uncommonsense

UPDATED (SIREN EXISTS): The Whelen WS-2500

Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:33 am

Before I get started, it is important to note that this post is speculation and I openly own it as such.

Some time ago, this document was posted on the board: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a135274.pdf

This document, written in 1983, chronicles the then current siren offerings (both electronic and mechanical) in that era. Rare gems such as the Whelen 2000-R, Alertronic 5000, and EOWS-812 are noted as then-offerings from their respective manufacturers. At the time, one article of confusion that was brought up was the Whelen WS-2500, an omnidirectional siren listed at 115 dB. At the time the document was posted, there was speculation the WS-2500 was another name from the WS-2000-16 or WS-2000-20. The former seemed likely based on the output (and the fact it was missing from this document and was known to be around); it seemed the 2000-20 didn't materialize until later in the 80s based on extant advertising literature. The 2x00 nomenclature always seemed to denote fully omnidirectional designs that were not speakers pointed in the cardinal directions.

So this is where my theory comes into play. In a moment of boredom earlier, I was reviewing patents and of course I came back across the patent for the WS-3000 speakerhead as granted to Bruce Howze (submitted 1981/granted 1982): https://patents.google.com/patent/US4344504A/

The thing is, that patent also covers a truly omnidirectional speakerhead using 100W drivers (Figs. 7-9). The design and means for directing the sound clearly predate the design Howze would invent for the 2700 series. That head has never been seen in the wild. But wouldn't the design + the naming scheme make you think that could be the 2500? We know these designs may never come to fruition (ex. the 2001 patent containing a revision of the Thunderbeam using the 2001 head). But this head was designed for Whelen (obviously since Whelen is listed as an assignee of the patent), so it was meant for outdoor warning. Also, the design looks inefficient and leaves the drivers open to the elements. Not to say the final design, if it was ever put out, was exactly like was in the patents, but its surely not a design that would have lasted. And, as I've already implied, the design was clearly reworked to become the 2700 series.

Anyway just something that came to mind. I'd love any thoughts y'all have.

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Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:52 am

Is it also possible a few were made and installed, but the drivers being exposed caused them to quickly see replacement?
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Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Thu Oct 11, 2018 1:38 pm

Wow, I never really looked at these before. Looks like ACA ripped off these patents pretty hard with their rotating Alertronics.
My knowledge excels on the Federal Thunderbolt siren and SiraTone EOWS sirens. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:48 am

Wish there was one of these with modern info
Whelen gang

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Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:35 pm

Tyler wrote: Wow, I never really looked at these before. Looks like ACA ripped off these patents pretty hard with their rotating Alertronics.
Didn't the Alertronic directional sirens come out before the Whelen 3000s? I read somewhere that they had copied ACA's design.
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Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Sat Oct 27, 2018 9:17 pm

MaineCivilDefense wrote:
Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:35 pm
Tyler wrote: Wow, I never really looked at these before. Looks like ACA ripped off these patents pretty hard with their rotating Alertronics.
Didn't the Alertronic directional sirens come out before the Whelen 3000s? I read somewhere that they had copied ACA's design.
I'm not too sure really, but the similarities in the patents does make things a little suspicious. I think Whelen was first, then Federal came in 1980, then ACA shortly after.
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Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Sat Jan 05, 2019 11:25 pm

Going to go ahead and bump this post.

I present the Whelen WS-2500:
Image

I don't believe any of these have been seen in the wild, and I'm not even sure if they ever saw the light of day. This seems to be on-par or "rarer" than the Alertronic 5000.

It can be found in this Whelen brochure, which I haven't quite been able to date, other than it is most likely mid to late 80's:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UFL92 ... YVElfezgnT

This brochure also cleared up a few other things (at least for me), perhaps the most prominent being the 2000R being capable of "quadrant control" a.k.a. stopping in cardinal directions.

All credit goes to Mr. Werden for saving these!
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uncommonsense

Re: Theory: Whelen WS-2500 and the WS-3000 patent

Sat Jan 05, 2019 11:35 pm

Damn I'm good. Going to buy a lottery ticket tonight!

All levity aside, effing cool find. Thanks for sharing. That pamphlet is amazing because it also has a 2000R ad, finally settling any debate about that siren.

What a treat this is!

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Re: UPDATED: The Whelen WS-2500

Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:52 am

I'm really glad this turned up. I don't know how I could find this and not share it ASAP! I guess it's a good thing I found that FEMA document, or else we wouldn't have anything on the 2500 at all! :lol: (aside from a post back in 2011 mentioning it briefly)
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Re: UPDATED (SIREN EXISTS): The Whelen WS-2500

Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:26 am

That looks amazing... ly space-age looking. Looking at the patent and then at the brochure makes me want to see how it all went together in the end. Still incredible that these have been found.




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