Francis Searchlights FH380 User manual

User Instruction & Installation Manual
FH380 1200 Watt
Metal Halide Searchlight
Product Reference Number:
A2872 –240v DECK A2873 –240v CABIN
A2874 –240v DECK PEDESTAL A2875 –240v CABIN PEDESTAL
Manufacturer’s details: Distributor details:
Manual Part Number: C17058
Issue: 9 10.12.15
Francis Searchlights Ltd
Union Road, Bolton
Lancashire, BL2 2HJ, UK
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.francis.co.uk
E-mail: [e-mail]

CONTENTS
1 - Introduction
2 - Safety Precautions
3 - Technical Information
4 - Unpacking and Installation Instructions
5 - Electrical Installation
6 - Operating Instructions
7 - Fault Finding
8 - Maintenance and Servicing
9 - Wiring Diagram & General Assembly
10 - Spare Parts List

1 - Introduction
It is imperative that this manual is read carefully and understood before
installing your equipment. For your future reference please keep this manual in
a safe place.
Thank you for specifying a product from the Francis Searchlights range. All Francis products are
designed to give complete customer satisfaction and are manufactured to the highest engineering
standards in order to ensure optimum performance and service life.
The Francis Metal Halide range combines features proven over many years service in the most
hazardous conditions in both marine and land installations.
In order to prolong the life and performance of your product, we recommend that you only specify
Francis Searchlights spare parts. This will also ensure that any warranties on your equipment will
not be invalidated. Information on spares ordering and parts is provided in this manual.
Should you ever need to contact Francis Searchlights Ltd. regarding your equipment, please quote
the Product Serial Number at all times.
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2 - Safety Precautions
The following instructions must be adhered to, in order to ensure a safe working environment and
the safety of the user.
Note: When unpacking or manoeuvring the searchlight into its fixing position, suitable
lifting points must be used in order to prevent damage to the equipment or personal injury.
Because of the high internal pressure within the lamp, there is a risk of explosion in either a hot
or cold state;
During operation this lamp emits intense UV radiation which is harmful to the eyes and skin.
Suitable protection should be worn;
The high luminance of the arc can cause severe damage to the eye if viewed directly.
ALWAYS wear suitable protective goggles when viewing the lamp;
Always use protective sleeves supplied with the lamp;
Should it be necessary to examine the lamp with the front bezel removed, always use a
protective shield and wear goggles to ensure a safe working environment;
Searchlights get hot. Never touch the unit when lit and always allow 15 to 20 minutes for
cooling down after turning the searchlight off;
Never place anything on or cover the searchlight when in use;
Ensure the lamp has cooled sufficiently before removal;
If undue force appears necessary to remove the lamp, the equipment should be inspected by a
competent person or contact the manufacturer;
When disposing of lamps, return the lamp, via the supplier, to the lamp manufacturer in its
complete packaging;
Due to the vast range of lamps available it may appear possible that more powerful lamps can
be used in the equipment than for which it was designed. Even when the unit will physically
accept a higher wattage or voltage lamp, this substitution is not recommended and is
dangerous. This action will also void any warranties on the equipment.
Always refer to the lamp manufacturer’s technical data when dealing with lamps.
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3 –Technical Information
This product has been designed to operate in accordance with the product specification. The
FH380 1200 watt searchlight has the following features:
All marine grade materials and fixings;
Parabolic glass reflector;
Stove enamel painted;
Full 360° horizontal rotation;
Vertical movement +45° to -45°;
Internal self-regulating heater. (Optional);
Instant lamp re-strike. No cooling down time required;
Economical 750 hour lamp life;
Toughened front glass;
Luminous flux 110000;
Colour temperature 6000K;
G.R.P. control gear protected to IP66;
The searchlight also performs to the following optical data:
Metal Halide light source, G38 lampholder;
Lamp Wattage - 1200 Watts;
Supply voltage - 220/240V;
Peak Beam Candlepower –28,500,000 lux;
Range –5343 metres;
Divergence –3.5°;
Temperature range: -50°C (with heaters fitted);
In order that the searchlight operates correctly it is imperative that competent personnel are
responsible for the installation, operation and servicing of this equipment. Failure to adhere to this
advice may cause premature failure or incorrect operation of the searchlight, which may damage
the equipment or cause personal injury.
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4 - Unpacking and Installation Instructions
The following instructions should be read and fully understood prior to installing the equipment to
ensure that the correct procedures are followed, and all safety precautions are observed.
Note: If the equipment has been in storage for a considerable amount of time, it is advisable
to conduct a routine maintenance check on all parts before installation.
Safety Precautions
This equipment should not be connected to an electrical supply before being installed. Installation
procedures should be adhered to in order to ensure a safe working environment and reduce the
risk of damage or personal injury.
Preparing the Mounting Position
Mark out and drill the fixing holes through the deck. If anti-vibration mounts are to be fitted, the
fixing holes for the mounts should also be marked out and drilled. Prior to manoeuvring the
searchlight into its’ fixing position, the AV mounts should be fitted to the base. When in the desired
position, bolt the searchlight firmly down.
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5 - Electrical Installation
For safety purposes, only competent personnel should perform the electrical installation. All
equipment should be installed to current Electrical Regulations and Standards.
In order to obtain the maximum light output from the searchlight, it is essential that the full
operating voltage of the lamp fitted be applied to the lampholder contacts.
Method of Electrical Connection
1) Disconnect the supply before working on the electrical system;
2) The searchlight must be connected to a fused electrical supply, using suitably sized cable;
3) If the searchlight is located a considerable distance from the supply, provision must be made in
the cable size in order to overcome the voltage drop.
The Control Gear should NOT be positioned know more then 5 meters away from the
Searchlight.
The following table below indicates the maximum length of cable to be used for the AC supply
cable, from the control panel to the searchlight:
Searchlight
240v 1.2Kw
Cable Size (mm²)
Distance Max
1.5
62 MTRS
2.5
101 MTRS
4.0
160 MTRS
6.0
249 MTRS
10.0
417 MTRS
4) Whenever possible cable terminations should be made below deck and with approved terminal
devices;
5) If a spare auxiliary fuse or circuit breaker is not available, one of the correct type and rating
should be fitted and connected to a positive supply. It is advisable to locate a bus bar or main
connection and avoid any direct connection to the supply:
6) For 110/220v AC products, the following colour coding system should be used for the customer
supply cable:
Brown - Live
Blue - Negative
Green/Yellow - Earth
Note: This equipment must be earthed.

