Novatech ST-400A Maintenance Manual

The ST-400A is
designed to assist with
locating and recovering
equipment at sea. The

is not designed
for personnel rescue or
safety and must not be
used for those
applications.

ST-400A

NOVATECH DESIGNS LTD.

271 Brownlow Ave.
D artmouth, N.S., Canada,B3B 1W6

Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]
Web Page: www.novatechdesigns.com

ST-400A XENON FLASHER

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Revised: June 2000

Copyright © 1997–2000 Novatech Designs Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressure
Switch
with Manual
ON/OFF
Control

Innovative
design
combines
pressure
switch
and manual
on/off switch

INTRODUCTION

The ST-400A is a self-contained submersible Xenon Flasher designed to
assist in the location and recovery of underwater oceanographic equipment.
It may be submerged for long periods in ocean depths to 7300 meters
(24,000 feet). The activation of the ST-400A is completely automatic,
when submerged below 10 meters it is OFF and at the surface it is ON at
night only.

At the surface, the ST-400A “double burst” flashes for approximately
7 days at night only and visual range is up to 3 miles at factory settings.

UNPACKING

Be sure to check shipping container for any signs of damage that might
have damaged the contents. Report any such damage to the carrier.

OPERATOR WARNINGS

PRESSURE CASE

As with any sealed pressure case, the contents could be under pressure due
to battery or seal failure. This could expel the batteries when the Pressure
Switch is removed. To be safe, always point the open end away from you
and always remove the Pressure Switch first. The Pressure Switch is designed
to vent any internal pressure when it is being removed. If a battery is trapped
in the case take extreme care, there could be a pressure buildup behind it
and the battery could be expelled at any time.

QUICK START

1. The ST-400A is shipped with batteries installed

2. Check that the Pressure Switch is secure, clockwise finger tight

3. Turn Pressure Switch knob to ON position

4. Cover lens for darkness and verify “double burst” flash

5. The ST-400A is ready to be deployed

2

ST-400A

SPECIFICATIONS

Flash Tube:

...............

Replaceable — rated for 20 x 10

6

flashes

Flash Rate:

...............

adjustable 14/minute to 60/minute ±5%
over 3 to 6 volt battery life (factory set
at 20/minute)

Visible Range:

..............

adjustable 2 to 4 nautical mile range
(0.2 to 0.6 watt-seconds) ±5% over 3 to
6 volt battery life (factory set at 3 nm
range)

Effective Intensity:

............

6 to 35 candelas
(factory set at 20 candelas)

Operating Temperature Range:

......

-40°C TO + 60°C

Ocean Depth Rating:

...........

Approx. 7,300 metres (24,000 feet)

Pressure Switch:............. Pressure activated switch turns ST-400

ON at the surface, OFF at depths below
approx. 10 metres . Manual override,
ON/OFF control knob.

Batteries: ................ 4 alkaline “C” cells

Battery Life at 4°C: Approx. 7 days, ON at night, OFF during

day at factory settings

Pressure Case Material: ......... 6061-T6 Aluminum, Hard Anodized to

Mil Spec A8625 Type 3

Weight With Batteries:

..........

In water 2.2 lb. (2.2 kg)
In air 3.7 lb. (1.7 kg)

Pressure Case Dimensions:

.......

18.5" long (470 mm), 1.7” diameter
(43 mm)

11

ST-400A