Question for lin3 wiring for Motorcycle

[Chief40of2001]

Front windshield array takes (5) Linear 3 units. The array I purchased off eBay is an ex cop bike. The harness had all 5 grey sync wires tied together. Will that render a phase 1 and phase 2 result where it will alternate every other light? Not sure what this will get me.

 

[StEaLtH2]

If this is a Whelen array, With all smart heads, then you could "program" the pattern to your liking.
Are there five power and grounds as well? Pattern wire white with a purple tracer?

 

[Chief40of2001]

This is a Whelen array. As it was sent to me the POS, NEG and Grey wires were ganged together respectively. The White/Violet wires were terminated at each individual Lin3 and were not connected to anything.

It looks like they were never utilized. All 5 of the Lin3's ganged the Positive together, Negative together, Grey together then tied into a 3 pin Molex connector. I'm guessing that downstream of the Molex, there was a SPST switch that the operator would push-to-close a grey to pos circuit for changing flash patterns?

I'm stumped how the White/Violet lead was never utilized as it was shipped to me in this configuration, and in this configuration saw years of service. Remember that I purchased a used LE unit off of a decommissioned cop bike .

 

[buddek09]

White/Violet wires were terminated because they are only used to set the pattern of the light head. The gray wire is used to sync the light heads together. They are not like other manufacturers that use the same wire to sync and change patterns.

 

[MtnMan]

This is a Whelen array. As it was sent to me the POS, NEG and Grey wires were ganged together respectively. The White/Violet wires were terminated at each individual Lin3 and were not connected to anything.
View attachment 164024 View attachment 164025 .

The gray wire could be connected to other lights on the bike to sync them all together.

As others have said, the white/violet wires are for pattern change. Installers usually set the pattern when the lighthead is installed and leave the wire unconnected. Connecting pattern wires together runs the risk of accidentally resetting all the heads to the same pattern and phase, which means going back and cutting wires to restore an alternating pattern.

 

[StEaLtH2]

When the unit is powered up, are you happy with the pattern? Is it set up to alternate colors?

 

[Chief40of2001]

Actually, I'm only running the Lin3's on the windshield array. All 5 on the array are amber.
This way I can run them on funeral escort and Patriot Guard Riders missions. Here in Wisconsin only LE can run blues. Ultimately, if they flash I'll be happy. I would like to control the pattern. If I understand everyone correctly, all 5 can be synced together, but each can have their own individual independent flash pattern? Individual pattern choice is by white/violet wire to pos+ momentarily at each light? Or does that universally change all 5 patterns if they are a tied together with the grey wires.? It's a bit confusing and I'd. Like a better understanding before actual wiring the harness.

 

[StEaLtH2]

In a nut shell, for a single module you have power and ground, u would then apply 12v+ to white/violet tracer to advance pattern. Less than a second moves forward one pattern, longer a second moves one pattern backwards.
You should be able to power up the array as is and all mods should light.
You could then advance each module patterns until you like the result. To wire this into your ride, you only need power and ground. The fives greys tied to themselves is fine as is, you do not need to wire anything into these, they are only for the heads to communicate with each other. Once pattern is set, make sure to tape or heatshrink the pattern wires end point Prior to "final" installation

 

[Chief40of2001]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.