Whelen R6DXPA 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:

Responder® DX 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 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!

©1998 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13247G (061614)

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

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The Responder® DX Series, which includes Models R2DX,

R3DX, R4DX, R5DX and R6DX uses a base design that enables
deck, permanent or magnetic (optional) mounting.

Installation: Permanent Mount

1. Check to make sure that no vehicle components will interfere
with the selected mounting location of this unit.

2. Remove the outer lens by unscrewing the four Phillips Pan
Head screws shown in Fig. 1. Position the Responder on the
proposed mounting location. Using an awl or other suitable
tool, scribe the mounting surface where the mounting holes
are to be drilled.

Caution: Mounting the Responder will require drilling. It is
absolutely necessary to make sure that no other vehicle
components will be damaged in the process. Check both
sides of the mounting surface before starting and if damage
is possible, select a different mounting location.

3. Drill the mounting holes in the areas scribed in step 2. The
diameter of these holes will be determined by the size of the
mounting hardware (#10 x 1”) and the thickness of the
mounting surface.

4. Using the supplied #10 x 1” Phillips Pan Head Sheet Metal
Screws, secure the Responder to the mounting location and
remount the lens in its original location.

IMPORTANT: The outer surfaces of this product may be cleaned
with mild soap and water. Use of any other chemicals may void
product warranty. Do not use a pressure washer.

Removing the Halogen Bulb (R2-, R3- & R4DX):

1. Remove the outer lens as outlined previously. Insert a flat­blade screw driver into the space between the lamp holder
and the snap-in assembly. Gently rotate the screw driver as
shown in Fig. 2. Repeat this action until the bulb is loose. Pull
the bulb in an upward direction until it is free.

2. Verify that the replacement bulb is the correct wattage by the
part numbers marked on the bulb assembly (see “Part
Numbers”). Insert the alignment tab of the new bulb into the
lamp holder and press downwards to lock the bulb into place.

Replacing the Strobe Assembly (R5DX-only):

NOTE: Do not begin this procedure unless the R6DX has
been disconnected from power for at least 10 minutes!

1. Remove the outer lens as outlined previously and disconnect
the strobe assembly from its power supply.

2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the retaining ring from
the strobe assembly.

3. Remove the lens and lift the strobe assembly away from the
base. Disconnect the strobe tube assembly from the harness
plug.

4. Reverse this procedure to install the new assembly.

Replacing the Strobe Assembly (R6DX-only):

NOTE: Do not begin this procedure unless the R6DX has been
disconnected from power for at least 10 minutes!

1. Remove the outer lens as outlined previously and disconnect
the strobe assembly from its power supply.

2. Unscrew the lens from the strobe assembly base. Locate and
remove the two strobe assembly mounting screws from the
strobe assembly base.

3. Reverse this procedure to install the new assembly.

Wiring to Power:

1. Install an SP/ST switch (customer supplied) onto the RED
wire. Using appropriately sized wires, extend the RED and
BLACK wires to the battery.

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
the battery to carry that load. DO NOT USE CIRCUIT
BREAKERS WITH THIS PRODUCT!

2. Connect the BLACK wire directly to the vehicle’s chassis
ground (typically adjacent to the battery).

3. Connect the RED wire to one end of the user supplied fuse
block (see table for the correct fuse application for your
specific model). After the fuse block is in place, connect the
RED wire to the POSITIVE(+) terminal of the battery.

After this connection has been made, inspect the circuit wires and
make sure they are wired correctly. Replace the fuse if blown with
one of an identical amp. rating as the original. If the fuse blows
after installation or activation, contact Whelen Engineering
Technical Support.

at

Low Power Control Wire / VIOLET (R6DX-only)

The type of switch used is dependant on how the operator wishes
the Hi/Low feature to function:

Latching Mode: By applying +voltage to the Violet wire for less
than 1 sec., the power supply is “latched” into low power operation.
The unit must be turned off and then back on to restore normal, Hi
power operation. A momentary switch is desired for this.

Level Mode: Applying +voltage to the Violet wire for more than 1
sec. holds the power supply in low power mode until that voltage is
removed. A toggle switch is desired for this.

Pattern Selection Wire / WHITE (R6DX-only)

A momentary application of +12VDC (less than 1 second) to the
WHITE wire will cause the power to change the default flash
pattern to the next available pattern. If the new pattern is active for
more than 1 second, it will become the new default pattern. A
momentary application of +12VDC (more than 1 second) will
cause the power supply to change the default flash pattern to the
previous available pattern. If +12VDC is applied to this wire when
the unit is powered up, the default flash pattern will revert to the
factory default setting (CometFlash®).

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