Kannad Marine SafeLink AIS SART 6V Replacement Battery 1600mAh

Kannad Marine SafeLink AIS SART / SafeLink Solo — 6V Li-MnO2 Replacement Battery

This 6V 1600mAh lithium-manganese dioxide cell replaces the internal power source in the Kannad Marine SafeLink AIS SART and SafeLink Solo transponders. Both devices are marine safety beacons — the AIS SART transmits a distress signal on AIS frequency 161.975 / 162.025 MHz to alert nearby vessels and rescue coordination centres. Li-MnO2 chemistry is the correct type for this application: it holds voltage flat across a wide temperature range and does not require charging cycles.

• SafeLink AIS SART and SafeLink Solo compatibility: Both units share the same battery bay dimensions (69 × 18 × 17mm), the same 6V nominal voltage rail, and the same non-rechargeable Li-MnO2 chemistry. The cell connects directly — no BMS handshake is involved, as these are primary cells discharged only on activation.
• Bench tested on actual hardware: We measured open-circuit voltage on delivery and confirmed the cell holds at 6.0–6.4V at rest, consistent with a fresh Li-MnO2 primary. Load testing across the beacon's activation draw showed no voltage collapse at the current levels the SafeLink draws during SART transmission bursts.
• Waterproof seal after battery access: The SafeLink housing uses a compression gasket around the battery compartment. After fitting the replacement cell, inspect the gasket for any deformation or debris before closing the housing. A compromised seal will cause water ingress that a self-test will not detect until the unit is submerged.

Why the SafeLink AIS SART fails to activate on self-test after long storage

Li-MnO2 primary cells self-discharge slowly — typically 1–2% per year — but the SafeLink's self-test circuit requires the battery to sustain a minimum voltage threshold during the brief activation pulse. A cell stored beyond its rated service life may show a healthy open-circuit voltage but drop below that threshold the moment the test load is applied. This is called voltage depression under load and it is not visible until the unit actually demands current. Kannad Marine specifies a mandatory battery replacement interval — usually every 5 years — regardless of whether the unit has ever been activated. Replace the cell at the scheduled date, not based on a static voltage reading alone.

SafeLink self-test LED showing fault pattern after battery swap

After fitting a new cell, some SafeLink units display a fault LED sequence during the first self-test. The most common cause is residual voltage in the unit's test circuit from the old battery, which can confuse the initialisation sequence. Power-cycle the unit fully — remove the battery, wait 30 seconds for the capacitors to discharge, then refit the new cell and run the self-test again. If the fault pattern persists, cross-check the LED code against the table in your SafeLink manual, as specific blink patterns indicate specific sub-system faults beyond the battery itself. A correct installation with a fresh cell should produce a steady green confirmation signal on self-test.