ACR Electronics Mini B300 2766.6 Installation instructions

12 Y1-03-0136 Rev. C 1Y1-03-0136 Rev. C
PRODUCTPRODUCT
SUPPORTSUPPORT
MANUALMANUAL
Y1-03-0136
Rev. C
ACR/MINI B300TM
Product No. 2766
Class B
Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
ETSI and FCC Approved
ACR Electronics, Inc.
5757 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312
[phone] • Fax [phone]
http://www.acrelectronics.com
Email: [email protected]

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Foreword:
Congratulations and thank you! You have just purchased the
finest personal locator EPIRB available on the market. Other
brands merely attempt to meet the requirements established
by government regulatory agencies. ACR designed its Mini
B300 to work in real life situations and to save lives. It,
therefore, exceeds many of the requirements established by
authorities. By purchasing this EPIRB you have distin-
guished yourself as one of the safest persons in boating.
To be a responsible EPIRB owner:
• Read this manual.
• Activate your EPIRB ONLY in an emergency.
• Mount your EPIRB in an easily accessible spot or store
it in your ditch/emergency kit.
• Prepare an emergency evacuation plan and rehearse it.
• In a grave and imminent situation, where you have ex-
hausted all other means of rescue, activate your EPIRB
and leave it “On”. Do not turn it off and on in the mis-
guided belief that you are saving battery power.
• NEVER set off a false alarm.
Please call or write for answers to questions or for informa-
tion on other safety products manufactured by ACR Elec-
tronics, Inc.
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remove any salt build-up on case or exposed parts.
NOTES:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION.......................................5
1.1 General...............................................................................5
1.2 Purpose...............................................................................5
1.3 Authorizations....................................................................5
1.4 Characteristics....................................................................5
1.5 Technical Data ...................................................................6
SECTION 2 — INSTALLATION ........................................7
2.1 General...............................................................................7
2.2 Battery Installation.............................................................7
2.3 Battery Date Code..............................................................7
2.4 Battery Expiry Date............................................................8
SECTION 3 — OPERATION...............................................8
3.1 General...............................................................................8
3.2 Manual Deployment...........................................................8
SECTION 4 — MAINTENANCE ........................................9
4.1 General...............................................................................9
4.2 Battery Check.....................................................................9
4.3 Inspection Check................................................................9

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Waterproof
ON-OFF Switch
Hanked Lanyard
Wrist Lanyard
Transmitting
Indicator Light (LED)
Flexible Antenna
(Factory Replaceable)
Figure 1: ACR Mini B300TM EPIRB
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SECTION 4 — MAINTENANCE
4.1 General
The Beacon has been designed for use with a minimum of
maintenance required. A check list is given in this section, and
when accomplished periodically, should help to assure emer-
gency operation and extended life use.
4.2 Battery Check
1. The battery expiry date should always be placed on the
battery and the outside of the Beacon case. See 2.2 Battery
Installation. Replace the battery immediately after extended
use or emergency and always on or before the battery
expiry date. Use only a 6 volt Lithium Duracell DL223A
(or equivalent) battery.
2. Safety Precautions:
Warning: To avoid possible fire, explosion, leakage or burn
hazard, do not open, recharge, disassemble, heat above
71°C (160°F) or incinerate.
4.3 Inspection Check
The following checks should be made during the periodic
servicing:
1. Check the antenna tip and telescoping sections for any signs
of damage or corrosion.
2. Check the plastic covered portion of the antenna for any
signs of chafing, wear, cracks, or other damage, and signs
of resultant corrosion beneath the covering.
3. Check the antenna socket at the cap surface for any sign of
looseness or corrosion.
4. Check the Beacon housing for signs of damage or mishan-
dling. Dents, or damage to the top end could result in an
operational malfunction during an emergency.
5. Check the lanyards for chafing, fraying or any damage.
Check the lanyard anchor points for chafing. Resecure the
lanyards and check the knots for tightness.
6. Rinse the outside of the unit with fresh water frequently to

