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SX-16 Nightsun

®

 Searchlight System 

 

Maintenance Manual 

Document 031734-1/Revision A  

031734-1 Revision B 

 

January 27, 2014

 

  

 

  

 

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A  fresh hole  can be used on the same adapter ring by  rotating it 90, 180, or 270° such 
that a fresh hole is in the desired location. 

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The ideal solution, however, is to replace the adapter ring. 

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In either case, you the adapter ring will need to be removed from the bottom of the 
Azimuth Gearbox shaft. 

Before removing the arm, use a permanent marker to mark the relative positions of the shaft, the arm, 
all Roll Pins, and the Gearbox housing. Make a simple sketch to do this. 

 

Although the arm will fit on the shaft in  any position, the relative positions of the Gearbox 
mounting bolts, motor position, and Azimuth stops may change if the arm is not replaced in 
the same location relative to the Gearbox housing. 

 

It can be difficult and time consuming to determine the correct relative positions. To avoid 
having to recreate the original setup, identify the relative location of the parts as they come 
off so that you can reassemble them exactly in the same orientation. 

 

To separate the arm from the shaft, remove the attaching nut. If the arm does not slide off 
easily, use a gear puller to remove the arm from the shaft. As the shaft  is removed, notice 
and mark the orientation of the spacer bushing between the Gearbox and the arm. 

Once the Gimbal arm is removed: 

 

Unscrew the adapter from the bottom of the Gearbox. There are two options: 

 

One option is to rotate the adapter 90, 180, or 270° so that a fresh hole is in the desired 
location. 

 

A second option is to replace the adapter with a new one. 

After you have rotated or replaced the adapter: 

 

Reassemble the spacer and arm on the shaft. 

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Tighten the Azimuth shaft nut to 50 to 60 foot-pounds. Hold the Gimbal arm in a soft jaw 
vise to tighten the nut. 

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Attach safety wire between the nut and the adjacent drilled head screw. 

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Install new Roll Pins in the adapter in the same locations as the old ones. 

 

Replace the Gimbal arm on the aircraft, and make sure that the service loops and cable ties 
are correctly adjusted.  Reference the 

Service Loops

 section of this manual 

 

Reattach all safety cables on the Gimbal assembly, Searchlight, and aircraft. 

 

Replace the Searchlight and make a full system functional check. 

4.8 

Gimbal Arms 

The Gimbal Arms form a U-shaped yoke that is made of machined aluminum or steel. Standard 
Gimbal Arms except for the Enhanced version,  include the following basic components (Figure  14)
the Enhanced Gimbal Arms are made one piece of Aluminum (Unibody): 

 

The large, curved arms. 

 

A doubler  plate  that increases the strength of the arms at the top of the yoke, where it is 
attached to the aircraft. 

 

Rivets that join the arms of the yoke to the doubler plate. 

 

A coating of paint or powder-coat finish. 

 

Figure 14  Upper Part of Gimbal with Doubler Plate and Rivets 

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Spectrolab, Inc. 

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The document reference is online, please check the correspondence between the online documentation and the printed version.

Summary of Contents for SPECTROLAB SX-16 Nightsun

Page 1: ...separate manual provides information about operation 1 3 Read Obey and Keep Instructions To ensure the safety of people and equipment it is important to read and obey all instructions and safety warni...

Page 2: ...a voltmeter to verify that voltage in the Junction Box s large Capacitor has discharged from its 125 to 150 VDC level before touching its terminals o Similarly use a voltmeter to verify that the start...

Page 3: ...nt should be resistant to 500 F 260 C Barbecue or automotive exhaust manifold paint works well The target should be well supported by a stand that is non flammable During use it will become very hot a...

Page 4: ...install the Searchlight in locations that allow the light beam to be aimed at nearby temperature sensitive surfaces without taking appropriate steps to mitigate possible damage The light absorbed by d...

Page 5: ...dicate a hazardous situation that could result in minor or moderate injury if not avoided A caution message has the following appearance 2 3 Notice Messages Notice messages are also used in this manua...

