®

ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.

51 Winthrop Road Installation Manual:
Chester, Connecticut 06412-0684 WPA™ and BETA2™ Series Control Head
Phone: (860) 526-9504
Fax: (860) 526-4078
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: autosale@whelen.com
Canadian Sales e-mail: autocan@whelen.com
Customer Service e-mail: custserv@whelen.com

DANGER! Sirens produces extremely loud emergency warning tones! Exposure to these
Automotive: Sirens/Switches

tones without proper and adequate hearing protection, could cause ear damage and/or hearing
loss! The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (www.osha.gov) provides information
necessary to determine safe exposure times in Occupational Noise Exposure Section 1910.95.
Until you have determined the safe exposure times for your specific application, operators and
anyone else in the immediate vicinity should be required to wear an approved hearing protection
device. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS RECOMMENDATION COULD CAUSE HEARING LOSS!

Safety First
This document provides all the necessary information to allow your Whelen product to be properly and safely installed.
Before beginning the installation and/or operation of your new product, the installation technician and operator must
read this manual completely. Important information is contained herein that could prevent serious injury or damage.

• Proper installation of this product requires the installer to have a good understanding of automotive electronics,
systems and procedures.

• If mounting this product requires drilling holes, the installer MUST be sure that no vehicle components or other
vital parts could be damaged by the drilling process. Check both sides of the mounting surface before drilling
begins. Also de-burr any holes and remove any metal shards or remnants. Install grommets into all wire
passage holes.

• If this manual states that this product may be mounted with suction cups, magnets, tape or Velcro®, clean the
mounting surface with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water and dry thoroughly.

• Do not install this product or route any wires in the deployment area of your air bag. Equipment mounted or
located in the air bag deployment area will damage or reduce the effectiveness of the air bag, or become a
projectile that could cause serious personal injury or death. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for the air bag
deployment area. The User/Installer assumes full responsibility to determine proper mounting location, based
on providing ultimate safety to all passengers inside the vehicle.

• For this product to operate at optimum efficiency, a good electrical connection to chassis ground must be
made. The recommended procedure requires the product ground wire to be connected directly to the NEGATIVE
(-) battery post.

• If this product uses a remote device to activate or control this product, make sure this control is located in an
area that allows both the vehicle and the control to be operated safely in any driving condition. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO ACTIVATE OR CONTROL THIS DEVICE IN A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION.

• It is recommended that these instructions be stored in a safe place and ACTIVATION OF THIS
referred to when performing maintenance and/or reinstallation of this SIREN MAY DAMAGE
product. UNPROTECTED EARS!
• FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND CAUTION
INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT OR Loud siren noise can cause
hearing damage and/or loss.
VEHICLE AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS! Wear Refer to OSHA Section 1910.95 prior
Protection! to putting ANY siren into service!

For warranty information regarding this product, visit www.whelen.com/warranty

©1998 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13238G (050608)
Page 1
 WARNING!
DISCONNECTING THE VEHICLE BRAKE LAMP
CIRCUIT USING ANY SIRENS WITH RELAY OUTPUTS
OR SWITCH CONTROLLERS COULD CAUSE
VEHICLE OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, SERIOUS INJURY
OR EVEN DEATH.

DISABLING THIS CIRCUIT IS A VIOLATION OF THE

FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD
FOR THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, AS WELL AS REAR
BRAKE LIGHTS.

FUNCTIONS THAT BLACK OUT THE REAR BRAKE

LIGHTS (SOMETIMES CALLED “BRAKE LIGHT CUT
OUT”) MAY INTERFERE WITH THE BRAKE SHIFT
LOCK MECHANISM, AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO
MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY AND DANGEROUSLY.

DISCONNECTING THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN ANY WAY

IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED
BY WHELEN.

Page 2
 Section II: Automotive & Marine Applications
READ BEFORE INSTALLING!!!
The WPA2 & BETA2 Control Heads (the “WPA Series”) can be
Do not install this product or route any wires in the deployment mounted in four different styles: a flush mount and 3 surface
area of your air bag. Equipment mounted or located in
the air bag deployment area will damage or reduce the mounts (Figures 2 through 5). Flush mounting (Figure 2),
effectiveness of the air bag or become a projectile that could requires a special bracket (included with the WPA2 and
cause serious personal injury or death. Refer to your vehicle available for the BETA2 & WPA1). Surface mounting uses the
owner's manual for the air bag deployment area. hardware included with your WPA1 Series Control Head.

