Carson SA-361-30 Installation And Operating Instructions Manual

Carson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

5451 North Rural Street

Indianapolis, IN 46220

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.carsonsirens.com

SA-361-30

REMOTE SIREN AMPLIFIER

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS

Carson is a trademark of Carson Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Sound Hazard - Sound level from siren speaker (>120dBA @ 10 feet) may cause hearing damage.
Do not operate siren without adequate hearing protection for you and anyone in immediate vicinity.
(Ref. OSHA 1910.95 for occupational noise exposure guidelines)

W

A

I

L

Y

E
L
P

STANDBY

M
A
N
U
A

L

/

P
H
A
S
E
R

H

O
R
N

SA

-

361

SPK SPK

NEG

POS

AUX

MAN

YELP

WAIL

HORN

NEG

Page 2 of 8 SA-361-30 Installation Instructions

12/20/16 CP5165A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................................. 2

SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................. 3

UNPACKING .................................................................................................. 3

INSTALLATION .................................................................................................. 3

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............................................................................... 3

MOUNTING.................................................................................................... 3

OPTION SWITCHES...................................................................................... 4

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ................................................................... 4-5

OPERATION....................................................................................................... 6

POWER ON/OFF ........................................................................................... 6

YELP - STANDBY - WAIL SELECTOR SWITCH ........................................... 6

MANUAL / PHASER SWITCH ....................................................................... 6

AUXILIARY INPUT FUNCTIONS.................................................................... 6

Horn Ring Cycler 2 (HRC2)...................................................................... 6

WAIL / YELP TOGGLE MODE ....................................................................... 6

SERVICE............................................................................................................ 7

PROBLEMS ................................................................................................... 7

PARTS and ACCESSORIES.......................................................................... 7

RETURNS ...................................................................................................... 8

WARRANTY ................................................................................................... 8

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The SA-361 Remote Siren Amplifier is designed for single 100W speaker use. The primary oper­ating modes are Yelp, Wail and Standby, selected by a 3-position rocker switch. Horn Override,
push-on/push-off Phaser operation in the Yelp and Wail modes, and Manual siren control in the
Standby mode are controlled by a momentary 3-position rocker switch. The unit features instant­on allowing the unit to produce a tone instantly when a switch is activated The supplied switch
panel or other switches may be used for control. A DIP switch on the amplifier provides options to
select Two-Tone, disable tones, HRC2 operation, Auxiliary polarity & function, and Wail/Yelp
toggle mode. The unit utilizes short circuit, high voltage, and reverse polarity protection systems
for maximum service life.

NOTICE

This Carson siren is intended for use by authorized personnel only. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure they
understand and operate this emergency warning device in compliance with all applicable city, state and federal
laws and regulations.

Due to continuous product improvements, we must reserve the right to change any specifications and information,
contained in this manual at any time without notice.

Carson Manufacturing Co., Inc. makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not
limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Carson Manufacturing Co., Inc. shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential
damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this manual.

See www.carsonsirens.com for latest information.

Sound Hazard - Sound level from siren speaker (>120dBA @ 10 feet) may cause hearing damage.
Do not operate siren without adequate hearing protection for you and anyone in immediate vicinity.
(Ref. OSHA 1910.95 for occupational noise exposure guidelines)

SA-361-30 Installation Instructions Page 3 of 8

CP5165A 12/20/16

SPECIFICATIONS

UNPACKING

Inspect contents for shipping damage. If
found alert carrier immediately.
Contact supplier immediately if any items are
missing.

INSTALLATION

Proper installation of the unit is essential for years of safe, reliable operation. Please read all
instruction before installing the unit. Failure to follow these instructions can cause serious dam­age to the unit or vehicle and may void warranties.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

For the safety of the installer, vehicle operator, passengers and the community please observe
the following safety precautions. Failure to follow all safety precautions and instructions may

result in property damage, injury or death.
Qualifications - The installer must have a firm knowledge of basic electricity, vehicle electrical

systems and emergency equipment.
Remote Panel Location - Locate the hand control for easy access by the vehicle operator, typi­cally underneath the vehicle dashboard in a location away from the driver’s or passenger’s legs.
DO NOT locate in air bag deployment area. Mounting hardware is not supplied.
Amplifier Mounting - Flanges are provided for mounting (hardware not supplied). Assure clear­ances before drilling in vehicle.
Wiring - Use wiring capable of handling the current required. Make sure all connections are tight.
Route wiring to prevent wear, overheating and interference with air bag deployment. Install and
check all wiring before connection to vehicle battery.
Testing - Test all siren functions after installation to assure proper operation. Test vehicle opera­tion to assure no damage to vehicle.

This unit is not designed for motorcycle use.

Keep These Instructions - Keep these instructions in the vehicle or other safe place for future

reference. Advise the vehicle operator of the location.

