Changing Battery on an ACK E04 ELT

[ChiefPilot]

This issue has come up before. I would caution that ensuring the correct cells are used and following the steps listed by the original post are beyond the capability of most builders. Even should you be successful, ELTs are routinely disassembled and inspected by an FAA inspector during the ramp check each general aviation aircraft experiences both before and after every flight.

It's just not worth it.

[Ben Meyer]

Does said Inspector have a subpoena? That's the only way they can access your airplane without your permission, correct?

[Larco]

Maybe I worry to much about certain things but my thought is, IF a passenger is badly hurt or killed in your airplane and the ELT did not work as should have, there may be trouble. But if it didn’t work because it was opened up and repaired in an unauthorized manner you are for sure in trouble. My belief is that it is the owners responsibility to maintain the ELT. The testing should be done and logged by the owner or authorized person per the appropriate FAR. Lots of owners don’t do this because they just don’t know about it.
It’s more of an insurance thing than a FAA matter to me.
I am however impressed with the author of the battery replacement but for 50/75 bucks I would rather have piece of mind.

Just looking at it from a different angle. :-) Larry

[SMO]

Hmm, maybe ACK got wind of this thread. Here is the new battery I received yesterday:

[Canadian_JOY]

Originally Posted by SMO

Hmm, maybe ACK got wind of this thread. Here is the new battery I received yesterday:

Refer to post #20 in this discussion thread... Posting by ACK. Yup, they came here to set the record straight. I'm glad as I've been preaching this gospel on this forum for quite some time and, sometimes, have felt like I might as well have saved my breath to cool my porridge.

[Bevan]

Looking at any perceived liability issue from the other side, what is the ELT's or FAA's liability if the TSO's device (including proper factory batteries) fails to perform during a crash? Are they going to be held responsible? If not, then how can the home-builder who's done his best to keep the batteries current (along with the rest of the aircraft) which presumably has a warning decal for the passenger to see that reads "this aircraft does not conform to internationally recognized standards" etc. be held accountable to any degree higher?

Seems like a double standard to me.

Bevan

[airguy]

Originally Posted by Bevan

Looking at any perceived liability issue from the other side, what is the ELT's or FAA's liability if the TSO's device (including proper factory batteries) fails to perform during a crash? Are they going to be held responsible? If not, then how can the home-builder who's done his best to keep the batteries current (along with the rest of the aircraft) which presumably has a warning decal for the passenger to see that reads "this aircraft does not conform to internationally recognized standards" etc. be held accountable to any degree higher?

Seems like a double standard to me.

Bevan

Exactly correct. If the ELT manufacturer can guarantee me (and my heirs/family), absolutely, that the ELT will perform exactly as intended in ANY and ALL crash scenarios, then perhaps I would be more inclined to pay attention to them protecting their market by emphasizing the TSO requirements.

[DanH]

Meanwhile back at the ranch....

I recently replaced mine and noticed the expiration time clock seems to start when they manufacture the pack. Soooo, it will probably pay to order yours from a high volume retailer, and then check the date as soon as it arrives.

[SMO]

Originally Posted by DanH

Meanwhile back at the ranch....

I recently replaced mine and noticed the expiration time clock seems to start when they manufacture the pack. Soooo, it will probably pay to order yours from a high volume retailer, and then check the date as soon as it arrives.

Mine came from Pacific Coast Avionics and was dated January 26, 2018. I was pleasantly surprised.

[dbuds2]

Do EAB aircraft have to comply with TSO?