The User/Installer assumes full responsibility to determine the CAUTION! Mounting will require cutting and drilling, it is
proper mounting location, based on providing ultimate safety absolutely necessary to make sure that no vehicle components
to all passengers inside the vehicle. Whelen Engineering Co. could be damaged by the mounting process. Check both sides
assumes no liability or responsibility for determining individual of the mounting surface and if damage is possible, select a
applications or exact installation location criteria. different mounting location.
Flush Mount: (Fig. 2)
This manual outlines installation procedures for the WPATM and
1. Locate a suitable mounting location for the control head. Be
BETATM Series Control Head (Models WPA1TM, WPA2TM and
sure that the control head will fit properly and not interfere
BETA2TM). The WPATM Series Control Head was designed for
with any vehicle components.
automotive, motorcycle and marine applications. Read this
manual carefully before beginning the installation. 2. Position the flush mount bracket (BETA2BKT) onto the
proposed mounting location to use as a template. Using an
Section I: Motorcycle Applications awl or other suitable tool, scribe the guide lines (from which
For motorcycle applications, a special handlebar mounting you will cut the opening) onto the mounting surface where
bracket has been provided. Both the bracket and the control the bracket is to go.
head mounting holes have been designed to allow the WPA1TM
3. Carefully cut the opening into the mounting location.
to be positioned in any of the following ways: centered on the
bracket, off-set to the left of bracket, off-set to the right of the 4. Secure the control head to the bracket. Using the supplied
bracket or vertical to the bracket. sheet metal screws.

Mounting the WPA1™ Series Control Head 5. Slide the control head (with bracket attached) into the
mounting hole you cut
Handlebar Mount: (Fig. 1)
6. Drill the screw holes, with an appropriately sized drill bit.
1. Locate a suitable mounting location for the WPA1. Any
open space on the handlebars will be acceptable, provided 7. Using the supplied sheet metal screws, secure the control
the control head or bracket does not interfere with any head / bracket to the mounting surface.
motorcycle components or steering operations.
2. Position the bracket around the handlebar on the mounting
location. Now place a #6 internal-tooth lockwasher
(provided) onto a #6 x 2” sheet metal screw (provided) and
insert through brackets and into the back of the control
head (Fig. 1). Secure unit to handlebar and tighten firmly.

Fig. 1 Handle Bar Mount FRONT Fig. 2 Flush Mount FRONT

#6 Sheet #6 Sheet
Metal Metal
Screw Screw
TOP
TOP

Lockwasher
#6 Sheet Metal Screw

Page 3
Surface Mount / Back Mount: (Fig. 3) Surface Mount / Front Mount: (Figs. 4 or 5)
NOTE: This mounting application is preferred over the other 1. Locate a suitable mounting location for the control head.
surface installations for security purposes. The face of the con- The dashboard is often a good choice.
trol head is left untouched and the screws are concealed
2. Be sure that the control head fits properly and does not
behind the mounting panel. For this installation you will use the
interfere with any vehicle components.
Handlebar Mounting Bracket for the WPA1TM (included) or the
Flush Mount Bracket for the WPA2TM (included) as a screw hole 3. Find the 8 hole location marks on the face of the control
template. head. Choose the 4 holes that best suit your application.
Using an utility knife or similar tool, make a small incision
1. Locate a suitable mounting location. The dashboard is
through the overlay at the chosen location marks. Place the
often a good choice. Be sure that the control head fits
screws through the holes (Fig. 3).
properly and does not interfere with any vehicle
components. 4. Position the control head on the proposed mounting
location. Using an awl or similar tool, scribe the mounting
2. Position the mounting bracket onto the proposed mounting
surface where the mounting holes are to be drilled. Also
location. Using an awl or other similar tool, scribe the
mark the area where the passage hole for the wire harness
mounting surface where the screw holes are to be drilled.
will be located.
3. Cut a hole large enough for the wire harness to fit through.
5. Cut a hole large enough to pass the wire harness through.
4. Drill the screw holes using an appropriately sized drill bit.
6. Drill mounting holes using an appropriately sized drill bit for
5. Feed the wire harness through the hole, and using the the machine screws (Fig. 4) or sheet metal screws (Fig. 3)
supplied screws, secure the control head. depending on which mounting style you use.
7. Feed the wire harness through the access hole and using
Fig. 3 Surface Mount (Back Mount) the supplied mounting hardware, secure the control head
using the mounting style you prefer (Figures 3 & 4).
#6 Sheet Metal Screw
FRONT
Mounting
Surface Section III: Wiring the WPA1TM & WPA2TM
TOP

1. Route the wires from the control head to the remote siren
amplifier.
2. Using the AMPSEAL chart and Fig. 7, insert the contact
wires into their given positions on the plug connector. Push
the contact wire straight into the appropriate circuit cavity
as far as it will go. IMPORTANT: Before inserting the wires,
Use Handlebar Bracket as a Template you must release the internal wedge lock (see Fig. 6).

