I know I have CAPs around, I'll give them a swap. They whole thing smells/stinks like a ruptured cap to me but I can find no evidence of one.
Old Whelen Power Supplies
- Thread starter JohnMarcson
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Here are some spare edge supplies I have, the newer ones are all potted and not very interesting. The oldest one has the outputs on the board, it is double flash. The other non-potted one has an output pigtail and is comet flash. The newest ones are multip-pattern.
The one modern potted power supply that stands out to me is the UB412
This is the only PS I know of that Whelen made where the controller sends flash port/timing data in real time to the PS. It could be used as a conventional PS with limited patterns - but if you hooked up to the 2-wire RS485 interface and sent the right numbers to it, you could make it flash however you wanted.
I gather this was necessary for the ULTRA bars where three PSs worked together to form a whole-bar pattern.
BL10000s did this before the UB412/ULTRA, but the BL10000 didn't use simple RS485 messaging to do it (instead, direct shift-register low-level electronics were used).
This is the only PS I know of that Whelen made where the controller sends flash port/timing data in real time to the PS. It could be used as a conventional PS with limited patterns - but if you hooked up to the 2-wire RS485 interface and sent the right numbers to it, you could make it flash however you wanted.
I gather this was necessary for the ULTRA bars where three PSs worked together to form a whole-bar pattern.
BL10000s did this before the UB412/ULTRA, but the BL10000 didn't use simple RS485 messaging to do it (instead, direct shift-register low-level electronics were used).
Here's a DOT-94C manufactured around '97 (based on components' date codes). The board itself bears a copyright of 1993!
As you can see, some bozo replaced the original Motorola micro controller with a hacked-in Microchip MCU (PIC16F893) but that might help make a point.
This PS demonstrates the transition from old-school low-level ICs to "intelligent" microcontroller-based power supplies. This opened the door for these devices to interact with a network (i.e. B-LINK) as well as allowed for a variety of flash patterns.
As you can see, some bozo replaced the original Motorola micro controller with a hacked-in Microchip MCU (PIC16F893) but that might help make a point.
This PS demonstrates the transition from old-school low-level ICs to "intelligent" microcontroller-based power supplies. This opened the door for these devices to interact with a network (i.e. B-LINK) as well as allowed for a variety of flash patterns.
This came in a set of DOT stuff I bought, it was the only non-working one. The capacitor mounts are broken which isn't common, but I don't think that's why it isn't working. It makes a very fast clicking sound when powered up. It was connected to a pair of micro edges with two linear "corner" tubes in each (4 total). Notice there is no "head select" wire, it is either on or off.
I did get a few 94Cs and a UPS64 double flash and a UPS64C comet flash supply in the lot as well as some misc newer stuff, so it was worth it.
I did get a few 94Cs and a UPS64 double flash and a UPS64C comet flash supply in the lot as well as some misc newer stuff, so it was worth it.
Yes, the Austin Model "-RS-" -- it has the same board as Whelen UPS52 but no options are built out (no head selection, no low-power). I think we covered that on PG 1 here.
Can you tell exactly where the clicking sound is coming from from? If its a capacitor, I think it means its arcing across plates inside (really not good). Otherwise, it might be the inverter kicking in but mostly staying off. IIRC, I had one doing this and it was a really bad solder on one of the legs of the power transformer.
It is like the one you showed here when you did the comparison to the UPS52 (like you said). The capacitors look like a different brand, but I have noted variation in capacitors within the same model before. The capacitors and transformer look more like your UPS52 than the Austin one in your example, I guess there was a lot of crossover in parts. The clicking doesn't sound like it is coming from the capacitors, although I guess that really doesn't mean it isn't the problem. All the soldered components on this one look questionable in a few spots. This didn't have an easy life when it comes to impact/vibration. When I opened it I was hoping the displaced capacitors were touching something they shouldn't, but that looks fine. I probably won't mess with it much, but I thought the damage to the capacitor "tray" was interesting.
At some point, Whelen seemed to partnered with some capacitor maker(s) where the caps no longer had the microfarads (uF) or voltage printed on them...just a Whelen part number. Prior to that point, it seems like they got caps from whoever had them.
Here's the only example I have where I found "Rubicon" caps in a Whelen PS:
Here's the only example I have where I found "Rubicon" caps in a Whelen PS:
On completely different side of things, I also got these (two complete units because why not), which I don't think I have time to even start looking at right now.
That is really interesting, a huge variation in size but not specifications. I should start keeping track of capacitor brands I find in each.
The corner of the SYSTEM14 PS board caught my eye as it looked like it has an H11A1 opto-coupler. I happen to have an aircraft PS that had a similar arrangement.
After a little bit of tinkering, I believe both boards share the same design element with respect to synchronization where, if a signal comes in to the opto-coupler, it holds the NE555 timer OFF. Pulling down that signal will cause the first pulse of the double-flash to occur. Pulling the signal back up will cause the second pulse of the double flash to occur, then continue to hold the NE555 OFF.
