Whelen MKLP81 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:

Low Profile Lightbar Mounting Foot

Model MKLP**

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!

©2012 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.14607 (071312)

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

Page 1

Fig. 3

#10 X 1/2"
Phillips Pan
Head Sheet
Metal
Screw

Tension Bolt

Mounting
Foot

Cage Nut

NOTE: With the strap in place on
the vehicle roof, there should be
3/8" distance (max) between the
end of the strap and the cage nut
(before tightening).

Mounting
Bracket

Mounting Strap

Edge of Roof

Roof Surface

front of
vehicle

SPACER

rear of
vehicle

Light must project straight out from front and rear

Be sure vehicle is parked on a level surface

VEHICLE ROOF

1/2" minimum clearance at closest point

Unless otherwise specified, lightbar mounting feet must be sitting as close to
the edge of the roof as possible and not be hanging off the edge.

IMPORTANT: For strap mounted lightbars, be sure you have the right sized bar
for your vehicle. The lightbar should be approximately the same width as the
vehicle roof. If too large or small it will not mount properly to the vehicle and
may come loose during driving.

FRONT VIEW

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

Stack 2 spacers face to face to
raise the height of the lightbar .

SIDE VIEW

Secure bracket with

allen set screws (QTY 4)

Fig. 2

Swing other side of bracket
under other lip

Insert round side of bracket under
lip in extrusion

MOUNTING
PAD

MOUNTING FOOT

2 DEGREE SPACER

MOUNTING

BRACKET

Fig. 1

5/16 FLAT
WASHER

5/16 - 18
ELASTIC
STOP NUT

antennas.

IMPORTANT! This mounting foot can NOT be used on Freedom™
Centurion™ or Delta™ model lightbars.

NOTE: There may be a roof support member that spans the distance
between the driver’s and passengers side. DO NOT DRILL THROUGH
THIS MEMBER! Adjust the location until the holes can be drilled
without contacting this support member.

Strap Mounting:

1. Install the mounting bracket to the mounting foot using the supplied
5/16 FLAT WASHERS and 5/16 - 18 ELASTIC STOP NUTS (Fig. 1).
Do NOT install the optional spacers yet.

2. Place the bracket into the track on the bottom of the extruded base of
the lightbar and twist it into position (Fig. 2).

3. Slide the bracket to the outer end of the base extrusion and secure
the bracket to the extrusion using the four 1/4 - 20 X 1/2 ALLEN SET
SCREWS (Fig. 2). Repeat steps 1 - 3 for other side of lightbar.

4. Installing Spacers: Spacers are used as required to adjust the
lightbars clearance from the vehicle roof. Spacers are also used to
make the lightbar level with the road so that the light does not project
up or down when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. Each
spacer creates a 2° incline.

Lightbar angle: Place the lightbar onto the vehicle roof in its exact
mounting location and use a level to check the angle of the lightbar. If
(because of the curvature of the vehicle roof) the front and rear lights
project up or down, you will need to install one of the supplied spacers.
Note the angle of the tilt to determine where to place the spacer.
Installation: Remove the mounting feet (not the bracket) and install the
spacer (maximum 1 per side) then reinstall the feet.

Distance
from roof: The lightbar must be no

closer than 1/2 inch (at the closest point)
from the vehicle roof. Installation:
Remove the mounting feet (not the
bracket), install the spacers as shown
(maximum 2 per side) and reinstall feet.

5. With the lightbar in position on the vehicle, slide the

end of the mounting strap (with the single hole) into the
mounting foot as shown and loosely secure it to the
foot with the tension bolt (Fig. 3).

NOTE: When the opposite end of the strap (which
mounts to the vehicle) is in its mounting position
(on the edge of the roof) the end of the strap going

to the foot should be no more than 3/8” from the
cage nut it mounts to. If the distance from the strap to the cage
nut is greater than 3/8”, remove the lightbar from the vehicle
and move both mounting feet the necessary distance to correct
this before doing step 5.

6. Bring the outside of the mounting strap down to the edge of the
vehicle roof. The outer end of the strap should hook around the roof
(Fig. 3). Mounting straps are made for specific vehicles and the one
designed for your vehicle will conform to the edge of that roof.

7. Make sure the strap is in position on the edge of the roof and the
other end lines up properly with the cage nut. Drill two holes for a #10
screw through the two mounting holes in the strap and secure the
strap with the two #10 X 1/2” PHILLIPS PAN HEAD SHEET METAL
SCREWS.

Page 2

8. Tighten the tension bolt firmly to secure the foot to the vehicle.