Peak Beam Systems MAXA BEAM MBS-410, MAXA BEAM MBS-430-W, MAXA BEAM MBS-430-Y, MAXA BEAM MBPKG-E Operation Manuals

Peak Beam Systems, Inc.

3938 Miller Road, Edgemont, PA 19028

Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

www.peakbeam.com • [e-mail]

High Intensity Xenon Searchlight

Operation Manual

1

……… Searchlight

Operation Manual

Table of Contents

Overview ..................................................................................................................... 2

Characteristics

Applications
Theory of Operation

Safety Warnings .......................................................................................................... 3

Searchlight Operation .................................................................................................. 4

Searchlight Programming ............................................................................................ 5

Rechargeable Battery Systems .................................................................................... 8

MBP-1308 Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

Searchlight Accessories ............................................................................................. 11

Searchlight Maintenance ........................................................................................... 12

Focusing the Lamp

Lamp and Lens Replacement

Technical Assistance ................................................................................................. 16

Remote Control Operation

Control Connector Pin-Outs
Input Power Requirements
Troubleshooting

Warranty and Repairs ................................................................................................ 20

Warranty

Returns to the Factory

© 2018 Peak Beam Systems, Inc.

2

Overview

Characteristics

Maxa Beam Searchlights are lightweight, compact, high intensity illuminators that
use a field replaceable Xenon short arc lamp and a precision electroformed reflector
to provide the ultimate solution for long range, portable and remote-controllable
illumination. All Searchlights feature:

• 12,000,000 Peak Beam CandlePower Output

• Motorized Beam Width Adjustment from 1° Spot to 40° Flood*

• Strobe Function with Variable Rate and Duty Cycle**

• Three Beam Intensity Levels**

• Field-Programmable Beam Settings (start-up beam width, strobe rate, etc.)

• Visible and Infrared Illumination Capability

• Flexible Mounting Options

• Remote Control of Intensity, Beam Size, Strobe Function and Programming

• Color temperature similar to daylight (5600°K)

*Searchlight models used for weapon-mounted or extreme shock applications feature 1° spot to 25° flood.
**MBS-430-W(-RS) weapon lights feature a factory-set sweep strobe and two beam intensity levels.

Handheld Searchlight Systems include rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate
(LiFePO4) batteries that offer up to 150 minutes of continuous operation from a
single battery. The searchlight and battery weigh just 6.5 lbs.

Remote-Controlled Searchlights feature an optional RS-232 interface that allows the
operator to control all functions of the searchlight from a computer. Remote­controlled searchlights are frequently integrated into camera and sensor systems for
escalation of force applications.

The Maxa Beam Searchlight Product Line consists of four basic searchlight models:

• MBS-410 Handheld Searchlights with Remote Control Capability

• MBS-430-W Rail-Mounted Remote-Controlled Searchlights

• MBS-430-Y Mounted Remote-Controlled Searchlights

• MBPKG-E Computer-Controlled Searchlights in Environmental Housing

Applications

For 30 years military, law enforcement, and private end-users around the world have
relied on the Maxa Beam Searchlight for:

• Force Protection

• Perimeter Security

• Search and Rescue

• Border Protection

• Tactical Operations

• Escalation of Force / Ocular Disruption

• Shipboard Protection / Maritime Security

• Night Vision Equipment Enhancement

• Crew-Served Weapon Illumination

• Infrared / Covert Surveillance

3

Theory of Operation

The Maxa Beam Searchlight produces light by passing an arc of electricity between
two electrodes in a quartz tube filled with a pressurized atmosphere of Xenon gas. A
plasma ball is formed and precisely positioned within an electroformed reflector by
an internal microprocessor controlling a servo motor.

When the ignition button is pressed, a high voltage RF igniter produces up to 20,000
volts to ionize the Xenon gas within the lamp, allowing DC current to flow through
the lamp. Once the arc is established, gas temperature and pressure start to climb,
forcing the Xenon into a plasma state. The light will come on with a constant high
beam for approximately 2 seconds to assure reliable ignition of a cold lamp and will
then go to the programmed intensity. After lamp has ignited, the internal
microprocessor takes control of the operation of the electronic focus, power settings
and the user programmable options.

The searchlight’s switch mode power supply is factory set and requires no
adjustment (even after a lamp change) as the control circuitry is self-calibrating.
Internal power regulation keeps both the intensity and color of the beam constant as
the voltage from the battery drops.

Safety Warnings

ANSI Risk Group 3. Warning.

Visible and infrared radiation emitted from this searchlight.

Permanent eye damage can result. Avoid direct exposure to the beam.

• Do not look directly into the searchlight beam. Exposure of the eye to either the

direct searchlight beam or a beam reflected from a flat mirror-like surface can cause
permanent eye injury to the unprotected eye. Follow the same precaution even when
an Infrared Filter is installed on the searchlight.

o Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD), Visible Light: 10 meters
o NOHD, Infrared Light: 30 meters for exposures greater than 10 seconds

• Do not operate searchlight if the front lens is damaged or removed. Ultraviolet

injury to skin and cornea can occur if the searchlight is operated with a damaged
front lens or if the lens is removed.

• Do not allow the concentrated beam of light to be focused on flammable

materials at close distances for prolonged periods of time.

• Do not operate light in an explosive environment.

• Do not touch lamp connections during operation as high voltage is present.

