ELT Battery replacement

[flyingreg38]

Hi Guys,

First time poster in the maintenance section of the forum… Got into ownership of a C172 not so long ago and still learning the ropes of maintenance scheduling !

Regarding the ELT battery replacement, I read the CAR’s standards 571 Appendix G as the replacement can be done by any AME’s because only an operational test is required after replacement.
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/ ... g-1897.htm

My actual AME tells me to send it to an avionic shop, but the AME of the previous owner did perform the task without being an AME-E.
After a quick call to TC, the Maintenance inspector confirmed over the phone that the replacement must be done by an avionic shop.

Any of you had experience in this matter ? Can an AME-M do the replacement or does it have to be done by an AME-E ?

Btw can anyone confirm this ELT battery replacement is not an elementary task as per CAR’s 625 Appendix A : « 18) removal and replacement of avionics components that are rack mounted or otherwise designed for rapid removal and replacement, where the work does not require testing other than an operational check; » ?

Thanks for any clarification…

Merry Christmas to all of you,

Greg

[photofly]

Not only does the battery need replacing periodically according to the manufacturer's guidelines but the ELT needs testing every 12 months, which requires the services of a specialist. They would normally replace the battery at that time, if due.

[flyingreg38]

Hi,

I'm totally aware of the re-certification requirement as well and its requirement to be done by an avionic shop with a performance test.
The ELT was re-certified in June 2015 but last time the battery was replaced was in December 2013. Go figure!
The battery manufacturer says "replace it every 24 months", so it's due in December 2015.

I agree the ideal maintenance schedule would re-certify the ELT every 12 months and every 24 months at the same date, replace the battery.
Unfortunately it's not the case and I would like to avoid to pay extra maintenance if not due at the time being.

Later on, I'm planning to have both the ELT re-certification and the ELT battery replacement done at the same time. Just for easier scheduling...

As for now, only the ELT battery is due for replacement and only an operational test is required. Can a local AME do it or do I have to send it to the nearest avionic shop?

Thanks anyway.

Greg

[photofly]

I believe it's specialist work, but I'm not sure. It's for sure not elementary work, because while you can remove and replace the ELT yourself you're not permitted to disassemble it.

I do appreciate the need to keep costs down, but it's a very cheap bit of work to have the battery replaced: like everyone else in Canada, just send it to Karl at Discount Avionics (http://www.discountavionics.com/) and he'll have it back in the mail to you in a few days. Not worth too much stress.

Don't forget to secure the operating switch to "off" before you send it.

[conehead]

I can vouch for Karl. He'll give you a fair deal.

Merry Christmas!

[PilotDAR]

Flying Greg,

In addition to photofly's correct information, consider it this way: Every maintenance task accomplished on an aircraft must be accomplished in accordance with at the very least, a standard, but more likely the manufacturer's instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA). The person signing for the work accomplished must sign that the work was accomplished in accordance with those instructions, and the standards of airworthiness were met. CAR 571.02. Schedule 2 of CAR 571.04 tells you that it's specialized work, which carries it one step beyond elementary work. The "replacement" of the ELT as an AME task is just the in and out in the plane, no wiring or disassembly.

If you, as an owner/pilot, were to "check" the ELT, or go further, and replace the battery, there is the stated requirement that you sign for the standard of the work accomplished (the manufacturer's ICA). Do you have access to that publication, in its current revision, and the equipment to perform all of the required tasks? That would be what you're signing for....

The list of elementary work is largely historical, and based upon tribal knowledge. Unfortunately many of these simple tasks are not trained to aircraft owners, until they seek out that training, and practice those skills. The working is often specific to include the term "designed for" in the context of the work, to denote that it is simple and has a low (if any) demand for tools. Item 15 in that list is there because I petitioned it be added a dozen years ago, in the context of pilots doing survey work with aircraft, but in each case I apply it to, the pilot is required to be trained by the AME/AMO for the task, as stated in the ICA. Then they meet the requirements, and the condition of "designed" in the ICA.

Some things are more easily accomplished by hiring the qualified and approved organization. I send my ELT's to Discount Avionics - and yes, assure that switch is blocked to the "OFF" position!

[flyingreg38]

Thanks for the help and clarification guys! Much appreciated...
I guess I'll listen to my AME (and TC ) and send the ELT to a specialized shop to replace the battery.

Cheers,

Greg

[photofly]

I doubt ELTs use regular batteries - so you'd probably have difficulty sourcing the right battery pack, even if you wanted to do it yourself.

[twotter]

Actually some use D cells..

[ahramin]

Mine uses D cells, but swapping them out without reading the current service instructions is a very bad idea as they chafe if not lubed properly and theoretically could burn pretty spectacularly in the tail.

[NeverBlue]

Operational checks, re and re ELT is elemetary work but maintenance is NOT. Battery replacement is maintnance.

You can't replace any part on an ELT unless it's OEM or PMA period. It's TSO'd!!!

It's an ELT for crying out loud....don't you WANT it to be certified as functioning to the spec that it is supposed to be?

Some ELT's use common alkaline batteries but that doesn't mean you can replace them with ones from WalMart...

[JasonE]

I believe this topic should be revisited by TC. In the US you can replace your own battery as long as it does not require soldering. Also the yearly certification should be more like 24 months provided it is tested regularly. Especially now that you can perform a test and if it is registered correctly you will now get an email from TC to show it is working and coded correctly. I read that in the last Copa news, I haven't been out to my plane since to try it.

