Whelen Engineering Company UPS158A User manual

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©2003 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13863B (041508) 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).
• Do not attempt to activate or control this device in a hazardous driving situation.
• 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: Power Supplies
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 Guide:
UPS158A Strobe Power Supply
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.

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Selecting a mounting location:
The most common choice for a mounting area would be a trunk or
similar compartment. However, due to the wide variety of vehicles onto
which the UPS158A could be installed, this is not always possible. The
following guidelines will help the installer select an acceptable
alternative:
• The UPS158A should be mounted on a metal surface to aid
heat dissipation. Be sure that this surface is not one that
either generates or is exposed to excessive heat during
normal operation of the vehicle.
• Do not select a location where the unit will be exposed to
potential damage from any unsecured or loose equipment in
the vehicle.
• Be sure the area selected will not allow the unit to be exposed
to water.
• When routing the wires, it is important to choose a path that
will keep these wires away from excessive heat and from any
vehicle equipment that could compromise the integrity of the
wires (ex. trunk lids, door jams, etc.).
WARNING! The Strobe Light Power Supply is a high
voltage device. Do not touch or remove tube assembly in
strobe light head assemblies while in operation. Wait 10
minutes after disconnecting the unit from its power source
before starting work on the power supply or system.
WARNING! As it will be necessary to drill holes into the
mounting surface, 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.
1. Position the UPS158A in its proposed mounting location to ensure
that it fits properly. With the unit in place, insert an awl or other
suitable tool into the mounting screw area of the power supply and
scribe the areas that are to be drilled.
2. Remove the unit from its mounting area and, using a drill bit sized
for a #10 sheet metal screw, drill a hole in each of the areas
scribed in the previous step.
3. Return the unit to its mounting location and using the supplied #10
sheet metal screws, mount the power supply onto its mounting
surface.
Wiring:
1. Locate the two, 3 position Power Connectors included and plug
them into their respective ports (fig. 1). Splice the two RED wires
together and extend to the the vehicle battery (see Wire Gage
chart on the last page for wire size guidelines).
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!
2. Connect the extended wire to a fuse block (customer supplied)
and then to the POSITIVE terminal on the battery.
Note: Although a 30 amp fuse (customer supplied) is
required to be used in the fuse block, do not install the fuse
until all of the wire connections are completed.
3. Splice the two BLACK wires together and extend to the vehicle
battery. Connect the extended wire (same gage as determined for
the RED wire) to the factory chassis ground typically adjacent to
the battery.
4. Refer to Fig. 2 for wiring information for the Control Connectors
and for the Pattern Selection Connectors.
5. As shown in Fig. 2, there is a provision in the Power Connectors
for a wire (VIOLET) to activate Hi Power/Low Power strobe
operation. If this feature is desired, locate the VIOLET wires
included with your power supply and, with the Power Connectors
disconnected from the power supply, insert the pinned end of the
VIOLET wires into position 3 of each of the Power Connectors.
Refer to Fig. 2 for wiring information.
Scan-Lock™ Operation...
To cycle forward through the patterns, apply +12VDC to the WHT/VIO
wire for less than 1 second and release to cycle forward. Apply +12VDC
for more than 1 second and release to cycle backward.
To set a pattern as default, allow it to run for more than 5 seconds. The
lightheads will now display this pattern when active.
To reset to the Factory Default pattern: Turn off power. While
applying +12VDC to the WHT/VIO wire, turn power back on.
Available Scan-Lock™ Patterns (in order) -
1) CometFlash® 6) ModuFlash™
2) TripleFlash™ 7) MicroBurst II™
3) DoubleFlash 8) MicroBurst III™
4) RapidRate™ 9) LongBurst™
5) ActionFlash™ 10) ActionScan™
Sync Operation...
NOTE! Synchronized power supplies should be configured to
flash the same pattern.
If desired, the user may Sync the “A” and “B” outlets by connecting the
GREY wires together (see wiring diagram).
When synchronized, all strobes connected to outlets 1A, 3A, 1B & 3B
will alternate with all strobes connected to outlets 2A, 4A, 2B & 4B.
Hi/Lo Operation...
The type of switch used to activate Hi/Lo operation is dependant on
how the operator wishes the Hi/Lo 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 style.
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 style.

