ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.
51 Winthrop Road
Chester, Connecticut 06412-0684
Phone: (860) 526-9504
Fax: (860) 526-4078
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: autosale@whelen.com
Canadian Sales e-mail: canadiansales@whelen.com
Customer Service e-mail: custserv@whelen.com
Installation Guide:
1200D Series Strobe Beacon
Whelen’s emergency vehicle warning devices must be properly mounted and wired in order to be effective and safe. Read and follow all of Whelen’s
written instructions when installing or using this device. Emergency vehicles are often operated under high speed stressful conditions which must be
accounted for when installing all emergency warning devices. Controls should be placed within convenient reach of the operator so that he can operate
the system without taking his eyes off the roadway. Emergency warning devices can require high electrical voltages and/or currents. Properly protect and
use caution around live electrical connections.Grounding or shorting of electrical connections can cause high current arcing, which can cause personal
injury and/or vehicle damage, including fire. Many electronic devices used in emergency vehicles can create or be affected by electromagnetic
interference. Therefore, after installation of any electronic device it is necessary to test all electronic equipment simultaneously to insure that they operate
free of interference from other components within the vehicle. Never power emergency warning equipment from the same circuit or share the same
grounding circuit with radio communication equipment. All devices should be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and securely
fastened to vehicle elements of sufficient strength to withstand the forces applied to the device. Driver and/or passenger air bags (SRS) will affect the way
equipment should be mounted. This device should be mounted by permanent installation and within the zones specified by the vehicle manufacturer, if
any. Any device mounted in the deployment area of an air bag will damage or reduce the effectiveness of the air bag and may damage or dislodge the
device. Installer must be sure that this device, its mounting hardware and electrical supply wiring does not interfere with the air bag or the SRS wiring or
sensors. Mounting the unit inside the vehicle by a method other than permanent installation is not recommended as unit may become dislodged during
swerving; sudden braking or collision. Failure to follow instructions can result in personal injury. Whelen assumes no liability for any loss resulting from the
use of this warning device. PROPER INSTALLATION COMBINED WITH OPERATOR TRAINING IN THE PROPER USE OF EMERGENCY WARNING
DEVICES IS ESSENTIAL TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AND THE PUBLIC.
Warnings to Users
Warnings to Installers
Whelen’s emergency vehicle warning devices are intended to alert other operators and pedestrians to the presence and operation of emergency vehicles
and personnel. However, the use of this or any other Whelen emergency warning device does not guarantee that you will have the right-of-way or that
other drivers and pedestrians will properly heed an emergency warning signal. Never assume you have the right-of-way. It is your responsibility to proceed
safely before entering an intersection, driving against traffic, responding at a high rate of speed, or walking on or around traffic lanes. Emergency vehicle
warning devices should be tested on a daily basis to ensure that they operate properly. When in actual use, the operator must ensure that both visual and
audible warnings are not blocked by vehicle components (i.e.: open trunks or compartment doors), people, vehicles, or other obstructions. It is the user’s
responsibility to understand and obey all laws regarding emergency warning devices. The user should be familiar with all applicable laws and regulations
prior to the use of any emergency vehicle warning device. Whelen’s audible warning devices are designed to project sound in a forward direction away
from the vehicle occupants. However, because sustained periodic exposure to loud sounds can cause hearing loss, all audible warning devices should be
installed and operated in accordance with the standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
Safety First
This document provides all the necessary information to allow your Whelen product to be properly and safely installed. Before beginning the installation
and/or operation of your new product, the installation technician and operator must read this manual completely. Important information is contained herein
that could prevent serious injury or damage.
• Proper installation of this product requires the installer to have a good understanding of automotive electronics, systems and procedures.
• Whelen Engineering requires the use of waterproof butt splices and/or connectors if that connector could be exposed to moisture.
• Failure to use specified installation parts and/or hardware will void the product warranty.
• If mounting this product requires drilling holes, the installer MUST be sure that no vehicle components or other vital parts could be damaged
by the drilling process. Check both sides of the mounting surface before drilling begins. Also de-burr the holes and remove any metal shards
or remnants. Install grommets into all wire passage holes.
• If this manual states that this product may be mounted with suction cups, magnets, tape or Velcro®, clean the mounting surface with a 50/50
mix of isopropyl alcohol and water and dry thoroughly.
• Do not install this product or route any wires in the deployment area of your air bag. Equipment mounted or located in the air bag deployment
area will damage or reduce the effectiveness of the air bag, or become a projectile that could cause serious personal injury or death. Refer to
your vehicle owner’s manual for the air bag deployment area. The User/Installer assumes full responsibility to determine proper mounting
location, based on providing ultimate safety to all passengers inside the vehicle.
• For this product to operate at optimum efficiency, a good electrical connection to chassis ground must be made. The recommended
procedure requires the product ground wire to be connected directly to the NEGATIVE (-) battery post (this does not include products that use
cigar power cords).
