5757 Ravenswood Road // Fort Lauderdale // FL // 33312 // USA
Tel: +1 (954) 981-3333 // Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 // www.acrartex.com
L8-5 TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The ACR L8-5
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Light is a reserve battery powered marine survivor locator light which is secured to a
life jacket or life preserver for the purpose of facilitating location of persons who have survived an emergency at sea. The light is
designed and manufactured to meet USCG requirements (46 CFR Subpart 161.012) for Personal Flotation Device Lights.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Please read the following instructions in their entirety prior to beginning the installation process.
L8-5 DESCRIPTION
Once the manual pull ring (see image above) is removed, the L8-5
will automatically activate when the light is immersed in water.
Once activated, a steady white light of more than 1 candela light intensity will be output for at least 8 hours continuously. Note:
The manual pull ring is supplied with the light but is packed separately.
MARKING
The L8-5 is marked with the Manufacturing Date (MFG) and the Expiry Date (EXP) of the light. MFG is equivalent to the batch or lot
number of the light.
INSPECTION
Visually inspect the battery pack for any swelling, deformation, or moisture and to see if it is worn, scratched, or cracked. If any
defective appearance is found, the defective light should be removed and replaced by a new light. After inspecting the light, the
inspector should sign and write the inspection date in the inspection table printed on the case of the battery pack. Additionally,
ensure that the manual pull ring is still firmly in place on the battery pack and that the current date does not exceed the expiry date
listed on the product.
INSTALLATION
Note: The L8-5 must be installed on a PFD that is specifically designed w ith a tab containing a circular hole intended
to hold a PFD locator light (eg. Figure 1). The material of this type of PFD is commonly a urethane-coated nylon
material but can vary as long as the type of PFD includes the aforementioned tab w ith circular hole and is similar to
the style of PFD show n in Figure 4.
1. Install the locator light in the circular hole as shown in Figure 1. The light should be firmly mounted on the device and the upper
hemisphere of the light should have 360
⁰
visibility.
2. Attach the battery pack firmly to the PFD strap (as shown in Figure 2) with an over-the-counter transparent adhesive tape (eg.
Scotch Tape or Sellotape). Note: Avoid placing the tape over the water entry holes on the side and at the bottom of the light as
these holes should be covered by the manual pull ring when it is installed (see Figure 3). Ensure that the adhesive tape does not
cover the Inspection Record Table on the battery pack and that an adequate amount of tape is used to secure the battery pack
firmly to the PFD (the tape should wrap fully around the battery pack and PFD strap at least two times). As shown in Figure 4, the
battery pack should be mounted in a position which ensures that it will be immersed in water in a usage scenario.
3. Attach the manual pull ring to the battery pack as shown in Figure 3. The two plugs on the ring should be pressed down firmly as
far as possible into the water entry holes of the battery pack (locations #1 and #2 shown in Figure 3). A tool such as a flathead
screwdriver may be used to press the plugs down in to the water entry holes. After installation, visually check that the two plugs
are fully inserted into the water entry holes and that the pull ring is flush with the case of the battery pack.
4. After installation, if the PFD needs to be folded, make sure that the manual pull ring is not bent or pulled out during the folding
process. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully to prevent damaging the PFD or interfering with its performance.
