16
Technical Details
Remote Control Operation
Wired Remote Control:
All Maxa Beam Searchlights can be remotely controlled via an 8-, 9-, or 10-pin
remote connector on the searchlight housing. This remote control capability allows
the operator to control the functions of the searchlight using a wired remote handle
such as the MBA-8406 or to hard wire the searchlight directly into an auxiliary
control panel. Wired remote controls are available in 6 or 25 foot lengths and
extension cables are available in 10, 25, or 50 foot lengths.
All contact closures (switches) used for remote operation must be momentary,
normally open. During operation, the microprocessor constantly scans the status of
all input lines from the remote control input connector. When the closure of one of
the remote switches is detected, the microprocessor executes the appropriate
command. Input lines for On/Off, High/Low, Focus Narrow/Wide and Strobe/Low
are active high. These lines have internal pull down resistors.
Line 1 (“12VDC” pin) is an output line that provides power for the on/off and other
remote functions. Caution: Power is applied to line 1 any time there is power
supplied to the light, even when the light is off. This line is tied directly to the power
input connector. When wiring the on/off switch and remote control switches, line 1
must be tied to one side of all switches in parallel. The “Ground” pin is chassis
ground and should be wired to the cable shield for long cable runs. The “On/Off”
pin is also scanned during operation. When the on/off switch is closed again after
the light has been turned on, the microprocessor disables all normal operational
modes and is then in the programming mode (see page 5). If one of the other remote
switches is closed while the on/off switch is closed, one of the user functions will be
reprogrammed.
Computer Control via RS-232 Interface:
Several Maxa Beam Searchlights are available with a built-in RS-232 computer
interface. With this capability, the searchlight can be remotely controlled via
computer either as a stand alone illuminator or as part of an integrated computer-
controlled surveillance or security system on a pan and tilt device.
A full Interface Control Document (ICD) with ASCII command set and connector
pin-outs is included with all RS-232-enabled searchlights and is available upon
request. RS-232 Searchlights can be controlled using a terminal emulator such as
HyperTerminal or Peak Beam’s Graphical User Interface (GUI).
The following searchlight models include the built-in RS-232 interface:
MBS-430-RSY
MBS-430-RSMY
MBS-430-W4-RS(P)
MBPKG-E
MBPKG-E2
MBPKG-E-24
MBPKG-E2-24
MBPKG-E-48
MBPKG-E2-48