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meric characters of the code represent the day of the month of
manufacture. Therefore, the date of manufacture for the date
code 6J1313 is October 13, 1996.
2.4 Battery Expiry Date
The battery Expiry Date is obtained by adding the battery
manufacturers rated replacement life of 10 years to the date of
manufacture. For example, a date code of 6J1313 would have a
Battery Expiry Date of October 13, 2006.
SECTION 3 — OPERATION
3.1 General
The EPIRB is designed to operate best when placed on a flat
non-conductive surface or while over water at sea. It should be
operated in an area free of obstructions which could absorb RF
energy and limit radiation patterns.
Position the antenna straight up (perpendicular to ground) and
not pointing toward the receiving station. Note that the radiation
field null occurs directly off the end of the antenna.
Maintain a visual path where possible between the Beacon and
the receiver, since beacons characteristically transmit “line of
sight”.
The Beacon transmits on 121.5 MHz.
3.2 Manual Deployment
Remove the Beacon from its storage position and ensure that the
antenna telescoping section is fully extended and that the an-
tenna is in an upright position. Break and remove the flip switch
seal. Flip the switch to the “ON” position. Red LED indicator
will illuminate. The LED indicator will remain on for 5 seconds
indicating that the batteries are functional. After 5 seconds, the
LED indicator will begin flashing, indicating that the transmitter
is functioning properly. If operated from the deck of the vessel,
choose the most advantageous position free of surrounding
obstacles. If deployed in water, make sure that the antenna is
positioned vertically and the antenna itself is out of the water. It
is preferable to hold the unit above the water, as immersion
reduces effectiveness.
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SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance
instructions for the ACR/MINI B300TM Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), hereinafter referred to as the
Beacon. This section describes the characteristics and details of
the Beacon (See Figure 1). A Cognizant Authority Station
License may be required to carry this unit. The Beacon comes
with a user replaceable 6 volt Lithium, Duracell DL223A, (or
equivalent) battery. See installation instructions page 5.
1.2 Purpose
The Beacon is an item of survival equipment and is designed to
be carried on a person or aboard vessels at sea and in port, so as
to be readily available in any emergency. It may be used on the
deck of vessels, on survival craft, or may be attached to the latter
with the provided lanyard, as well as attached to survival suits,
etc. When turned “ON”, it transmits tone modulated signals
(VHF) so that rescue aircraft or vessels equipped with suitable
direction finding receiving equipment can “home” to the trans-
mitting unit.
1.3 Authorizations
The ACR/MINI B300TM Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon meets the requirements of the FCC and the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETS 300 152, for Ma-
rine use.
1.4 Characteristics
The ACR/MINI B300TM Beacon is an o-ring sealed battery
operated unit. The Beacon case, with its external antenna is
waterproof. The semiconductor circuits are mounted within the
case assembly, which also contains the battery power supply. An
“ON-OFF” switch is installed on top of the Beacon, along with
a light emitting diode (LED) operation indicator. The Beacon
may be carried on a person, stowed in any convenient place,
mounted in a special bracket aboard a vessel, or tied with its
lanyard inside survival craft. The unit floats and is completely
waterproof.

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1.5 Technical Data
Pertinent technical data is listed below:
ITEM CHARACTERISTICS
Frequency 121.5 MHz
Power Output Minimum 75 mW during 24 hours
operation
Operating Life 24 hours minimum at -10°C,
(-14°F) longer in temperate climates
Battery Lithium, 6 volt Duracell DL223A,
(or equivalent). Sold with Beacon.
Rated replacement life: 10 years.
Emission Type A3X
Modulation Downward sweeping tone between
1600 and 300 Hz at 2 to 4 sweeps
per second
Frequency ± 3.5 kHz (Crystal controlled)
Stability
Operating -20°C to +55°C (-14°F to +131°F)
Temperatures
Activation Manual “ON-OFF” switch
Size 127mm x 66mm x 41mm (5.0"H x
2.6"W x 1.6"D) excluding antenna
Weight 215 g (7.6 ounces)
Attachments Lanyards, Hanked and Wrist
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SECTION 2 — INSTALLATION
2.1 General
The ACR/MINI B300MBeacon has been designed for multi-
purpose installation for survival use, personnel, rafts, floats and
survival craft. It should be carried with you or stowed where it
will be readily available in an emergency.
2.2 Battery Installation
1. Remove four (4) screws holding the top cap of the Beacon
to the case. Use a no. 2 Phillips screwdriver. Remove top
cap and PC board from bottom case being careful not to
disturb any electronic components on the PC board.
2. Remove old battery and place new battery in battery clip
with groove side of battery down and flat side of battery up.
Caution: Make sure flat side of battery is up. Otherwise, the
polarity of the battery would be reversed and damage to the
battery will occur. The battery also poses a possible fire,
explosion, or burn hazard when placed in the battery clip
upside down. A semiconductor diode protects the electron-
ics from damage due to battery reversal.
3. Put the battery expiration date on the flat side of the battery
and on the EPIRB case with ACR part no. A1-20-0857 or
equivalent permanent shield label.
4. Grease the top cap o-ring with Dow Corning number 4
Silicone Grease, ACR Part no. A2-09-0069.
5. Replace the four (4) screws holding the top cap to the
bottom case of the Beacon. Make sure screws are tight but
do not use excessive torque which could strip the threads in
the top cap.
2.3 Battery Date Code
A typical Duracell DL223A battery has a date code of 6J1313.
The first alphanumeric character of the code is always a number
representing the last digit of the year of manufacture. The
second alphanumeric character of the code is always a letter, the
position of which in the alphabet represents the number of the
month of manufacture. That is: A represents January, B repre-
sents February, C represents March, etc. The next two alphanu-