Speaker Load Single 100W 11ohm

Input Current 8 AMPS (@14 VDC - single 100W speaker)

Standby Current Less than 5mA

Output Power 105 WATTS RMS MAX. (15 VDC - single 100W speaker)

Siren Frequency 700Hz - 1500Hz (Two-Tone and Horn = 435 & 585Hz)

Tones / Cycle Rates Horn Wail Yelp Phaser Two-Tone

Cycle Rates 109 CPS 13 CPM 190 CPM 15 CPS 60 CPM

High Voltage
Protection

16 - 18 VDC will cause siren output to cease, resume at normal voltage

Short Circuit Current 50 AMPS (supply circuit must be capable of supplying this for 1 second)

Operating Temp. -15° F to +140°F

Controls 3-position rocker selector switch (Yelp, Wail and Standby).

3-position momentary rocker switch (Horn and Manual/Phaser toggle).
Auxiliary input.

8-position DIP switch option selector.
Connections
(10-Pin Connector)

(2) Power, (2) Speaker, Auxiliary

Switch inputs for Wail, Yelp, Horn, Manual/Phaser
Size Control Panel: 3-3/4” Wide, 1-3/4” Deep, 1-1/4” High

Amplifier: 6" Wide, 4-1/4" Deep, 1-7/8" High
Weight 2 LBS.

Input Voltage 10 - 16 VDC (negative ground)

Qty Item

1 Amplifier

1 ED1773 Switch Panel Assembly

1 CP4688-10 10-Pin Terminal Block Plug

6 CP4062-K2523Terminal, 3/16” Insulated

1 CP5165 Instruction Manual

Page 4 of 8 SA-361-30 Installation Instructions

12/20/16 CP5165A

OPTION SWITCHES

An 8-position DIP switch on the remote amplifier may be changed to select various options.

Adjusting Option Switches - use a small screwdriver to change switch settings.

SW-1 Auxiliary Input Polarity - The auxiliary input is normally activated with positive. Turn

switch OFF for negative activation.

SW-4 Two-Tone - Turn this switch OFF to replace Phaser with Two-Tone.

SW-5 Horn Enable - Turn this switch OFF to disable Horn tone. Horn replaced with Yelp.

SW-4 & 5 Siren Tone Disable - All siren tones may be disabled except Horn by turning OFF

both switches. All control inputs will produce Horn tone.

SW-6 Short Manual - The Manual siren tone will normally fall and die out when released. Turn
this switch OFF to have Manual stop immediately.

SW-7 Phaser Enable - Turn this switch OFF to disable Phaser tone. Phaser replaced with Yelp.

SW-8 Wail / Yelp Toggle Mode - The Wail and Yelp remote switch inputs normally activate the

Wail and Yelp modes of operation. This mode changes the Wail input to Wail/Yelp toggle while
the Yelp input is changed to activate Standby. Turn this switch on to enable this feature. See
OPERATION section for further details.

HORN RING CYCLER 2 (HRC2) - Turn on DIP SW-1 and SW-2 to enable this feature. Also
connect the auxiliary input to the horn ring or other switch. While the siren is in standby, tap the
horn ring to bring the unit out of standby into Wail tone. Repeatedly tapping the horn ring will
cycle through Wail, Yelp, and Phaser tones. Tapping the horn ring twice quickly will stop the siren
tones and return the unit to standby. Pressing and holding the horn ring will produce Horn tone
until released. Then the siren will return to its previous siren tone or standby.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Electrical connections to the amplifier are made using a terminal block plug located on the ampli­fier. A label on the unit identifies each terminal function. Install the plug on the unit before wiring.
If the unit needs service the plug can be easily removed without unwiring. The power supply of
the unit must be capable of delivering peak currents up to 50 amps for adequate short circuit
protection and reliable operation. The preferred source is directly at the vehicle battery. The
amplifier is fused near connector.
Attach leads by stripping 3/8", inserting into connector and clamp by tightening screw. Make sure
the screw is tight and the wire can't be pulled out.

Failure to adequately tighten the screw can result in improper operation or burning the
connector and wire.

Wire Size and Termination - The diagram shows the minimum wire size used for each connec-

tion, along with recommended lead color. If the wire is longer than 10 ft. use the next larger wire
size. Use only high quality crimp connectors for installation on the vehicle.

ON

Option Switches

Default Setting Shown – All ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SW-2 SW-3 Auxiliary Tone in Standby

ON ON (Default) Produces Horn tone while activated.

OFF ON Produces Phaser tone while activated.

ON OFF Produces Manual siren tone while activated.

OFF OFF Activates Horn Ring Cycler 2 (HRC2) function.

SA-361-30 Installation Instructions Page 5 of 8

CP5165A 12/20/16

Auxiliary Input Connection (Optional) - A momentary input typically connected to the horn ring
of the vehicle or other switch. See OPERATION section for auxiliary input functions.

