Whelen Engineering Company Traffic Advisor TA837A User manual

Page 1
©1997 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13274H (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 Methylene Chloride which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and
Bisphenol A, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Installation Guide:
Traffic Advisor™
Models: TA837A, TA837M, TA837L
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
NOTE: Replacing a lens or halogen bulb does not require removing
the lighthead.
4 LIGHT T.A.:- Disconnect lightbar from power
and remove the endcap on the side that you wish
to replace the lighthead. Slide the lighthead you wish
to replace out of the base. Cut the wires off of the old lighthead (removing
the butt splice) then, using a new butt splice, install the new lighthead then
slide the lighthead(s) back into the base.
Replacing or Servicing a Lighthead:
6 or 8 LIGHT T.A.:- - Disconnect lightbar from power and remove the
end cap on the side of the bar that the cable exits on. Slide the lightheads
out of the bar until you reach the one you are replacing. Cut the wires off
of the old lighthead (removing the old butt splice) then, butt splice
the new lighthead and slide the lighthead(s) back into the base.
LAMP 1 LAMP 2 LAMP 3
LAMP 4
LAMP 1 LAMP 2 LAMP 3 LAMP 4
B. INSERT TOOL INSIDE OR
OUTSIDE OF LAMP BASE
A. USE TOOL
TO PULL LAMP
FROMOF BASE
MOUNTING SURFACE
MOUNTING SURFACE
NOTE: Upper bracket of mounting feet slide inside
groove, and can be positioned to fit requirements.
NOTE: The mounting brackets feature 2
holes that can be used when assembling the
lower and upper brackets together to position
the light array assembly at 2 different heights.
Fig. 1
Mounting Foot Kit
1/4-20 X 7/16"
HEX NUT
1/4" SPLIT
LOCKWASHER
#14 X 1/2" PHILLIPS PH
"A" POINT SMS
#10-24 WHIZ NUT
1/4-20 X 3/4" HEX
HEAD SCREW
1/4" INTERNAL TOOTH
LOCK WASHER
MOUNTING
BRACKET
1/4" EXTERNAL TOOTH
LOCKWASHER
#10-24 X 1-1/4"
PPH MACHINE SCREW
(Item #1 on parts list)
Replacing a Halogen Snap-In Bulb:
WARNING: Replacing any bulb requires the use of
safety glasses to prevent injury. Do not handle the
bulb with bare hands.
WARNING: Replace lamps one at a time. If more
than one lamp is removed from the unit without
being replaced, the cable harness will shift and the
butt splices that connect the lightheads will be
inaccessible.
1. Be sure the power to the lamp is off. Locate the removal
tool included with your new bulb and use the small end
of the tool to lift the base of the bulb assembly away
from the socket.
2. Continue to lift until the bulb is free. Use either
of these illustrated methods, depending upon
application. Use a pliers to hold the tool and aid
bulb removal.
3. Insert the alignment tab of the new bulb into
the bulb holder and press firmly into the
socket to lock the bulb into place.
Installation: Mounting the Traffic Advisor
CAUTION: Do not connect the T/A System to power until the
installation is completed. When servicing or troubleshooting
always disconnect it from the power source.
CAUTION: When the Traffic Advisor is mounted to the rear of
the vehicle, the cable exit must be on the passenger side. If
not, the flash pattern sequence you choose on the control
head will be incorrect. For example, a left flashing pattern will
flash right.
1. Remove the two lower brackets of the mounting feet from the
mounting kit and secure them to the upper brackets with the supplied
hardware (Fig. 1).
2. Slide mounting feet to their desired position inside the groove in the
extrusion and secure with supplied hardware.
3. Loosen the hex nuts holding the upper and lower brackets together
and place the T/A in the desired position on the proposed mounting
surface. Adjust the lower brackets of the mounting feet to rest firmly
on the mounting surface and trace the outline of these brackets onto
that surface. If the T/A power cable is to pass through the mounting
surface, be sure to mark the area for this passage hole.
4. Remove the T/A from the mounting surface and separate the lower
brackets of the mounting feet from the upper brackets. Align the
lower brackets with the outlines traced in the previous step and trace
the mounting hole locations onto the mounting surface. Make sure
that the lower bracket is facing in the same direction as it was
facing when it was outlined on the mounting surface in step 3.
5. Examine the back side of the mounting surface to insure that no
damage will occur when drilling the mounting holes. Drill the
mounting holes with a 7/32” drill. If a wire passage hole has been
marked, drill the hole using a drill bit sized for the cable and a rubber
grommet (customer supplied).
6. Secure the lower brackets to the mounting surface.
7. Lower the T/A assembly onto the two lower brackets and secure both
brackets together with the supplied mounting hardware. Before
tightening the upper and lower brackets together, adjust the T/A to an
angle best suited to its mounting location.
