PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL Y1-03-0170 Rev. B PathFinder ™3 Product No. 2714 FCC ID. B66ACR-SART-PF-3 Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312 +1(954) 981-3333 • Fax +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrelectronics.com Email: Info@acrelectronics.
Forward Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR PathFinderTM3 Search and Rescue Transponder (SART). The combination of computer aided design; high quality raw materials and quality-controlled manufacturing produce a superior product. The Test Facility at ACR can reproduce some of the harshest environmental conditions known to man. This assures that the products we produce can stand up to the rigors found in a marine environment.
Y1-03-0170 Rev.
1.0 SART Overview The SART helps search and rescue services to quickly locate a life raft in the event of a rescue at sea. The SART can either be stowed in a life raft, or mounted next to emergency exits and then carried to the life raft in an emergency. During an emergency, simply switch the SART on. When a vessel or aircraft with marine X-band Radar comes within 5 to 7 nautical miles of the life raft, the SART generates a distinctive “distress” pattern on the Radar screen (See figure 1).
2.0 Introduction The SART is a Search and Rescue Transponder that provides location information to search radars operating in the X-band (9.2 – 9.5 GHz). Once activated the SART detects the radar signal of the search craft and sends a series of response pulses to the radar of the search craft that causes a series of 12 equally spaced arcs to appear on the radar display (see figure 1). The arcs indicate the direction to the SART location.
Antenna Pull Tab Lock Activation Switch Ring Pull Tab Control and Battery Housing Hanging Lanyard Lanyard Spool Telescopic Pole Rotate bottom cap to release lanyard and telescopic pole Figure 2 6 Y1-03-0170 Rev.
Approved for GMDSS use WARNING: Contains Lithium Battery To avoid possible fire, explosion, leakage or burn hazard, do not open, recharge, disassemble, heat above +70°C (+158°F) or incinerate. 3.0 Vessel name The SART label has a space where you should mark the vessel name (see Figure 3). This can be done as follows . . . Using an indelible pen With an indelible pen, you can write the vessel name directly onto the SART.
4.0 Life raft stowage The SART can either be stowed in a life raft or lifeboat or it can be installed next to an emergency exit for carriage to the life raft in an emergency. For life raft stowage the SART should be positioned for easy access in an emergency. If the SART is hidden from view then labels should be used to show its position. For inflatable life rafts the mounting bracket should be discarded to avoid the risk of damaging the life raft.
When activated the SART has three Modes of operation. These are: • Receive - waiting for a valid interrogation by a radar signal. • Reply - replying to a valid interrogation by a valid radar signal. • Test self-test sequence that checks both indicator lights and the buzzer. Figure 4 WARNING The SART must only be used in situations of Grave and Imminent Danger. 6.0 Sequence of Operations The SART has primary and secondary indicating systems.
7.0 Pole Mounted SART 1. The PathFinderTM3 is supplied with a telescopic pole to raise the SART one meter above sea level (see figure 5). 2. To operate, simply turn the bottom cap of the SART to release the pole. 3. Pull the pole downward and extend it to its maximum length. 4. To lock pole in position pull firmly across pole joints while twisting slightly. 5. Tie Lanyard to life raft to allow retrieval should the SART fall into the water. 6.
8.0 Hanging SART 1. If no pole is available, or if you prefer, you can suspend the SART from the canopy support using the additional lanyard loop provided (See figure 6). 2. Loop the lanyard through the support strap in the life raft and secure firmly. 3. The SART should be as high as possible and at least 1m above sea level. Ensure SART is not obscured by metal objects or inflatable Radar reflectors. 1 Meter Minimum Figure 6 11 Y1-03-0170 Rev.
9.0 Vessel Mounting To deploy SART on board a distressed vessel, rather than a life raft, hang SART near vertical as high as possible, with a clear view of the horizon. The SART must not be obscured by metal bulkheads etc. Installation The SART should be mounted inside the vessel, next to an emergency exit. Some ships require 2 SARTs one by a port exit and one by a starboard exit. Mount each SART as follows . . . • Mount in plain view, at a convenient height, so that all crew can easily remove the SART.
NOT TO SCALE Figure 7: Installing the SART 13 Y1-03-0170 Rev.
10.0 Testing and Maintenance The SART is a safety device; it must be regularly checked at least every 2 months as follows. . . Visually inspect the casing for cracks & punctures. Extend the pole and check that it operates correctly, and then return the pole to its housing. Check to ensure the tether lanyard is neatly bundled and firmly secured to the SART. Ensure the lanyard is NOT tied to any part of the vessel.
11.0 Servicing If the SART fails any of its monthly checks, the SART must be returned to the supplier or an approved service agent for investigation and/or servicing. If the battery is beyond its expiry date, the SART must be returned to a Battery Replacement Center for a battery change. The battery is NOT user serviceable; DO NOT attempt to change it. If the SART has been used in an emergency or its integrity seal is broken, then the SART must be returned for a battery change.
13.0 Transportation Your SART contains a Lithium battery. International regulations on shipment of Lithium require special warning labels. When returning your SART, bring to an approved Hazmat shipper who will be familiar with the following instructions (for advice only). MSDS shipping sheets are available for downloading on our website www.acrelectronics.com. 1) Pack the SART in a strong cardboard box. 2) Write these words on the outside of the box . . .
Antenna Polarization: Horizontal Azimuth beam width: Omni-directional within 2 dB Vertical beam width: ± 12.5° Transmitter Response delay: 0.5 µs Forward sweep time: 7.5 µs ± 1.0 µs Return sweep time: 0.4 µs ± 0.1 µs Power output: 400 mW EIRP Receiver Effective sensitivity: -50 dBm Battery Receive mode operation: 96 hours minimum Reply mode operation: 8 hours continuous while being interrogated by an X-band radar with a pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz (at extreme temperatures).
15.0 Warranty The SART or Replacement Battery is guaranteed by the manufacturer to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser of the unit. During the warranty period the manufacturer will repair or, at the manufacturer's option, replace a defective unit at no cost to the owner of the SART for materials and labor.
16.0 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY We hereby declare that the following product is in conformity with EU Directive 96/98EC Marine Equipment Directive 29th Dec. 1996, modified by EU Commission Directive 98/85/EC dated 11th Nov. 1998 Product : Search and Rescue Transponder ACR PathFinderTM3 Notified Body : BSH (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) Type Examination Standard’s : IEC 1097-1, IEC 60945, ITU-R M628-3 IMO RES A802(19) FCC Part 80 Manufacturer : ACR Electronics, Inc.
