TM 11-5855-250-12&P
by the operator. The limit switches stop the drive motors
1-9. Common Names
when the infrared filter, the blackout shield, and the
A list of the nomenclature and common name
refractor lens have reached the proper position. The
assignments for the searchlight are given in the chart
fuses protect the drive motors from burnout.
below:
(e) The primary reflector, located
Common name
Nomenclature
directly behind the limit switches, is used to shape and
Searchlight
Searchlight, Infrared AN/VSS- (V) or
reflect the light produced by the xenon lamp.
AN/GSS-14(V).
(f) The heat exchanger assembly (fig.
Control box
Control, Searchlight C-7164/GSS- 14(V)
1-6) is
mounted on
the left side of
the searchlight
Tank control box
Control, Searchlight C-7163/VSS-1(V)
housing assembly. The blower assembly circulates the
Tank power cable
Cable Assembly, Power, Electrical CX-
air through the lamp housing assembly to cool the xenon
10729/VSS-1(V).
lamp and prevent hot lamp explosion. Air drawn by the
1-10. Description of Equipment
blower motor through the blower inlet screen passes
The searchlight consists of two major operating units:
through the heat exchanger assembly and is expelled
the searchlight subassembly and a control box. Included
through the blower outlet screen at the bottom of the
is a canvas case for the protection and storage of
searchlight housing assembly. If necessary, blower
technical manuals.
Some searchlight applications
operation will continue after the searchlight power has
include a shock-mount assembly, a jeep or tower mount,
been shut off to insure proper cooling of the xenon lamp.
and power cables (para 1-8). A suitable power source is
required for operation.
mounted in the lower right portion of the searchlight
a. Searchlight Subassembly (fig. 1-5 and 1-6).
housing assembly, provides alternating-current (ac) and
The searchlight subassembly consists of the searchlight
direct current (dc) output voltages to the igniter assembly
housing assembly which contains the greater part of the
for xenon lamp ignition.
searchlight components; the cowling assembly, which
(h) The igniter assembly (fig.
contains the cowling glass; and the cover assembly (fig.
mounted in the upper right portion of the searchlight
1-1) which protects the cowling assembly. The
housing assembly, provides radio frequency (rf) and dc
searchlight subassembly provides for the various
voltages necessary to ignite and light the xenon lamp.
mounting applications, component or cable connections,
and protects the internal components from physical
mounted directly below the igniter assembly, provides
damage and exposure to dust and moisture.
the switching action for changing the searchlight modes
(1) Searchlight housing assembly (fig. 1-6).
of operation, and the timing sequences for ignition and
This unit consists of the searchlight housing and internal
overdrive of the xenon lamp.
components as described below.
(j) The components of the input filter
(a) The cast aluminum searchlight
circuit are located in a shielded filter box on the right side
housing forms the base for attaching the internal
of the searchlight housing assembly to which the relay
components, various type mounts, cable connection and,
panel assembly is attached. This circuit, in conjunction
along with the cowling assembly, protects the internal
with ground straps and shielded wires, reduces the effect
components from physical damage and exposure to dust
and dirt.
(2) Cowling assembly (fig. 1-5). This unit,
(b) The lamp housing assembly,
which contains the cowling glass, is the front half of the
mounted between the upper and lower elbows of the
searchlight. It is attached to the searchlight housing
blower system, consists of the zenon lamp, the infrared
assembly by four latches and, along with the searchlight
filter, the blackout shield, the refractor lens, and lamp
housing assembly, protects the internal components of
housing drive gears. Some lamp housing assemblies
the searchlight from physical damage and exposure to
may contain a secondary reflector and a clear lens. The
dust and moisture.
source and type of light (visible or infrared) originate at
(3) Cover assembly (fig. 1-3). This canvas
this point.
cover is placed over the cowling assembly and strapped
(c) The lamp cover, located in front of
to the searchlight. It protects the cowling glass from
the lamp housing assembly, acts as a light shield to
damage and an accumulation of dirt, ice, or snow when
insure that all the light from the xenon lamp is directed
the searchlight is not in operation.
toward the primary reflector and prevents light leakage
b. Control Boxes.
These units contain the
during the blackout or standby mode of operation.
necessary switches and controls for the operation and
(d) The lamp drive assembly consists of
control of the searchlight. Control, Searchlight C7163/
three drive motors, three fuses, and six limit switches.
The drive motors, mounted on the lower elbow in front of
the lamp housing assembly, change the position of the
infrared filter, the blackout shield, and the refractor lens,
and thereby change the mode of operation as selected
1-6