Whelen B63M7AA 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:

R316L ROTA-BEAM™

Super-LED™ Rotating 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 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: Beacons

AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!

©2013 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.14653A (042913)

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

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WHT/VIO

VIOLET

RED

1 AMP

1 AMP

R316L

WIRING

R316L

12 or 24V
BATTERY

ScanLock

Low Power

BLK-12V or

BLK/WHT-24V

Ground

WHT/ORG

Cruise Light

Power

To SYNC wire of other beacon

BLACK or BLK/WHT
WHT/VIO
VIOLET
GREY
WHT/ORG
RED

Connect to Ground terminal
Extend to Positive Voltage - Normally Open Momentary switch
Extend to Positive Voltage - Normally Open Momentary switch

Connect to the GREY wire from another SYNC compatible beacon

Connect to Positive terminal of battery - SP/ST switch

Connect to Positive terminal of BATTERY - SP/ST switch

SYNC

GREY

Fuse @

5 AMPS: 12V

3 AMPS: 24V

Permanent surface mounting:

3/8" DIA. Wire

Access Hole

5

.

9

6

8

D

i

a

m

e

t

e

r

MTG. holes for

#10 screws (3)

120°

FRONT

G

A

S

K

E

T

Align notch in gasket
with notch in base

FRONT

FRONT

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

IMPORTANT WARNING!

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.

1. Remove the screws securing the dome to the base and remove the
dome. Position the beacon in its proposed mounting location.

2. Locate the 3, round mounting holes on the inside bottom of the base.
Using the base as a template, mark the location of the these holes
onto the mounting surface. Remove the beacon and make a mark in
the center of the beacons mounted position for a wire passage hole.

3. Using an appropriately sized drill bit (based on the mounting
hardware used and the thickness of the mounting surface), drill the
three mounting holes marked in step 2. The wire access hole should
be drilled using a 3/8” drill bit. Deburr all holes and install a rubber
grommet (customer supplied) to protect the wires.

4. Turn the beacon upside-down so the bottom of the base is facing up.

5. Remove protective backing from the base gasket and apply to the
beacon base as shown. It is critical that the gasket be properly
oriented to the base as shown. Make sure the gasket is flat against
the base.

Temporary Mount (Magnetic, Suction Cup, etc.)

WARNING: The use of any magnetically mounted warning device on
the outside of a vehicle in motion is not recommended and is at the
sole risk and responsibility of the user.

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 has been achieved. The Magnetic/Suction Cups mount the
same way as standard suction cups but are best suited to a flat, steel
surface. Magnetic: Simply place the beacon onto a metal mounting
surface and plug it into the vehicle cigar lighter.

NOTE: The magnetic mount model does not offer Scan-Lock™,
Cruise Light, Low Power or SYNC.

1” N.P.T. Pipe Mounting (optional):

1. Turn the beacon upside-down so the bottom of the base is facing up.
Remove the base gasket and discard. Install grommets (included)
into the three, square mounting holes in the bottom of the base.

2. Feed the beacon wires through the pipe mount base plate. Secure
the base plate onto the beacon base using the provided hardware.

3. Feed the beacon wires through the pipe and connect the beacon
wires as outlined in the Permanent Mount section.

4. Install the plugs (included with kit) into the unused permanent
mounting holes.

5. Screw the strobe beacon onto the pipe, being careful not to pinch or
strain the wires. Hand tighten the unit onto pipe.

6. Feed the wires through the wire access hole in the mounting surface.

7. Align the base with the mounting holes and secure with 3 sheet metal
screws. Return the dome to its mounted position.

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
load. DO NOT USE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH THIS PRODUCT!

at the battery to carry that

Operation:

This beacon features variable intensity cruise light operation, low power
operation, Scan-Lock™ pattern control and SYNChronization capabilities.
These functions operate as outlined below.

Cruise Light:

NOTE: For the cruise option to function, the RED power wire must
not be activated.

Activate the WHT/ORG wire to turn on the cruise light. There are 4
intensity levels. Cycle through the 4 intensity levels using Scanlock™ as
you would when choosing a flash pattern (See ScanLock™).

Low Power:

With Power (RED) activated, activate the VIOLET wire to put the beacon
into low power operation. Disable this wire to restore normal, high power
operation.

SYNC:

To SYNC two beacons, configure both beacons to display the same Phase
1 pattern. With the power off, connect the GREY wires from each beacon
together. When the beacons are activated, their patterns will be
synchronized.
To configure the two beacons to alternate their patterns, advance the
pattern of either beacon to the Phase 2 mode of the current pattern.

All beacons configured to Phase 1 mode of a pattern will flash
simultaneously. Any beacons configured to Phase 2 mode of a pattern,
will alternate with any Phase 1 beacons with the same pattern.

The following example will demonstrate how to use the SYNC feature with
more than 2 beacons. In this sample system, there are 4 beacons. 2 are
mounted on the rear, driver side of the vehicle and 2 mounted on the rear,
passenger side of the vehicle.

With all the wiring complete, turn on the 4 beacons. As shipped from the
factory, all the beacons will simultaneously display the same pattern
(Rotator 75 CW Phase 1).

To configure for example, the passenger side beacons to alternate with
the driver side beacons, change the flash patterns for either the passenger
or driver side beacons to Phase 2 mode of the same pattern. Do not

SYNC more than eight beacons.

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