Whelen Edge 9000

[Mattdecker]

Got this in the mail from another member today. Has 8 strobes and 2 takedowns. Some of the reflectors are crispy so I'm gonna get some aluminum tape and clean them and put over the burnt section.


When I got it, it had 2 Amber lenses to the front so I swapped them to the rear.


Has 2 Nova EPSX404 power supplies, one for the front and one for the rear. I have to get in and mess around with the wires nuts and take them out and fix those and find the wire to change the flash patterns. Will probably set it up for quad flash in the front and double flash in the rear.


I will also be figuring out a way to mount my Lo Pro speaker to this bar and using it.


Any tips, comments, or anything let me know.

 

[kitn1mcc]

sounds like a real mess

 

[Mattdecker]

sounds like a real mess

Nah. It's not too bad. I've seen a whole lot worse. And for what I got it for I ain't complaining. I just hate wire nuts.

 

[Mattdecker]

Just an update. Messed around with it tonight at work tonight. Front is set to quad flash and rear is set to double flash.


Video will be coming soon.

 

[rond]

I look forward to seeing the progress

 

[lotsofbars]

Looks crispy as hell but all in all a nice bar. You got one of the oldest too, which could be a real collector's piece if restored. But since you're using it, enjoy because they're super bars. I wouldn't suggest using an overhead speaker, though. It's convenient and looks cool but after a year of regular use, you won't be able to hear your phone ring when it's right next to you. 

 

[rond]

Plus those speakers get clogged easy in the winter with snow and ice. I also second that it's way too loud when mounted on the lightbar. I loved it when my department moved the speakers to the grill.

 

[Mattdecker]

Looks crispy as hell but all in all a nice bar. You got one of the oldest too, which could be a real collector's piece if restored. But since you're using it, enjoy because they're super bars. I wouldn't suggest using an overhead speaker, though. It's convenient and looks cool but after a year of regular use, you won't be able to hear your phone ring when it's right next to you.

I plan on getting some aluminum tape tomorrow when I get paid. Hopefully that'll take care of them.


The serial and model number is wore off but from what I can tell in the thread for Edge bars based on the reflector types, this is an original bar from 1989. Also since it has 8 strobes it makes it a 9308 model.


As far as the speaker, it will probably oh be temporary. I don't live far from the station and we don't run Code 3 all the time for calls so I don't see me running it constantly. Once I get the front of my Jeep fixed I plan on running a couple speakers behind the grill.


Also, the takedowns are not wired up so I'm debating on trying to figure out if I want to make them flash or not.

 

[lotsofbars]

Good, just make sure you don't use it too much for too long. That's just asking to give yourself problems. 

Also, the takedowns are not wired up so I'm debating on trying to figure out if I want to make them flash or not.

Just wire them to flash with steady override. 

 

[Mattdecker]

Good, just make sure you don't use it too much for too long. That's just asking to give yourself problems.


Just wire them to flash with steady override.

Random question. I looked and haven't found an answer on here yet.


To connect the 16g wires to the 12g main wire, what would be best to connect them with? Currently they are connected with a wire nut, but I have some 10-12g butt connectors I thought about using.


Would connecting them through that be ok?

 

[Pete L.]

I can remember when the word came down the chain that speakers couldn't be mounted on the roof, we

removed those LoPro speakers from the bar and mounted them under the front bumper (upside down).

Don't laugh, it worked great.

 

[lotsofbars]

Random question. I looked and haven't found an answer on here yet.


To connect the 16g wires to the 12g main wire, what would be best to connect them with? Currently they are connected with a wire nut, but I have some 10-12g butt connectors I thought about using.


Would connecting them through that be ok?

I'd imagine so but don't quote me on that, I'm not much of a wiring expert. 

 

[Mattdecker]

I'd imagine so but don't quote me on that, I'm not much of a wiring expert.

Well, that's what I'm gonna do. It'll be a little better than wire nuts. Lol.

 

[Mattdecker]

Here are some before and after shots of a reflector with aluminum tape. Got the aluminum tape from autozone.


Before:








After:

 

[lotsofbars]

Looks good. That stuff is magical for old reflectors. 

 

[Mattdecker]

Looks good. That stuff is magical for old reflectors.

Thanks. I have done half the bar. Will do the other half later today. All I have to then is polish the lenses up. If I do that I'm not sure. Got it all wired up and ready to go though. I'll have to extend the wires some but that's it.


Talked to the chief yesterday to see when I'd be off probation. Hopefully soon. If they say I am in gonna go ahead and ask to mount them on the jeep.

 

[Mattdecker]

Got the speaker mounted today. All I have to do is polish the lenses. Thinking I'm gonna have to go down to 800 grit and start there. Put it on the jeep today to see what it'd look like.

 

[rond]

Looks nice. I do like the look of the speaker on top

 

[ERIC6913]

looks like your headlights could use a polishing as well!

