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Garmin 430 "Mem Bat Low"

Ironflight

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy
Mentor
Hmmm....wonder if anyone else has seen this - I cranked up the GNS 430 today and got a "MEM BAT LOW" message. I checked the manual when I got a chance, and it says that I have to have a dealer replace the battery. Well that makes sense, but I got a couple of questions....

1) Has anyone else had this done? Is it a "Local" repair? How much did it cost? (I am hoping this isn't a "Return to garmin for their $700 flat rate repair" deals...)

2) Anyone know how long from the first message appearance to a loss of memory? In other words - does this require immediate action, or do I have a few weeks or months?

Paul
 
Ironflight said:
...I am hoping this isn't a "Return to garmin for their $700 flat rate repair" deals...
Click to expand...
My personal experience is that Garmin can be very flexible in dealing with polite and informed customers that have an early failure, even if the unit is well out of warranty.
 
Hummmmmm

Sounds like a 3volt battery or something like that. If out of warrenty..I would open her up and change it my self....
 
Sticky1 said:
Sounds like a 3volt battery or something like that. If out of warrenty..I would open her up and change it my self....
Click to expand...

Sanyo Lithium cell # CR14250SE with solder tabs

batteryspecialists_2005_71111667

This is from Bob Newman of TCW Technologies
http://www.tcwtech.com/
 
Last edited:
Thanks!

Thanks guys!

I had a talk with Garmin today, and the 430 is on it's way overnight to Kansas for a quick turn-around repair and overall check-up. I liked th links posted for a DIY fix, but in my conversation with Garmin, it was pointed out that the battery should have lasted much, much longer - and that frequently, field shops will replace the battery, only to eventually find that the charging circuit was the problem. Since I fly IFR with the unit, I decided discretion was the better part of valor in this case, and decided to let them do their magic....


Paul
 
Hello Paul...

Ironflight said:
Thanks guys!

I had a talk with Garmin today, and the 430 is on it's way overnight to Kansas for a quick turn-around repair and overall check-up. I liked th links posted for a DIY fix, but in my conversation with Garmin, it was pointed out that the battery should have lasted much, much longer - and that frequently, field shops will replace the battery, only to eventually find that the charging circuit was the problem. Since I fly IFR with the unit, I decided discretion was the better part of valor in this case, and decided to let them do their magic....


Paul
Click to expand...

Please let us know how much the charge for this when you get it back.

Kent
 
It's Back!

I got my 430 back from Garmin yesterday and it slid right in and fired up without a problem. Latest software loaded, and the paperwork said that they "repaired the main board and also repaired an unreported problem in the keypad interface". They got the unit on Thursday, and shipped it Monday, and the total charge was $0.00 - can't ask for much better than that!

One note of interest is that when they loaded the new software, they saved my user waypoints, but not my stored flight plans. It was no big deal for me, because I only had a few plans saved anyways, but I can't figure out why one thing would survive the jump, and the others didn't....:confused:

Thanks to Garmin for the speedy turn-around - I hate holes in my panel (even though I was adequately equipped with my #2 Comm and three other GPS's.....:p)

Paul
 
Bad keyboards??

?and also repaired an unreported problem in the keypad interface"


I am wondering if there is a known problem with Garmin GNS 430 keyboards, because I am experiencing intermittent keys on mine that appear to be getting worse?
:confused:
 
Garmin 430 Memory Battery Low message

I got the message about 5 years after installing and using my unit new. I read the other posts and know how to solder and remove old solder and was encouraged by others to open up my unit and see if I thought I could replace the battery. After looking at it and thinking about it, I was thnking for the overall security of the unit that maybe paying Garmin their fee (I heard it was $190) was not too costly. I put the unit back in my plane and it would not power up for more than 20 seconds before restarting the start up. It did this time after time. I have an authorized Garmin servicer in Henderson, KY and took the unit to them to see what they had to say. They said can you wait for two hours or do you want to pick it sometime after that.

Two hours later, the unit was fixed. Total charge was $94. They also installed a new version 5.04 of software.

As of right now, I don't think it is worth the effort to buy a new battery and install it to save about $85.
 
The CR14250 battery is a lithium battery that IS NOT RECHARGABLE

Odd that Garmin has a charging circuit on it....maybe that's why it fails!

Ironflight said:
Thanks guys!

I had a talk with Garmin today, and the 430 is on it's way overnight to Kansas for a quick turn-around repair and overall check-up. I liked th links posted for a DIY fix, but in my conversation with Garmin, it was pointed out that the battery should have lasted much, much longer - and that frequently, field shops will replace the battery, only to eventually find that the charging circuit was the problem. Since I fly IFR with the unit, I decided discretion was the better part of valor in this case, and decided to let them do their magic....


Paul
Click to expand...
 
430/530 battery

William, I had forgeten about that home repair I did! I believe ours went about 8-9 years, so I felt it wasn't a problematic 530. The lithium cell they use is definetly not a rechargeable type. However, Paul's unit could have had too much standby current draw, thereby limiting its service life. BTW, since I did my home battery swap out I've had no issues with the new battery or the operation of the 530. However, I've I said before, this repair is not for the faint of heart!, and electronics is what I do...:)


Bob Newman
 
Usually Expensive

Ironflight said:
1) Has anyone else had this done? Is it a "Local" repair? How much did it cost? (I am hoping this isn't a "Return to garmin for their $700 flat rate repair" deals...)

Paul
Click to expand...

My 430 was out of warranty by one month when the Comm receiver went out. Base fee $700 even if it costs $10. No consideration for the fact the unit had only been in service for 6 months. More than 15% of what I paid for it!!!

A neighbor had a 430 that he inadvertently pulled the squelch button. Thought the radio was broken. Sent it in, $700 + Shipping.

Paul is much more connected that the rest of us so I'm sure he'll get a deal on the service.:rolleyes:

Garmin's service provides good turnaround but they have IRS type service rates.
 
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