Has anybody in here changed the battery in a PLB?

NorthCascades
NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have a ResQLink with a battery that will expire soon. I need to decide what to do about that. My options are to ship it off and have it professionally done, to do it myself, to replace the device with something newer, or to go without. Having the battery replaced costs more than $100 so I'm wondering if doing it myself is feasible.

Replies

  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    There are many times I ignore advice and just do it myself. In this case I think I'd have it done. Having the PLB work when you need it is kinda important. :) I'm not suggesting that you'd mess it up but why risk it?
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    Youtube has videos for everything these days. you can probably find an instructional one for that. I found one that showed how to replace the battery in my Palm Pilot back when they were still a thing.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Do you have to send it back to the manufacturer, or do you think a mountaineering store or somewhere like REI could do it?

    I tried to change the battery in my Timex Ironman HRM once (the wristwatch part, not the strap--the strap one was an easy replacement) despite it being contraindicated. It never worked again, but luckily it was fairly inexpensive so I just replaced it. If, like you said, one of the options that you have is to upgrade to a newer unit, then give it a whirl and change it yourself--bonus if it works! Or just upgrade if it doesn't.
  • erockem
    erockem Posts: 278 Member
    Polar watch wanted it sent in because of the water tight seal. Youtube and a $4 battery later - done. And done 3 more times over 5 years, still works today.
  • taco_inspector
    taco_inspector Posts: 7,223 Member
    edited August 2018
    There was a thread in ADV Rider (with pics) that sees some updates from time to time -- seems easy enough for someone with basic skills. But there's always that little bit about "life-saving-device", which IMHO, is why there's a "test" feature... If it test good, and I trust my work -- it's good to go.

    https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/acr-resqlink-plb-dissassembly-aka-the-10-battery-replacement.749245/
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    With almost any other device, I'd say find a YouTube video and give it a whirl. But when it's something that your life could literally depend on, I think I'd leave that to a professional. I'd be most concerned about breaking the waterproof seal.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    smantha32 wrote: »
    Youtube has videos for everything these days. you can probably find an instructional one for that. I found one that showed how to replace the battery in my Palm Pilot back when they were still a thing.

    This is a really good idea. I can get a sense of what's involved by watching someone else do it before I commit to anything.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    mitch16 wrote: »
    Do you have to send it back to the manufacturer, or do you think a mountaineering store or somewhere like REI could do it?

    I tried to change the battery in my Timex Ironman HRM once (the wristwatch part, not the strap--the strap one was an easy replacement) despite it being contraindicated. It never worked again, but luckily it was fairly inexpensive so I just replaced it. If, like you said, one of the options that you have is to upgrade to a newer unit, then give it a whirl and change it yourself--bonus if it works! Or just upgrade if it doesn't.

    Back to the manufacturer, so I guess another thing to consider is I won't have it for a few weeks if I go that route.

    That's also a good point about trying it and just replacing it if I screw up royally. I guess the question is if I can screw it up in a way I wouldn't notice. There's a test function so I should be able to verify that it still works, or doesn't. Unless like @SuzySunshine99 said, I break the seal, and it tests ok but then fails the next time I take it out in the rain...
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited August 2018
    I don't mind experimenting/DIY'ing on things like watches, HRMs, etc. - but I'd be paranoid of doing it on a mission-critical piece of gear that absolutely has to work if you need it to. I'd either eat the cost and send it in, or carry a known good backup just in case.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Hopefully something here will help:
    https://www.google.com/search?ei=exl_W9mzLcWw0PEPz_OK2AY&q=resqlink+battery+replacement&oq=ResQLink&gs_l=psy-ab.1.4.0l10.3360607.3360607.0.3364095.1.1.0.0.0.0.86.86.1.1.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.1.86....0.TV4LzQ3A91M
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    I've got an ACR PLD too.

    It's about 8 yrs old and the battery is fine; I check it periodically. Just keep re-registering it w/NOAA every couple of years. Bought it to take on 4x4 trips 100's of miles into the desert and wilderness. Brought a SAT phone w/me on those trips too.

    If it needs a new battery, I'd just send it back to ACR for replacement to be sure it's done right and would postpone any trips where it's needed until I get it back (or just buy another if I can't wait for that).
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    I've got an ACR PLD too.

    It's about 8 yrs old and the battery is fine; I check it periodically. Just keep re-registering it w/NOAA every couple of years. Bought it to take on 4x4 trips 100's of miles into the desert and wilderness. Brought a SAT phone w/me on those trips too.

    If it needs a new battery, I'd just send it back to ACR for replacement to be sure it's done right and would postpone any trips where it's needed until I get it back (or just buy another if I can't wait for that).

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