 

[Mattdecker]

looks like your headlights could use a polishing as well!

Definitely could. Debating on getting ahold of them with sand paper too.

 

[Pete L.]

Definitely could. Debating on getting ahold of them with sand paper too.

I do the old 600/1000/2000 wet sand then plast-x on my van's headlights every year. . . . . . . right before inspection

 

[Mattdecker]

Ok. Well I have a video of it and will post once I get it uploaded to YouTube.


Another question. The lenses look awful pinkish to me, should I just replace them or is there a way to fix that?


Got some 800 and 1000 grit sandpaper so once I get some time off I'm gonna polish them up a bit and see.

 

[Mattdecker]

Updated with video.


Once I get home I will work on making this one a better quality. It degraded some when it uploaded.

 

[wmreader]

Another question. The lenses look awful pinkish to me, should I just replace them or is there a way to fix that?

Nope, sorry. You are stuck with that pink color, literally, because you have first generation lenses with the solid vertical optic lines. That generation of reds, as well as their blues, were notorious for giving off pink and teal colors when used over strobes. They were also thicker than later generation lenses and that hindered the brightness/intensity of the strobe flashes. The lenses did not get corrected to give off their true colors until the second generation came along that used split vertical optics. The only way to get a true red color is to update the ones you have. BTW, when I checked your pics up close to determine the lens type, I noticed that you appear to have second generation endcaps. If so, do they give off the red color you desire? If they do, match them with the correct lenses and you will be set.

 

[Mattdecker]

Nope, sorry. You are stuck with that pink color, literally, because you have first generation lenses with the solid vertical optic lines. That generation of reds, as well as their blues, were notorious for giving off pink and teal colors when used over strobes. They were also thicker than later generation lenses and that hindered the brightness/intensity of the strobe flashes. The lenses did not get corrected to give off their true colors until the second generation came along that used split vertical optics. The only way to get a true red color is to update the ones you have. BTW, when I checked your pics up close to determine the lens type, I noticed that you appear to have second generation endcaps. If so, do they give off the red color you desire? If they do, match them with the correct lenses and you will be set.

They are ok. I will have to check and make sure.


I have some lenses from my parts bar. Just need to make sure they are the correct length. If not, I guess it's off to the wanted threads. That's the only bad thing is checking the lengths.

 

[wmreader]

Since you have a first generation bar with lenses that apparently are original to it, you probably should hang on to them if you change to newer lenses just to keep the collectable factor intact when you retire the bar.


I have a bunch of second generation reds with split optics if you might be interested in getting some. I can probably come up with lengths that are either an exact match or close to yours. If you will PM me your actual measurements, I'll see what I can do.

 

[Mattdecker]

Since you have a first generation bar with lenses that apparently are original to it, you probably should hang on to them if you change to newer lenses just to keep the collectable factor intact when you retire the bar.


I have a bunch of second generation reds with split optics if you might be interested in getting some. I can probably come up with lengths that are either an exact match or close to yours. If you will PM me your actual measurements, I'll see what I can do.

Ok. I will take measurements when I get home and get to a tape measure and will pm you. I know the bar is a 50". I'll mesaage you in a few hours when I get off and let you know.

 

[fireman-dave]

Looks great Matt!  So much better than sitting in my basement getting dustier.  I am really glad that you are taking time to get it working again and onto your Jeep.  Stay safe out there. 

 

[Mattdecker]

Just an update. Talked to the chief today. If everything looks ok with my probation period being over then I have the ok to run lights and sirens.


Even though the lens on this bar gives off a slightly pinkish tint I am going to run it and my Dashmiser until I get some different lens for it.


Once I get the ok I will update with pics of the install.

 

[Mattdecker]

Updated with video.


Once I get home I will work on making this one a better quality. It degraded some when it uploaded.

https://youtu.be/ybE0hTgFTPw

Updated with a better video of bar at night.

 

[rond]

Looks good!

 

[Tomhae]

That is a very early production Edge. It looks to have the composite metal feet? Put it on a shelf!

 

[Mattdecker]

That is a very early production Edge. It looks to have the composite metal feet? Put it on a shelf!

From what I've found out, this is one of the first model Edge that came out.


It did have the metal feet but since I'm putting it on the jeep I swapped them for the plastic ones.


Eventually what I plan on doing is trying to find an original power source and swap it and the Nova ones. I'll put the Nova ones in my other edge and retire this Edge and put it on a shelf and use the other on on my POV.

 

[Mattdecker]

Has anyone ever seen a takedown wired like this?


Both sides have wires that are ran to a fuse, but no wires are coming from that fuse to wire them up. The only way I'd know to wire them is to cut the wires and extend them and ground it and run the wire to the button I want to use.

 

[OWSLICHT]

Should you be interested, I have about 6 ot 8 new V-strobes, some still in the original packaging