Whelen 2015LPA User Manual

®

ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.

51 Winthrop Road
Chester, Connecticut 06412-0684
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Canadian Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Customer Service e-mail: [e-mail]

Installation Guide

2015 Series Strobe Beacons

(Polycarbonate Base)

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!

©1999 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13436F (061614)

For warranty information regarding this product, visit www.whelen.com/warranty

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#4 X 1/2"
PHILLIPS PAN
HEAD SMS

PCB
ASS'Y

OPTIC
DOME

BASE

#10 X 5/8"
PPH SMS

FASTEX
GROMMET

When inserting the flash
tube assembly into the
strobe power supply
assembly, align the 3
prongs on the flash tube
with the slots in the
power supply.

BASE
SEAL

#6 X 5/8" PAN HD.
THX HD. SCREW

#6 X 5/16" HEX WSHR
HD THD FORM. SCREW

FLASH
TUBE
ASS'Y

IMPORTANT:
Keep drain hole
in base facing
rear of vehicle.

H

If you wish to control Hi/Low Power
externally, cut the VIOLET wire off at this
point and exit with the BLACK and RED
wires. Ground this wire to go to high
power. You may install an SPST switch
(customer supplied).

FLASH PATTERN SELECTION

To achieve any of the 4 flash patterns,
you must either cut-out or leave-in one,
two, both or neither of the two jumpers.

If
you do not touch the jumpers the beacon
will default to QuintFlash™.

PCB ASSEMBLY (COMPONENT SIDE)

JU1

BLK

JU2

RED

JU

6

QuintFlash
DoubleFlash
RapidRandom
ActionFlash™

JU1 JU2

IN

IN
CUT

CUT

IN

CUT

IN

CUT

FLASH PATTERNS

FLASH PATTERN SELECTION

HI/LOW POWER CONTROL

O-RING
GASKET

Assembly and Operation:

Specifications for Model 2015:

10-24

ELASTIC

STOP NUT

(

QTY 4

)

10-24 X 5/8
U-BOLT
(

QTY 2

)

1. Secure the bracket to the mirror
2 supplied U-Bolts and elastic1.

or other part of the vehicle using the

stop nuts.

Mirror Mount Bracket

10-24 X 7/8
PPHMS
(QTY 3)

10-24

ELASTIC

STOP NUT

(QTY 3)

2. using the supplied sheet metal
screws

Secure the Beacon to the bracket

and elastic stop nuts.2.

Input Voltage .................................................................. 12.8 / (25.6) VDC

Input Current......................................................1.7 Amps & .085 average

Input Power............................................................................... 21.5 Watts

Flashrate: QuintFlash™.......................... 72 QuintFlashes (5) Per Minute

DoubleFlash .......................... 115 Double Flashes Per Minute

RapidRandom......................150-370-150 Flashes Per Minute

ActionFlash™ .... 1 QuintFlash & 4 Single Flashes Per Minute

Energy ........................................................6.4 / 1.6 / 1.6 / 1.6 / 1.6 Joules

Output Power............................................................................... 15 Watts

WARNING!The strobe power supply is a high voltage device. Do not

remove flash tubes or dismantle the strobe light head

assembly while in operation. Wait 10 minutes after turning

power off before starting work or trouble shooting.

Mounting:

1 Inch (NPT) Pipe Mount:

1. Threading for a 1 inch (NPT) pipe mounting is precast in the base.

Feed power cable through pipe and connect cable to beacon.

2. Screw strobe beacon to threads on the pipe, taking precaution not to

damage the power wires. NOTE: Do not tighten base too hard

onto pipe so as not to damage the threads on the base.

Permanent Mount:

1. Use the base as a template and mark the three mounting holes onto

the mounting surface. After removing the base, mark in the center
between the 3 mounting holes, the location of the wire access hole.

2. Drill the mounting holes using a #16 drill bit. Drill a wire access hole

using a 3/8” drill bit. Remove the burrs from the wire access hole so
as not to damage the wires. It is recommended that you install a
rubber grommet to further protect the wires. A gasket will be used
between the beacon base and the mounting surface.

3. After connecting the beacon to the power cable, feed the wires

through the cable access hole and place the base with the gasket on
the mounting surface, lining up the mounting holes in the base with
the mounting holes in the mounting surface. Secure beacon firmly to
the mounting surface with the #10 X 5/8 Sheet Metal Screws.

Temporary Mount:

Magnetic/suction: Thoroughly clean the proposed mounting surface prior
to mounting. For suction cup mounting, wipe the suction cup clean, place
the beacon onto its mounting surface and apply gentle pressure to ensure
a good seal. The Magnetic/Suction Cups mount the same way as
standard suction cups but are best suited to a flat, steel surface.

Magnetic: Place beacon onto mounting surface and plug into cigar lighter.

WARNING! Beacons equipped with cigar cords are intended for

shortduration, intermittent operation only! Prolonged
operation requires the beacon to be wired to the vehicle.

WARNING! The presence of any temporarily mounted warning light

on the outside of a vehicle in motion is not
recommended and is at the sole discretion and liability
of the user!

WARNING! All customer supplied wires that connect to the positive

DC voltage models are polarity sensitive. If the positive and negative wires
are reversed the unit will not function. The fuse is installed between the

terminal of the battery must be sized to supply at least
125% of the maximum operating current and FUSED at
the battery to carry the load. DO NOT USE CIRCUIT
BREAKERS WITH THIS PRODUCT!

power source and the beacon, in the positive (+) wire (RED) and must be
fused at the battery. A 5 AMP Fuse is Recommended for this unit.

1. Connect the RED wire on the beacon to positive voltage (+). A

customer supplied single pole single throw (SPST) switch may be
used to control the ON/OFF function of the beacon.

2. Connect the BLACK wire on the beacon to a negative (-) ground.

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