BCA BEACON CHECKER
GUIDE TO INSTALLATION AND OPERATIONRev 2014-E

CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTENTS

For additional information or support, please contact:
Backcountry Access, Inc.
2820 Wilderness Place
Suite H
Boulder CO, 80301
USATelephone: +1 303 417-1345
Fax: +1 303 417-1625
e-mail: info@backcountryaccess.com
web site: www.backcountryaccess.com

INTRODUCTION2WARNING3
DISPLAY AND CONTROLS DIAGRAM

4

INSTALLATION5Wiring6
Connecting Power
6
Optional AC Power Supply7
Connecting External Devices
8
CONFIGURATION9Configuration Switches - Revision E Models
9Sleep Disable
11Power Save Disable
11LED Brightness
12
Detect Range
12Buzzer12
Status LEDs
13Power Management
14
Battery Capacities
15
Solar Power Options
151

INTRODUCTIONWARNING

Thank you for choosing a Backcountry Access Beacon Checker for your facility. With thisdecision, you have joined the elite facilities around the world taking a leadership position inbackcountry safety and risk awareness. The BCA Beacon Checker is a versatile tool that canhelp minimize the risks inherent in backcountry travel by supporting proper transceiver use.

The BCA Beacon Checker is designed to closely match the receiving characteristics of astandard avalanche transceiver. However, although a transmitter may be recognized by the BCA
Beacon Checker, it is not guaranteed to be transmitting within specification, or to be identified
by all receivers. Always perform a manual beacon check to ensure that all transceivers within agroup work properly together.

In the patrol shack:• Indicates transmitter status to exiting patrollers, reducing the risk of patrolling without a beacon
or with a beacon that is not turned on and transmitting.
• Aids in the detection of weak or damaged transmitters.
• Prevents a beacon being left in search mode after a beacon check.
• Prevents overnight battery drainage by reminding when a beacon is transmitting.
In the lift line:• Provides a go/no-go signal where beacon use is required.
• Confirms that a transceiver is present, turned on, and in transmit mode.
• Reaffirms the institution’s support of responsible backcountry use.
At ski area boundaries:• Provides a go/no-go signal and/or actuates a gate where beacon use is required.
• Confirms that a transceiver is present, turned on, and in transmit mode.
• Reaffirms the institution’s support of responsible backcountry use.
• Raises awareness of the hazards of backcountry travel and the unquestionable necessity ofproper equipment and perpetual vigilance.
In the hut:
• Prevents skiers from leaving the hut without beacons or with beacons that are not transmitting
correctly.
• Prevents a beacon being left in search mode after a beacon check.
• Prevents overnight battery drainage by reminding when a beacon is transmitting.
• Raises awareness of the hazards of backcountry travel and the unquestionable necessity ofproper equipment and perpetual vigilance.

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INSTALLATIONThe BCA Beacon Checker comes in a weatherproof enclosure and can be mounted indoors oroutdoors.
Metal can affect the strength and shape of electromagnetic fields. The BCA Beacon Checker
control box should therefore be mounted AS FAR AS PRACTICAL FROM METAL OBJECTS ORWIRES.

GREEN CIRCLE

The box may be mounted to any non-metallic surface from the front using the included clips.
Alternately, the box may be mounted from the back. A hole pattern for drilling is included at theback of this guide. The back of the enclosure is threaded to accept M4 machine screws.
For outdoor installations, the BCA Beacon Checker may be mounted to a wood post or heavyduty PVC pipe. A backing board can be mounted with commonly available U-bolts, allowing forvertical adjustment with varying snow levels.

RED X

To prevent tampering, it is recommended that the lid of the enclosure be secured by placing asmall lock, cable-tie or wire through the provided tabs.

DETECT RANGEBUZZERCONFIGURATION SWITCHESSTATUS LEDs
LED BRIGHTNESS

4DISPLAY AND CONTROLS DIAGRAM

5Wiring		
For maximum flexibility, the BCA Beacon Checker is provided with unterminated wires that canbe connected to a variety of power sources. The Checker is intended to be wired into a common
junction box. The user provides the wiring and connections to complete the customized circut.

