Whelen Engineering Company Traffic Advisor TACTLD1 Installation guide

Page 1
©2002 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13699B (073107) For warranty information regarding this product, visit www.whelen.com/warranty
• 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.
• Any holes, either created or utilized by this product, should be made both air- and watertight using a sealant recommended by your vehicle
manufacturer.
• 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
AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!
Automotive: Traffic Advisor
Warnings to Installers
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 they can operate the system without
taking their 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
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.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Installation and Operating Guide:
Traffic Advisor™ LED Control Head
Model TACTLD1 (12-volt)
51 Winthrop Road
Chester, Connecticut 06412-0684
Phone: [phone]
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Customer Service e-mail: [email protected]
®
ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.

Page 2
FRONT VIEW
LOW
HIGH
POWER
OFF
FLASH
SPLIT
RIGHT
LEFT
TRAFFIC ADVISOR
R
TM
FUNCTION
PATTERN SELECTION
ROTARY KNOB
HIGH / LOW / OFF
SWITCH
LED STATUS DISPLAY
DIRECTION INDICATOR
IMPORTANT! This product is designed for use with
several different Traffic Advisor™ models. As such, the
information presents a more generalized approach to
installation procedures. The product manual included
with each Traffic Advisor contains information spcific to
its particular installation and should therefore be
considered the controlling document.
The TACTLD Series Control Head features a four-function
rotary switch that allows the user to select from left arrow,
right arrow, split arrow, or flash pattern. Dip switches on the
rear panel determine which of the following patterns will be
displayed when “flash” is selected (see “Dip Switch
Programming” on page 3).
• One Lamp Sequence to CometFlash® w/Flicker
• Sequence ON / Sequence w/Flicker
• Sequence On / Sequence Off / DoubleSweep™
• Single Lamp / End Steady
Remote Flash Control is the new feature on the TACTLD1.
This allows for the remote activation of the flash function
when the T/A head is off. Turning on the control head
overrides the auxiliary control. This is ideal for activation with
a slide switch control.
A Center-Off Rocker Switch is used to turn the unit On and
Off, in either High or Low power mode. The TACTLD has an
LED status display that provides a visual indication of the
current light pattern.
Installation: Mounting Control Head
1. Position the bail strap in the selected mounting location.
Using an awl or other suitable tool, scribe the surface
where the mounting holes are to be drilled.
Caution: As mounting the TACTLD will require
drilling, it is absolutely necessary to make sure
that no other vehicle components could be
damaged in the process. Check both sides of the
mounting surface before starting. If damage is
likely, select a different mounting location.
2. Drill the mounting holes in the areas scribed in step 1.
The size of the drill bit should be determined by the size
of the mounting hardware (customer supplied) and
thickness of the mounting surface.
3. Using your mounting hardware, secure the bail strap to
the mounting location.
Note: There are 2 sets of holes on the bail strap
for positioning the control head at 2 different
heights (see page 3).
4. With the bail strap in place, insert the carriage bolt along
with the external tooth lockwasher (supplied) into the
assembly hole from the inner side of the bail strap as
shown.
5. Place the split lockwasher and the acorn nut on the
protruding bolt on the outer side of the bail strap. Loosely
secure the acorn nut to the carriage bolt.
6. Now slide the control head onto the carriage bolts. Once
it is in the position that the customer has chosen, tighten
the acorn nuts until the unit is firmly secured.
Wiring the Traffic Advisor System
1. Plug the 3-position connector into the back of the control
head unit (see “Rear View” on next page).
2. Extend the RED and BLACK wires to the battery.
3. Connect the RED wire to one end of a user supplied fuse
block. Do not connect this unit to the battery yet.
4. Connect the BLACK wire to the vehicle’s chassis ground
5. Extend and connect the WHITE wire to the accessory
switch for the back light controls.
6. Route the cable from the T/A to the control head.
7. Following the pin chart on page 3, insert the contact
wires into their positions. Check that the wires are fully
inserted by pulling back on them firmly.
8. Plug the connector(s) into the back of the control head.
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 at the battery to carry that load. DO NOT USE
CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH THIS PRODUCT! (see “Wire
Chart” on page 3)
The installation of your Traffic Advisor control head will be
complete after the fuse block wire is connected to the
POSITIVE (+) terminal of the battery. After this connection
has been made, inspect the fuses at the control head and at
the battery. If either of these fuses are blown, carefully
inspect all of the circuit wires and make sure they are wired
correctly. Replace blown fuses with one of an identical amp
rating as the original. If these fuses blow after installation or
activation, contact Whelen Engineering Technical Support.

Page 3
DIP SWITCH PROGRAMMING:
CUSTOMER SUPPLIED
SHEET METAL SCREWS
10-24
ACORN NUT
QTY. (2)
#10 SPLIT
LOCKWASHER
QTY. (2)
BAIL STRAP
#10 EXT. TOOTH
LOCKWASHER
10-24 x ½"
CARRIAGE BOLT
QTY. (2)
(4)
ASSEMBLY
HOLES
RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZE
POWER WIRES
AUXILIARY
CONTROL WIRES
14 AWG
12 AWG
10 AWG
18 AWG
16 AWG
13 FT.
21 FT.
33 FT.
26 FT.
42 FT.
123
456
9
12
8
11
7
10
REAR VIEW OF
PIN HOUSING
Reference Point
FUSE
7
8
9
10
11
12
PIN
Lamp
Lamp
7
8
+BAT
N/C
N/C
Aux Input*
Requires a SP/ST switch
and a 3 Amp fuse.
(Customer Supplied)
*
TO:
VIO
GRY
WHT
N/C
N/C
WHT/BLU
WIRE
Dip
Switches
1
2
3
4
5
6
PIN
Lamp 1
2
3
4
5
6
Lamp
Lamp
Lamp
Lamp
Lamp
TO:
BRN
RED
ORN
YEL
GRN
BLU
WIRE
Backlight
Control (to
Acc. Switch)
Rear View
TACTLD1
RED (Pos.1)WHT (Pos.3)
BLK (Pos.2)
To POS.
(+) Battery
Chassis
Ground
Customer Supplied
3 Amp Fuse
1 52 3 4
14710
11
12
258
369
Customer Supplied Fuse:
10 AMP (12V)
X
X
X
X
X
X
DN
DN
UP
UP
DN
UP
DN
UP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
DN
DN
UP
UP
X
X
X
X
X
X
DN
UP
DN
UP
X
X
X
X
X
X
Set for 8 lamps
Set for 7 lamps
Set for 6 lamps
Set for 5 lamps
X
X
X
X
Single Lamp / End CometFlash® with Flicker
Sequence ON / Sequence with Flicker
Sequence ON / Sequence Off/DoubleSweep™
Single Lamp / End Steady
DN
UP
ModuFlash™
ActionScan™
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