®

ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.

51 Winthrop Road Installation Guide:
Chester, Connecticut 06412-0684 Alpha™ Series Siren Amplifier
Phone: (860) 526-9504
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: autosale@whelen.com
Customer Service e-mail: custserv@whelen.com

DANGER! Sirens produce extremely loud emergency warning tones! Exposure to these tones without proper and adequate hearing protection, could
cause ear damage and/or hearing loss! The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (www.osha.gov) provides information necessary to determine
safe exposure times in Occupational Noise Exposure Section 1910.95. Until you have determined the safe exposure times for your specific application,
operators and anyone else in the immediate vicinity should be required to wear an approved hearing protection device. Failure to follow this
recommendation could cause hearing loss!
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
Automotive: Sirens/Switches

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 contains Carbon black and Bisphenol A, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm..
For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

• 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).
ACTIVATION OF THIS
• 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
SIREN MAY DAMAGE
driving condition. UNPROTECTED EARS!
• It is recommended that these instructions be stored in a safe place and referred to when
performing maintenance and/or reinstallation of this product.
CAUTION
Loud siren noise can cause
• FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT Wear
hearing damage and/or loss.
Refer to OSHA Section 1910.95 prior
IN DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT OR VEHICLE AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR Protection! to putting ANY siren into service!
PASSENGERS!

©2024 Whelen Engineering Company Inc. For warranty information regarding this product, visit www.whelen.com/warranty
Form No.13086D (071724)
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Mounting the AlphaTM Series Siren Amplifier:

The Alpha siren, although technologically advanced, is simple to 4. Insert the Alpha siren amplifier into the bail strap, as shown
install. An aftermarket center console is recommended for the in Figure 2. Please note that it will be necessary to spread
mounting location of the siren. This not only allows the driver to the bail strap arms slightly apart to accept the Alpha’s
reach the controls easily, but also keeps the unit safely out of carriage bolts into their mounting holes.
the path of the vehicle’s SRS air-bag. Follow the console
manufacturer’s instructions for mounting information. If a
console-type mount is not possible, the siren includes a bail
strap mounting kit for over or under dash mounting. Fig. 2
The following steps will guide you through the bail strap
installation process:

1. Select a mounting location for the Alpha siren, either on top

of, or below your vehicle’s dashboard.
2. Using the bail strap as a guide, drill two 1/8” holes and
secure the bail strap to the dashboard with two #10 x 1”
Phillips pan head sheet metal screws (user supplied). Refer
to Figure 1.

Fig. 1

5. Place a lock washer and an acorn nut on each carriage bolt

and tighten with a 3/8” wrench. Do not over-tighten!

Wiring the AlphaTM Series Siren Amplifier

Connecting to power:
1. Extend the RED and BLACK wires through the firewall and
into the engine compartment.
3. Slide the carriage bolts into the middle of the mounting 2. Follow factory wiring harness towards the vehicle’s battery.
tracks on the siren amplifier and fit an external-tooth lock
washer onto each of the carriage bolts. 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
Alpha™ the battery to carry that load. DO NOT USE CIRCUIT BREAK-
ERS WITH THIS PRODUCT!
6 POSITION INPUT CONNECTOR
3. Connect the RED wire to one end of a user supplied, 10 amp
RED
BLACK
BROWN
ORANGE
GREY
WHITE

TO fuse block. Do not connect this unit to the battery yet!

HORN
RING
4. Connect the BLACK wire directly to the NEGATIVE battery
terminal.

10 AMP FUSE
(CUSTOMER
SUPPLIED) +12V
ACTIVATION OF THIS
SIREN MAY DAMAGE
HORN
RELAY UNPROTECTED EARS!

(+) (-)
CHASSIS
CUT
HERE
CAUTION
12VDC GROUND Loud siren noise can cause
Battery hearing damage and/or loss.
VEHICLE
HORN

