Testing Your Beacon - Self-Test - ACR Electronics ResQLink PLB-400 Product User Manual

Y1-03-0343 Rev. A
Your beacon has the ability to perform 2 different tests to ensure that the beacon is working
perfectly. The first is a basic self-test which checks the beacon's design performance and sends
a self-test message transmitted with default location data. The second is a GPS/GNSS self-test
that turns the GPS receiver on, acquires your position and then transmits this data in a 406 MHz
self-test satellite burst (GPS and GNSS are used interchangeably to describe the GPS/GNSS
Test).
NOTE: Self-test should only be performed in the first 5 minutes of any hour.
Basic Self-Test (No GPS Data)
During a self-test, your beacon will send a 406 MHz signal coded as a self-test to the satellite
system and will also momentarily activate the 121.5 MHz homing signal.
The beacon has enough excess battery life to perform 60 self-tests over the 5 year life of the
battery.
To perform a basic self-test:
1. Unclip the antenna latch from the case and rotate antenna 90 degrees into the upright
position. (ON/OFF button will be exposed on face of beacon once antenna is in upright
position)
2. Depress the Test button between 2 to 5 seconds.
3. A quick flash of the green LED is an indicator that Self-Test was initiated. This will
always be the first LED flash in the self-test sequence.
A green LED will flash to show the start of the Self-Test and will be followed by 3
flashes (total of 4) and a strobe, indicating a successful Self-Test. The third
an indication that 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz RF was transmitted. The PLB-425 will show this light
sequence and will also flash a message on the screen saying "Self-Test Pass" at the end of the
self-test.
Any red LED flash observed in the above sequence indicates that the beacon has failed self-test.
Repeat the self-test. If the failure persists, contact ACR Electronics, Inc. or an authorized
Battery Replacement Center (BRC) for servicing of your beacon. The PLB-425 will flash a
message saying "Self-Test Fail" at the end of a failed self-test.
ACR strongly recommends performing the self-test once per month, or at least two weeks
prior to a trip, allowing enough time for service should your beacon require it. Do not exceed
the self-test limit to ensure confidence in the operation of the PLB for greater than 24 hours.
Low Battery Indicator during Self-Test
If the total ON time of the beacon exceeds 2 hours, there will be 3
flashes followed by 2 red
on the PLB-425 will indicate a "Self-Test Fail" and will show a low battery warning.
While the beacon may still operate normally in a distress situation, ACR strongly
recommends you have your battery replaced to ensure that you will have at least
24 hours of battery power in an emergency.
Company Confidential
Testing Your Beacon
LED flashes. In addition to the LED indicators, the display
green LED
green LED flash is
green LED
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