Is my EPIRB any good?

[Jackie J V]

When I got my Sea Ray in the Spring, it came with a Pains Wessex 406 EPIRB.

It's clearly a few years old and there's a sticker requiring that the battery be replaced by SEP 2006. I sent an e-mail to Pains Wessex, but got no response - great sign!:smt021

Anyone know if this thing is still any good - or should I chuck it?

Obscure question probably, but would appreciate any assistance.

 

[katricol]

It's no good...send it to me and i'll get rid of it for you. My address is.....lol (and you realize I have no idea ,never saw one like this)

 

[David Morgan]

What katricol said is not necessarily true....no offense intended.

Its not one of the now obsolete 121.5/243 MHz EPIRB's. The battery obviously needs to be replaced. You must also get the EPIRB registered in your name.

The test procedure is on the manufacturers website. In general though, there is a test switch that you hold down. It will radiate a burst signal to a SARSAT satellite that is encoded as a test. DO NOT test it for more than one minute. Never test it by actually operating it. I would pull the battery in the mean time just to make sure you do not cause a false distress signal.

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/EPIRB_inspecting.pdf
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

 

[missnmountains]

I have two of those. Revere Supply was running a free battery for life when I purchased them. We keep one at the helm and one in the ditch bag. You need to send it to them in Florida. They will replace the battery and hydro test it.

It costs me with a "free" battery $125.00 which covers the return shipping. Their toll free number is 877-revere8.

This year both of my needed service. They turned them around in about a week.

Ken

 

[katricol]

David... no offense taken, but did you read what I said??

 

[David Morgan]

David... no offense taken, but did you read what I said??

Sorry about the misunderstanding.

Yeah...I read it and understood the humor. Still though, what if the guy (or others who have the same EPIRB) misunderstood the humor decided to toss it in the trash based on what you said? I just wanted to let him know how to determine if it is good....and if so, what to do with it and what not to do with it. There is nothing wrong with throwing in some good information to help someone out which is partially what this forum is about.

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help and will call Revere to see if I can send to them or if they have a recommendation for a service centre in Canada. I'll also be in Florida for a couple of weeks in March and maybe can pick it up then, otherwise I'll have a whole hassle factor in dealing with Customs.

I appreciate both the humour and the clarification.:grin: Good news is that it doesn't look as though the thing is garbage - which I was thinking it was when I didn't get any response from the manufacturer.

Also, the boat is now in Canada - imported from Michigan in the Spring - therefore my registration will be with Transport Canada. I've already deregistered with NOAA.

Thanks again guys. This is what makes this site a great resource.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Also, the boat is now in Canada - imported from Michigan in the Spring - therefore my registration will be with Transport Canada. I've already deregistered with NOAA.
.

Hmmmm

and everyone missed the fact you are a Cannuck.........:grin::smt043:lol:

So much for the info in the top right corner......

 

[Presentation]

Register it.....today. Its free. Go here:
http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/

Regarding the battery, it ‘may’ or may not need to be replaced.

On my EPIRB I am also past the date. I called and was told by the manufacturer that the date on my unit is for a 5 year replacement cycle to meet with some standard for commercial vessels. Since I am a recreational boater I am allowed to go 10 years.

Your model is different than mine so please call the manufacturer.

That being said, the cost to replace the battery in my unit was crazy high. I don’t remember what it was anymore, just that it was more then I was expecting.

 

[earthmover17]

Paul,
I had my battery replaced right after the footballers capsized here. There is a company in Tampa that does all different kinds. If you don't have any luck let me know and I'll look them up.

Jack

 

[Jackie J V]

Presentation, thanks for the link...but that's where I deregistered. I register here: http://www.canadianbeaconregistry.forces.gc.ca/Logon.asp

Jack, thanks for the follow-up offer. I may call on you to follow-up, but I'll check with the Revere folks first.

Paul

 

[Jackie J V]

OK, the Revere tip opened up a new line of investigation. Can I assume that McMurdo bought of otherwise assumed the Pains Wessex business at some point? It looks as though their "PRECISION" unit is exactly like mine.

I've sent e-mails to Revere, McMurdo and a Canadian supplier to see if I could get a response.

I'm hopeful that I'm on the right path. Thanks for your help.

Paul

 

[Jackie J V]

The line of investigation led me to a local marine supply company that services these things. Unfortunately the cost quoted was "around $550" which seems to be pretty close to the replacement cost.:smt021

So now the question is, can I service this myself. My first question for Jack and Ken is this...what was involved in servicing your units? Ken mentioned Hydro testing. Was there anything involved other than battery replacement and possible replacement of the hydrostatic release?

 

[katricol]

It is amazing how much stuff I throw away because to service/ repair it is almost the same as buying new. Built-in obsolescense (sp) sucks. However, oftentimes the new product performs better.