The Spot AI RSA-11 is a solar-powered, all-in-one security system designed for reliable outdoor deployment. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing the RSA-11, including solar panels, battery module, IVR module, and optional auxiliary battery.
Before You Begin
Installation Requirements
Install on a sunny day whenever possible. Batteries ship with ~1 day of charge and may deplete during cloudy-day installation.
All system components weigh under 30 lb for ease of handling.
Included in the box and the tools required for installation
System Overview
The RSA-11 system includes:
Head Unit with cameras, speaker, strobe lights, floodlight
IVR Module
Battery Module
Solar Panels (x2)
Solar Frame + Mounting Brackets
Data & Power Conduits
Install Recommendations
Pole Mount Guidelines
System weight: Approximately 175 lbs when configured with 2 solar panels and 1 battery module.
System weight: Approximately 275 lbs when configured with 3 solar panels and a BTE2 auxiliary battery module.
Install the RSA solar, battery, and IVR modules between 10 ft and 15 ft above ground level.
Each system component weighs no more than 30 lb, allowing for easy handling and installation.
Pole Foundation Specifications
For installations in soil with poor or unknown load-bearing capacity, the recommended minimum foundation specifications are:
4 in diameter SCH40 metal pole
12 in diameter concrete foundation, 7 ft to 10 ft deep
These foundation specifications are provided as a reference design only. The installer must evaluate the pole, site conditions, and soil characteristics to confirm proper load-bearing capacity and determine whether additional reinforcement is required.
Roof Mount
Each system component weighs 30 lb or less, making handling and installation easier.
The installer must supply a ballast or anchoring solution that is suitable for the customer’s roof type and the site’s weather or seismic requirements.
Wall Mount
Install the RSA solar, battery, and IVR modules at least 10 ft above ground.
Each system component weighs 30 lb or less, allowing for easy handling and installation.
The installer must evaluate the customer’s structure to ensure it can support the system’s weight and provide reinforcement if needed.
Installation Steps
STEP 01 — Attach Solar Crossbars to Mounting Frame
Attach the top and bottom solar frame crossbars to the mounting frame using 3 M8 nylon lock nuts.
Note: This connection is temporary. Final anchoring will be done using hose clamps or masonry anchors.
STEP 02A — Attach Frame to Structure (Pole Install)
Temporarily secure the mounting bracket and crossbars to the pole using the provided large zip tie.
Permanently attach the bracket and crossbars using 8 hose clamps.
Tighten the hose clamps to 4 Nm (3 ft-lb) using a 7mm socket.
Remove the temporary zip tie.
Each hose clamp must pass around the pole and through the holes in both the crossbar and the pole mount bracket.
DO NOT secure the crossbar to the Pole Mount Bracket alone. Pole
Mount Bracket is not rated to support the Solar Panel installation.
Crossbar must have a direct connection to the pole.
STEP 02B — Attach Frame to Structure (Wall/Roof Install)
Secure the mounting bracket and crossbars to the wall or roof at the indicated locations using 6 masonry anchors (or an alternative approved mounting system).
For the provided masonry anchors:
Drill a 3/8” pilot hole, 3” deep
Tighten anchors to 33 Nm (25 ft-lb) using a 9/16” socket
STEP 03 — Install IVR Module
Mount the IVR module to the pole mount bracket.
Secure using the 4 provided M8 x 20 bolts.
Tighten bolts to 15 Nm (10 ft-lb) using the provided T40 Security Torx Allen Key.
STEP 04 — Install Battery Module
Mount the battery module to the pole mount bracket.
Secure using the 4 provided M8 x 20 bolts.
Tighten bolts to 15 Nm (10 ft-lb) using the provided T40 Security Torx Allen Key.
SKIP following and move to (Auxiliary (BTE2) Installation Instructions) if your install includes an Auxiliary Battery Module,
STEP 05 — Install Batteries in Battery Module
Open the battery module and ensure all circuit breakers are turned OFF.
Carefully lift each battery onto the battery shelf.
Connect the battery terminals to the provided ring terminals.
Secure the batteries in place using the provided battery straps.
