Related Manuals for ACR Electronics RLB-38
Summary of Contents for ACR Electronics RLB-38
- Page 1 PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL ™ SATELLITE 406 MHz EPIRB // Model No.: RLB-38 Product No.: 2874, 2875 Y1-03-0250 Rev. C OWNER VESSEL RADIO CALL SIGN UIN #...
- Page 2 CAUTION: Before proceeding to install, test or use your new ACR Electronics’ product, please read this Product Support Manual in its entirety. If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., Telephone +1 (954) 981- 3333.
-
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON ____________________________ 3 STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS _____________________________ 6 STEP THREE - INSTALLING THE BEACON _____________________________ 15 STEP FOUR - MAINTAINING THE BEACON ___________________________ 20 APPENDIX A - USING AND TESTING THE GPS SYSTEMS _________________ 25 APPENDIX B - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM _________________________ 27 APPENDIX C - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS __________________________ 28 APPENDIX D - WARRANTY, NOTICES _______________________________ 29... -
Page 4: Step One - Registering Your Beacon
STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON Why is registration important? As the owner of this 406 MHz beacon, it is mandatory that you register it with the EPIRB national authority of your country: It is the law. Please note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years by the owner. - Page 5 2. Faxing a registration is also acceptable. Fax the registration form to the fax number on the top of the registration form. NOTE: Do not confuse the registration form with the ACR Electronics warranty card. 3. If online or fax registration is not available, mail the registration form with the...
- Page 6 Registration outside of the United States In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz beacons are registered with that country’s national authority at the time of purchase. The sales agent should have assisted you in filling out the forms and sending them to the country’s national authority.
-
Page 7: Step Two - How The Beacon Works
STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS How your beacon brings help 406 MHz beacons are a type of portable emergency equipment that transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations. The purpose of these beacons is to aid SAR teams in tracking and locating ships or individuals in jeopardy as rapidly as possible. - Page 8 Anatomy of your beacon NOTE: When unpacking your beacon, it is recommended that you save the original packaging for re-use when shipping the beacon for battery replacement in the future. // Activation switch with Witness Tab The activation switch embodies a special, patented method of activating a beacon.
-
Page 9: Top View
Strobes Top View Antenna Optional GPS Interface Green Activation/ Test Switch Switch Positions OFF/READY TEST ON/TRANSMITTING Position Position Position Y1-03-0250 Rev. C... - Page 10 Category 1 – SeaShelter™ Bracket Ejector Spring Spring Release HydroFix™ Knob Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) Optional GPS Antenna Interface Hook Cable Front cover hook (detent) Category 2 – QuickDraw™ Bracket Antenna Hook Water Sensor Deactivation Magnet Release Latch Y1-03-0250 Rev. C...
- Page 11 Activating your beacon WARNING: This transmitter is authorized for use only during situations of grave and imminent danger. Deliberate misuse may incur a severe penalty. Overview Category I beacons are designed to be automatically deployed and activated in the event of a sinking vessel. The beacon may also be hand held on the deck of vessels, or floated in water and attached to a raft or life vest with the lanyard provided.
- Page 12 Category I beacons-Automatic deployment and activation If the vessel sinks, the HydroFix™ HRU frees the beacon from the bracket, allowing it to float to the surface. Built-in sensors detect that the beacon is no longer in its bracket and when continuity is created by water between two of the top cap screws, an activation circuit is completed.
- Page 13 Category I and II Beacons-Manual deployment and activation Both Category I and II beacons can be manually deployed by removing the beacon from the bracket. Once removed, the beacon can be activated by placing it in water OR by lifting the Activation Switch to a vertical position, sliding it toward the antenna and pushing down to the opposite side of the beacon.
- Page 14 The beacon normally takes up to 12 seconds to deactivate. If deactivation should fail, remove the four screws holding the unit together and unplug the battery to disable the unit. Return the beacon to ACR Electronics for service. Y1-03-0250 Rev. C...
- Page 15 To prevent false alarms, it is important to be aware of how your beacon can be activated. An ACR 406 MHz EPIRB can be activated by two different methods. Whether you have a Category I or Category II, these methods are the same.
