Francis Searchlights Voyager 2 User manual

User Instruction & Installation Manual
Product Reference Number:
A7183 VX500 150w 115/230v Xenon
A7184 VX500 300w 115/230v Xenon
Manufacturer’s details: Distributor details:
Manual Part Number: C27396
Issue: 3 18/4/18
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 Diagrams & 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 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 in-
jury.
◼Prevent rain, snow, condensation and water droplets from contacting the lamp as this may
cause bulb failure and possible shattering;
◼Xenon lamps run with a high internal pressure in excess of atmospheric. Whilst the
construction is inherently strong, there is a slight risk of the bulb shattering;
◼Never look directly into an illuminated searchlight as this may cause severe damage to
eyesight. If it is necessary to inspect a lamp whilst in operation, always wear suitable
protective goggles;
◼Should it be necessary to examine the lamp with the lid removed, always use a protective
shield and wear goggles to ensure a safe working environment;
◼Never attempt to clean a lamp whilst in use;
◼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 breaking a lamp for disposal, care must be taken to ensure the glass fragments are
safely contained. This operation must be performed out of doors in free air. In all
circumstances refer to the lamp manufacturers instructions packed with the lamp;
◼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 phys-
ically 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
VX500 RC searchlight has the following features:
◼All marine grade materials and fixings;
◼Electronic power supply unit;
◼Parabolic glass reflector;
◼Instant lamp re-strike. No cooling down time required;
◼Economical 1000 hour lamp life (300w) 1200 hour lamp life (150w);
◼350° horizontal rotation;
◼Vertical movement +20° to -20°;
◼Motor speed 1- 20/sec (Pan). 1°-3.5/sec (Tilt);
◼RS485 connectivity & auto home positioning;
◼Remote focus facility;
◼Self Regulating internal heater;
◼Toughened front glass;
◼Sealing to IP66;
The searchlight also performs to the following optical data:
◼Xenon light source;
◼Lamp Wattage - 300 Watts;
◼Supply voltage –110v/240v AC 1Ph 50/60 Hz;
◼Peak Beam Candlepower –15.4 million Lux;
◼Range –3920 metres;
◼Adjustable lamp focus, 1° spot to 10flood;
◼Temperature range: -50°C
◼Xenon light source;
◼Lamp Wattage - 150 Watts;
◼Supply voltage –110v/240v AC 1Ph 50/60 Hz;
◼Peak Beam Candlepower –7.6 million Lux;
◼Range –2760 metres;
◼Adjustable lamp focus, 1° spot to 10flood;
◼Temperature range: -50°C
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. When in the desired position fasten the
searchlight firmly down. On and uneven surface it may be necessary to use a suitable sealant
such as silicone, in order to ensure a weatherproofed joint. If no cabling is required to be seen
on deck, there is the option to wire from underneath the base directly into the deck. See draw-
ing A7180 for details.
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5 - Electrical Installation
Note: ~
When the main power is first applied to the searchlight, the searchlight will carry out a
self-test, it will Pan to the left limit and Tilt down to the limit, once this is complete, the
searchlight will then move to the centre and horizontal, during this please do not try and
operate the searchlight while this test is being carried out. Once the searchlight is back
at centre the searchlight can then be operated normally, by pressing the Panel button on
the control panel.
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) The junction box should NOT be positioned more than 7 metres (300w) 13 metres (150w)
away from the searchlight using standard cables supplied.
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 Guidelines
A typical installation and connection routine for the VX500RC searchlight is as follows:
Referring to wiring diagram C27390 a supply is fed to the junction box which then provides a
common feed to the searchlight and joystick panel.
The following cables have been supplied as standard: -
4 metres of 2 pair twisted 0.22mm screened cable from the junction box to searchlight.
4 metres of 3 cores 1.5mm cable from the junction box to the mains supply.
4 metres of 7 cores 1.5mm cable from the junction box to searchlight. (150W)
4 metres of 7 cores 2.5mm cable from the junction box to searchlight. (300W)
4 metres of 2 pair twisted 0.22mm screened cable from the junction box to the joystick panel.
When the light is in operation the output from the PSU should be 20v 15 amps (300w)
17.5v 8.5 amps. (150w)

Basic Operation
When the searchlight is turned on an 115v/240v supply is fed to the PSU. This in turn
generates a sufficient voltage to the ignitor in order that the ignition voltage is achieved and the
Xenon lamp strikes.
After the lamp has lit, the PSU regulates the voltage through the ignitor so that the lamp
operates within its design parameters.
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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.
The searchlight can be remotely positioned via the joystick control panel, with the facility for
movement up, down, left and right. (See Fig 1 below for aid to instructions)
To operate the panel, press panel button (1), the button will light up & the joystick (4) is now
operational. To switch the lamp on or off press the lamp button (2)
The speed of movement depends on the more pressure applied to the joystick (4) the faster the
searchlight moves. When in the desired position the joystick should be released so that it re-
turns to dead centre.
On remote focus models the beam of the searchlight can be adjusted to give a variety of beam
types. Using the focus button (3) on the joystick panel, the desired beam can be achieved for
any particular application. The beam will move continuously through ‘spot’ to ‘flood’. In order to
fix the beam type, simply release the focus button at the desired position.
To return the searchlight to Factory set auto home position (forward and horizontal) simply
switch off the joystick panel using the panel button (1) and then press the lamp button (2), the
searchlight will then move to the pre-programed home position.
To set a new Home position, move the searchlight to the desired home position, switch off the
panel (1), move the joystick to the downward position ↓ and simultaneously press the Lamp
button (2).
There is the option for added slave panels, the slave panel has all the features of the main con-
trol panel i.e. joystick, focus and on/off.
When the lamp is switched on, this will illuminate the Lamp button (1) on both the Main & Slave
Control panel, also when the Focus button (3) is pressed, both Focus buttons will be illuminat-
ed.
The brightness of the panel can be increased or decreased by holding the panel switch (1)
down and moving the joystick left and right, left to decrease right to increase.
Fig 1

Always isolate the equipment from the supply when fitting a lamp
See next sheets for fitting aid diagram
Before fitting the lamp:
-Loosen and remove five M8 socket bolts with the dubo washer on the underneath of the
searchlight, then remove the upper hood off the searchlight & store along with the bolts and
washers in a safe area;
After fitting the lamp,
-Replace the upper hood, ensuring the groove aligns correctly with the glass gasket replace
the bolts and washers and make sure they are securely fastened.
When fitting the lamp:
-Always isolate the equipment from the supply when inserting a lamp;
-Ensure the circuit is suitably fused;
-Ensure the lamp is of the correct power rating and type;
-Check the lampholder is in a good dry condition. Never allow water to collect in the lamp
fitting or come into contact with the lamp.
To fit the lamp:
-Fit the rear lamp holder lead over the thread of the lamp and then screw into the rear lamp
holder;
-Connect the front lead to the lamp and secure in place with the knurled nut;
Testing
Upon correct installation and connection to an electrical supply, the equipment can be tested in
order to ensure its’ correct performance. A competent person with some knowledge of electrical
equipment must carry out this work.
Equipment required: Multi-meter with leads
Ammeter
Using the equation P=VI, the approximate power output of the equipment can be calculated in
the following way:
-Using the multi-meter, take a voltage reading across terminals 4 & 5 inside the junction
box;
-Using the ammeter, take an amp reading from the cable in terminal 4 inside the junction
box;
-Multiply these figures together to give an approximate wattage (Power output).
For example:
Using a 300w xenon lamp:
Voltage reading = 20v; Amps reading = 15 amps
Therefore, Wattage = 20 x 15 = 300 watts
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