So I got a Whelen Cencom Gold siren, and I don't want to test it with the speaker because its really loud (duh). I know there are threads about using resistors to lessen the sounds, but can I run the tones without a speaker connected? Will it blow up the amp? Are there other alternative speakers that can produce minimal sound that I can modify? Thanks.
Can you run a siren amp without a speaker?
- Thread starter Triple_Blox
- Start date
I have a old, gray Federal driver with the "re-entry" cone. I masking-taped the black painted cone edges, and the bare inside threads, and filled it with expandable foam (Great Stuff). Doesn't take much.
When the foam cures, I trimmed it a bit and screwed the "re-entry cone" back on the driver. Don't need the bell; the driver just sits upright on the shelf on its "back." Can't see the foam.
It is no louder than desktop computer speakers.
I actually got the idea from a visit to CHP fleet, who had some cones painted Red; you could screw it onto the car and check the siren without being super loud. The Red was a warning in case you forgot to remove it.
When the foam cures, I trimmed it a bit and screwed the "re-entry cone" back on the driver. Don't need the bell; the driver just sits upright on the shelf on its "back." Can't see the foam.
It is no louder than desktop computer speakers.
I actually got the idea from a visit to CHP fleet, who had some cones painted Red; you could screw it onto the car and check the siren without being super loud. The Red was a warning in case you forgot to remove it.
yeah, I hear the internal amp, but I was just wondering if it would cause damage if I ran it for a while without a speaker. Also with your experience, the Whelen command software does not work with Cencom Gold, right? Thanks
It will not damage it. And yes, command does not work with Gold. They do still have the Gold software on the Whelen website though.
No. It will burn out the electronics. It creates a loop, if you will. The speaker is essentially an outlet for the electronic load.
Ah I see. Any safe alternatives to quietly run the siren? Would putting a resistor on the speaker circuit loop work?
You can use the resistor on a simple radio speaker instead of a larger, heavier siren speaker
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I totally mis-understood your question. I thought that you wanted to test your Cencom, as a whole, not necessarily just the tones. So yea, if you are trying to run the tones for awhile, that’s probably gonna smoke the amplifier. I have used a siren speaker with resistors successfully, but Ive never really needed to test a siren for more than a second or two, so Im not really sure what the long term damage might be from any of that. But now I kinda want to test that. Ive got a bunch of Sapphires, if I get some free time, Ill start playing the siren without a speaker, and see how long it lasts.
I've tested electronic sirens with a 9 volt battery and no speaker. I haven't blown up anything.
Ive got a Cencom Sapphire running siren tones with no speaker. Im at 15 minutes straight right now with no damage. Im occasionally attaching the speaker to make sure that it is still working properly. Maybe the Cencom Gold has a different amp than the Sapphire, but I doubt it. Id run it. If you ruin your Gold on my advice of doing this, Ill send you a Sapphire to replace it. (you pay shipping).