McMurdo FastFind 210 Battery Replacement - Part 1

[@simonafloat]

Thanks for this video. It enabled me to afford a very cheap plb that was on its expiry date. I found the correct cells with soldered tabs from CPC Farnell in the UK. Without this knowledge i probably wouldn't have gone to sea with a plb owing to the cost of a new one. My PLB is the 220 model but it's identical in every way for this procedure. Thanks again 👍👍

[@kyleandjackpro]

Just did the replacement. Used "DURACELL Ultra CR123A Lithium DL123A 3V Lithium Batteries" found on Amazon. Lots of options, paid less than $20. Use a hand tool to remove screws so you don't strip them. Batteries have a ten year expiry date; they are replaced after 5 years for extra safety. Took me under an hour following the video. I used electric tape but its a snug fit. Thanks for sharing this!

[@russell2952]

Just did the same. Ripped the tabs off the old batteries and soldered them to the new ones. Helped to scratch the surface of the batteries with a file or knife to get the solder to stick properly. Bought the batteries at Walmart. When you get it serviced they run more thorough tests and replace the waterproof gasket but I'm not essentially buying a new device every five years when I can swap out the batteries for 30 CAD.

[@OldStuPedasso]

Thank you! If you have to do that again you might consider using heat shrink tubing around the rebuilt batteries instead of gaffer's tape for a more sanitary finished product.

[@randybailey5314]

Thanks Paul! I just had my local Batteries Plus store build a pair of CR123 packs. They spot-welded a tab between the 2 batteries, put on a piece of very thin shrink-wrap over the pair, then spot-welded a solder tab to each end. They only charged $1 per battery for the customization, and it looks just like the original. They charge quite a bit for their raw batteries, but for $34 and 5 minutes of waiting, I walked out with two very sturdy, professional packs. From all I have read, it is NOT a good idea to solder terminals onto lithium batteries yourself.

[@PaulZak]

Randy Bailey Well done. I completely agree which is why I hunted down batteries with tabs attached.

[@tomagoston]

Would you please share WHY it's not a good idea to solder terminals onto Lithium batteries, and then secure with heat shrink wrap? I can buy the new CR123A 3v lithium cells, but have no local battery shop to "spot-weld" tabs.

[@crankshaft007]

The reason they say not to solder them is because of heat, if you don’t over heat them your fine

[@snaproll94e]

It took a while but I found a preassembled battery that just needs the connector swapped out. It's original use is for electronic hotel door locks. Google: "DL-11 battery" or "Saflok SL2500 Battery" www.batteryplex.com/doorlock.cfm/m/DL-11 costs about $20 to replace the batteries. Thanks for the video!

[@lzkdjsflkasjz]

I was looking to replace my fastfind battery and noticed pre-assembled non-OEM packs are available from "beacon battery replacement". I have not used them but they claim same cells as the original pack.

[@georgehaeh4856]

I unscrew the head every year to deploy the antenna, then take it outside and press the test button. Check the flash codes on the beacon. I get an email from the Canadian Beacon Registry that the PLB contacted the satellite. That's a good enough test for me.

[@MrJoeBtfsplk]

re "close to Phillips" screws: Pozidriv maybe? These have four radial lines stamped into the head, a quick internet search will show what this looks like. My Pozidriv screwdrivers are from Snap-On but they are probably available in some of the larger hex bit kits. Wiha may offer them too.

[@PaulZak]

It was an anti-tamper screw head specifically designed to prevent one from unscrewing it as in the video. Obviously, it's not all that difficult to get out. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@marekzajkowski1841]

Nobody mentioned what is required capacity for these cells and this might be crucial for devices like that one. It has to be capable to send signal for at least 24h time period. Author of this publication claims that these are CR12/AA but its not nececerly truth. You can find more lithium cells in this particular size but its capacity vary depends on cell model. For ex. CR12AA has a capacity of 950mah per 1 cell. Some of you metioned that CR123 can be used and CR5 but you have to remember that capacity must be as high as it can to make that device work properly constat for 24h. The cheapest I found in Poland cost around 1USD and have 1450mah and most you can find vary from 950mah up to 2500mah. With capacity vary the price.

[@PaulZak]

And the rated capacity may or may not be the actual capacity of the cell. Use good judgement before proceeding.

[@fredfred4020]

Interesting what the voltage was for the old batteries?

[@lexzal5820]

You are the man, thanks for instructions.

[@maxwang2537]

Well done man. Thanks for sharing!

[@ME4vid]

I haven't tried this yet, but I think the readily available 2CR5 6V battery which is two CR123 3V cells strapped together side by side in a casing should work well for this purpose. The advantage over using individual CR123 cells would be that the component cells in the 6V 2CR5 will already have tabs on them and already be strapped together, positive to negative. Two 2CR5 batteries will be required to replace the two batteries in the Fast Find. It should be possible to cut the 2 cells from the 2CR5 casing, being careful not to damage the tabs, fold the tab that joins the 2 cells so the cells are end to end, trim the positive and negative end tabs to an appropriate length (I expect they are likely too long), solder the leads removed from an existing Fast Find battery pack to them and apply some tape or heat shrink to hold it together. If someone tries this before I do, please post a comment about how it went. BTW, I'm pretty sure that the McMurdo Fast Find 200, 220 and Ranger all use the same batteries and construction so this video about the Fast Find 210 should apply to all of them.

[@get_outdoors]

Hi, did you ever try to do this? I’d be interested to understand if it works

[@ME4vid]

@@get_outdoors not yet, my PLB battery still tests fine even though it has been expired for several years. Given that lithium batteries have a very long shelf life and the expiry dates are likely very conservative, I've been reluctant to mess with it until I really need to. If you give it a try, please post the result.

[@get_outdoors]

@@ME4vid I’m in the same position, in theory batteries expired 5 years ago, however self test indicates 3 flashes, I’m not sure what to do

[@jeffking3693]

Ever try that? The CR123A is 17 mm in diameter and 33.4MM high. The 2CR5 is 34mm wide, so it's good there, but is 45.0mm high. Two of those stacked would exceed the length by over 13mm.

[@karlmoderna]

Thank you very much for this video which I would define invaluable were not my Shipchandler has just valued me a 540 euro for the total replacement of my PLB “for the battery is no more replaceable”.

[@kirkmccoy9729]

Thank you, just what I needed. I actually bought anew one since mine is over 7 years old. Wanted the new version instead of battery replacement but had to disasseble and show proof to NOAA:-)

[@Topsoil4u]

Thank you

[@pa24tdriver]

very well done!

[@PaulZak]

Thank you Mike. I hope it's helpful for you and others. I hate throwing things out!

[@adambrickley1119]

Looks easy, but I'd be really concerned that i set it off by accident while i do this.