Installation Guideline
A typical installation and connection routine for the searchlight is as follows:
Standard Models
Referring to wiring diagram C21164, a supply is fed into the Control Gear which in turn provides
the relevant supply to the searchlight head.
Cables to be connected by the customer: Mains cable into the Control Gear Enclosure (customer
to supply);
5 cores 1.5mmfrom Control Gear Enclosure into Searchlight Head (3 metres supplied –the
customer must provide a suitable junction box if these cables are to be extended).
Remote Focus Option Models
Referring to wiring diagram C21872, a supply is fed into the Control Gear Enclosure which
provides a common feed to the RF Control Unit, the control gear and the searchlight head.
Cables to be connected by the customer: Mains cable into the Control Gear Enclosure (customer
to supply);
5 cores 1.5mmfrom the Control Gear enclosure to the RF Unit (1.5 metres supplied –the
customer must provide a suitable junction box to extend these cables);
5 cores 1.5mmfrom the Control Gear Enclosure to the searchlight head (3 metres supplied –the
customer must provide a suitable junction box to extend these cables)
All internal wiring in the Control Gear Enclosure and the Searchlight head (and the RF unit if
chosen) is supplied pre-wired.
When operational, the output from the control gear should be approximately 100 volts at 13.8
amps.
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6 - Operating Instructions
This equipment is designed for use out of doors, in free air. Never place anything on, or cover, the
searchlight when in use as this may present a hazard.
All control gear should be housed below deck/indoors. Never leave the control gear exposed to
weather conditions.
The beam of the searchlight can be adjusted to give a variety of beam types. Using the lampholder
focus wheel, the desired beam can be achieved for any particular application.
If using a remote focus option, the beam can be adjusted by pressing the yellow push button on the
RF Unit. The beam will move continuously through ‘spot’ to ‘flood’. In order to fix the beam type
simply release the button at the desired position.
Using the template provided mark out and drill the fixing holes through the deck or cabin roof. In
case of cabin control models, a centre hole is also required to allow the mechanism to pass
through.
When bolting down the searchlight on an uneven surface, it is necessary to use a suitable sealant,
such as silicone, in order to ensure weather-proofed joint.
This product should not be used for any purpose other than for which it was designed. Any
modifications to the product should not be undertaken without consulting the manufacturer.

