ACR Electronics FFMC User Manual Rev C
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OWNER_____________________________
VESSEL_____________________________
RADIO CALL SIGN_____________________
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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) 983- 3333. Please be ready to provide the
technician with the page number you wish to discuss. If you have a question that is not covered in the
manual, please visit our website and access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section for further
information or call our Technical Services Department. The website address is
www.acrelectronics.com. If in the future you lose this manual, you may access and print a replacement
on the ACR website.
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PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND
NOTES CAREFULLY
FOREWORD
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR Memory capsule. The combination of superior design, high
quality raw materials and quality controlled manufacturing produce a product that will perform for years to come. 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. With proper care and maintenance,
your MEMORY CAPSULE will be in service for years to come.
ACR is proud to be certified to the ISO 9001:2000, the International Organization for Standardization.
This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the Float Free 406 Memory Capsule,
hereinafter referred to as the memory capsule. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the
Memory capsule System. S-VDR carriage requirements are contained in IMO regulations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ MEMORY CAPSULES ............................................................................. 1
1.1 Why is registration important? ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 What country should I register in? ................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 How do I register? .............................................................................................................................................. 2
1.4 Do I need a radio license? ................................................................................................................................. 2
1.5 Change of Ownership or Contact Information ................................................................................................ 3
1.6 Commercial Vessels Worldwide ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.7 Lost or Stolen Memory Capsules ..................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 2 – PRODUCT FEATURES ............................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Memory Storage System.................................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 3 - FALSE ALARMS ........................................................................................................................................ 6
3.1 Prevention of False Alarms ............................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Reporting of False Alarms ................................................................................................................................. 6
SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION / ASSEMBLY ................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Mounting Location ............................................................................................................................................. 6
4.2 Assembling your Float Free Memory Capsule ................................................................................................ 8
4.3 Visual Inspection .............................................................................................................................................. 12
4.4 Important Expiration Dates.............................................................................................................................. 12
SECTION 5 - OPERATION ............................................................................................................................................. 13
5.1 General .............................................................................................................................................................. 13
5.2 Automatic Deployment and Activation .......................................................................................................... 13
5.3 Manual Deployment and Activation ................................................................................................................ 14
5.4 Deactivation ...................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.5 Full Functional Self Test .................................................................................................................................. 14
5.6 Internal GPS Test .............................................................................................................................................. 15
SECTION 6 - CARE AND MAINTENANCE .................................................................................................................... 16
SECTION 7 - THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM .................................................................................................. 17
7.1 General Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 17
7.2 Satellite Detection ............................................................................................................................................ 17
7.3 Global Positioning System (GPS) ................................................................................................................... 17
SECTION 8 - AUTHORIZATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 19
8.1 Approvals .......................................................................................................................................................... 19
8.2 Characteristics .................................................................................................................................................. 19
8.3 Technical Data - memory capsule .................................................................................................................. 19
8.4 Specifications ................................................................................................................................................... 19
8.5 Accessories ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
SECTION 9- WARRANTY .............................................................................................................................................. 21
9.1 Limited Warranty .............................................................................................................................................. 21
9.2 Useful Life Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 21
9.3 Notices ............................................................................................................................................................... 21
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YOUR RESCUE WILL
BE DELAYED IF YOUR
BEACON ISN’T PROPERLY
REGISTERED!
Your personalized ID code programmed inside
each EPIRB is transmitted to Search and Rescue
(SAR).
SAR forces use this code to pull up your
registration to find out valuable information about
who needs help.
SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ MEMORY CAPSULES
1.1 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.
every two years by the owner.
Please note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated
HOW REGISTRATION WORKS:
All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed into the
beacon based on the country in which the beacon is registered, thus authorities are able to determine which country’s
database will have your registration information. SAR forces will have information as to who you are as the owner of
the beacon, the name and type of vessel that you have, your homeport, and who to contact that might know of your
current situation - but only if your beacon has been properly registered. Valuable search and rescue resources are
wasted every year responding to false alarms, and registering your beacon helps to resolve false alarms quickly.
1.2 What country should I register in?
Register your beacon with the EPIRB national authority of the country for which the beacon was programmed, typically
the country where purchased, regardless of where you do your boating.
The beacon must be reprogrammed if you, as the owner, move or the boat sails under a different country than the one
for which the beacon was previously programmed. To verify the country for which a beacon is programmed, see the
label with the UIN (Unique Identification Number) on the back of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on
the UIN label are programmed for the United States.
1.3 How do I register?
Registration in the United States
The national authority that accepts registrations in the United States is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
Here are three ways to register:
1. The fastest and easiest way to register is online at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/.
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 pre-addressed, postage paid
envelope to:
NOAA SARSAT Capsule Registration
NSOF, E/SP3
4231 Suitland Road
Suitland, MD 20746
All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon registration database within 48 hours of receipt. The
information you provide on the registration form is used for rescue purposes only.
