ACR Electronics ME406 Series Troubleshooting Guide

DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL ME406 ELT 570-1600 Rev. G Proprietary Information This document discloses subject m

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 1.3 Description The ME406 and the ME406HM are type AF (automatic fixed) beacons. The ME406HM also features a

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 • COSPAS-SARSAT T.001 and T.007 • 47 CFR Part 87 (FCC requirements) Note: Per FCC regulations 47 CFR § 2.9

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 1 – ME406 Installed View 1.6 Operation In the event of a crash, the ME406 or ME406HM activates automa

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 In addition, for the first 24 hours of operation, a 406 MHz signal is transmitting at 50-second intervals. Th

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 NOTE: Any time the ELT is activated, it is transmitting a 121.5 MHz distress signal. Therefore, all activatio

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 2. Installation for the United States 2.1 Introduction to Installation Installations must be made by qualifi

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 2.2 Parts List Installation kits offered for the ME406 include the necessary ELT-related components. The tab

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Additional items required. In addition to the kit, the following are examples of parts and tools that may be

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 The mounting location must conform to the requirements of RTCA DO-204 and AC 43.13. DO-204 Sec 3.1.8 states: “

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 3 – Mounting Hole Diagram for Artex 110 Series and Narco ELT NOTE: DRAWING IS NOT TO SCALE. DO NOT

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 4 – Mounting Hole Diagram for Artex 200 Series NOTE: DRAWING IS NOT IS SCALE – DO NOT USE AS A TEMPL

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 5 – Mounting Hole Diagram for Pointer NOTE: DRAWING IS NOT TO SCALE – DO NOT USE AS A TEMPLATE FOR D

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 2.4 Mount Antenna The ELT antenna must be mounted in accordance with the requirements of RTCA/DO-204, Sectio

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 2.4.1 ‘Whip’ Antenna – P/N 110-773 See Figure 21. Refer to AC 43.13 for guidance. It is the responsibility

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 6) Apply a small, smooth fillet with RTV sealant around the periphery of the antenna base to seal out moistur

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 4) Mount the antenna using four 100º countersink #8-32 (M5) stainless steel machine screws and associated har

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 2.6 Mount Audio Indicator (“buzzer”) An audio indicator is required for TSO-C126 approval. The indicator, i.e

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 A ground may be connected at either the ‘panel end’ or the ‘ELT end’ of the harness, but both locations should

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 7) Fit remaining housing half onto lower section taking care to align thumb screws, grommet and connector. Po

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 PIN 1 PIN 8 PIN 15 PIN 9 Figure 8 – ELT Connector (Front View of ELT) Page 21 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Revision History REVISION CHANGE DATE RELEASE 06-30-05 A DCN 2670 11-17-05 B DCN 2777 05-01-06 C DCN 2847 0

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 9 – Remote Switch Wiring Page 22 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 10 – Wiring Diagram: Metal Airframe Figure 11 – Wiring Diagram: Metal Airframe Page 23 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 12 – Wiring Diagram: Composite Airframe Figure 13 – Wiring Diagram: Composite Airframe Page 24 of

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 2.7.4 Connect RF Coaxial Cable The BNC to BNC cable provided carries both the 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz outputs.

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Facsimile: (414) 421-5301 http://www.ecsdirect.com/ecs_home.html2.8 Transmitter Test Always perform the tests

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 4 Flashes - Low power detected. Occurs if output power is below approximately 33 dBm (2 watts) for the 406 s

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Caution Non-electronics grade RTV may cause corrosion of the electrical wiring. The curing chemicals of some

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 10° Figure 14 – ME406HM Helicopter Installation Page 29 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 3. Registration 3.1 FAA Form 337 For most installations an FAA Form 337 will be required for registration. A

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 3.3 U.S.A.A Registration Registration forms (or links to them) are provided on the Artex web site at www.art

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Table of Content 1. Introduction, Description and Operation ...

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 All online registrations will be entered into the National 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database on the same da

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 3.4 Canadian Registration The ELT must be registered with the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS).

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 4. Maintenance 4.1 Periodic Maintenance for the United States Artex suggests testing of the ELT every 1 to 2

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 • Performance Test, paragraph 4.2.2 • Corrosion Inspection, paragraph 4.4.3 • Installed Transmitter Test (S

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 4.2.2.3 Audio Modulation Check The audio modulation shall be recognizable as a typical ELT signal, and shall

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 4.4.3 Corrosion Inspection Inspect all metal parts of the ELT exterior, its mounting tray, RF coax cable, rem

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 • Extra mounting screws (201-0402, Philips, truss-head, 6-32x7/8, 2 ea.) • Battery pack installation instruc

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Expiration Date (original label Battery Pack P/N Figure 15 – Spare Battery Pack Label Approved batteries av

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 16 – ELT Battery Installation/Removal Exploded View Figure 17 – Sample Battery Pack Labels Page 40

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 4.4.6 G-Switch Check The G-switch is a specially made, momentary switch which closes when acceleration is app

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 3. Registration ...

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Reset ELT by turning ELT switch to “ON” then to “ARM” position. NOTES: • Be sure the correct pins are shorte

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 3. To pass the test, you must hear the 3 sweeps on the radio AND see the front panel light immediately begin

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600  If this error code persists there may be a problem with the antenna installation. This can be checked with

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 1) Disconnect the antenna coax cable at the ELT, connect test set or terminate as applicable. 2) Perform all

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 5. Troubleshooting Guide SYMPTOM LIKELY CAUSE ACTION Bad load detect. Detects open or short condition on th

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 SYMPTOM LIKELY CAUSE ACTION 7 Flash Error after performing Self-Test ELT battery counter has accumulated >

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 6. Specifications 6.1 Operating Frequencies 406.028 or 406.037 MHz +/- 1kHz (consult product label for freq

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 6.6 Mechanical Characteristics Vibration: 10 Gs, 5Hz to 2000Hz Shock: 500 Gs for 4 ms Crashworthiness:

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 6.11 Electrical Loading of Aircraft System Aircraft Power (+28VDC) Component Continuous 5 Minutes 5 Seconds

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 18 – Battery Pack 452-6499 Chemistry: Lithium Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO2) Lithium metal content:

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 6.9 Software ...

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 19 – Audio Indicator (“buzzer”) 452-6505 Specifications @ +25ºC ±2ºC, Relative Humidity=65±5% Operatin

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 (2.5 mm)(43.2 mm)(36.8 mm)(27.0 mm)(7.6 mm)(5.1 mm)(44.0 mm)(35.6 mm)(7.6 mm)(25.4 mm)(30.5 mm)(50.8 mm)(26.4

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 0.562” (14.3mm) DIA. CLEARANCE HOLE ON AIRCRAFT Figure 21 – Whip Antenna 110-773 Page 54 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 22 – Rod Antenna 110-338 Page 55 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 23 – Mounting Tray (452-3034) Page 56 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Figure 24 – ME406 Series Outline Drawing NOTE: Labels on ELT are not shown Page 57 of 60

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 6.12 ME406 Series DO-160D Environmental Qualification Form CATEGORY SECTION DESCRIPTION D1 4.0 TEMPERATUR

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 7. Glossary NOTE: Some of the following definitions have been deliberately simplified to make them more easi

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Flex circuit ...A flex circuit is a printed wiring board that is made on a heavy gauge flexible tape.

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 Table of Figures Figure 1 – ME406 Installed View ...

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600 1. Introduction, Description and Operation 1.1 Basic Information This manual describes the operation, instal