8. Slide the cable through the wire passage hole and route the cable to
the control head mounting location. Refer to your control head
manual for wiring.

Page 3
PART NUMBER KEY: 01-0683614___ NUMBER OF LIGHTHEADS
COLOR & VOLTAGE
STYLE
2
3
ITEMPART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
QTYQTYQTYQTY
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
QTYQTY
8
1
111
864
8
11
1
111
2222
888
1
111
111 1
111
111
1 1
11
1
1 1
88
1 1
11 1
8
8
2
1
1
1
2 1
T.A. STRAIGHT 4 HALO 12VDC AMBER T.A. STRAIGHT 6 HALO 12VDC AMBER T.A. STRAIGHT 8 HALO 12VDC AMBER T.A. STRAIGHT 8 HALO 24VDC AMBER ENDCAP / BLACK 6 POS PIN AMP HOUSING CABLE CLAMP GROMMET 3/8" SCREW / 6-32 X 1/2" PPHMS SELF TAP 4 LIGHT HOUSING HARNESS COVER 6 LIGHT HOUSING
HALOGEN 2 WIRE 2 POS 12V-20W AMBER HALOGEN 2 WIRE 2 POS 28V-35W AMBER ASSY / CABLE
8 LIGHT HOUSING T.A.R STRAIGHT 8 LED AMBER T.A. STRAIGHT 8 TIR AMBER
ASSY / LED STEADY MAX - AMB/AMB ASSY / TIR STEADY - AMB/AMB
12 POS PIN HOUSING
MOUNTING KIT / See page one 5/C 16 AWG PIN-B-SPLICE 20' CABLE
01-0441769-01 01-0683614-A4 01-0683614-A6 01-0683614-A8 01-0683614-18 01-06835772A4 01-06835772A2
11-241413-001
39-0406323-04
26-0121053-00 21-11121603-0
14-062216-083 11-463394-B00 11-281579-000 11-463393-B02 11-463393-B01
46-0763806-00
01-0683614LA8 01-0683614MA8 01-0263265-1A 01-0263763-12
39-0412014-14
46-0743086-20
J1 CONNECTOR
BLACK WHITE N/C
PIN6 PIN5
PIN4
RED GREEN
PIN2 PIN1
ORANGE
PIN3
RED
GREEN
WHITE
ORANGE
WHITE
WHITE
WHITE
LAMP1 LAMP2 LAMP3 LAMP4
WHITE
BLACK
4LIGHT ARRAY
J1
WHT
RED
YEL
BLK
LED
HALOGEN
J1 CONNECTOR
LAMP4 YELLOW LAMP5GREEN
LAMP 6 BLUE LAMP 3 ORANGE LAMP 2 RED LAMP 1 BROWN
PIN6 PIN5
PIN4 PIN3 PIN2 PIN1
N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C +13 VDC WHITE LAMP8GRAY
LAMP7 VIOLET
PIN12
PIN11 PIN10
PIN9
PIN8
PIN7
LAMP1 LAMP2
6LIGHT ARRAY 8LIGHT ARRAY
BROWN
RED
ORANGE YELLOW
GREEN
BLUE VIOLET
GRAY
WIRING SCHEMATIC(FRONT OF LIGHT ARRAY)
WHITE WHITE WHITE
WHITE WHITE
WHITE WHITE WHITE
BROWN
WHITE
WHITEWHITE
RED
ORANGE
WHITE
WHITE
YELLOW
GREEN
WHITE WHITE
BLUE
WHITE
VIOLET
GRAY
LAMP1
BLK
BLK
YEL
YEL
LED LED
WHT
WHT
RED
RED
HALOGEN HALOGEN
LAMP2 N/C LAMP3 LAMP4 N/C LAMP5LAMP6
LAMP3 LAMP4 LAMP5LAMP6 LAMP7 LAMP8
REPLACEMENT OPTICLENS/AMBER P/N 68-1963237-10
BUTTSPLICES
REPLACEMENT OPTICLENS/AMBER
P/N 68-1963583-10
2
5
10
8
18
3
97
17
SNAP-IN HALOGEN LAMP(12 volt)
SNAP-IN HALOGEN LAMP(24 volt)
12V / 20W - P/N 34-0041987-04 28V / 35W - P/N 34-0041987-02
REFLECTOR MODULES
SLIDE SIDE-WAYSIN GROOVES LOCATED INSIDE HOUSING.
REFLECTOR MODULES SLIDE SIDE-WAYSIN
GROOVES LOCATED INSIDE HOUSING.
#6 X 3/8 PPH
PLASTI SCREW
NUMBER 0F LIGHTHEADS 4= 6=
4 68=8
COLOR &VOLTAGE A= 1=
AMBER 12 VDC
AMBER 24 VDC
STYLE -= L= M=
HALOGEN
LED
TIR