primaries and a different form factor, but it is not the same engineering problem as a smoke detector.

Hi,
What are you talking about? A 10 year plb?

I used smokealarm as an example of a lifesaving device with replacable batteries,
since PLBs already have those,
and yes they are CR123A LiMnO2 (Lithium Manganese Dioxide)
The website to go along with video above is
new-batteries-for-a-sarlink-plb


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#282919 - 12/06/16 03:03 PM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: hikermor]
chaosmagnet Offline
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3819
Loc: USA
All I meant is that the engineering problem for user replaceable batteries is very different for a PLB than for a smoke detector.

Personally, I think a flashlight-like form-factor of a tube with the batteries in series would work well for a PLB, but I've got too much to do to learn enough to design a competing PLB.

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#282920 - 12/06/16 03:15 PM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: EMPnotImplyNuclear]
Quietly_Learning Offline
Member

Registered: 05/29/12
Posts: 164
Originally Posted By: EMPnotImplyNuclear
Originally Posted By: Quietly_Learning
My question in buying one used and replacing the batteries is, how do I know it was stored properly and will work when my life depends on it?

I have bought a lot of slightly used gear but I stay away from used electronics for the back country.

If there is a way to be sure it will work I'm listening...

Hi,
There is talk of a self-test feature,
a switch/button on the device

some devices offer a paid subscription service with free 2 day triel, to get a email/sms when performing a test , see 406link.com


Glad I asked. Thank you for the info and link!

The website is good to check out for anyone owning or thinking of owning an ACR or ARTEX PLB.

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#282921 - 12/06/16 06:01 PM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: EMPnotImplyNuclear]
bws48 Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 831
Loc: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Originally Posted By: EMPnotImplyNuclear

What about smoke alarms?
They've had replaceable batteries for decades ...



I'm thinking of the jury's reaction. Smoke alarms are, as you say decades old, and people are very familiar with them. I see it being argued that PLB's are "new" "exotic" "complex" etc. and therefore require "expert" maintenance, including, for example, battery replacement.

Analogy's to other equipment, smoke detectors, AED's and probably other examples would be argued, but are not definitive and guaranteed proof and protection. Neither are licencing agreements, no matter how strongly worded.

Even if the manufacturer wins, it is expensive and they still get bad publicity of allegedly designing faulty/defective equipment that "killed people." And if they lose, it gets really expensive.

Better to avoid the risks with "non-user replaceable" batteries. That would be my recommendation, anyway.
_________________________
"Better is the enemy of good enough."

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#282925 - 12/07/16 09:30 AM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: bws48]
EMPnotImplyNuclear Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 382
Originally Posted By: bws48
...
Better to avoid the risks with "non-user replaceable" batteries. That would be my recommendation, anyway.


Too late smile look at the picture, that's already a regular user replaceable battery right there smile

In fact , it looks very close to hotel door lock battery packs "Saflok 54240 6V Lithium" which are commonly priced under $10, even as low as $4

The connector might be different though, not a "Molex Micro-Latch (51065-0200 housing + 50212-8100 connectors)"
Some other PLBs use 9volt packs
...
I'd bet wherever you live there is a small shop (or a person) that would take such a small job for well under $150

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#282927 - 12/07/16 09:38 PM Re: Let's Talk PLBs...... [Re: hikermor]
ChicagoCraig Offline
Member

Registered: 11/30/09
Posts: 113
I have a conversation today with ACR. I understand their position on why they want to service their products. In addition to changing the batteries the unit is then tested for water entry and checked to ensure it complies with the Cospas-Sarsat certification the unit was issued when submit for certification. Plus another way to look at the cost of a $130 (or so) battery replacement is that the unit is good to go for another five years which comes out to $26.00. Also if the PLB is activated for an emergency ACR will replace the batteries for free or provide a brand new unit.

I would like to state that I do not recommend anyone to do their own battery build to service a PLB.

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