A confirmation letter, a copy of the actual registration and a proof-of-registration decal will be mailed to you within two
weeks. When you receive these documents, please check the information carefully, then affix the decal to your
beacon in the area marked ―BEACON DECAL HERE.‖ If you do not receive confirmation back from NOAA in the
expected timeframe, call toll free (888) 212-7283 for assistance.
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. Alternatively, many countries allow online registration in the International 406 MHz Beacon
Registration Database (IBRD) at www.406registration.com.
To verify that the unit is properly programmed for your country, view the UIN label on the back of the unit. In the event
that the beacon is not programmed for your country, the sales agent (if properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for
the correct country.
1.4 Do I need a radio license?
In the United States, you may or may not need to obtain or update a radio station license. Check the FCC’s website at
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations or call toll-free (888) 225-5322 (CALLFCC)
for the latest information.
Outside of the United States, contact your local authority for the requirements.
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1.5 Change of Ownership or Contact Information
It is the owner’s responsibility to advise the national authority of any change in the information on the registration form.
If the current owner is transferring the memory capsule to a new owner, the current owner is required to inform the
National Authority by letter, fax or telephone, of the name and address of the new owner. The new owner of the
memory capsule is required to provide the National Authority with all of the information requested on the registration
form. This obligation transfers to all subsequent owners. Registration forms are available from NOAA. Call (888) 2127283 or visit our website at www.acrelectronics.com.
1.6 Commercial Vessels Worldwide
406 MHz memory capsules that are carried on commercial vessels worldwide, should be registered with the country
where the vessel is flagged regardless of where the vessel operates. When a commercial vessel acquires a 406 MHz
memory capsule from outside of its home country, the memory capsule should be reprogrammed for the home country
and registered there.
1.7 Lost or Stolen Memory Capsules
Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, that your memory capsule has been
lost. They will update your memory capsule registration with the appropriate information.
Things that you need to do:
• Report to your local authorities that the memory capsule has been lost or stolen.
• Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, with the following information so
your EPIRB registration information can be updated with the appropriate remarks:
- Police Department Name
- Police Phone Number
- Police Case Number
If your memory capsule were to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate search and
rescue authorities who will ensure that your memory capsule gets back to you.
If someone attempts to register a memory capsule reported as lost or stolen, NOAA or your national authority will notify
the appropriate police department.
Visit the Cospas-Sarsat website for more detailed information: www.cospas-sarsat.org
SECTION 2 – PRODUCT FEATURES
2.1 Memory Storage System
The float-free memory capsule contains non-volatile memory (FLASH), intended to store ship parameters in real time.
The storage memory will continually store the last 12 hours (minimum) of received data. The interface between the SVDR (Simplified Voyage Data Recorder) and the memory capsule is a standard 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connection
using TCP/IP standard protocol.
Power for the capsule is provided over the same Ethernet cable using PoE (Power Over Ethernet). This feature has
the advantage in that a separate power cable is not required.
Much like a black box on an airplane, in an emergency your float free 406 memory capsule will store the last twelve
hours of the ship’s critical and navigational data to be retrieved and reviewed to assist in explaining the cause of the
accident.
If the ship should sink, the hydrostatic release unit will sense the water pressure and release the memory capsule out
of the bracket and into the water. This happens when the hydrostatic release essentially releases the spring located
behind the memory capsule. This spring will trigger the flex data cable cutting mechanism to activate and slice the flex
data cable disconnecting the memory capsule from the bracket while the spring also pushes the memory capsule into
the open water. Once in the water the memory capsule will be activated by built in water sensor and upon reaching the
water surface will begin transmitting a 406 MHz signal to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. The built in GPS receiver
will search to acquire the latitude and longitude positions and upon acquiring this data will include this information into
the distress message. The memory capsule will continue to operate for a minimum of 7 days.
Y1-03-0199 Rev. C 3
Hydrostatic Release Unit
Data Transfer Cable
Cutter Mechanism
(Activation Trigger)
Memory Capsule Antenna
Warning Plate
(not shown)
Cat 5 Cable
(Located behind
bracket shield)
Strobe Light
Battery Compartment
Data Transfer into
Memory Capsule
Memory Capsule
Ejector Spring
Data Transfer Junction Box
Cutter Mechanism
(Cable Slot)
Float Free Memory Capsule Components
Front view
Figure 1
Water Sensor
Deactivation Magnet
SeaShelter2™ Bracket
Electronic
Housing
Y1-03-0199 Rev. C 4
Side and Back view of Float
Free Memory Capsule
Figure 2
Data Transfer
Junction Box
RJ-45 Waterproof
Connection
PoE Cat 5
Ethernet cable
from S-VDR
Main Unit
Y1-03-0199 Rev. C 5
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