NOTE: Permanent disconnection of the vehicle horn is NOT recommended.

The auxiliary input may be activated with positive or negative voltage. See Auxiliary Polarity
under OPTION SWITCHES section for proper activation polarity. Input current is 1 to 20 mA.

Auxiliary Input

Connection Examples

Activated with

+VDC OR -VDC

Factory Default

DIP SW-1 ON for +VDC

DIP SW-1 OFF for -VDC

HORN RLY

+VDC

or

-VDC

Added

SPDT

Switch

To

AUX

Vehicle

Horn

+VDC

or

-VDC

Momentary

SPST

To

AUX

Horn

Circuit

Note:

Vehicle horn will also

sound with siren

To

AUX

Vehicle

Horn

Splice

SPK SPK

NEG

POS

10-P Terminal Block Plug

(CP4688-10)

15A Automotive

Type Fuse

Plug into unit first for

terminal identification

Plug installed

this orientation

#18

G BRN

#18

G BRN

#16G RED

#16G BLK

AUX

MAN

YELP

WAIL

HORN

NEG

BAT

+

-

W

A

I

L

Y

E
L
P

STANDBY

M
A
N
U
A

L

/

P
H
A
S
E
R

H
O
R
N

SA

-

361

AUX

BLK

WHT

YEL

BLU

GRN

11 ohm

100W

VIO

All control wires

#22 guage

Page 6 of 8 SA-361-30 Installation Instructions

12/20/16 CP5165A

OPERATION

POWER ON/OFF

The unit is turned on/off automatically (instant on) with the siren or auxiliary input controls.

YELP - STANDBY - WAIL SELECTOR SWITCH

A 3-position rocker selector switch controls the primary
operating mode of the siren.

Yelp - A rapidly changing tone used in congested areas.
Wail - A slower changing tone used on highways.
Standby - A silent mode that may be overridden anytime.

MANUAL/PHASER - HORN SWITCH

This momentary rocker switch provides Manual, Phaser
toggle, or Horn tones.
Manual - With selector switch in Standby, siren tone rises
while pressed and falls when released until silenced.
Horn - Overrides all other siren tones when pressed.
Provides a simulated air-horn tone that can be used to
supplement the normal vehicle horn. Used at intersec­tions or in low noise areas. Horn tone may be disabled.
See OPTION SWITCHES section.
Phaser - With selector switch in Wail or Yelp, this tone override is toggled on and off by repeat­edly pressing switch. A very rapid changing tone used at intersections and very highly congested
areas. May be optionally replaced with Two-Tone or disabled. Two-Tone is two alternating
frequencies like a European. See OPTION SWITCHES section.

AUXILIARY INPUT FUNCTIONS

The switch or horn ring attached is intended to be momentary.
When the selector switch is in Wail or Yelp, activating auxiliary will produce the Horn tone.
With selector switch in Standby, activating auxiliary will normally produce Horn tone. Different
tones are available. See OPTION SWITCHES section.

Horn Ring Cycler 2 (HRC2) - this feature may also be added by turning on the HRC2 option.
HRC2 is only available while the unit is in Standby. Tapping the attached horn ring or other
switch, will bring the unit out of standby into Wail tone. Repeatedly tapping the horn ring will cycle
through Wail, Yelp, and Phaser tones. Tapping the horn ring twice quickly will stop the siren
tones and return the unit to standby. Pressing and holding the horn ring will produce Horn tone
until released. Then the siren will return to its previous siren tone or standby.

WAIL / YELP TOGGLE MODE

This mode must be activated during installation. See ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS section.
Momentarily pressing the Wail/Yelp switch will bring the unit out of standby into Wail mode. Re­peatedly pressing the Wail/Yelp switch toggles between W ail and Yelp modes. Pressing and
holding the Wail/Yelp switch will produce Horn tone until released. Momentarily pressing the
Standby switch returns the unit to Standby mode. The remaining controls will function as de­scribed earlier.

Sound Hazard - Sound level from siren speaker (>120dBA @ 10 feet) may cause hearing damage.
Do not operate siren without adequate hearing protection for you and anyone in immediate vicinity.
(Ref. OSHA 1910.95 for occupational noise exposure guidelines)

STANDBY

W

A

I

L

Y

E
L
P

H
O
R
N

M P

A H
N A
U S
A E
L R

Selector

Switch
(Mode)

Manual/Phaser

Switch

Horn

Switch

Auxiliary Input

(Horn Ring)

Standby Manual Horn Horn (Default), Short Manual (no fall), Phaser, or HRC2

Wail or Yelp Phaser Toggle Horn Horn

SA-361-30 Installation Instructions Page 7 of 8

CP5165A 12/20/16

SERVICE

This unit is designed to provide years of reliable service under even the worst conditions. Many
times there may appear to be a problem with the unit when the true problem is in the speaker or
improper installation. The following chart shows typical symptoms and possible causes.