STEP 06 — Connect Power Conduit
. 
Install the power conduit fitting on the left side of the battery module.
Connect the VE Direct cable to the MPPT controller.
Connect the 24V+ (red) and 24V– (black) wires to the corresponding positive and negative terminals on the circuit breaker.
STEP 07 — Attach Head Unit to Structure
Note: Ensure the head unit does not cast a shadow on the solar panels, as this will reduce power availability.
Pole Installations:
Mount the head unit frame to the pole using the provided hose clamps.
Use a large zip tie temporarily to hold the frame in place during installation, if needed.
Tighten hose clamps to 4 Nm (3 ft-lb) with a 7mm socket.
Wall Installations:
Attach the head unit frame to the wall using 4 masonry anchors or another approved mounting system.
For the provided anchors:
Drill a 3/8” pilot hole, 3” deep
Tighten anchors to 33 Nm (25 ft-lb) using a 9/16” socket.
Final Step (All Install Types):
Attach the head unit to the mounting frame using the 4 provided M8 x 20 bolts.
Tighten bolts to approximately 15 Nm (10 ft-lb) using the supplied T40 Torx Allen Key.
STEP 08 — Connect Data Conduit
Install the data conduit fitting in the head unit.
Plug the 6-pin connector from the conduit into the corresponding connector on the head unit.
Connect the 4 Ethernet cables from the conduit to the matching connectors on the cameras and speaker.
STEP 09 — Check Connections
Turn all circuit breakers to the “ON” position.
If your installation includes an Auxiliary Battery Module, turn its circuit breaker to “ON” as well.
Wait approximately 30 seconds and verify that the green lights are visible on the Ethernet connectors inside the head unit.
Allow 5 minutes for the RSA to fully boot and connect to the cloud.
STEP 10 — Add Device to Dashboard
Ensure you are in the correct Spot Customer Dashboard.
Contact your Spot Admin if you need access to the appropriate dashboard.
Locate the QR code label inside the IVR module.
Scan the QR code to add the RSA device to the dashboard.
The Serial Number (SN) should populate automatically.
If it does not, manually enter the Serial Number in the dashboard.
You can find SN inside the IVR module
STEP 12 — Test Lights and Bullhorn
From the Spot Dashboard>Live, activate the lights to ensure they function correctly.
Play a test message to verify the bullhorn’s sound output.
Caution: The bullhorn is very loud. Please make sure all personnel are at a safe distance before testing.
STEP 13A — Lay Out Solar Frame Parts
Lay out all solar frame components on a flat surface.
Identify the top and bottom vertical rails.
Note the hole numbering on both the top and bottom vertical rails, as this will guide proper assembly in the next steps.
STEP 13B — Assemble Vertical Rails
Assemble Vertical Rails
Locate the top and bottom vertical rails.
Bolt them together using the provided M8 hardware.
For Short Installations (2 Solar Panels):
Align holes 1 and 5 on the top vertical rail with holes 3 and 2 on the bottom vertical rail.
Secure the rails together with the provided bolts.
For Long Installations (3 Solar Panels):
Align holes 1 and 4 on the top vertical rail with holes 1 and 2 on the bottom vertical rail.
Secure each of the four mounting points using the following hardware:
M8 x 25 mm Hex Head Bolt
2 M8 Washers
1 M8 Split Lock Washer
1 M8 Nylon Lock Nut
Tighten all solar frame bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lb).
Proper torque is essential to prevent bolts from loosening due to wind or vibration.
STEP 14 — Install Vertical Rails
Mount the vertical rails onto the top crossbar using the provided M8 hardware.
For each of the four mounting points, use the following hardware:
M8 x 25 mm Hex Head Bolt
2 M8 Washers
1 M8 Split Lock Washer
1 M8 Nylon Lock Nut
Leave all fasteners hand-tight for adjustment in the next step.
STEP 15 — Install Horizontal Rails
Mount the solar frame horizontal rails onto the bottom crossbars using the provided M8 hardware.
Connect the horizontal rails to the vertical rails.