• Do not touch the quartz envelope of the lamp. If the lamp is accidentally touched,

clean with alcohol or the solution supplied in the replacement lamp kit.

• Always wear protective eyewear, long sleeves, and gloves if removing the front

lens cover. The lamp is under positive pressure and should be handled with care.

• Always disconnect searchlight from power cord when not in use, when placed in

storage or when being transported to prevent accidental activation.

4

Searchlight Operation

1. Locate searchlight, battery and power cable.

2. Attach Searchlight

to Battery by lining
up the four feet of the
searchlight over holes
in top of battery (a).
Lower the searchlight
into the holes, then
slide the searchlight
towards the connector
end of the battery (b)
until searchlight locks
in place. To detach
searchlight, lift the
Lock Release Lever under the searchlight handle, then slide searchlight forward
away from battery connector end.

3. Attach female end of power cable to 4-pin connector on searchlight (c). Attach

male end of power cable to connector on battery (d). To lock, rotate only the
locking ring clockwise. All connections are keyed; never force connections.

4. If desired, attach a battery shoulder strap to diagonally opposite tabs on battery.

5. To Turn Searchlight On, press the red ON/OFF SWITCH. Searchlight starts

on high power, holds setting for 2 seconds, then drops to normal power.

6. To Adjust Beam Width, pull the black 4-WAY SWITCH back to increase

beam width to flood. Push the 4-way switch forward to decrease beam width to
spot. The default beam width on start up is 9 degrees. To set a different beam
width on start up, please see the Programming section of this manual.

7. To Activate Strobe, rock and hold the 4-way switch to the left. The default

setting is momentary strobe, which means that the searchlight will strobe when
the 4-way switch is held to the left. To set continuous strobe or low beam mode,
please see the Programming section of this manual.

8. To Activate High Beam, rock and hold the 4-way switch to the right. The

default setting is momentary high beam, which means that the searchlight will
stay on high beam when the 4-way switch is held to the right. To set continuous
high beam mode, please see the Programming section of this manual.

5

9. To Attach a Filter, line up the three tabs on the filter with the slots on the front

of the searchlight. Place filter over front of searchlight and turn filter counter­clockwise until fully seated. Filter will lock in place. For filter options, see the
Filters and Accessories section of this manual.

Searchlight Programming

The Maxa Beam Searchlight’s operational characteristics can be modified using a
series of simple programming sequences. This capability allows the light to be
customized for specific applications. For example, if the searchlight will be utilized
for an extended search operation, the searchlight can be programmed to start up in
low beam mode with the beam width at full flood. Other scenarios include a
surveillance operation where the light must start up at normal power with the beam
set to the size of the area under surveillance or a tactical application where the
searchlight is programmed to start up in strobe mode with a narrow beam spread.

Factory Default Settings:

MBS-410, MBS-430-W4, MBS-430-Y and MBPKG-E Series Searchlights
Automatic Beam Intensity at Start-Up Normal Beam Level
Rock 4-Way Switch Forward Decrease Beam Width to Spot
Rock 4-Way Switch Back Increase Beam Width to Flood
Rock 4-Way Switch Left Momentary Strobe Mode
Rock 4-Way Switch Right Momentary High Beam

MBS-430-W(-RS) Crew-Served Weapon Lights
Automatic Beam Intensity at Start-Up High Beam Level
Rock 4-Way Switch Forward Decrease Beam Width to Spot
Rock 4-Way Switch Back Increase Beam Width to Flood
Rock 4-Way Switch Left Latching Sweep Strobe Mode*
Rock 4-Way Switch Right Toggles Latching High/Low Beam

*The Sweep Strobe function is not user-programmable on MBS-430-W(-RS) lights.

To modify these characteristics follow the instructions on the following pages.

6

Explanation of Programming Symbols:

(A) Changing High Beam from Momentary to Timed and Continuous Modes:

Factory default activates high beam when the 4-way switch is held to the right. To
change function to timed high beam mode follow the below sequence. Once this
programming is complete, the light will stay on high beam for 16 seconds when
switch is rocked to the right.

To change to continuous high beam mode, repeat the above sequence. Once this
programming is complete, the light will stay on “latched” high beam when the
switch is rocked to the right. Repeat the sequence a third time to return the right
switch function to default momentary high beam mode.

Note: Continuous high beam only available on searchlights with serial numbers ending “G3-26.”

(B) Changing from Momentary Strobe Mode to Continuous Strobe and Low
Beam Modes:

Factory default activates momentary strobe mode when the 4-way switch is held to
the left. To change the left switch function to continuous strobe mode, follow the
below sequence.

To change to low beam mode, repeat the above sequence. Repeat the sequence a
third time to return the left switch function to default momentary strobe mode.

Note: If you have programmed the light to start up on strobe or low beam mode (see (D)), performing the
programming changes in this section will reset the light back to starting up on normal (default) beam
mode. When the searchlight is in continuous strobe mode, all other programming sequences will not
function with the exception of (G) Changing Strobe Rate or Duty Cycle. To perform other programming
sequences, first take searchlight out of continuous strobe mode by rocking the 4-way switch left.

(C) Setting Beam Width on Start Up:

With searchlight already turned on, press and hold the red switch down.

Rock the 4-way switch one time in the indicated direction, then release.

Release the power switch. Light will turn off and new setting is saved.