Wear Refer to OSHA Section 1910.95 prior

11 OHM
SPEAKER #1 Protection! to putting ANY siren into service!

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Connecting to your Horn Relay: position, a steady, rise and fall tone is produced (“Wail”). A single
“tap” on the vehicle’s steering wheel horn button (if the vehicle’s
1. Route the WHITE and GREY wires along the factory wire
horn has been wired to the Alpha), changes the siren tone to a
harness and through the firewall at the same point as the
“Yelp” pattern (a fast, rise and fall tone). A second “tap”, and the
RED and BLACK wires.
siren returns to a “Wail” tone.
2. Locate your vehicle’s horn relay and route the WHITE and
GREY wires to this. If possible, follow the factory wire har- HF (Hands-Free Operation) - When the function switch is in the
ness to this relay. Hands-Free position, the siren functions of the Alpha are placed
3. Locate the wire that connects the vehicle horn to the horn in a stand-by mode. Siren tones are activated by a single “tap”
relay. Cut this wire. on the vehicle’s steering wheel horn button (if the vehicle’s horn
has been wired to the Alpha). The first tap produces a Wail tone
4. Connect the WHITE wire to the wire coming from the horn
(a steady, rise and fall tone). A second tap produces a Yelp tone
relay.
(a fast, rise and fall tone). A third tap produces a Piercer™ tone
5. Connect the GREY wire to the wire coming from the horn. (an extremely fast, rise and fall tone). The next tap returns the
Connecting to your Speaker (100 watt): siren to a Wail tone and the cycle repeats itself. Two quick, suc-
cessive taps stop the siren.
1. Route the ORANGE and BROWN wires along the factory
wiring harness towards your speaker. Tone 2 (YELP) - When the function switch is in the Tone 2 posi-
2. Connect the ORANGE wire to the POSITIVE (+) tion, a fast, rise and fall tone is produced (Yelp). A single tap on
terminal on the speaker. the vehicle’s steering wheel horn button (if the vehicle’s horn has
3. Connect the BROWN wire to the NEGATIVE (-) been wired to the Alpha), changes the siren tone to a PiercerTM”
terminal on the speaker. pattern (an extremely fast, rise and fall tone). With a second tap,
it will return to Yelp.
The installation of your Alpha Series siren amplifier will be com-
plete after the fuse block wire is connected to the POSITIVE (+) ALPHA SIREN SPECIFICATIONS
terminal of the battery. After this connection has been made,
visually inspect the fuses at the back of the amplifier and at the INPUT VOLTAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.5 VDC ± 20%
battery. If either of these fuses is blown, carefully inspect all of INPUT CURRENT (OFF) . . . . . . 0 mA
the circuit wires and make sure they are wired correctly. INPUT CURRENT (STANDBY) . 10 mA (TYP.)
Replace the blown fuses with ones of an identical amp rating INPUT CURRENT (SIREN). . . . . 8 Amps (TYP.)
as the original. If these fuses blow after installation or activa- OUTPUT VOLTAGE . . . . . . . . . . 34 V RMS (MAX.)
tion, contact Whelen Engineering Technical Support. SPEAKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1) 11 ohm
OUTPUT POWER @ 15 VDC. . . 105 WATTS (MAX.)
H/R VOLTAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INPUT VOLTAGE or
GROUND
H/R CURRENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 mA (TYP.)
®
OPERATING TEMP. . . . . . . . . . . -30° C. to +60° C.
ON
OPERATING HUMIDITY. . . . . . . 95% NON-CONDENSING
TONE 1 AIRHORN

SW1 SW2
HANDSFREE SW3 Dip Switch Functions:
TONE 2 Some of the default functions of the Alpha siren amplifier can be
customized (via dip switches) to suit the needs of the operator.
POWER FUNCTION ALPHA
TM
SERIES In the default factory configuration, each dip switch is in the
down (ON) position. The following section will explain dip switch
Operating the Alpha Series Siren Amplifier: functionality in both the ON and OFF position:
Power Switch - This switch has two positions: Down= On (Closed) Up = Off (Open)
Down (Alpha - Off) and Up (Alpha - On). When this switch is in Dip Switch #1 Down = 3rd Tone is Active
the Off position, the siren will not function. When the switch is in Up = 3rd Tone is Off
the On position the siren is functional and may be activated at Dip Switch #2 Down = 3rd Tone is Piercer™
the operator’s discretion. Up = 3rd Tone is Hi/Low
NOTE: If the Alpha is connected to the vehicle’s horn ring cir-
Dip Switch #3 Down = Piercer Override for Yelp
cuit, the vehicle horn is disabled when the Alpha power switch Up = Airhorn Override for Yelp
is in the ON position.
Dip Switch #4 Down = Wail has Normal Yelp Override
Airhorn Button - When the Airhorn button is pressed, a simu- Up = Wail has 10 second Yelp Override
lated “air horn” siren tone will be generated by your vehicle’s Dip Switch #5 Down = Manual Stop
loudspeaker. This tone is continuous until the Airhorn button is Up = Manual Coast
released.
Dip Switch #6 Down = Hands Free position is Hands-Free
Function Switch - The Function Switch controls the siren func- Up = Hands Free Position is Manual
tions of the Alpha. There are 3 positions that may be selected. Dip Switch #7 Down (With Switch 8 Down) =Tone 2 is Yelp
Each position and it’s function is outlined below: Down (With Switch 8 Up) =Tone 2 is Hi/Low
Tone 1 (WAIL) - When the function switch is in the Tone 1 Dip Switch #8 Up (With Switch 7 Down) =Tone 2 is Hi/Low
Up (With Switch 7 Up) =Tone 2 is Manual

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