Garmin 430 "memory battery low"

Fearless Tower

Fearless Tower

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Fearless Tower
Got this one yesterday when starting up the plane.

From the quick Google search this morning, it sounds like it is rather expensive to replace (sending it off to Garmin) and that it only downside of not replacing it is that you won't be able to save flight plans/routes..etc.

Anyone else experienced this and care to comment?

Mine is still non-WAAS, so at some point I may want to upgrade to WAAS. Wondering if this is the right time.
 
I believe the battery is one of the few things that a local shop can do to a 430.
 
Yeah, the battery is soldered in and it's kind of a nuisance, but you should be able to find someone to do it for about $250ish.
 
It is soldered onto the board. The battery is cheap. http://store.batteryspecialists.com/cr14250seft.html
Takes about 2 hours to complete.
But: I think you are going to run into this:
65.81 General privileges and limitations.
(a) A certificated mechanic may perform
or supervise the maintenance,
preventive maintenance or alteration
of an aircraft or appliance, or a part
thereof, for which he is rated (but excluding
major repairs to, and major alterations
of, propellers, and any repair
to, or alteration of, instruments)
 
So, is the only impact if not replacing it now the inability to save flight plans, or does it effect anything else?

Anyone know what the typical cost to upgrade to WAAS is?
 
With the battery dead, you can't store anything. And it defaults to opening the map to the full zoomed out position with full clutter.

Seems like the WAAS upgrade is in the $2K area.
 
Last edited:
Fearless Tower said:
So, is the only impact if not replacing it now the inability to save flight plans, or does it effect anything else?

Anyone know what the typical cost to upgrade to WAAS is?
Click to expand...


I paid $3654.65 a year and a half ago.
 
Make sure you set/confirm location before launch. It defaults to lat 0 long 0, and is unable to pick up the location in flight. It is possible, however, to use a handheld GPS while in flight to provide it the correct location so it can lock on. Until you do that, however, the GNS430 is useless. Ask me how I know! (Or search the site for the story of one of my FL to IL trips).

Note that this does not happen the first time you get the warning.

Also verify your radio settings. They may not be on the frequency last used when you start up!
 
Fearless Tower said:
Got this one yesterday when starting up the plane.

From the quick Google search this morning, it sounds like it is rather expensive to replace (sending it off to Garmin) and that it only downside of not replacing it is that you won't be able to save flight plans/routes..etc.

Anyone else experienced this and care to comment?

Mine is still non-WAAS, so at some point I may want to upgrade to WAAS. Wondering if this is the right time.
Click to expand...

My memory battery low message just cost me $7,500 :D:D:D I upgraded to WAAS. Some shops can/will install a new battery...if that's all you need.
 
EppyGA said:
I paid $3654.65 a year and a half ago.
Click to expand...

$3,200ish is what garmin is charging. You may need new coax and don't be surprised if interference becomes an issue. The cost can float up to $5500-6000 rather fast.
 
bartmc said:
$3,200ish is what garmin is charging. You may need new coax and don't be surprised if interference becomes an issue. The cost can float up to $5500-6000 rather fast.
Click to expand...

The price I listed was upgraded and installed with new coax and antenna.
 
Fearless Tower said:
So, is the only impact if not replacing it now the inability to save flight plans, or does it effect anything else?

Anyone know what the typical cost to upgrade to WAAS is?
Click to expand...

When the battery dies, it won't save anything. In addition to the above it will also take an eternity to figure out where you are initially.
 
flyingmoose said:
It is soldered onto the board. The battery is cheap. http://store.batteryspecialists.com/cr14250seft.html
Takes about 2 hours to complete.
But: I think you are going to run into this:
65.81 General privileges and limitations.
(a) A certificated mechanic may perform
or supervise the maintenance,
preventive maintenance or alteration
of an aircraft or appliance, or a part
thereof, for which he is rated (but excluding
major repairs to, and major alterations
of, propellers, and any repair
to, or alteration of, instruments)
Click to expand...

What repair? :dunno:

Fearless Tower said:
Anyone know what the typical cost to upgrade to WAAS is?
Click to expand...

I paid about $3k for it 2-3 years ago. It's a simple job. A Garmin dealer has to send the unit off to Garmin (easy to find) and then install a new antenna. Depending on what your wire from the antenna to the 430 is, that may need to be replaced. Basically there's an old style and a new style wire, I forget the difference. The new style works on a 430 or 430W, the old style only works on a 430. Shielded or something.

If you don't have WAAS already, now's a good time. You won't regret it.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
What repair? :dunno:



I paid about $3k for it 2-3 years ago. It's a simple job. A Garmin dealer has to send the unit off to Garmin (easy to find) and then install a new antenna. Depending on what your wire from the antenna to the 430 is, that may need to be replaced. Basically there's an old style and a new style wire, I forget the difference. The new style works on a 430 or 430W, the old style only works on a 430. Shielded or something.

If you don't have WAAS already, now's a good time. You won't regret it.
Click to expand...


Is it just the coax? Or is there an antenna change required?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
teejayevans said:
Is it just the coax? Or is there an antenna change required?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yes, it's the coax. Antenna change is required, but easy.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Got this one yesterday when starting up the plane.

From the quick Google search this morning, it sounds like it is rather expensive to replace (sending it off to Garmin) and that it only downside of not replacing it is that you won't be able to save flight plans/routes..etc.

Anyone else experienced this and care to comment?