A blown siren fuse doesn't necessarily mean that the unit is bad. If a speaker or speaker lead is
shorted the fuse will blow before the unit is damaged. Disconnect the SPKR leads and replace
the fuse. If the amplifier makes noise with Wail mode selected and Enable Input powered the
amplifier is OK. Check the speaker or leads for possible shorting.

PROBLEMS

PARTS and ACCESSORIES

The following parts and accessories are available from Carson Manufacturing Company, Inc.:

See www.carsonsirens.com for additional information

or contact our Service Department at:

E-mail [e-mail] or Phone [phone]

Symptom Possible Cause Check

No power or siren
output

Bad speaker
Connector loose
Amplifier fuse blown
Loose connection at power source
Wrong polarity on remote switches

Is the amplifier making noise in Wail?
Is an external fuse or circuit breaker used?

Are the negative leads connected to a good ground?
Are the Input Polarity option switches set properly?

No siren tones Bad Speaker

High Voltage Protection
All siren tones disabled

Is the amplifier making noise in Wail?
Input voltage must be less than highest rated voltage.

Are the option switches set properly?
Distorted siren
sound

Speaker assembly loose
Intermittent remote switch connec­tion
Low vehicle voltage

Is the speaker bell or tip loose?

Are the remote switches wired properly?

Input voltage must be greater than lowest rated voltage.
Intermittent siren
tone

High Voltage Protection
Connector loose
Bad power connection
Circuit breaker in supply connection

Is the vehicle voltage regulator working properly?

Is the connector tight on the back of the unit?

Is there a loose connection on a power lead?

Is a circuit breaker used with at least a 50A rating?
Horn function
stuck on or
Manual/Phaser
stuck on

Horn switch stuck
Manual/Phaser switch stuck
Switch input improperly connected
Switch Input Polarity Option set
wrong
Aux Input improperly connected

Does the Horn switch return when released?

Does the Manual/Phaser switch return when released?

Are the correct switch terminals wired?

Are the Input Polarity option switches set properly?

Is the Aux Input used and wired properly?

Aux Input Polarity Option set wrong?
Wrong siren tone Two-Tone option selected

Tones disabled
Wail/Yelp Toggle Mode selected
Remote switches wired incorrectly

Check option switch settings.

Are the correct switch terminals wired?
Some siren tones
not working

Tone disabled
Remote switches wired incorrectly

Check option switch settings.

Are the correct switch terminals wired?

Part Description

CP4990-150 Fuse, 15 Amp Mini Automotive

CP4748-2 Switch, Red Rocker ON - OFF - ON (Yelp - Standby - Wail)

CP4751-2 Switch, Momentary Red Rocker Switch, (ON) - OFF - (ON) (Manual/Phaser - Horn)

Accessory Description * - standard accessory supplied with complete unit

CP4688-10 * Connector, 10-pin Terminal Block Plug

CP4062-K2523 * Terminal, 3/16" insulated female Q.C.

SA-361-30AMP SA-361-20 Remote Amplifier Only (includes 10-pin connector)

ED1773 * SA-361 Remote Panel Assembly (includes rocker switches)

CP5165 * Instruction Manual

Page 8 of 8 SA-361-30 Installation Instructions

12/20/16 CP5165A

RETURN

If you have any questions concerning this or any other Carson product,
please contact our Technical Service Department at [phone].
Many issues can be handled over the phone. We can also be reached via
e-mail at [e-mail]

If a product must be returned for any reason, please contact our Technical
Service Department to obtain a Returned Merchandise Authorization num­ber (RMA#) before you ship the product to Carson. Please write the RMA#
clearly on the package near the mailing label. Be sure to provide a return
address, contact and phone number, along with a brief description of the
problem.

LIMITED WARRANTY

Carson Manufacturing Company, Inc. warrants this new product to be free from defects in
material and workmanship, under normal use and service, for a period of five (5) years from
the date of delivery to the first user-purchaser.

During this warranty period the obligation of Carson Manufacturing is limited to repairing or
replacing, as Carson Manufacturing may elect, any part or parts of such product which after
examination by Carson Manufacturing is determined to be defective in material and/or work­manship.

This warranty does not cover labor charges for removal or re-installation of the product.
Fuses and lamps are not covered under this warranty.

This warranty does not extend to any unit that has been subjected to abuse, misuse, im­proper installation or which has not been adequately maintained, nor to units which have
problems related to service or modification at any facility other than Carson Mfg.

THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL CARSON MANUFACTURING
COMPANY, INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY INDIRECT OR CON­SEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY SUCH DEFECT IN MATERIALS OR
WORKMANSHIP.