Page 6: ...ed from its Gimbal mounting the safety cables will prevent the Gimbal or Searchlight from potentially falling free of the aircraft Before installing the Searchlight test the installation location Duri...

Page 7: ...connections Junction Box to the Control Box Junction Box to the Gimbal assembly and Searchlight Junction Box to the input power 3 5 1 Junction Box to Control Box In the compartment where the Control B...

Page 8: ...embled it serves the following functions o Mechanically supports the Searchlight and the attachment to the aircraft o Provides the electrical and communication link between the Searchlight and Junctio...

Page 9: ...cond Adjustable Elevation stop blocks are incorporated to improve ease of moving of upper and lower elevation limits in 2 increments Elevation stop block shown is for illustration purposes and may var...

Page 10: ...es on the bottom of the Gearbox It also has a fixed vertical Roll Pin mounted on top of the doubler plate In Figure 6 the main Gimbal components are illustrated Figure 6 Gimbal Assembly Older Standard...

Page 11: ...210 Enhanced Uni body 230 Enhanced Uni body with SpectroLink 022955 Series Steel 21 Standard 121 Standard High Speed 130 SpectroLink 140 IFCO SpectroLink 4 3 3 Elevation Attachment and Movement In ad...

Page 12: ...hs or 300 flight hours or 100 operation hours Use the following inspection procedures Daily o Verify that both Wing Bolts are in place and that the lanyards are connected to the angle clips on the Gim...

Page 13: ...rs or switches will have a second separate connector If not you may have to replace the standard 4 pin connector with one that has more pins 4 5 2 3 Motor Wires The condition of all motor wires is imp...

Page 14: ...archlight systems include electronically programmable stops as part of ancillary equipment such as a moving camera that has been specially installed Adjustment of these programmable stops is addressed...

Page 15: ...of the elevation stop since the replacement will be installed in the same orientation Remove the four 4 torque set flat head screws P N NAS1102E08 5P 8 32 x 5 16 LG attaching the existing Elevation st...

Page 16: ...ced in August 2004 It consists of two adjustable stop blocks Each stop block is attached to the Azimuth Adapter ring by two shoulder bolts Figure 12 The stop blocks limit movement of the Gimbal when t...

Page 17: ...o the aircraft The maximum potential movement of the Searchlight however will be compromised if the wire becomes twisted around or hampered by the Gimbal components Azimuth motion is limited by the po...

Page 18: ...arged If the hole has been enlarged in this way replace the Gimbal arm There is no repair procedure for an enlarged Roll Pin hole o If the new pin fits snug reassemble the spacer and arm on the shaft...

Page 19: ...ter from the bottom of the Gearbox There are two options One option is to rotate the adapter 90 180 or 270 so that a fresh hole is in the desired location A second option is to replace the adapter wit...

Page 20: ...bal arms pay particular attention to the area of the doubler plate and the rivets Inspect for signs of cracks corrosion or chipped or peeling paint o If any cracks or any loose or broken rivets are fo...

Page 21: ...propriate for use on 7075 aluminum alloy Follow the manufacturer s instructions Make sure to remove all residues before painting For steel Gimbals reference Gimbal Part Numbers Available by Descriptio...

Page 22: ...to be used on flight hardware should conduct the replacement The aircraft mechanic should verify that all hardware is in sound flight worthy condition upon completion of this procedure 4 10 1 Identif...

Page 23: ...imbal arm when it is reinstalled o Note the orientation of the drive motor with respect to the Gimbal arm so that it can be installed in the same position with the new Gimbal arm o Observe the routing...

Page 24: ...the Azimuth clutch to slip Drive the arms through their entire range of motion in each direction until they hit both of the stop blocks o Verify that the wires do not pull at the connector or where t...

Page 25: ...he arms through their entire range of motion in each direction until they hit both of the stop Roll Pins o Verify that the wires do not pull at the connector or where they enter the motor boots Remove...

Page 26: ...vice will then stop the motor electronically just before it hits the mechanical stops It is important to be aware of this behavior so that you can differentiate this kind of motor stopping from a clut...

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