Replacing batteries on '88 vintage ACR RLB-14 EPIRB

[Tailwheel]

Hi folks

the above mentioned EPIRP (photo included) came with the boat and I'd like to refresh its 1991 vintage batteries.

Unit is designed for user replacement of the batteries (what a concept!?), but the battery packs are no longer available. Figured I'd make my own, but I'm completely stumped on what batteries to buy. I need to make a 5.7V battery pack of suitable Ah.

The existing 1991 vintage pack appears to be made-up of six unlabeled C-size batteries wired as two parallel groups of three batteries in series. With that setup, each battery ought to be 1.9V. Well, damned if I can find any for sale.

Any thoughts?

FYI: I do have a proper, modern ACR EPIRB as my primary, but I'd like to exhume this EPIRB for backup purposes. I don't plan to hang my chances of survival exclusively on your advice.

Matt

[clownfishsydney]

What is the point? The frequency is no longer monitored except by airplanes (as far as I know).

[rdthoms]

That EPIRB is 121.5 MHz style which is NOT monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT system. Meaning that when it is activated nobody will be listening and nobody will know. I guess the SAR could still use it to home into your location.

See Boater lucky to be rescued after using obsolete EPIRB | EPIRB Reviews for recent related story.

[Tailwheel]

Thanks for that.

Could you give me a reference on the frequency this EPIRB uses? I don't have any documentation for it, and I had assumed it would be 406MHz + 121.5, but if it is - as you say - only 121.5, then I agree: it's perfectly useless.

Matt

[Tailwheel]

Disregard:

I just found out that by definition a Class A EPIRB only transmits on 121.5 and 243MHz, neither of which are monitored.

Dumpster here we come

Matt

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Tailwheel

Dumpster here we come
Matt

OK but when your boat went glub glub glub and 3 days ago, SAR is on the horizon but your new EPIB batt is dead and they can't see you, know they would be listening on 121.5.