Optional AC Power Supply
Backcountry Access offers an optional AC power supply for installations where line power isavailable.

WIRING LISTDESIGNATION

COLORPower (12 VDC)

RedGroundGreenOutput 0

Blue

Output 1

BlackOutput 2Brown

Output 3

WhiteGround

GreenAC-DC Adapter, 12V 1A
BCA Part Number: 8310AC Cable, North America(Included with AC-DC Adapter)

Connecting Power
The BCA Beacon Checker is powered by 12 VDC. Any direct-current 12 volt supply capable ofsourcing 400 mA may be used. This includes batteries, AC adapters and photovoltaic panels.
400 mA is the base current required to operate the onboard display at full brightness. Any
external load imposed on the outputs must be added to this requirement.
DESIGNATION

6AC Cable, Europe
BCA Part Number: 8321

WIRE COLOR

Power (12 VDC)

RedGroundGreen7

Connecting External DevicesON↕

The BCA Beacon Checker comes with four separate outputs. These outputs can be used todrive external devices such as lights, gate actuators, sounders, or data loggers.
Maximum total output is 1.5 A. Loads in excess of 1.0 A should be distributed by joining two
matching outputs. All outputs are referenced to as common ground.
DESIGNATIONWIRE COLOR

TYPE

Output 0Blue

Active Low

Output 1

Black

Active High

Output 2

Brown

Configurable

Output 3White

Configurable

GroundGreenCommonOFFGREEN CIRCLERED XSPEAKERDIAGNOSTIC LED’SOUTPUT 3 ACTIVE HIGHOUTPUT 2 ACTIVE HIGHSLEEP DISABLE
POWER SAVE DISABLE

Outputs in the active low configuration provide 0 VDC when a transmitter is within the thresholdrange and 12 VDC when no transmitter is within the threshold range.
Outputs in the active high configuration provide 12 VDC when a transmitter is within the thresholdrange and 0 V when no transmitter is within the threshold range.
A common configuration would be to connect Output 0 to a STOP indicator, Output 1 to a GOindicator, Output 2 (set to active high) to a gate latch solenoid and Output 3 (set to active high) toa sounder.

Configuration Switches - Revision E Models
Switch 1 - GREEN CIRCLE
ON: The green circle is displayed when a transmitter is within the threshold range.
OFF: The green circle is never displayed.
Switch 2 - RED X
ON: The red X is displayed when no transmitter is within the threshold range.
OFF: The red X is never displayed.
Switch 3 - BUZZER
ON: Beeps twice when a beacon is first detected within the threshold range.
OFF: Beeps only on power-up.

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Switch 4 - DIAGNOSTIC LEDs
ON: The white POWER and READY LEDs are illuminated whenever the device is active.
OFF: The POWER and READY LEDs flash with the activity light.
Switch 5 - OUTPUT 3 ACTIVE HIGH
ON: Output 3 (white wire) will drive 12 V whenever a valid beacon is within the range threshold.
OFF: Output 3 will drive 12 V whenever a valid beacon is NOT present.
Switch 6 - OUTPUT 2 ACTIVE HIGH
ON: Output 2 (yellow wire) will drive 12 V whenever a valid beacon is within the rangethreshold.
OFF: Output 2 will drive 12 V whenever a valid beacon is NOT present.

Sleep Disable
The BCA Beacon Checker is configured, by default, with a sleep feature that conserves power
at night. When enabled, the device will enter sleep mode only after dark and after a signal has
not been detected for an hour. In sleep mode, the device wakes every 15 seconds to check forsignals in the area. If a signal is detected, sleep mode is suspended and the device returns tonormal operation. To disable the sleep feature, see page 10 or 12.

Power Save Disable
The BCA Beacon Checker is also provided with a power saving mode enabled. In power saving
mode, the red X and green circle flash rather than remaining constantly illuminated. To disable
the power save feature, see page 10 or 12.

Switch 7 - SLEEP DISABLE
ON: Sleep mode is disabled.
OFF: Sleep mode is allowed.
Switch 8 - POWER SAVE DISABLE
ON: Power save mode is disabled.
OFF: Power save mode is allowed.

