T&T: ACR EPIRB Info.

[Keith]

Need the battery replaced on mine, so went to their web site today to look 
for a replacement center. Came across their new "useful life" policy. Seems 
after 12 years, they won't service a product at all, saying it's no longer 
reliable. That means with a battery replacement schedule of every five 
years, you better not get behind! You'll get 15 years max use out of the 
thing. Also keep this in mind if you purchase a used model, or buy a boat 
that has one.

Oh yea, when I brought the EPIRB home, the yellow "rubber ducky" antenna on 
top crumbled at the bottom, exposing SS braid inside. This EPIRB is a bit 
older than five years, and is mounted inside my pilothouse, where it is 
shielded from direct sun most of the time, and climate controlled. I don't 
know if this would affect it's use, but I suggest you bend yours just to see 
if it cracks like mine did. The yellow covering is very brittle, and it 
shouldn't be at this age with this lack of exposure.

________________________________________
ACR Electronics "Useful Life" Policy:

Products Affected: This policy applies to safety electronic products 
including, SARTs, EPIRBs, and VHF Radios manufactured by ACR Electronics in 
Fort Lauderdale, FL, hereinafter referred to as Products.

Preamble: Safety electronics, unlike other types of electronics, cannot be 
used until they fail. Their only use is in an emergency when they must work. 
Given the unknown nature of the cumulate effect of extremes in usage, 
storage and handling that safety electronics can be subjected to over time 
we feel it is important to establish an interval after which these products 
cannot be safely relied upon to perform as required in an emergency. While 
it can vary based on many unknowable factors, we believe the typical useful 
life of a well maintained safety electronic product is no more than 17 
years. After which the product's useful life will have expired and it should 
be permanently removed from the beacon population or relegated to back-up 
status.

These products require regular service every 5 years. In addition to battery 
replacement, this service extends the operating life of the Products by 
replacing critical components and those that can under certain circumstances 
degrade more quickly; such as o'rings, activation seals, etc. Products that 
are not serviced at regular intervals of 5-years, +/- 6 months, may not 
perform as expected if needed. A lack of service or improper service can 
cause a beacon's useful life to expire prematurely.

Policy: The typical service life of a properly maintained Product is limited 
to 12 years from date of manufacture. Products that are 12 years and 1 month 
or older from date of manufacture will not be serviced by ACR or our Battery 
Replacement Centers. A Product that is 12 or less years old from date of 
manufacture will be serviced as long as the unit appears fit to be placed 
back into its final operational cycle. Service includes the replacement of 
those items that must be replaced at service intervals and the verification 
that the device appears to be in good mechanical and electrical working 
condition by an ACR authorized service technician.

Disclaimer: ACR and our Battery Replacement Centers reserve the right to 
refuse to service any Product for no reason. ACR products are designed to 
withstand repeated exposure to sun, humidity, temperature extremes and salt 
fog. However, while ACR can choose to repair/replace any product at our 
discretion, ACR is not obligated to service Products that have been abused 
or subjected to excessively abusive environments such that the mechanical or 
electrical integrity of the unit appears to have been compromised. ACR 
retains the sole right to determine if a product has been abused.

Effective Date: This policy goes into effect immediately and applies to all 
Products being sold at this time and those that are in the field.



Keith
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Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.