Whelen Interesting Whelen Edge

Got this Whelen Edge 9000 in a lot of bars i got yesterday and its odd (to me)

I dont think its a b-link edge since the edge branding seems too old to me, the traffic advisor also has its own circuit board and theres another circuit board (in the pictures) which i didnt check what it went to.|

What my main goal for right now is to light it up but i am clueless as to what i may need to do that. Help would be very much appreciated!
 

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Nice find! Based on the separate circuit boards and 'old' branding, you likely have a 96 Series Relay Matrix bar rather than a B-Link (serial) version. These are actually easier for beginners because you don't need a proprietary digital controller to make them flash, you just need a 12V power source and some jumper wires.
 
Cliffordsnr said:
Nice find! Based on the separate circuit boards and 'old' branding, you likely have a 96 Series Relay Matrix bar rather than a B-Link (serial) version. These are actually easier for beginners because you don't need a proprietary digital controller to make them flash, you just need a 12V power source and some jumper wires.
Click to expand...
Funky, thats the first im hearing of that, any manuals on it or guide?
 
SP7134 said:
Funky, thats the first im hearing of that, any manuals on it or guide?
Click to expand...
Check the underside of the lightbar for a small white sticker. It will usually have a 4-digit model number (starting with 9). Having that specific number makes finding the exact Whelen Technical Documentation much easier.
 
I'm sorry to report (depending on your perspective), I think you have an Edge Diagnostix bar. This was a precursor to B-LINK. You'd need a PCDS-9 controller and a special TA-836-S to control the traffic advisor.

The TA-836-S plugs into the PCDS-9 via RJ45/CATx cable.

It is a two-wire serial control rig. The small gauge red/black pair are the serial control wires.

The giveaway is your pic here:
1770813786498.png
All strobe cables pass through this board. It senses current when the tubes flash and if it _doesn't_ sense current, it means a tube failed to flash. This signal is detected and ultimately reported back to the PCDS-9 controller causing it to alert the operator.

You'll see the same board in a @Ranger-Services.com post here:
Ranger-Services.com

Whelen Thread 'Decoding the DIAGNOSTIC Edge Bars'

I as well as a few other members here are trying to get some of the Diagnostic serial bars that have no controllers to be useful and get a controller made to be able to work these bars without rewiring them
ideally we would like to make an equivalent to a wecan control point.
we have another member @RS485 who has decoding done on some controllers

So far I have configuration #s

CT State Police
78
88
289

Mass Highway
422

Dip switch configs
78 1 off. 2,3,4 on. 5,6 off. 7 on. 8 off
88 is the same as 78
289 ALL OFF
422 1 off. 2,3 on. 4,5 off. 6 on. 7,8 off.

Now wit the CT...
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Personally, I think this is a wicked cool lightbar and piece of history in that it was Whelen's first 2-wire controlled lightbar with diagnostic feedback and led the way for B-LINK however they are completely incompatible both electrically and protocol-wise.
I just checked one of the boards I have and it bares a copyright of 1991!

It would likely take a fair amount of work (and patience) to get it working as designed. Parts can be scarce although I spot both controllers on ebay at the moment though one is part of a "package deal".

I've never seen a manual (or any useful documentation). Most of what we know about it was a result of extensive tinkering.

FWIW, the power supply is "standard" in that it is _not_ serial serial controlled. You can jerry-rig the power supply and flash-tubes together and test to see what works.

HTH
 
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Well, that definitely changes the game! If this is indeed an Edge Diagnostix bar, my previous advice about jumping 12V to the trigger wires won't work. in fact, you could potentially fry the communication board if you send 12V down that red/black serial pair.

Since you have those serial boards, you’re essentially stuck unless you have that PCDS-9 controller. Without the controller to send the digital 'handshake,' the bar won't know what to do
 
RS485 said:
I'm sorry to report (depending on your perspective), I think you have an Edge Diagnostix bar. This was a precursor to B-LINK. You'd need a PCDS-9 controller and a special TA-836-S to control the traffic advisor.

The TA-836-S plugs into the PCDS-9 via RJ45/CATx cable.

It is a two-wire serial control rig. The small gauge red/black pair are the serial control wires.

The giveaway is your pic here:
View attachment 256946
All strobe cables pass through this board. It senses current when the tubes flash and if it _doesn't_ sense current, it means a tube failed to flash. This signal is detected and ultimately reported back to the PCDS-9 controller causing it to alert the operator.

You'll see the same board in a @Ranger-Services.com post here:
Ranger-Services.com

Whelen Thread 'Decoding the DIAGNOSTIC Edge Bars'

I as well as a few other members here are trying to get some of the Diagnostic serial bars that have no controllers to be useful and get a controller made to be able to work these bars without rewiring them
ideally we would like to make an equivalent to a wecan control point.
we have another member @RS485 who has decoding done on some controllers

So far I have configuration #s

CT State Police
78
88
289

Mass Highway
422

Dip switch configs
78 1 off. 2,3,4 on. 5,6 off. 7 on. 8 off
88 is the same as 78
289 ALL OFF
422 1 off. 2,3 on. 4,5 off. 6 on. 7,8 off.

Now wit the CT...
  • Like

Personally, I think this is a wicked cool lightbar and piece of history in that it was Whelen's first 2-wire controlled lightbar with diagnostic feedback and led the way for B-LINK however they are completely incompatible both electrically and protocol-wise.
I just checked one of the boards I have and it bares a copyright of 1991!

It would likely take a fair amount of work (and patience) to get it working as designed. Parts can be scarce although I spot both controllers on ebay at the moment though one is part of a "package deal".

I've never seen a manual (or any useful documentation). Most of what we know about it was a result of extensive tinkering.

FWIW, the power supply is "standard" in that it is _not_ serial serial controlled. You can jerry-rig the power supply and flash-tubes together and test to see what works.

HTH
Click to expand...
I actually have the manual for it....
 

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