Passive identification on Whelen 500 series leds

bluestinger90

Member
Jun 5, 2010
657
BC / California
Could someone confirm if these are passive, or require a ballast? The seller says they tested and they work on 12volt, and therefore are passive. However a seller here, selling the same light head, has a sticker clearly identifying the lighting to be passive.


The one I am inquiring into;


ai.imgur.com_wCZKI.png


The seller here, clear identification it's passive.


ai.imgur.com_LSNmF.jpg


On a related note, do Whelen serial numbers contain the date of manufacture?
 

WireKing

Member
Dec 16, 2010
523
USA Southwest
The top picture is a ballast type. The giveaway is that it says 140 degree, and "tir ballast". The second one is much newer and is true 12v passive.
 

bigcat

Member
May 20, 2010
641
Hartford County, CT
The older TIR6s all said BALLAST on them. Not sure why they were labeled that way, but they run off of 12v just like any passive LED lighthead. I assume it means there is an internal ballast or something.


I have never come across a TIR6 that required an external ballast flasher to operate. The only ballast 500 series lightheads I've seen are linear, never TIR.


Have him send a picture of them lit up if you are still doubtful.
 

rwo978

Member
May 21, 2010
5,196
ND, USA
bigcat said:
The older TIR6s all said BALLAST on them. Not sure why they were labeled that way, but they run off of 12v just like any passive LED lighthead. I assume it means there is an internal ballast or something.

Agreed. I've run into several of these. Straight 12V works.
 

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