Garmin 430 (non-WAAS) low battery warning

[zerobearing2]

So I just noticed a "low battery" message on my 430 on the last flight. Searching around, seems Garmin won't work on anything non-WAAS now. Having them replace would require an upgrade to WAAS, seems like its an expensive route to change a damn battery. There seems to be some brave soles that DIY it. While I'm pretty good at soldering, I'd hate to accidentally turn my unit into a giant paper weight. I saw few reports of local radio shops replacing the battery, but no one mentions the actual shop. Anyone go thought this already or have any recommendations?

I suspect my 430W is about to experience the same thing, so might consider replacing both at the same time... 

Thanks,
Dave

[ShermAv8tor]

Have you actually called Garmin and asked the question? Last time I talked to tech support, I expressed to them I heard they were not working 430's and he said yea he wasn't sure how that rumor got started…with that said, mid last year they were servicing non-wass units…I hope it didn't change

Sherman

[OR75]

Changing the battery is probably one of the only thing that Garmin service centers are able to do. The unit do not need to be sent back to Garmin. That's a big difference .  Fir everything else , they are just like UPS store . Shipping and receiving . 

I understand not everyone is comfortable DIY. 

[LANCECASPER]

If you can't do it locally these people will do it for $225.

http://www.bevanrabell.com/avionics-bench-repair/capabilities-list/

[zerobearing2]

2 hours ago, ShermAv8tor said:

Have you actually called Garmin and asked the question? Last time I talked to tech support, I expressed to them I heard they were not working 430's and he said yea he wasn't sure how that rumor got started…with that said, mid last year they were servicing non-wass units…I hope it didn't change

Sherman

Thanks Sherman, I've got a call into local shop, if that doesn't pan out Garmin is next on the list. 

-Dave

[zerobearing2]

34 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

If you can't do it locally these people will do it for $225.

http://www.bevanrabell.com/avionics-bench-repair/capabilities-list/

Thanks for the lead -- if the local connection doesn't work out, this might be nice alternative to Garmin directly.

-Dave

[Tony Armour]

That battery, at least on a 530 is on layered/sandwiched circuit boards. Probably need more than someone with just "decent" soldering skills to be on the safe side. Don't ask me how I know. 

[ShermAv8tor]

Dave what was the outcome? 

[zerobearing2]

9 hours ago, ShermAv8tor said:

Dave what was the outcome? 

Its at a local shop. They could replace the battery without having to send to Garmin. I'll provide a PIREP once they've completed the work.

[zerobearing2]

PIREP after repair:

I have flown couple times since the repair -- all seems to work as expected. The first power-on required extra time for the 430 to "find itself", but after that, no warning message or issues that I see so far. Thankfully everything worked out great.

-Dave