Whelen FR8AAAA 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:

Freedom™ HC Lightbar

Rota-Beam™ Series

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: Lightbars

AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!

©2013 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.14691 (050613)

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

Page 1

Mounting
Foot

Tinnerman
Nut

Anchor
Plate

Locking

Plate

Mounting
Strap

Mounting Screw

Tension Bolt

Fig. 5

Mounting

Pad

Adjustable
Mounting Foot
Model MKAJ

Washer

Nut

BoltBoltBolt

Mounting
Plate

Mounting
Plate

Standard
Mounting
Foot
Model MKEZ

Fig. 1

Washer

Nut

TIGHTEN SCREWS
WITH TORQUE
WRENCH SET AT
35 TO 40 IN/LBS

Mounting

Pad

IMPORTANT! The lightbar must be a minimum of 16” from radio

IMPORTANT: Unless otherwise specified, the lightbar mounting feet must be sitting
as close to the edge of the roof as possible. Mounting feet must also be in full
contact with the roof and not be hanging off the edge. For strap mounted bars, the
lightbar should be about the same width as the vehicle roof. If the lightbar is too
large or small it will not mount properly to the vehicle and may shift or come loose
during driving.

1/2" Minimum Clearance at Closest Point

Loosely secure foot and locking plate.

Insert foot into extrusion with
locking plate attached.

ANCHOR
PLATE

Twist foot
into position

Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4

antennas!

Permanent Mounting:

1. Locate the mounting foot and locking plate included with your lightbar. If not
already present, install the locking plate onto the mounting foot using the
supplied allen set screws (Fig. 1).

2. Flip the lightbar upside-down to expose the bottom of the extrusion. Place the
mounting foot into the extrusion and rotate the foot so that the top of the foot
swings into position under the lips in the extrusion (Figs. 2, 3 & 4). NOTE: You

do not need the anchor plate shown in Figs. 2 - 4. This is used in strap
mounting.

3. Repeat this procedure for the remaining mounting foot and return the lightbar
to its right side-up position.

4. Position the lightbar onto the vehicle roof in the desired mounting location. One
often selected location is directly above the B-pillars. This area is the strongest
part of the roof. Check the light bar cable exit location to be sure that the
lightbar is facing the proper direction (Cable exits in rear).

5. Adjust the mounting feet outwards so that they are as close to the edge of the
roof as possible (See below). When the mounting feet are properly positioned,
lightly tighten the allen head set screws.

6. Turn the lightbar upside down and firmly tighten all of the mounting foot allen head set screws
(Fig.4). With the lightbar upside down, drill 2 holes into the mounting foot (for the mounting
bolts) using the holes in the mounting pads as guides, in the location shown in figure 1.

7. Place the lightbar in its final mounting position on the vehicle, mark the mounting hole locations off onto
the mounting surface, remove the lightbar and drill the mounting holes. You will need to lower the vehicle
headliner (if present) for steps 7 & 8.

8. Place the lightbar back onto the vehicle lined up with the mounting holes and secure the mounting feet to the vehicle using the supplied hardware.

Strap Mounting:

1. Locate the mounting foot, anchor plate and locking plate. Loosely install the locking
plate onto the mounting foot using the allen set screws (Fig. 5).

2. Flip the lightbar upside-down, install an anchor plate onto the extrusion and place a
mounting foot onto the extrusion (Fig. 2). Rotate the foot 90° counter-clockwise (Fig.

3) so that both sides slide under the lip in the extrusion.

3. Repeat this procedure for the remaining mounting foot and return the lightbar to its
right side-up position.

5. Insert the mounting strap onto the mounting foot (Fig. 5). Be sure that the strap fits flush

6. Use the holes in the end of the strap as a template to drill the pilot holes for the sheet metal

7. Screw the sheet metal screws into the holes you drilled in step 6 and tighten firmly. Repeat for

4. Position the lightbar on the vehicle roof and adjust the two mounting feet outwards

so that the mounting pads are resting near the edge of the roof. When properly positioned,
tighten the allen screws to hold them in place. Also slide the anchor plates up to the mounting
feet and tighten the allen screws securing the anchor plates.

against the vehicle where it will be secured. Insert the tension bolt through the mounting strap
and into the anchor plate. Tighten slightly with a long-shafted, Phillips screwdriver. Repeat
procedure for other side of vehicle.

screws through the strap and into the vehicle. Repeat for other side of vehicle.

other side of the vehicle. Firmly tighten the tension bolt to secure the lightbar to the vehicle.

Page 2