[photofly]

Also I don't recall it being on the list of "elementary" maintenance to be able to re&re it yourself to ship off.

Mine is secured within its cradle with a Velcro strap. If you can think of a method of fixing that better meets the criterion of "designed for rapid removal and replacement" I should very much like to hear what it is.

[torquey401]

What kind of ELT is the OP discussing? Whether it is in fact specialized work as per the CARS I think depends on if the manufacturer deems battery replacement as something requiring special equipment or processes. As was stated, operational testing is typically done in the field, but performance testing (due every 12 months per the CARS) will require specialized test equipment.

Not sure what "ELT battery lube" is.

[NeverBlue]

Read CARs 571 App.G.

A performance test requires manufacturers reference data which commonly requires specialized test equipment to test output power, frequency stability, sweep time, sweep frequency, battery current draw, etc.
New ELTs require even more specialized equipment. You can't do that without being a certified AMO with ELTs on your cert... not just an AME-E or AME-M.

ELT maintenance in Canada is specialized work...period.

EMERGENCY LOCATING DEVICE.

There are standards for their maintenance for a reason....

[Tips Up]

Flying Greg,

In addition to photofly's correct information, consider it this way: Every maintenance task accomplished on an aircraft must be accomplished in accordance with at the very least, a standard, but more likely the manufacturer's instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA). The person signing for the work accomplished must sign that the work was accomplished in accordance with those instructions, and the standards of airworthiness were met. CAR 571.02. Schedule 2 of CAR 571.04 tells you that it's specialized work, which carries it one step beyond elementary work. The "replacement" of the ELT as an AME task is just the in and out in the plane, no wiring or disassembly.

If you, as an owner/pilot, were to "check" the ELT, or go further, and replace the battery, there is the stated requirement that you sign for the standard of the work accomplished (the manufacturer's ICA). Do you have access to that publication, in its current revision, and the equipment to perform all of the required tasks? That would be what you're signing for....

The list of elementary work is largely historical, and based upon tribal knowledge. Unfortunately many of these simple tasks are not trained to aircraft owners, until they seek out that training, and practice those skills. The working is often specific to include the term "designed for" in the context of the work, to denote that it is simple and has a low (if any) demand for tools. Item 15 in that list is there because I petitioned it be added a dozen years ago, in the context of pilots doing survey work with aircraft, but in each case I apply it to, the pilot is required to be trained by the AME/AMO for the task, as stated in the ICA. Then they meet the requirements, and the condition of "designed" in the ICA.

Some things are more easily accomplished by hiring the qualified and approved organization. I send my ELT's to Discount Avionics - and yes, assure that switch is blocked to the "OFF" position!

Respectfully disagree for the majority of newer elt's. The FAA does allow for owners to replace the battery and you can look up your model on aircraft spruce and have the replacement battery with very easy instructions to follow from the manufacturer. Takes about 10 minutes and more simple then replacing a tire with an operational check after.

[groncher]

Tips Up, can you show where the FAA allows for owners to replace their own ELT batteries? The list of preventative maintenance in FAR43 reads very much like the list of elementary tasks in the CARs.

And as I believe we are talking about Canadian aircraft here, the re and re of the ELT itself can be elementary, but the replacement of the batteries is not. And until it is, please send your ELTs to an approved shop...your ass may one day depend on it.

[Tips Up]

Tips Up, can you show where the FAA allows for owners to replace their own ELT batteries? The list of preventative maintenance in FAR43 reads very much like the list of elementary tasks in the CARs.

And as I believe we are talking about Canadian aircraft here, the re and re of the ELT itself can be elementary, but the replacement of the batteries is not. And until it is, please send your ELTs to an approved shop...your ass may one day depend on it.

Gladly. AOPA wrote up an nice article outlining preventive maintenance on privately owned aircraft.

FAR Part 43, Appendix A, Paragraph C — Preventive Maintenance
Replacing and servicing batteries. When replacing your airplane's battery, use only an approved battery for your make and model airplane. You are also permitted to add water (distilled water) and charge your battery. If you need to clean the battery, terminals, or battery box area, baking soda works about the best. Flush with fresh water when you're completed. Don't allow any baking soda to enter the battery.

Emergency Locator Transmitter battery replacement is also permitted, provided you are able to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The new expiration date for replacing (or recharging) the battery must be legibly marked on the outside of the transmitter and entered in the aircraft maintenance record.

As for your second comment, my ass is much more dependent on proper oil changes, spark plug changes, and tire changes then changing my ELT battery yet I can legally perform those other duties. Just as any aircraft can have a complicated system to change a spark plug that may involve much more then a elementary knowledge, most of the new ELT's are very simple to change the battery and perform a test. If it is complicated, don't do it and send it away. Just like some won't feel comfortable changing their own oil because their ass depends on it and they would rather an AME perform those duties.

[NeverBlue]

Most ELT manufacturers maintenance manuals require a performance test on the ELT when the battery is replaced anyways not an operational check.
That is clearly specialized work.

[ahramin]

For anyone with an ACK E-01, the following may interest you

December 12, 2000
Service Bulletin SB E-01.3
Effects model E-01 ELT all serial numbers.
Duracell MX 1300 and PC 1300 batteries are approved for use in our model E-01 ELT.
When installing Duracell batteries with built in test strips make sure to consult our latest
installation manual part number E-01M dated 08/12/98.

After battery replacement a transmitter function test must be performed as per section 5

1. Monitor 121.5
2. Place the main switch on the front of the ELT unit in the on position and verify that the audio sweep tone can be heard on the com radio.