User Manual

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Checking multiple non-working strobe or LED heads:
If two or more of the heads connected to one of the packs are not flashing, follow these
steps to determine the problem:
1. Check the power to the terminal block as explained on the previous page.
2. Check that the bar is grounded properly as explained on the previous page.
3. Check all fuses, including those at the battery, at the switch panel, in the dash, and on
the pack (if applicable). Remove these fuses, and check them to confirm they have not
blown. Replace any blown fuses with only fuses of identical values. Replacing the fuse
with the wrong rating may damage your pack and/or vehicle, and will void your warranty.
4. Check that the proper voltage is reaching the pack or flasher unit with the vehicle turned
off and while the bar is running. For strobe packs, measure the voltage across the red
wire (pin 1) and the black or blue wire (pin 2) of the PWR connector on the power pack.
Push the probes of the test meter down into the connector at the wire entry points to
contact the terminals for the measurement. Note this reading. A nominal 12.5 volts
should be present. Low voltage to the pack can cause erratic flashing in the heads or
even complete failure of the heads. A minimum of 10.5 volts should be present for the
pack to operate properly. If you do not have proper voltage present skip to step 8. If
your pack is receiving sufficient voltage then continue to step 5.
5. Check that the proper voltage is reaching the Black wire and White wire of the CTRL
plug on your strobe pack with the vehicle turned off and while the bar is running.
Measure the voltage across the Black wire (pin 2) and a good chassis ground. Push the
probes of the test meter down into the connector at the wire entry points to contact the
terminals for the measurement. Note this reading. Also check the voltage on the White
wire. A nominal 12.5 volts should be present. A minimum of 10.5 volts should be
present for the pack to operate properly. If you do not have proper voltage present, skip
to step 8. If your pack is receiving sufficient voltage then continue to step 6.
6. Check that there is NO VOLTAGE on the Red w/Green Stripe wire (Pattern Select wire)
of the CTRL plug on your strobe pack. Measure the voltage across the Red w/Green
stripe wire (pin 1) and a good chassis ground. Push the probes of the test meter down
into the connector at the wire entry points to contact the terminals for the measurement.
If there is voltage being applied to this wire, it will prevent the strobe pack from flashing.
7. If the leads in one of the heads have shorted out, the output voltage of the other heads
may be held down as well. To test for this, unplug all of the heads and plug them in
individually, one at a time. If your problem is a result of a shorted head, then the other
heads should function properly if the faulty head is no longer connected. Note: A
burned out strobe tube does not cause a short and will not affect the operation of the
remaining heads. If the problem is not with a shorted head and if proper voltage is
reaching the pack, the problem is most likely internal to the pack. Call Star to obtain an
R.G.A. number to return the pack for service.
8. If sufficient voltage is not reaching the pack perform the following tests: With the vehicle
turned off and while the pack is running, measure the battery voltage at the battery. A
nominal 12.5 volts should exist. Note this voltage. If this voltage is below 10.0 volts the
pack will not function properly and the problem is with the battery. This reading should
not be more than 1-1.25 volts higher than the reading in the 4
th
step. If there is an
excessive difference then continue on to the next step.
9. With the vehicle not running and the lightbar on, measure the voltage in the red wire by
taking a reading from the positive side of the battery to pin 1 of your switch. If this
reading exceeds 0.25 volts then there is a poor connection between the switch and the
battery in the red wire and it should be checked.
10. If you still have not located the problem, troubleshoot the connections between the good
chassis ground and pin 2 (black wire) of the PWR connector on the power pack, while
the lightbar is running. If this reading exceeds 0.25 volts then there is a poor connection
between the switch and the ground in the black wire and it should be checked.
11. This same procedure can be used to check the wires between the terminal block and the pack.
Place one probe on the terminal at the terminal block and the other probe into the terminal with
the corresponding wire color in the connector on the pack. Once again if any of the readings
exceed 0.25 volts then you should check those wires and their connections.