AdvantEdge Addition: First one for me

[lotsofbars]

So out of all the bars I've owned in my life (which has been a bunch), I've somehow never owned a Whelen AdvantEdge, despite my best efforts. I've always loved their design and customizability. When I saw these on a FB page, I shot the seller a message for one at a reasonable price and he accepted! So here she is.

The bar itself is in really good, solid condition. Two rotators, a V-mirror and nothing else. There is a small crack in each of the lenses but the endcaps are pristine. I am, however, unable to remove one of the endcaps because someone overtightened the two lower screws to within an inch of their lives. Oh well. Anyway, I wiped it down and noticed that this bar has a rather unusual inner setup. I'm guessing it was used for front+side warning only, but I've never seen two rotators so close together. It seems like 1/3 of the inner bar space isn't used.

I'm trying to decide what to do with this bar. Should I keep it as is and just clean it up a little more or should I go nuts and add strobes and mirrors and rotators and stuff like that? I kinda want to put in alley lights just because there are the endcap cutouts for them. 

 

[ChargerLighting]

I had a couple just like that...that's the tailboard version. Not too common either I don't believe. I'd leave it as-is myself.

 

[lotsofbars]

I had a couple just like that...that's the tailboard version. Not too common either I don't believe. I'd leave it as-is myself.

Was the tailboard version an actual model that could be ordered this way from Whelen?

 

[tsquale]

Was the tailboard version an actual model that could be ordered this way from Whelen?

Yessir. I had one as well. Neat bars for sure.

 

[ChargerLighting]

What Tony said. If I'm not mistaken, John has it in the catalog thread on here also?

 

[JohnMarcson]

Special model, came in a few different setups.  Main thing that makes them different is the big V mirror blocking a lot of the front flash. A lower flood light was an option.  Some departments would make the "front" facing lens fluted (strobe optics) to even further dissipate the front flash.

 

[kitn1mcc]

Nice Bar.  i would take and oil up that lower screw and slowly back it out.     Lens are still available

 

[JohnMarcson]

Nice Bar.  i would take and oil up that lower screw and slowly back it out.     Lens are still available

Not new, but easily used.  The current 4500 ambulance lenses aren't the same exactly.

 

[jph2]

Nice find, especially not being all that common.

I had a couple just like that...that's the tailboard version. Not too common either I don't believe. I'd leave it as-is myself.

I agree

 

[lotsofbars]

Thanks for the clarification, guys (and the catalogues, John)! It's interesting how nearly everything that could possibly be made has come that way from the factory at some point in time. I'll keep it as-is and give it another bath when I get around to it. I'll find another AdvantEdge to mess with.