Setting to Work
Safe service in use necessitates the strict observance of the following precautions.
Any article fabricated from quartz or glass is inherently fragile and care should
therefore be taken, at all times, when handling lamps;
Eye protection must be worn when handling lamps that have been removed from their
packaging materials. The protective sleeve should not be removed from the lamp for
safety reasons, as there is a remote possibility of the lamp shattering violently,
especially if it is subjected to mechanical shock or vibration;
Ensure that the power rating of the lamp to be fitted is suitable for the lamphouse and
power supply equipment;
Always isolate the equipment from the supply before inserting a lamp;
Before inserting the lamp ensure that all contacts are clean. Contacts must be
renewed at the slightest sign of corrosion. Sanding or filing down corroded areas is not
recommended as this will only make the conducting surface between the pin and
lampholder smaller, thus causing the lamp to overheat;
Do not twist or bend the fused quartz bulb when fitting the lamp as mechanical
stresses MUST be avoided;
When inserting or removing a lamp, always hold it securely by its’ base in order to
prevent breakage between base and bulb;
The lampholder must not exercise mechanical tensions on the lamp, neither during
insertion or operation. Contacts must not discolour during use;
For safety reasons, the lamp should be replaced once it has reached its’ average life,
and not later than 1.25 times the stated life. With continuing use the risk of the lamp
exploding increases due to alterations within the quartz;
Before the protective sleeve is removed, suitable protection must be worn i.e face
mask and gloves with wrist protection;
Never touch the quartz bulb with bare hands, as fingerprints will make the glass cloudy
and cause a severe loss of light. This may also cause recrystallisation and thus
weaken the bulb material. Should the bulb be inadvertently touched, remove
fingerprints with methylated spirit and a clean, soft paper towel. The bulb should then
be wiped with distilled water. NOTE: ALWAYS WEAR MASK AND GLOVES DURING
CLEANING);
All packaging and the protective sleeve must be retained for re-use. Whenever
removing a lamp, the protective sleeve must always be used for safety reasons;
In all circumstances the lamp manufacturer’s data should be referred to when dealing with
lamps.
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7- Fault Finding
All fault finding must be conducted by a competent person or qualified Electrical Engineer.
Failure of Lamp to ignite
In the event of the lamp failing to light the following steps should be taken:
1) Check that the mains supply is connected to the input of the ballast gear and check all
connections as per the wiring diagram. On operation if the lamp does not light, switch off mains
supply and check all fuses;
2) Check the searchlight head. On your command get an operator to switch on the light for
approximately 2 seconds. During this time listen for any noise (cracking or hissing) coming
from within the barrel. If this arcing is heard switch off the supply at the mains. Remove the
Rear Access Panel to expose the two supply leads from the ignitor to the lamp. Using a dry
cloth wipe these leads to remove any dust, moisture or condensation that may have formed
around the inside of the barrel. Replace rear access panel, and perform the check again,
listening for the cracking. If the lamp still fails to ignite, switch off at the mains and replace the
lamp in accordance with the safety procedures within the manual and the manufacturers
information
Any further tests to be carried out with regards to lamp failure must be conducted by a
competent electrical engineer and should not be carried out in an explosive atmosphere.
3) Before a metal halide lamp will ignite, the electrically insulated gas between the electrodes
must be ionised. This is done by the ignitor which produces a high frequency voltage (up to
30,000 volts or higher). Switching the lamp on activates the ignitor. A cracking or hissing noise
should be heard. The ignitor is housed on the rear access panel of the searchlight. If found to
be faulty a new ignitor must be fitted.
Failure of Remote Focus
Causes:
1) Power not supplied;
2) Faulty connections;
3) Failed motor/transformer
Remedy:
1) Check voltage at supply. If no supply present fault is at customer supply. If power is present,
see remedy 2;
2) Check all wiring connections on motor, transformer and terminal rail, in accordance with the
wiring diagram. If found to be correct, see remedy 3;
3) Remove focus motor and apply 24v DC directly across terminals. If motor does not rotate the
unit has failed. A new focus motor should be fitted to the lampholder assembly. If the motor is
working correctly, check output of transformer (mounted to the remote focus control panel). If
the output is incorrect fit new transformer.
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8 - Maintenance and Servicing
In order to prolong the service life and performance of your searchlight, the following maintenance
guidelines are recommended:
Maintenance checks should be conducted before every voyage or at least every three months;
Before checking, disconnect the equipment from the supply;
Visually inspect the condition of the equipment;
Any major or minor structural damage should be rectified immediately in order to reduce
sympathetic wear;
After inspection it may be necessary to clean the inside of the searchlight. The following
procedure should be adhered to:
Remove the front bezel;
Clean the front glass inside and out using a proprietary glass cleaner;
Clean the reflector if required;
Check the reflector mounting gaskets. If signs of corrosion or damage are
evident, replace as necessary;
Ensure that the lampholder is free from corrosion or other damage;
Check earthing point for conductivity;
It is advisable to check all seals and gaskets for signs of degradation. Renew if necessary;
Upon completing all maintenance requirements, the searchlight should be tested for full
working order (approximately 20 minutes).
Every six months the external movement mechanisms i.e. lockwheels, elevation and pan
mechanisms, should be lightly lubricated.
If in any doubt as to the correct servicing procedures to adopt please contact your
distributor/agent or the manufacturer who will be able to advise the best course of action for
your product.
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9 - Wiring Diagram and General Assembly
Drawing Number Description
C21164 Wiring diagram –Standard
C21872 Wiring diagram –Remote Focus Option
C27802 Wiring Diagram 115v
A2872 FH380 Deck
A2873 FH380 Cabin
A2874 FH380 Deck Pedestal
A2875 FH380 Cabin Pedestal
C24584 Control Gear Assembly
C16506 Transformer 115v in 230v out
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