WARNING! Be sure not to pierce the insulation of the

Fig. 4 Surface Mount (Front Mount #1) FRONT AMPSEAL plug assembly with a sharp point or any type of
Mounting probing tool. The resulting pinholes in the insulation will allow
Surface
moisture to invade the system by traveling along the wire
strands. This compromises the effectiveness of the connector
#4 Machine
TOP

Screw seals and will result in system failure.

CAUTION! Be sure that all contact wires for the control head
have been placed in the correct spaces. A wire in the wrong
place can cause serious damage to the remote siren amplifier
system.
#4 Helical
Washers 3. After inserting the wires, slide the center piece back into the
housing until it is flush with the housing. This will re-lock the
internal wedge lock.
Fig. 5 Surface Mount (Front Mount #2) 4. Pull back on the contact wire with a force of 1 or 2 lbs. to be
FRONT
Mounting sure the retention fingers are holding the contact.
Surface

5. With wires secured in AMPSEAL plug connector, affix

connector to header assembly on remote amplifier (Fig. 8).
#4 Helical
TOP

Washer

#4 Sheet
Metal Screw

Page 4
 PIN COLOR PIN COLOR
Fig. 6 BROWN FROM
1 ORANGE 13 CONTROL HEAD
INLINE YELLOW FROM
2 FUSE HOLDER 14 CONTROL HEAD

Table 1 / Ampseal Wiring Chart

WHITE FROM
3 CONTROL HEAD 15 BLUE

4 BLACK 16 BROWN
WHT/BLK FROM
5 CONTROL HEAD 17 N/C
Slide Out GRAY FROM
Bend Ears Center 6 CONTROL HEAD 18 N/C
Outward
ORANGE FROM
7 CONTROL HEAD 19 N/C
Before the wires can be inserted into their sockets, you must first release the
Internal Wedge Lock. To do this you must bend both ears out slightly, while at 8 BLUE 20 N/C
the same time, sliding the center piece (shown in white) out no more than 1/4”. GREEN FROM
9 CONTROL HEAD 21 N/C
This will release the internal wedge lock. After inserting the wires, slide the
VIOLET FROM
center piece back in to close the internal wedge lock. NOTE: Be careful not to 10 N/C 22 CONTROL HEAD
bend the ears too far out as they might break off. BLUE FROM
11 N/C 23 CONTROL HEAD

12 N/C
Lighting Control: The WPATM series control head offers a BLACK/WHITE
low-current control line that wire provides 12VDC / 250ma. This wire is activated
when the “Siren/Lights Siren” toggle switch on the control head is moved to the
“Lights Siren” position. In the “Siren” position this wire is disabled (Fig. 8).
Wiring for the BETA2TM Control Head: The BETA2 Series Control Fig. 7
Head is not provided with the waterproof AMPSEAL plug connector. It is an 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rear View
automotive application and has been designed for an automotive amplifier 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Ampseal
(BETA112R). A 9-position female connector is provided with the BETA2. After 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Connector
routing the contact wires to the amplifier, take the 9-position female connector (P2)
and insert it into the 9-position male connector located on the BETA amplifier
(see Fig. 9 below for 9-position wire details).

WPA CONTROL HEAD SPECIFICATIONS

INPUT VOLTAGE . . . . . . . . . . 10 to 32 VOLTS
INPUT CURRENT (OFF) . . . . . 0 mA
INPUT CURRENT . . . . . . . . . 500mA (MAX.)

