Swallow Yachts Association
Swallow Yachts Forum => For Sale and Wanted => Topic started by: Graham W on 23 Jul 2023, 17:57
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Wanted - replacement battery for my radio. Icom have discontinued it, leaving my VHF in an unusable condition, which I'm not happy about. The battery model number is BP275.
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Hmmm.
This must be very disappointing?
Looks like a fairly recent, and high spec radio, from a a major manufacturer.
Hoped for better?
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I expect that batteries are exempted from the Right to Repair law but I complained to Icom anyway. Their reply was as follows:
"Unfortunately Icom Japan could no longer source component/materials to continue to manufacture the BP275/M91D battery.
There have been major global issues with electronic component supply chain [for manufacture] effecting viability.
M91D went out of production in 2016.
I understand far from ideal, but if it helps at all - I am happy to offer you our latest handheld DSC/AIS/VHF at a discounted price."
2016 would mean that the M91D was discontinued more than seven years ago, which is one of the cut-off points mentioned in the Right to Repair law. The other one is ten years but I don't have the energy to wade through the law to see which, if any, is applicable to batteries. I think getting a secondhand battery on eBay is the way to go. I'm not tempted by a new M94DE at a discount.
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Are you aware that there are several firms out there that will insert new generic cells into proprietary housings/carriers?
V common for cordless power tools.
There used to be a good one in Plymouth.
I went down the DIY route with a dead Metabo cell pack for a site radio, but a new spare turned up at a sensible price, so the bits are still in my roundtoit pile...new generic cells off ebay.
That said, a site radio is not an emergency comms device!
Personally, I prefer to keep my AIS/GPS and VHF comms separate. One reason being that the combi units are reputed to be very hard on batteries.
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Are you aware that there are several firms out there that will insert new generic cells into proprietary housings/carriers?
V common for cordless power tools.
Thanks, I wasn't aware. I'll try that if the eBay route fails or gets too expensive.
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Not sure if you have seen these, but you can get battery packs from these two companies:
https://uk.farnell.com
https://uk.rs-online.com
Depending on what is in your Icom batter pack, you may be able to get the separate or pre-packed replacements. They generally have a solder tag spot-welded to the battery. You just need to be careful not to allow it to heat up too much when soldering.
I'd be cautious about sourcing batteries from any but a reputable dealer to avoid risk of charging fire / general poor quality.
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Thanks Mark - I'll look into these too. As the original battery is completely shot, I won't lose anything by having a look inside the casing.