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Installation and Maintenance Instructions

Safety Message to Installers
People’s lives depend on your safe installation of our products. It is important to read, understand and follow all instructions shipped with the products. In addition, listed below are some other important safety instructions and precautions you should follow:

• To properly install a light assembly: you must have a good understanding of automotive electrical procedures and systems, along with proficiency in the installation and use of safety warning equipment.

• When drilling into a vehicle structure, be sure that both sides of the surface are clear of anything that could be damaged.

• A light system is a high current device. In order for it to function properly, a separate ground connection must be made. If practical, it should be connected to the negative battery terminal. At a minimum, it may be attached to a solid metal body or chassis part that will provide an effective ground path as long as the light system is to be used.

• Locate light system controls so the VEHICLE and CONTROLS can be  operated safely under all driving conditions.

• This product contains high intensity LED devices. To prevent eye damage, DO NOT stare into the light beam at close range.

• You should frequently inspect the light system to ensure that it is operating properly and that it is securely attached to the vehicle.

• File these instructions in a safe place and refer to them when maintaining and/or reinstalling the product. Failure to follow all safety precautions and instructions may result in property damage, serious injury, or death to you or others.

1. UNPACKING
After unpacking the Vector light bar, inspect it for damage that may have occurred in transit. If the unit has been damaged, file a claim immediately with the carrier, stating the extent of damage. Carefully check all envelopes, shipping labels and tags before removing or destroying them.

2. INSTALLATION
The light bar is completely wired at the factory and does not require any additional internal wiring. All the conductors necessary for control of any and all basic and optional functions are contained in the cable(s).

NOTE: If the unit is supplied with the SignalMaster™ option, two cables exit the light bar. The larger cable is the light bar control cable and the smaller cable is the SignalMaster control cable.

The basic light functions of the unit must be controlled by a user supplied control head.

Before proceeding, ensure that the light bar has been installed on the vehicle roof in accordance with the instructions packed with the mounting kit. Route the light bar cable as described below.

WARNING: Light system controls must be located so that VEHICLE and CONTROLS can be operated safely under all driving conditions.

1. Route the control cable(s) into the vehicle and under the dash, near the eventual location of the user-supplied control head.

2. For proper light operation, the light bar control cable must be properly terminated inside the user supplied control head. Using figure 1 as a guide, make the appropriate electrical connections shown in Table 1. Ensure that the lines are adequately fused as shown in figure 1.  

Table 1 - Electrical Connections

3. Connect the black lead to chassis ground.

4. Connect the light bar’s red power lead to a fuse or circuit breaker rated at 50 amperes. Connect the other side of the fuse/circuit breaker to the +12VDC supply.
5. SignalMaster™ or LED SignalMaster Option. The SignalMaster/LED SignalMaster option is completely wired at the factory and does not require any additional wiring inside the light bar. All conductors necessary for control of the SignalMaster/ LED SignalMaster are contained in the smaller cable. For installation, wiring, and operation instructions, refer to the instruction sheet packed with the SignalMaster control unit.

3. NFPA INSTALLATION.
MESSAGE TO NFPA INSTALLERS
For mounting, color configuration, and mounting considerations, refer to the latest edition of the NFPA standard for automotive fire apparatus. For Models VC6001 and VC4801, use figure 2 as a guide (for mounting and wiring) when installing this light assembly as part of an NFPA certified system.

4. BASIC MAINTENANCE
WARNING
High voltages are present inside the light bar, when the strobe light option is installed. Wait at least ten (10) minutes, after shutting off power, before servicing this unit. Failure to do so may result in property damage, serious injury, or death to you or others.

A. Cleaning the Plastic Domes
Ordinary cleaning of the plastic domes can be accomplished by using mild soap and a soft rag. Should fine scratches or a haze appear on the domes, they can ordinarily be removed with a non-abrasive, high quality, one-step automotive paste cleaner/wax and a soft cloth.

CAUTION The use of other materials such as strong detergents, solvents, petroleum products, etc. can cause crazing (cracking) of the plastic domes.

CAUTION Service life of lamp will be shortened if glass portion is touched. If glass has been handled, clean carefully with a grease solvent.

1. Stationary Lamps.
   See figure 3. To replace the lamp, Twist to unlock and then pull the defective lamp out of the socket. Install a new lamp of the same type in the socket.
   
2. Rotating or Oscillating Lamps.
   CAUTION Forced rotation of the light mechanism will cause damage to the worm gear. ALWAYS rotate the light mechanism by rotating the motor shaft.
   a. Rotate the reflector until the C-clip (located at the base of the lamp) can be removed, and
   remove the C-clip by sliding it away from the reflector.
   b. See figure 4. Note the lamp’s orientation and replace the lamp (Federal Part No. 8440A265) with the straight edge of the lamp’s base toward the reflector.
   c. Reassemble the light.
   

C. Cleaning Reflectors and Mirrors
Use a soft tissue to clean the reflector and mirrors. Avoid heavy pressure and the use of caustic or petroleum base solvents which will scratch or dull the surface.