ACR / MINI B300Ô
PRODUCT
SUPPORT
MANUAL
Y1-03-0136
Rev. C
Product No. 2766
Class B
Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon
ETSI and FCC Approved
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.com
A
Chelton Group
company
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 distinguished 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 exhausted all other means of rescue,
activate your EPIRB and leave it “On”. Do not turn it Off and On in the misguided belief that
you are saving battery power.
· NEVER set off a false alarm.
Please call or write for answers to questions or for information on other safety products
manufactured by ACR Electronics, Inc.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION 4-5
1.1 General 4
1.2 Purpose 4
1.3 Authorizations 4
1.4 Characteristics 4
1.5 Technical Data 4
SECTION 2 — INSTALLATION 5-6
2.1 General 5
2.2 Battery Installation 5
2.3 Battery Date Code 5
2.4 Battery Expiry Date 6
SECTION 3 — OPERATION 6
3.1 General 6
3.2 Manual Deployment 6
SECTION 4 — MAINTENANCE 6
4.1 General 6
4.2 Battery Check 7
4.3 Inspection Check 7
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Flexible Antenna
(Factory Replaceable)
Waterproof
ON-OFF Switch
Hanked Lanyard
Transmitting
Indicator Light (LED)
Wrist Lanyard
Figure 1: ACR MINI B
™ EPIRB
300
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SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the ACR/MINI
TM
B
300
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 transmitting unit.
1.3 Authorizations
The ACR/MINI B
300
TM
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon meets the requirements
of the FCC and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETS 300 152, for
Marine use.
1.4 Characteristics
The ACR/MINI B
300
TM
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.
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
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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
SECTION 2 — INSTALLATION
2.1 General
The ACR/MINI B
300TM Beacon 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 electronics 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. A209-0069.
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
represents February, C represents March, etc.
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The next two alphanumeric 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 antenna 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.
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 emergency
operation and extended life use.
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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 mishandling. 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 remove any salt build-up on case
or exposed parts.
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Use this page for recording personal notes and comments:
Y1-03-0136 Rev. C 8
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