Autopilot Remote Battery

[islandfeverJim]

My autopilot remote battery WR 20 just died on my Simrad AP 42. OK no problem just get a new battery. WRONG! The battery is some strange proprietary battery that is currently unavailable. OK so Simrad is a reputable company and will help me out in some way with their new model WR 10. WRONG AGAIN! Since it is more than 5 years old they said go fish we ain't helping you. Now I have a $750 paper weight. The rest of my comment would be unprintable. NEVER SIMRAD AGAIN!

[skipmac]

Sorry but I'm not clear on what a remote battery is. Is that a battery in a remote control or a remote battery to power some part of the AP?

[skipmac]

Either way, batteries aren't that specialized. If you can find out the specs of the battery: voltage, amp hour capacity, max current draw, battery chemistry (rechargable, etc) then I would be 99% certain you could find a replacement.

[skipmac]

Another thought. Almost certain that Simrad didn't make the battery themselves but sourced it from a battery manufacturer. Look at the battery to see if it has a name or part number on it. Google is your friend here.

[StuM]

Are you sure that it is a batteryproblem. See here:

Simrad WR20 Battery Replacement and Charging | Blog
"I would not be surprised when a good portion of the WR20s that do not charge anymore suffer from this very same problem. The diode did not seem to be mounted very well, it was just pressed in a bit of soldering tin, with no pins through the circuit board."

If that is not the problem then a possible source for battery is:
WR20 Spare battery (138-0031-00) | Medcomms

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by StuM

Are you sure that it is a batteryproblem. See here:

Simrad WR20 Battery Replacement and Charging | Blog
"I would not be surprised when a good portion of the WR20s that do not charge anymore suffer from this very same problem. The diode did not seem to be mounted very well, it was just pressed in a bit of soldering tin, with no pins through the circuit board."

If that is not the problem then a possible source for battery is:
WR20 Spare battery (138-0031-00) | Medcomms

Nice one, Stu...

Looks like very useful research for the OP.

Jim

[islandfeverJim]

Thanks! John at Simrad tech support said there were no longer any sources for battery replacement. FRUSTRATING! Why would they use a propriety battery with no hope of finding replacements?

[tkeithlu]

If that's really true - they used a battery that is no longer in production, a design flaw if there ever was one, it's time to get creative. That battery had a voltage, a current draw, and contacts. Another battery will do the same job, even if it won't fit, requires that you solder some leads, and that you wrap it in electrical tape. For $750, Yes Never Again Simrad, but not Never Again Your Autopilot. Time for Illigitmati Non Caborundum or whatever General Stillwell's horrid Latin said. Don't let them spoil your day. Beat them at their own game. You'll feel bunches better, and your autopilot will still have a remote.

[the_alpine]

If true, you can build your own battery very easily. Check out some of the lithium batt supplier websites. All shapes, sizes and elec specs.

[skipbern]

I know this is an old post but there is now a battery on ebay.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Simrad-WR20...9ajjD~&vxp=mtr