For Short Installations (2 Solar Panels):
Bolt the horizontal rail to hole 1 on the bottom of the vertical rail.
For Long Installations (3 Solar Panels):
Bolt the horizontal rail to hole 4 on the bottom of the vertical rail.
At each of the six mounting points, use the following hardware:
M8 x 25 mm Hex Head Bolt
2 M8 Washers
1 M8 Split Lock Washer
1 M8 Nylon Lock Nut
Important: Tighten all solar frame bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lb). Under-tightened bolts may loosen in windy conditions, potentially causing frame failure. For particularly windy locations, consider using liquid thread locker. Use a 13mm socket for tightening.
STEP 16 — Prep for Solar Panels
To prevent the solar panels from sliding during installation, insert 2 M6 bolts into the vertical rail for each panel:
M6 x 20 mm Hex Head Bolt
M6 Nylon Lock Nut
These bolts can be removed once the solar panels are securely mounted.
STEP 17 — Install Solar Panels
Mount the solar panels onto the solar panel frame.
For each of the 8 mounting points (4 per panel), use the following hardware:
M6 x 20 mm Hex Head Bolt
2 M6 Washers
1 M6 Split Lock Washer
1 M6 Nylon Lock Nut
Important: Tighten all solar frame bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lb).
Under-tightened bolts may loosen in windy conditions, potentially causing frame failure.
For particularly windy locations, consider using liquid thread locker.
Use a 13mm socket for tightening.
STEP 18 — Connect Solar Panels
Connect the solar panels to the solar cables on the battery module, ensuring secure and proper connections.
STEP 19 — Coil and Manage Conduits & Cables
Neatly coil and manage all conduits and cables.
If possible, install at least one bolt into the pole to prevent the unit from sliding due to wind or vibration.
Use the provided 300mm (12 in) zip ties to secure the conduits and cables in place.
Auxiliary (BTE2) Installation Instructions
Installation Instructions continued from (STEP 04 — Install Battery Module)
for installs including the Auxiliary Battery Module only.
STEP 05.1 — Mount BTE2 Frame to Structure
For Pole Installations:
Temporarily secure the BTE2 mounting frame to the pole using the provided large zip tie.
Permanently attach the frame using 4 provided hose clamps.
Tighten the hose clamps to 4 Nm (3 ft-lb) with a 7mm socket.
Once the frame is secure, remove the temporary zip tie.
Important: Do not pass a single hose clamp through both the BTE2 frame and the main RSA frame. This reduces contact with the pole and decreases wind resistance.
For Wall or Roof Installations:
Secure the BTE2 mounting bracket to the structure using 4 provided masonry anchors or an alternative approved mounting system.
For the provided anchors:
Drill a 3/8” pilot hole, 3” deep
Tighten anchors to 33 Nm (25 ft-lb) using a 9/16” socket
STEP 05.2 — Install Auxiliary Battery Module
Place the Auxiliary Battery Module onto the BTE2 pole mount frame.
Secure the module using the 4 provided M8 x 20 mm bolts.
Tighten the bolts to approximately 15 Nm (10 ft-lb) using the supplied T40 Torx Allen key.
STEP 05.3 — Install Batteries in Auxiliary Battery Module
Open the Auxiliary Battery Module and ensure the circuit breaker is turned OFF.
Lift each battery onto the battery shelf.
Connect the battery terminals to the provided ring terminals.
Secure the batteries in place using the battery strap.
STEP 05.4: CONNECT AUXILIARY POWER CONDUIT TO BATTERY MODULE
Open the Battery Module.
Remove the 1 3/8” hole plug from the right side of the Battery Module.
Install the Auxiliary Power Conduit right-angle fitting into the resulting hole.
STEP 05.5 — Connect Auxiliary Power Conduit to BTE Terminal Block
Inside the Battery Module, connect the red, gray, and black wires from the auxiliary power conduit to the corresponding red, gray, and black sections on the terminal block.
Continue the installation starting from STEP 05: Install Batteries in Battery Module.
Important: Turn the BTE2 circuit breaker to “ON” simultaneously with the other circuit breakers during the Check Connections step.