VEMCO – ASCENT–AR / AR2 Manual
28 July
2018
2
1.2
ASCENT-AR / ASCENT-AR2 Case
The ASCENT-AR
/ ASCENT-AR2
is housed in the black plastic high pressure case. The case consists of an
outer cylinder that is removed to install the D (
AR
) or DD-cell (
AR2
) Lithium battery, the endcap which
houses the hydrophone and connects to the metal internal casing, and the mooring lug that separates from the
case to allow the release to rise to the surface. When the outer cylinder is removed, the internal casing
protecting the electronics can be seen. The case dimensions are found in section 9.3.
A crucial part of the release is the hydrophone, located at the top. The hydrophone is similar to a microphone
– it “listens” for sounds and transfers them to the electronics inside the release. This ability to both listen and
broadcast allows the ASCENT–AR to communicate with a VR100-200 through a transponding hydrophone.
Like all hydrophones, the ASCENT-AR hydrophone is a sensitive piece of equipment. Avoid striking the
hydrophone or allowing any object to impact it as damage may occur that would prevent the release from
communicating with the VR100-200.
Do not bump the hydrophone
or the release may be damaged
and unable to communicate.
Retaining O-ring:
Holds the Retaining Pin in
place.
Hydrophone:
the release
“microphone/speaker” and
most delicate part.
Mooring Lug:
This hole is used to secure the
release to its mooring. The mooring lug is left
behind when the acoustic release occurs.
Pressure Sensor:
Used to measure depth.
Measurements are stored in memory and
reported to VR100-200 during acoustic
communication.
Bluetooth Activator Hole:
Place the narrow
end of the Bluetooth Activator in here to
prepare for communication. Section 3.3 has
more information on the Bluetooth Activator.
Status Light (LED)/Release Valve:
The
light flashes red or green to indicate the
release status. Section 6.2 has the full
description.
The Release Valve will open
if
the internal
pressure is greater than the external
pressure (see section 8.2.2).
Never cover
this valve.
Float Attachment Bracket:
contains two
9/16” holes for attaching a floatation device.
2 red flashes every 5 sec =
Active Mode
