User's Manual

Page 29
10 MAINTENANCE
10.1 Self Test & inspection
As an important item of safety equipment, your EPIRB should be checked regularly.
The EPIRB has a built-in test capability that can be used as a confidence check. This
self-test confirms that the battery is healthy, that the GPS receiver and both distress
transmitters are functional and that the strobe light is operational. The self-test should
be performed monthly, but not more frequently. It should be performed during the first
5 minutes of the hour, to minimise disturbance on the emergency channel.
10.1.1 Standard Self Test
1. Press the TEST button until the red LED lights, then release the button.
2. The EPIRB will test its internal components and then make test
transmissions at 121.5 and 406 MHz whilst monitoring the transmitter output.
3. If all tests are successful, the buzzer will sound and the red and white strobe
LEDs will flash together a number of times.
4. If any test is unsuccessful, nothing will flash and the red LED will go out.
Operation of this test for the Smartfind Plus is identical, except that the green
LED will flash (or not) in step with the red LED.
5. The number of times the LEDs flash is an indication of the accumulated time
the battery has been in use
Accumulated Battery Use (hours) Number of flashes/beeps
0 to 4 3
5 to 6 2
More than 6 1
REGARDLESS OF THE BATTERY STATE, THE EPIRB SHOULD ALWAYS BE
ACTIVATED IN AN EMERGENCY – IT MAY STILL GENERATE AN ALERT.
If the EPIRB fails Self Test, it must be serviced.
10.1.2 Power consumption warning
If the TEST button is held down after any test has completed, a warning is given: after
20 seconds, the red LED flashes rapidly and the buzzer sounds. This indicates that
battery capacity is being reduced for no reason.
If this warning persists after the TEST button is released, the EPIRB is faulty and must
be serviced.