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Switch 1A
Switch 1B
Switch 2A
Switch 2B
Switch 1A
(Optional)
(Optional)
Switch 1B
1A 1B2A 2B3A 3B4A 4B
N/C
N/C
FUSE
"A"
FUSE
"B"
PATTERN
PATTERN
3 32 2
1 1
321321
15 AMP
15 AMP
HI/LO
HI/LO
VIOLET
VIOLET
See "HI/LO"
See "HI/LO"
GREY
GREY
BLUE
BLUE
BLUE
BLUE
WHITE-VIOLET
WHITE-VIOLET
GREEN
GREEN
GREEN
GREEN
WHITE-RED
WHITE-RED
(-) GROUND
(-) GROUND
BLACK
BLACK
(+) BATTERY
(+) BATTERY
RED
RED
CONTROL 2A / 3A
CONTROL 2B/3B
CONTROL 1A / 4A
CONTROL 1B/4B
SYNC
SYNC
CONTROL + V OUT
CONTROL + V OUT
SWITCH 1A
SWITCH 2A
30 AMP fuse for 12V
15 AMP fuse for 24V
CUSTOMER
SUPPLIED FUSE:
ALTERNATING ALTERNATING
WIRING DIAGRAM
UPS-158A STROBE POWER SUPPLY
BATTERY
BLACK
See
“Sync”
Section
See
“Sync”
Section
BLACK
RED RED
SWITCH 2B
SWITCH 1B
15 Amp
Fuse
Strobe Outlets
1 thru 4 (“A”)
Strobe Outlets
1 thru 4 (“B”)
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
= Control Connector
Pos.1 - No Wire
Pos.2 - Green
Pos.3 - Blue
= Pattern Selection Connector
Pos.1 - White/Red
Pos.2 - White/Violet
Pos.3 - Grey
= Power Connector
Pos.1 - Red
Pos.2 - Black
Pos.3 - Violet
(Optional)
NOTE! The WHITE/RED wire in the Pattern Selection Connector provides positive voltage
designed to be used to supply power to your switches. This wire is internally protected to
250 ma. If a short circuit occurs, the circuit will interrupt current flow until the short has been
removed.
Switch Operation Table
Control Lines... Activates...
1A & 4A Outlets 1A & 4A
2A & 3A Outlets 2A & 3A
1B & 4B Outlets 1B & 4B
2B & 3B Outlets 2B & 3B
OUTLETS 1A/1B & 4A/4B = FLASH ALTERNATELY
OUTLETS 2A/2B & 3A/3B = FLASH ALTERNATELY
OUTLETS 1A/1B & 3A/3B = FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY
OUTLETS 2A/2B & 4A/4B = FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY
UPS158A Specifications
INPUT VOLTAGE: 12.8 VDC / 25.6VDC ± 20%
POWER RATING: 40 WATTS @ 2 LAMPS
75 WATTS @ 4 LAMPS
115 WATTS @ 6 LAMPS
150 WATTS @ 8 LAMPS
INPUT CURRENT: 14 AMPS @ 12.8 VDC
8 AMPS @ 25.6 VDC
Fig. 1
Fig. 2

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Current Draw (AMPS)
Wire Gauge
Calculation Chart
All Distances Shown Are In FeetINS. = Insufficient
5
22
6
3
INS.
INS. INS.
INS.
INS. INS.
INS.
INS.
INS. INS.
INS. INS.
INS. INS.
INS. INS.
INS. INS.
INS. INS.
INS. INS. INS.
INS. INS. INS.
INS. INS. INS.
INS. INS. INS.
INS. INS. INS.
INS. INS. INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
INS.
20
9.5
5
3
18
15
7.5
5
4
3
16
24.5
12
8
6
5
4
3.5
3
14
39
19.5
13
9.5
8
6.5
5.5
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
3
3
12
62
31
20.5
15.5
12.5
10.5
9
7.5
7
6
5.5
5
5
4.5
4
4
3.5
3.5
3.5
3
10
98
49
32.5
24.5
19.5
16.5
14
12.5
11
10
9
8
7.5
7
6.5
6
6
5.5
5
5
8
156
78
52
39
31
26
22.5
19.5
17.5
15.5
14
13
12
11
10.5
10
9
8.5
8
8
6
248
124
82.5
62
49.5
41.5
35.5
31
27.5
25
22.5
20.5
19
17.5
16.5
15.5
14.5
14
13
12.5
4
395
197
131
98.5
79
66
56.5
49.5
44
39.5
36
33
30.5
28
26.5
24.5
23
22
21
19.5
2
629
314
209
157
125
104
89.5
78.5
69.5
63
57
52.5
48.5
45
42
39
37
35
33
31.5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
Wire Gage (AWG)
To use this chart...
1. Determine the amount of current being drawn through the wire. Locate this number in the vertical left-hand
column. If the current value is between adjacent values, use the higher number.
2. Follow this row until the length of the installed wire is shown. If the exact length is between adjacent values, use
the higher number. Follow this column upwards to find the recommended size (gage) for this wire.
In the example shown below, the size for a wire with an installed length of 36 feet, through which 22 amps of current
will be drawn, must be determined.
A row for 22 amps is not shown, so the row for 25 amps will be used. Follow this row to the right. A column for 36 feet
is not show, so the column for 49.5 feet will be used. Following this column to the top will show that the size of this
wire must be at least 6 gage.