Mine is still non-WAAS, so at some point I may want to upgrade to WAAS. Wondering if this is the right time.
Click to expand...

5 bucks and an hour of your time...

http://www.tnrbattery.com/cr14250se-ft-fdk-sanyo-battery-3-volt-lithium-3-pins/

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59695&highlight=430+battery+forane
 
Good reason to get your GROL.
Change th' battery, and move on. ;)
 
Fearless Tower said:
So, is the only impact if not replacing it now the inability to save flight plans, or does it effect anything else?

Anyone know what the typical cost to upgrade to WAAS is?
Click to expand...

No flight plans saved, forgets where it was at shutdown, so it may take longer to sync up(find itself) at startup. Forgets the last fly to destination requested, so your home airport is forgotten. It's a PITA.

Local radio shop should be able to replace the battery, not the local A&P.
Garmin will no longer service non-WAAS units.

Consider moving to the GTN 650 vs. cost of upgrading the 430 to WAAS. It should fit the same rack space.
 
BillTIZ said:
No flight plans saved, forgets where it was at shutdown, so it may take longer to sync up(find itself) at startup. Forgets the last fly to destination requested, so your home airport is forgotten. It's a PITA.



Local radio shop should be able to replace the battery, not the local A&P.

Garmin will no longer service non-WAAS units.



Consider moving to the GTN 650 vs. cost of upgrading the 430 to WAAS. It should fit the same rack space.
Click to expand...

Hmm, what's a 650 run if replacing a 430? Is the antenna/wiring the same? That might be a good idea. I could upgrade to the 650 and the keep the 430 in waiting for the day when my old Collins Com and Nav radios die.
 
flyingmoose said:
It is soldered onto the board. The battery is cheap. http://store.batteryspecialists.com/cr14250seft.html
Takes about 2 hours to complete.
But: I think you are going to run into this:
65.81 General privileges and limitations.
(a) A certificated mechanic may perform
or supervise the maintenance,
preventive maintenance or alteration
of an aircraft or appliance, or a part
thereof, for which he is rated (but excluding
major repairs to, and major alterations
of, propellers, and any repair
to, or alteration of, instruments)
Click to expand...

A battery replacement is a major repair or alteration?
 
Clip4 said:
A battery replacement is a major repair or alteration?
Click to expand...
No, you have to read the end of the paragraph that says: and any repair
to, or alteration of, instruments.

Key word being and.
I'm sure it can be debated either way, but when you have to open the instrument and solder on the board, it kinda becomes repair like. :rolleyes:

Makes no difference to me if you want to do it, just pointing out what it says.
 
Last edited:
Fearless Tower said:
Hmm, what's a 650 run if replacing a 430? Is the antenna/wiring the same? That might be a good idea. I could upgrade to the 650 and the keep the 430 in waiting for the day when my old Collins Com and Nav radios die.
Click to expand...

I think I just answered my own question. Looks like the only commonality is the rack. Since my 430 is not already WAAS, I would need new cables and antenna, so switching to a 650 would be pretty pricey. If I decided to do that, is probably keep the 430 and move it down to replace the old Collins Comm2/Nav2.
 
Fearless Tower said:
I think I just answered my own question. Looks like the only commonality is the rack. Since my 430 is not already WAAS, I would need new cables and antenna, so switching to a 650 would be pretty pricey. If I decided to do that, is probably keep the 430 and move it down to replace the old Collins Comm2/Nav2.
Click to expand...

I had a feeling it would be pretty pricey.

I think you're probably best off upgrading the 430 to a 430W and then adding a 530W later.
 
Since this post has moved away from a simple battery repair . . . Avidyne has a plug-n-play replacement for the 430. http://www.avidyne.com/products/ifd540/index.asp

Edit: looks like they won't ship until June of 2014. Will be interesting to see these sell.

From Avidyne website: The IFD540 & IFD440 are designed as plug & play replacements for the popular GNS530 & GNS430 navigators respectively, but with bigger glass, a much larger screen area, and a much easier to use hybrid touch screen interface. And because they're the same physical size, they use the same tray & antennas, and can be installed with no wiring changes, it makes it an incredibly easy and affordable retrofit for general aviation
 
Last edited:
BG841 said:
Since this post has moved away from a simple battery repair . . . Avidyne has a plug-n-play replacement for the 430. http://www.avidyne.com/products/ifd540/index.asp

Edit: looks like they won't ship until June of 2014. Will be interesting to see these sell.

From Avidyne website: The IFD540 & IFD440 are designed as plug & play replacements for the popular GNS530 & GNS430 navigators respectively, but with bigger glass, a much larger screen area, and a much easier to use hybrid touch screen interface. And because they're the same physical size, they use the same tray & antennas, and can be installed with no wiring changes, it makes it an incredibly easy and affordable retrofit for general aviation
Click to expand...


That one has been about to ship for 3 years now. I do believe it will eventually make it to market but I wouldn't hold my breath wating on June.
 
BillTIZ said:
Garmin will no longer service non-WAAS units
Click to expand...
This must be very new? In December, I had my 430 in the shop for its battery replacement; what should have been a 2 hour job took on complications though: the shop was unable to make the unit pass its tests after the replacement (but before taking out the old battery, they ran testing on the unit and verified it was working fine). They couldn't resolve it so they sent it off to Garmin and it was serviced.
 
I had mine go bad last November in my 530. Like you it is not a WAAS. I flew it to a local radio station - they pulled the unit right there on the ramp, even updated the firm ware - cost $75.
 
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