The Spot AI (remote security agent) RSA-12 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-12, including solar panels, battery module, IVR module, and optional auxiliary battery.
RSA 12 Diagram
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Install the RSA on a sunny day to allow the batteries to reach full charge. Batteries are shipped with roughly one day of charge, so installing during cloudy weather may cause the unit to run out of battery. The unit will recover once the battery is sufficiently recharged.
RSA 12 Included Fasteners
Installation Tools
RSA 12 System Schematic
Pole Mount
Mounting Height: Install RSA solar, battery, and IVR modules between 10’ and 15’ above grade.
System Weight:
Base configuration (2 solar panels + 1 battery module): 165 lb
Full configuration (3 solar panels + BTE2 auxiliary battery module): 265 lb
Component Weight: Each component weighs no more than 30 lb for easy handling and installation.
Foundation Guidelines:
For sites with poor or unknown soil load-bearing capacity:
Minimum 4” diameter SCH40 metal pipe
12” diameter concrete foundation, 7’–10’ deep
Note: These foundation specifications are provided as a reference design. The installer must assess the pole, site, and foundation for adequate load-bearing capacity and recommend reinforcement if needed.
Roof Mount
System Weight:
Base configuration (2 solar panels + 1 battery module): 165 lb
Full configuration (3 solar panels + BTE2 auxiliary battery module): 265 lb
Component Weight: Each component weighs no more than 30 lb for easy handling and installation.
Roof Installation: The installer must provide a ballast or anchoring system suitable for the customer’s roof type and local weather and seismic conditions.
Wall Mount
Mount RSA solar, battery, and IVR modules at least 10’ above grade.
System Weight:
Base configuration (2 solar panels + 1 battery module): 165 lb
Full configuration (3 solar panels + BTE2 auxiliary battery module): 265 lb
Component Weight: Each component weighs no more than 30 lb for easy handling and installation.
Structural Assessment: The installer must evaluate the customer’s structure for adequate load-bearing capacity and recommend reinforcement if needed.
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 of the RSA and solar panels should be secured using hose clamps or masonry anchors.
STEP 02A: ATTACH FRAME TO STRUCTURE (POLE)
Pole Installation Instructions
Temporarily secure the mounting bracket and crossbars to the pole using the large zip tie provided.
Permanently attach the mounting bracket and crossbars to the pole using 8 hose clamps (provided).
Tighten each hose clamp to 4 Nm (3 ft-lb) using a 7 mm socket.
After the mounting bracket is fully secured, remove the temporary zip tie.
Important: Each hose clamp must wrap around the pole and pass through the holes in both the crossbar and the pole mount bracket.
Do not secure the crossbar to the pole mount bracket alone, as the bracket is not rated to support the solar panel installation. The crossbar must be directly connected to the pole.
STEP 02B: ATTACH FRAME TO STRUCTURE (WALL/ROOF)
Wall or Roof Installation Instructions
Secure the mounting bracket and crossbars to the structure at the indicated locations using 6 masonry anchors (provided) or an alternative approved mounting system.
For the provided masonry anchors:
Drill a 3/8” pilot hole, 3” deep.
Tighten each anchor to 33 Nm (25 ft-lb) using a 9/16” socket.
STEP 03: INSTALL BATTERY MODULE
Battery Module Installation
Install the battery module onto the pole mount bracket.
Secure it using the 4 provided M8 × 20 bolts.
Tighten each bolt to approximately 15 Nm (10 ft-lb) using the provided T40 security Torx Allen key.
If your install includes an Auxiliary Battery Module, skip to Step: Auxiliary (BTE2) Installation Instructions for additional instructions.
STEP 04: INSTALL BATTERIES IN BATTERY MODULE
Battery Installation
Open the battery module and switch the circuit breakers 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: ATTACH IVR MODULE TO STRUCTURE
IVR Module Installation
Important: Ensure the IVR module does not cast a shadow on the solar panels, as this will reduce the power available to the RSA.
Pole Install:
Attach the IVR module mounting frame to the pole using the provided hose clamps.
If necessary, use a large zip tie to temporarily hold the bracket in place.
Tighten the hose clamps to 4 Nm (3 ft-lb) using a 7 mm socket.
Wall Install:
Attach the IVR module mounting frame to the structure using 4 masonry anchors (provided) or another approved mounting system.
For the provided masonry anchors, drill a 3/8” pilot hole 3” deep, then tighten each anchor to 33 Nm (25 ft-lb) using a 9/16” socket.
All Installations:
Attach the IVR module to the mounting frame using 4 M8 × 20 bolts (provided).
Tighten the bolts to approximately 15 Nm (10 ft-lb) using the provided T40 Torx Allen key.
STEP 06: CONNECT POWER CONDUIT
Power Conduit Installation
The power conduit ships pre-attached to the battery module.
Install the power conduit fitting into the bottom of the IVR module.
Connect the 2-pin DC power connector between the conduit and the 24V DC transformers.
Tighten the conduit nut to ensure a watertight connection.
STEP 07: 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 08: 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 09: CAMERA SETUP & VERIFICATION
From the Spot Dashboard>Live, visually inspect each camera.
Adjust the camera angles to ensure optimal coverage.
STEP 10: TEST LIGHTS + 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 11A: 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 11B — 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: CONNECT SOLAR PANELS
Connect the solar panels to the solar cables on the battery module, ensuring secure and proper connections.
STEP 17: 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 03 — Install Battery Module) for installs including the Auxiliary Battery Module only.
STEP 04.1 — 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 04.2 — 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 04.3 — 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 04.4: 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 04.5 — 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 04: Install Batteries in Battery Module.
Important: Turn the BTE2 circuit breaker to “ON” simultaneously with the other circuit breakers during the Check Connections step.