• If this product uses a remote device for activation or control, make sure that this device is located in an area that allows both the vehicle and
the device to be operated safely in any driving condition.
• Do not attempt to activate or control this device in a hazardous driving situation.
• This product contains either strobe light(s), halogen light(s), high-intensity LEDs or a combination of these lights. Do not stare directly into
these lights. Momentary blindness and/or eye damage could result.
• Use only soap and water to clean the outer lens. Use of other chemicals could result in premature lens cracking (crazing) and discoloration.
Lenses in this condition have significantly reduced effectiveness and should be replaced immediately. Inspect and operate this product
regularly to confirm its proper operation and mounting condition. Do not use a pressure washer to clean this product.
• It is recommended that these instructions be stored in a safe place and referred to when performing maintenance and/or reinstallation of this
product.
• FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT OR VEHICLE
Automotive: Beacons
AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!
©1997 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13208E (061614)
For warranty information regarding this product, visit www.whelen.com/warranty
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The 1200D Series Strobe Beacon features a combination
base which may be used for either 1” (NPT) Pipe Mount, or
Permanent Mount. The threading for a 1 inch (NPT) pipe
mounting is precast in the die-cast base. Magnetic Mount and
Spade Mount models are also available.
FEATURES:
• Input Voltage: 12VDC and 24VDC
• Input Current: 2.5A
•Output Power: 25 Watts
• 4 Selectable Flash Patterns
• Selectable Manual Hi/Low Intensity Mode
• Automatic Photocell Hi/Low Intensity Mode
(Optional).
• Permanent / Pipe Mounting Standard.
• Spade Bolt and Magnetic Mounting (Optional).
• Hi / Off / Low Intensity Switch (Optional).
• 4 Pattern Beacon Controller with Diagnostic &
Manual
• Hi/Low Intensity Control (Optional).
• Factory Installed Cruise Light (Optional).
@12.8V and 1.5A @ 25.6V
Installation: Permanent Mount
1. Using the base gasket as a template, mark the 2
mounting holes and the center wire access hole onto the
mounting surface (Fig. 3).
2. First drill holes for the two 10 X 5/8” pan head sheet
metal screws (supplied in parts bag). IMPORTANT: Be
very careful not to drill the holes too large.
3. Next drill the wire access hole with a 1/2” drill. NOTE:
You should also install a rubber grommet in the wire
access hole to protect the wires.
4. Place base gasket on mounting surface aligned with the
holes in the mounting surface. After connecting the
strobe beacon to the power cable, feed the wires through
the wire access hole. Place strobe beacon into proper
position, align the 2 holes in the aluminum base with the
2 mounting holes in the base gasket and mounting
surface. Use the 2 enclosed sheet metal screws to
attach the strobe light beacon securely to the mounting
surface.
Installation: Pipe Mount
1. Feed power cable through the 1 inch pipe. Connect the
cable to the wires of the 1200D Series strobe beacon.
2. Screw the strobe beacon into the threads on the 1 inch
pipe, taking precaution not to damage the connected wires.
Installation: Spade Bolt Mount
This mounting of the 1200D Series strobe beacon is a tamper
proof way to secure the unit to the mounting surface. If you
want this feature, you must have the “Spade Bolt Mount” model.
This model will have the bolts already installed into the
aluminum base. The mounting screws are hidden inside the
base, and are not accessible unless the strobe beacon is
disassembled.
1. Using the base gasket as a template, mark the 3 mounting
holes and the center wire access hole onto the mounting
surface. IMPORTANT: You must have access to the other
side of the mounting area to attach the nuts to the
mounting bolts.
2. Drill the three holes for the mounting bolts.
3. Next drill the wire access hole with a 1/2” drill. Install a
rubber grommet in the wire access hole to protect the
wires.
4. Put your gasket in place on the mounting surface, run the
wires through the mounting hole and connect the beacon
to your power source.
5. Now take your beacon and slip the 3 bolt ends (coming
from the aluminum base) into the 3 mounting holes.
6. Attach and tighten the 3 nuts (Fig. 4) and your beacon is
ready.
The outer surfaces of this product may be cleaned with mild
soap and water. Use of any other chemicals may void product
warranty. Do not use a pressure washer.
WARNING: The use of any magnetically mounted warning
beacon on the outside of a vehicle while in motion is not
recommended and is at the sole discretion and risk of the
user
WARNING! All customer supplied wires that connect to
the positive terminal of the battery must be sized to
supply at least 125% of the maximum operating current
and FUSED
USE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH THIS PRODUCT!
at the battery to carry that load. DO NOT
WARNING: The aluminum base has a small drain hole on
the side, located toward the bottom. This hole must be
positioned so that it faces the rear of the vehicle for proper
drainage.
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