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LED Brightness
The left knob adjusts the brightness of the LED’s. Turn counter-clockwise to decrease thebrightness. Turn clockwise to increase the brightness. Use caution when increasing thebrightness, as very high intensity can be achieved for outdoor applications.

READYPOWER

ACTIVITY
RANGE VALIDGATE ACTIVE

Detect Range
The right knob adjusts the detection range. Transmitters within the range threshold will turn off
the red X, turn on the green circle and drive the outputs.
Turn the knob counter-clockwise to set the detection range to the minimum. Turn fully clockwise
for maximum range. Actual range will depend on the mounting configuration, so adjust to thedesired range while testing with a transmitter.
Regardless of the range setting, the white ACTIVITY LED showing transmitter activity in the area
always detects at maximum range.

Status LEDs
POWER LEDDIAGNOSTIC LEDs SWITCH ON: Power LED is illuminated while power is supplied to thedevice.
DIAGNOSTIC LEDs SWITCH OFF: Power light flashes with the activity light.
READY LED

BuzzerDIAGNOSTIC LEDs SWITCH ON: Ready LED is illuminated while power is supplied to thedevice and the receiver is ready.

When turned on, the internal buzzer beeps twice when a new beacon comes within the detect
range. The buzzer can be turned on or off with configuration switch 3. The range threshold isset with the knob marked “DETECT RANGE.”DIAGNOSTIC LEDs SWITCH OFF: Ready LED flashes with the activity light.
ACTIVITY LED
Flashes while any transmitter is detected at any range.
RANGE VALID LED
Flashes while a transmitter is within the range threshold.
GATE ACTIVE LED
Illuminates with the green circle (which may be disabled via switch 1) and active outputs.

1213

Power Management

Expected Battery Life (Days of Continuous Operation)

In installations where the BCA Beacon Checker must be powered by batteries, proper power
management becomes important. Therefore, the BCA Beacon Checker includes several
configurable power saving features, leaving the user free to select the best balance of featuresand power consumption for the specific application.
It is recommended that a 12VDC Low Voltage Disconnect is connected between the battery andthe BCA Beacon Checker to avoid low voltage on the battery damaging the device.
The table below lists approximate power consumption for several common power management
configurations.
Common Power Management Configurations
Configuration Green Circle
AonRed X

Power Save

Sleep Modeon

disabled

disabledConfiguration →ABCD↓ Battery Capacity(2.18 Ah/day)C-cell Alkaline (x8)

6 Ah

3 days7 days9 days14 daysD-cell Alkaline (x8)13 Ah

6 days16 days

19 days

31 daysC-cell NiMH (x8)

2.5 Ah1 day

3 days4 days6 daysD-cell NiMH (x8)

2.5 Ah1 day

3 days4 days6 days

7 Ah Gel Cell

7 Ah

3 days8 days10 days

17 days

Lawn Mower Battery 35 Ah

16 days

42 days51 days

83 days

Car Battery

23 days

60 days73 days

119 days

Battery Type

50 Ah

(0.84 Ah/day)(0.69 Ah/day)(0.42 Ah/day)Power Consumption
2.18 Ah / dayBonoffdisableddisabled

0.84 Ah / dayCononenabled

disabled

0.69 Ah / day

Don

on

enabledenabled0.42 Ah / day

Solar Power Options
In installations where the BCA Beacon Checker must be powered only by batteries and solar
power in a remote location, proper power management becomes very important. Based on theseveral configurable power saving features, matching the configuration with battery storage
capacity and solar recharging capability will allow the system overcome lower solar energy innorthern latitudes or during major storm cycles. It is recommended to use switch configuration D
to minimize the power draw and preserve the battery capacity while reducing the overall weightof the installation in remote locations.
By combining a sealed battery larger than 14Ah, a 20 Watt or greater DC solar panel, and a 5A
or greater solar charge controller, the system can maintain enough battery capacity for long term
maintenance-free use in very remote locations. This configuration also avoids the need for one ormore car batteries to power the unit for the entire season. It is also recommended to use a solar
charge controller with a Low Voltage Disconnect to prevent low voltage drop damage to the BCA
Beacon Checker.

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