-
Page 16: Step Three - Installing The Beacon
The beacon should be serviced 5 years from the installation date but no later than the battery expiry date. The ACR HydroFix™ HRU has an expiration date of 2 years from the date of installation or 4 years from the date manufactured, whichever comes first. - Page 17 CAUTION: Category I brackets must be mounted free from obstruction to allow the beacon to automatically float free from the vessel ™ can be mounted on a vertical in case of sinking. The SeaShelter surface with the beacon antenna pointing skyward or a horizontal surface with the beacon face up.
- Page 18 Category I bracket ™ Category I bracket has five pre-drilled screw holes to use The SeaShelter ™ lid by for securing the bracket to a flat surface. Remove the SeaShelter turning the spring loaded knob on the lid 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull. The lid will lift away from the top of the base and disengage at the bottom of the base.
- Page 19 The yellow lanyard roll faces the bracket and rests in the concave part of the bracket. Snap the beacon into place by pushing firmly at the bottom of the beacon (on the ACR logo) until the snaps engage the bottom of the beacon. Top in First Bottom in Second Y1-03-0250 Rev.
- Page 20 5. Installing the Optional optical GPS interface cable The beacon is fitted with an optical interface to connect with an external Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that will determine latitude longitude of its position. The black lead wire with white stripes should be connected to the output of the external GPS receiver positive transmitter pin.
-
Page 21: Step Four - Maintaining The Beacon
Carefully inspect the beacon case for any visible cracks. Cracks may admit moisture, which could falsely activate the beacon or otherwise cause a malfunction. Any cracks observed should immediately be referred to ACR Service for evaluation. Call ACR Electronics Technical Service +1 (954) 981-3333. - Page 22 In the case of the RLB-38, the product contains small batteries that are non- hazardous. However, regulations can change. Be advised that it is best to verify the shipping requirements at the time you are preparing to ship the unit.
- Page 23 Registration forms for the United States are available from NOAA by calling (888) 212-7283 (212-SAVE) or by visiting the ACR website at www.acrelectronics.com. Outside of the United States, the new owner may contact his local authority for the necessary form(s).
- Page 24 WARNING: Discard the expired HRU. Failure to replace the entire assembly may cause the bracket to malfunction. WARNING: Be sure to use only ACR’s HydroFix™ HRU (ACR P/N ™. Use of unauthorized replacement parts will void 9490) in the SeaShelter your warranty and may cause the bracket to malfunction.
- Page 25 Self-Tests can be performed randomly, however, ACR recommends that you perform the Self-Test on a once per month schedule. Do not exceed sixty (60) Self-Test cycles limit in the five-year life of the battery, to conserve the battery for emergency use.
-
Page 26: Appendix A - Using And Testing The Gps Systems
APPENDIX A - USING AND TESTING THE GPS SYSTEMS How the external GPS interface works The beacon is fitted with an optical interface to connect with an external Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that will determine the latitude and longitude of its position. This data is transmitted to the emergency system. - Page 27 If no valid GPS position data is available, the beacon will keep the previously stored GPS position data for up to 4 hours. In this case, call ACR Customer Service at +1 (954) 981-3333 for instructions on how to reset the beacon with the default message.
-
Page 28: Appendix B - The Cospas-Sarsat System
APPENDIX B - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM General overview EPIRBs transmit to the satellite portion of the Cospas-Sarsat system. Cospas-Sarast satellites are an international system that utilizes Russian Federation and United States’ low altitude, near-polar orbiting satellites (LEOSAR). These satellites assist in detecting and locating activated 406 MHz satellite beacons. -
Page 29: Appendix C - Technical Specifications
Optional External GPS Optical Interface Cable for Category II Mounting bracket, ACR P/N 9388 Approvals FCC ID #B66ACR-RLB36 COSPAS-SARSAT certificate #189 NOTE: For complete information regarding beacon type approvals, please visit ACR’s website at www.acrelectronics.com Y1-03-0250 Rev. C... -
Page 30: Appendix D - Warranty, Notices
1 (one) year* from date of purchase or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc. will repair or, at its option, replace the unit at no cost to you for labor, materials and return transportation from ACR. For further assistance, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., 5757... -
Page 31: Ec Declaration Of Conformity
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ACR Electronics hereby declares that the following product is in conformity with Council Directive 96/98/EC of 20 December 1996 on Marine Equipment (MED) last amended by Commission Directive 2009/26/EC of 6 April 2009, and has been type examined as described in this Declaration.