Whelen 6RBA 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:

Rota-Beam™ Lighthead

(Surface Mount)

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 recommends 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: Lightheads

AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!

©2013 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.14728 (090913)

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

Page 1

2.875"

5.750"

1.625"

3.250"

1/4 DIA
Mounting Hole
(4 places)

"

1 DIA
Wire Passage Hole

"

Installation:

CAUTION! DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THESE LED’S WHILE THEY ARE ON.
MOMENTARY BLINDNESS AND/OR EYE DAMAGE COULD RESULT!

IMPORTANT WARNING!

IMPORTANT! It is the responsibility of the installation technician to make sure
that the installation and operation of this product will not interfere with or
compromise the operation or efficiency of any vehicle equipment!

Caution: Permanent mounting of this product will require drilling. It is
absolutely necessary to make sure that no other vehicle components could be
damaged by this process. Check both sides of the mounting surface before
starting. If damage is likely, select a different mounting location.

Wiring:

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
BREAKERS WITH THIS PRODUCT!

Using appropriately-sized wire, extend the RED (Power) wire to +12VDC. Fuse this
wire @ 3A. Extend the BLK (Ground) wire to chassis ground.

The following sections outline the Rota-Beam’s Scan-Lock™ and SYNC™ features.
Connect these wires to +12VDC are fuse @ 1A.

Scan-Lock™ (White/Violet):

Note that the lighthead must be on to use the ScanLock feature except where
noted.

To advance to the next flash pattern - Apply +12VDC to the WHT/VIO wire for less
than 1 second and release.

To cycle backwards through the flash patterns - Apply +12VDC to the WHT/VIO
wire for more than 1 second and release.

To reset to the factory default flash pattern - Turn off power to the lighthead. While
applying +12VDC to the WHT/VIO wire, turn power to the lighthead on. Continue to
apply voltage to the WHT/VIO wire for 5 seconds. The default pattern will now be
active.

NOTE: A Normally Open momentary switch is suggested to activate the Scan­Lock™ wire.

SYNC (Grey) - To SYNC two lightheads, configure both lightheads to display the

same Phase 1 pattern. With the power off, connect the Grey wires from each
lighthead. When the lightheads are activated, their patterns will be synchronized. To
configure the two lightheads to alternate their patterns, advance the pattern of either
lighthead to the Phase 2 mode of the current pattern. Remember, Phase 1 patterns

alternate with Phase 2 patterns!

ALWAYS

Hi/Low Intensity (Violet) - This feature allows the user to step the unit down to low
power operation for nighttime use. Apply positive voltage to the VIOLET wire to put
the lighthead into low power. Remove the voltage from the VIOLET wire to restore
normal high power operation.

at the battery to carry that load. DO NOT USE CIRCUIT

1. Using the dimensions shown, mark off and drill the four 1/4” diameter mounting
holes and the 1” wire hole into the mounting surface. Check measurements
before drilling.

2. Install the screw grommet flange into the mounting holes then install a rubber
grommet (customer supplied) into the wire hole.

3. Using appropriately sized wires (minimum 18 AWG wire), extend the lighthead
wires to their appropriate connections. Fuse the positive connections at 3
Amps and test operation of lighthead before securing it to vehicle.

4. Position the lighthead onto the mounting surface and secure to the vehicle

using the four #6 x 1-1/2” sheet metal screws.

Pattern Table:

Pattern Direction Phase

1. Rotator 75 CW 1

2. Rotator 75 CW 2

3. Rotator 75 CCW 1

4. Rotator 75 CCW 2

5. Rotator 150 CW 1

6. Rotator 150 CW 2

7. Rotator 150 CCW 1

8. Rotator 150 CCW 2

9. WigWag 75 - 1

10. WigWag 75 - 2

11. WigWag 150 - 1

12. WigWag 150 - 2

13. Rotator Moduflash CW 1

14. Rotator Moduflash CCW 1

IMPORTANT! Before returning the vehicle to active service, visually
confirm the proper operation of this product, as well as all vehicle
components/equipment.

Page 2