Whelen 2900 Series and Omni-Alert series what's the Difference?

[gman 1]

As the title reads, what is the difference between the two, other than the name.

[holler]

One does voice and one doesn't.

[gman 1]

Again, this means you can't tell the difference without opening something on the siren?

[murrfarms]

Again, this means you can't tell the difference without opening something on the siren?

Not exactly. While both models share the same equipment on top of the pole (speaker head/drivers), they have different control enclosures specific to their model series. The WPS2900 series utilizes either a "Type 2" or a "Type 3" control enclosure depending on number of cells or other options, whereas the Omni-Alert series uses the "Type 1" (Vortex) control enclosure. The Type 1 enclosure uses a single large hinged door that allows access to both the control compartment as well as the batteries all at once, and the Type 2 or 3 enclosures have a separate door for the control compartment with either a single removable panel or a second hinged door (depending on age of manufacture; later ones have a door while earlier ones have the slide-off panel) for accessing the batteries. The Type 2 enclosure has a single row/pair of batteries for speaker arrays containing up to 5 cells, while the Type 3 enclosure has two rows/pairs of batteries for speaker arrays containing 6 or more cells.

Hope this clears it up a little better for you!

[DJ2226]

I'll add that the Type I holds 4 amps, so the largest model it the OA4. It's basically a WPS-2904 head coupled to a Vortex R4 controller minus the bits that control the rotator. On a side note, I find it interesting how McCord doesn't sell them nor the 2910. Seems kinda odd.