Lithium Cells for an ACR GlobalFix EPIRB

[SoonerSailor]

My ACR GlobalFix 406 EPIRB has a battery pack that is out of date. It also has a minute crack in the top shell (which I've already repaired) that precludes an official $240 certified battery replacement, so I'm doing it myself. I know full well this leaves me with an "uncertified" EPIRB, but it isn't the only one I have.

This particular EPIRB takes three SAFT brand LO 26 SX D-sized lithium cells wired in series. I found only one source for these, and I have to order a minimum of six of them with solder tabs for $95 shipped. If anyone would like the three I don't need, I'll send them to you for $50.00 shipped.

I can't provide you with advice on what to do with them, and if you have to ask, this isn't for you!

Chip

[capt_douglas]

While I'm well aware of the seemingly exorbitant costs ACR seems to charge to change a battery (and I'm sure they do other things to make sure the EPIRB works as advertised), I still send my G/EPIRB to them. I don't have the funds to carry two so I bite the bullet and have them do the work.

[SoonerSailor]

OK, Captain, I guess this post wasn't directed to you.

I certainly tried to avail myself of an ACR certified service center for battery replacement, but they are extraordinarily liability conscious and unwilling to replace the battery on an EPIRB that has any type of defect in the case. In this instance, it was easy enough for me to destress and seal the crack at the base of the antenna, but they still would not do the service. I don't blame them, but I don't want to throw away an otherwise perfectly good EPIRB.

It is true that the service center does more than just replace the battery. If you need a certified 406 EPIRB for reason of regulation, or don't want to take the responsibility of wiring a new battery pack and ensuring your EPIRB is still watertight and practically as good as new, then you certainly wouldn't want these cells.

I'm not advocating that anyone else do this so no need to sermonize.

[GordMay]

Have you tried:
Saft Batteries, Lithium-Sulfur Dioxide Batteries, Lithium-Thionyl Chloride, Military Battery Applications

[SoonerSailor]

Thanks for the link Gord, but they no longer have this particular Lithium cell available.

Chip

[Viking Sailor]

Chip,

Found this source earlier, Saft LO 26 SX Lithium Batteries.

[SoonerSailor]

Sepbatteries is who I did order the cells from - but minimum order is six, so I have 3 extra.

[pws29926]

Still have those extra batteries? How did your self install go? I'm interested.

pws

[SoonerSailor]

Everything went well. Extra cells have found a home already.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, pws29926.

[Maia]

Chip,

is your ACR Global Fix a RLB35 type?

Thanks for info!!

Best regards

Maia

PS: new record for battery replacement in Panama: we have a quote here for 595 $ !!!!!! no further comment on that!

[SoonerSailor]

I'm not near the boat now, but looking at a pic of an RLB35 that appears to be what it is. Good Luck!