So I jumpered a signal in from an Arduino board and voila! the Arduino controlled the flash of the aircraft PS.
So if the SYSTEM14's "Master Sequencer" fails, each PS is left to double-flash according to its own NE555 timer (which the brochure describes as "Random").
One thing I don't get is the odd number of heads (9) in the "Secondary" mode. Does the "Master Sequencer" have individual control over each of the two heads within each PS?
In any case, thanks for sharing the SYSTEM14 pics! This is a really intriguing device!
As mentioned by noting the odd number, secondary mode deactivates the front 2 (or 4 in some systems) grill and intersection lights as well as the single center clear front box light while leaving the 8 corner red box lights and single rear center amber activated. That makes 9. This complies with the somewhat specific KKK standard for lights on ambulances that strobes were failing to meet because of their "paired nature". By design the system flashes the 8 corner box lights against the 6 grill/intersection/clear light(s). That 8 against 6 unbalanced "load" is interesting by itself, although explained by the individual supplies whereas the odd number isn't. I probably have enough strobes to put ends back on the cables and test it out at some point.
You can't see in the pictures but the center clear and rear amber are on the same power supply, that would mean deactivating half of it. The grill lights and intersection lights are on the same two supplies so that makes sense. The "complete" one has some extra components under the "hood" I don't have on the parts one. Connected at the "sequencer end" is an extra board that looks similar to a halogen edge flasher. It appears to be hooked into the sequencer controls. This unit was removed working from a full 14 head setup (8 red corner lights, 4 intersection/grill, 1 rear amber and 1 front clear).
I got this today (Whelen Model "HD" ca 1970):
This has the "AEI/L" board but also a "AEI FF" board. I'm guessing the "FF" means "flip flop" and I've confirmed it does indeed single-flash alternating side-to-side.
Looks like the CAPS bear a date code with the year '69':
Not sure exactly how many PSs I have but of those that I do, I only know of two that _don't_ have the trigger circuit combined into the power supply.
I'll have to build out another trigger circuit to be able to demo this PS (and fix the disconnected green wire too, of course).
Kind of related: I got a "Lectric Lites" LL800 ca 1974:
The board bears a markings of a company named, "SIMPLEC" :
-- they hold this patent:
So I'm guessing LL got their early circuit designs from SIMPLEC...but just a guess.
Later PSs didn't look like this...maybe LL built up their own EE staff? Pls chime in if you know part of this history!
This has the "AEI/L" board but also a "AEI FF" board. I'm guessing the "FF" means "flip flop" and I've confirmed it does indeed single-flash alternating side-to-side.
Looks like the CAPS bear a date code with the year '69':
Not sure exactly how many PSs I have but of those that I do, I only know of two that _don't_ have the trigger circuit combined into the power supply.
I'll have to build out another trigger circuit to be able to demo this PS (and fix the disconnected green wire too, of course).
Kind of related: I got a "Lectric Lites" LL800 ca 1974:
The board bears a markings of a company named, "SIMPLEC" :
-- they hold this patent:
So I'm guessing LL got their early circuit designs from SIMPLEC...but just a guess.
Later PSs didn't look like this...maybe LL built up their own EE staff? Pls chime in if you know part of this history!
Here is my latest acquisition, complete with 1979 paperwork and accessories. Anyone know what they mean by a jumper, i.e. which wires in the plugs?
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The lack of a trigger... was that an aircraft thing or just an early strobe thing or both just by the fact that early strobes were for aircraft?
The "jumper" was a white-wire (the only wire in the provided in two AMP connectors wired back-to-back) between the trigger of port #1 to port #2 which had the effect of causing whatever you plugged into ports #3 and/or #4 to flash at ~120 FPM. It basically bridged the triggers of alternating ports.
I don't know! -- You have perhaps the oldest beacon we (I) know about...your earliest "commander" beacon with the AEI/L board. I wouldn't dare ask you to "violate" it...but I venture that if you did/could take some good close-up photos, we might find some extra circuitry between the AEI/L board, and the flash-tube itself.
As I learn more, I'll report more back. It could be that the AEI/L board has a provision for a trigger circuit...but at this point (given the two instances I have) I absolutely don't see it anywhere.
Further...the fact that this _is the same board_ you have in your early commander...tells me at that point in time, Whelen themselves didn't necessarily know what was an "aircraft thing" or otherwise...they were in the throws of figuring that out! Which is why these early boards are so cool!
I didn't look closely enough in my excitement of unpacking this power supply (NOS), came with one (and a neat Whelen sticker).
The Piercer 1 ran on this idea on a 2 head supply.
I don't know! -- You have perhaps the oldest beacon we (I) know about...your earliest "commander" beacon with the AEI/L board. I wouldn't dare ask you to "violate" it...but I venture that if you did/could take some good close-up photos, we might find some extra circuitry between the AEI/L board, and the flash-tube itself.