OUTPUT VOLTAGE . . . . . . . . INPUT VOLTAGE -1.4V WPA Remote

OUTPUT CURRENT . . . . . . . . 500mA (MAX.) Amplifier
OPERATING TEMP. . . . . . . . . -30° C. to +60° C.
OPERATING HUMIDITY . . . . . 100% NON-CONDENSING
OPERATING SHORT PROT.. . 500mA POLY FUSE

WPA Control
Head
POSITION 1 GREEN

Fig. 9 WHITE 1 2 3 BROWN

Rear View GRAY 4 5 6 YELLOW Fig. 8

of Pin Housing ITE
7 8 9 WH E
VIOLET BLUE
CK / OL LIN
A
BL NTR
CO

WHITE/BLACK ORANGE

The installation of your control head will be complete after the fuse block wire of the remote amplifier is connected to the POSITIVE
(+) terminal of the battery. After this connection has been made, inspect the fuses of the amplifier and at the battery. If either of these
fuses is blown, carefully inspect all of the circuit wires and make sure they are wired correctly. Replace the blown fuses with ones of
an identical amp rating. If these fuses blow after installation or activation, contact Whelen Engineering Technical Support.

Page 5
Section IV: Operating the WPATM or BETA2™ Fig. 10
MICROPHONE Manual / Airhorn Rotary Knob Volume Knob

Pressing the microphone button will allow you to broadcast

public address over the siren loudspeaker regardless of the
rotary switch position. NOTE: This will override all other siren MAN A/H HF VOL
functions. LIGHTS
MAN WAIL
SIREN
ROTARY SWITCH PA YELP
The Rotary Knob controls the siren and PA (Public Address)
functions of the WPA / BETA2 There are 8 positions that may be SIREN
R
RAD TONE3
OFF
TM
WPA SERIES
selected including “Off” (Fig. 10). Functions are outlined below:
Lights Siren / Siren Switch Microphone Port
RAD (Radio Repeat) - When the rotary knob is in the RAD
position, any signal that is received by the vehicle’s two-way YELP (Yelp Tone) - When the rotary knob is in the YELP
radio will be simultaneously broadcast over the vehicle’s position, a fast, rise and fall tone is produced. A single tap on
loudspeaker (The remote amplifier must be connected to the the MAN switch changes the siren tone to TONE3. A second
two-way radio speaker. See the WPA / BETA remote amplifier tap, and the siren returns to a YELP tone.
manual for the proper wiring and operation).
TONE3 (PiercerTM Tone / in Default Configuration) - When
PA (Public Address) - When the rotary knob is in the PA the rotary knob is in the TONE3 position, an extremely fast, rise
position, public address functions are operational. Messages and fall tone is produced. Pressing on the MAN switch changes
may be broadcast over the vehicle’s loudspeaker via the WPA / the siren tone to a simulated air horn tone for as long as the
BETA2 microphone. The volume level of PA transmissions is button is pressed. Releasing the button causes the siren to
controlled by the volume knob. If the MAN / AIRHORN button is return to the Piercer tone.
pressed while the rotary knob is in this position, an air horn
siren tone will be generated by your vehicle’s loudspeaker. This VOLUME KNOB - The volume knob controls the volume of
tone is generated until the horn ring button is released. public address function. Volume is increased by rotating the
knob in a clockwise direction and decreased by rotating the
MAN (Manual Siren) - When the rotary knob is in the MAN volume knob in a counter-clockwise direction. This knob has no
position, pressing the MAN switch generates a tone that rises in effect on any siren tones produced.
pitch to a pre-set level. This tone is generated for as long as the
MAN switch is pressed. LIGHTS-SIREN / SIREN SWITCH - The lights-siren/siren
switch provides the operator with the ability to activate any lights
HF (Hands Free Operation) - When the rotary knob is in the that have been connected to the WPA circuit. In the siren
HF position, the siren functions of the WPA / BETA2 are placed position, siren control operates as described in this manual.
in a standby mode. Siren tones are activated by a single ‘tap’ of Moving the switch to the lights-siren position not only allows
the MAN switch. The first tap produces a Wail tone (a steady, siren control, but activates any lights connected to the control
rise and fall tone). A second tap produces a Yelp tone (a fast, wires indicated on page 3.
rise and fall tone). A third tap produces a PiercerTM tone (an
extremely fast, rise and fall tone). The next tap returns the siren AIRHORN OVERRIDE / MANUAL SIREN SWITCH - The
to a Wail tone and the cycle repeats itself. Two quick, Airhorn override switch will activate the simulated airhorn tone
successive taps will stop the siren. when pressed and will terminate upon release. The airhorn will
override all of the WPA control head functions. The manual
WAIL (Wail Tone) - When the rotary knob is in the WAIL siren switch activates any of the simulated siren tones
position, a steady, rise and fall tone is produced. A single tap on determined by the rotary switch position noted above.
the MAN switch changes the siren tone to a Yelp pattern (a fast,
rise and fall tone). A second tap, and the siren returns to a Wail
tone.

Page 6