As I learn more, I'll report more back. It could be that the AEI/L board has a provision for a trigger circuit...but at this point (given the two instances I have) I absolutely don't see it anywhere.
Further...the fact that this _is the same board_ you have in your early commander...tells me at that point in time, Whelen themselves didn't necessarily know what was an "aircraft thing" or otherwise...they were in the throws of figuring that out! Which is why these early boards are so cool!
I will have to get better pictures of the early Commander. There is a lot of attention paid by Whelen to adapting their rotating prism style beacon from aircraft to ground vehicle, but the transition from strobes seems less well documented. They say they started researching it for the aircraft market in 1963, but the cross over seems more muddy as far as a time frame, and obviously the technology was more complicated.
dmathieu
Premium Member
John, what documentation do you have on Whelen's aircraft to automotive transition of the Rota-Beam?
Their site talks about it more, but also every time a catalog mentions their history it is talking about the first rotating motorcycle light etc. I thought I had a small article about the jump to motorcycle lights but I can't find it. They are actually pretty vague in the regards to the aviation to road vehicle transition in all cases, but I felt like the rotabeam going directly from air to ground was more of a direct port and had a little documentation whereas the strobe side they mention it happened but we don't know how they adapted it etc. I will keep digging for the article.
dmathieu
Premium Member
This is what I was referring to. Thanks.
When it comes to strobes we know that the first beacons looked very similar to aircraft strobes but may have included the addition of a trigger. We don't know if we are right that the aircraft technology was 100% ported over, but I do have some evidence that it was adapted very closely. it looks like the L, K, J, and H remote strobes are pretty much copy overs from the aircraft industry. This style remote strobe appears first in the Darley catalogs along side the other earliest known vehicle strobes and continues on being offered for many years, although becoming less and less a "backbone" product.
Here are my aircraft / runway lights and some info from catalogs about automotive products mirroring them. Also pictured are some bulbs that I have removed from older Whelen and LectricLites beacons.
Early vehicle strobes
Aircraft/runway lights I have
Bulbs I have pulled from older Whelen beacons
Here are some "cross over catalogs" and bulb specs
Bulb reference from 1979 until 1989
1989
Thanks! for all this info, John!
So which Whelen beacon did this tube one come from?
This tube doesn't have a "trigger coil". I don't know of any early Whelen flashlamp that didn't have the trigger coil built in (usually in the base like all other tubes you showed).
Note: the trigger circuit and trigger coil work together to make the flash happen. The trigger circuit charges up a small capacitor with ~200V. When a timing pulse comes in, that cap is shorted to ground (via an SCR or thyristor) which induces a charge delivered to the trigger coil. The trigger coil is a "step-up" transformer which induces a high voltage (thousands of volts but very very low amperage) around the outside of the tube to cause the Xenon to be ionize. In an ionized state, the resistance of the Xenon tube is now lower...thus the primary charge stored in the main caps can now rush through the tube to cause the actual flash to occur.
Here are some tubes I have:
From left to right, tubes 1,2 and 4 were all recovered from Whelen items I got at some point. These three contain a reference to Sylvania part # "R4321A" -- the big tube in the middle is unrelated -- its just a huge Sylvania flash tube to illustrate why Whelen may have turned to Sylvania for tube sourcing (i.e. Sylvania had a serious presence in the market).
The tube all the way on the right is much like yours, John. It bears the letters, "GTC" but I have not yet been able to identify the manufacturer.
The oldest Lectric Lites LL800 I have is ca. 1974 (mentioned earlier). Here's its tube:
It came hand-scratched, "11-74". Also note the tube marking right at the line of the potting, (red dot, same "Gtc" logo).
The odd bulb looks like a hazardous location Edwards brand
The odd one came out of a Deitz light, which didn't work with this bulb or a "regular one". I have it in the box I am sending to you. I got a similar Deitz light in the same lot with a "normal bulb" that works fine.
The light that the "triggerless" bulb was in is below.
The one that came with it with a "normal bulb".
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Thanks, John -- IIRC, I got a Tripp-lite strobe way back in the day and it used this format (trigger coil buried in the PS). I gather this works fine when the tube is physically very near the PS (specifically the trigger circuit). But when the possibility of that distance was larger, it seemed to become standard practice to put the trigger coil either _in_ the tube, or very close nearby within the fixture itself.
I say this with this in mind:
This beacon was a strobe made by "Flash Technology" which would typically be found on radio/tv/comm towers. These would typically be some 300 to 600 feet away from the power supply...but the trigger coil itself would be a component of the light fixture itself.
I went and dug around and revised my statement of where I got the odd bulb... it was out of a Dietz, not sure if it was installed by accident... I detailed it above it looks like an edwards industrial light bulb.
I added a few more mystery supplies to the lot I'm sending you, I'll repack them at work tomorrow.
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