Whelen Cencom wiring question...

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2112
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Whelen Cencom wiring question...

Post by 2112 »

Anyone know what buttons control outlets 1-3? The instructions that I have do not advise. I assume that buttons 1-3 do, since buttons 4-8 control outlets 4-8... am I missing something here?

Thanks in advance,
2112
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Post by tvsjr »

Yep, you're missing one of the greatest features of the Cencom - it's programmable. Button 1 can control outlets 2 and 6, or 1, 3, 5, or whatever you want.

The programming software can be downloaded here:
http://www.whelen.com/downloads/

Take a look at it - it should give you a better understanding of the features of the unit.
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Post by 2112 »

Cool... Toys good!

tnx
2112
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Post by firegood »

i would love to have one of these for my truck, that is if they werent 800 dollars.
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Post by SafetyLighting »

Firegood, check out the Carson Sirens SC409

http://www.carson-mfg.com/sc-409-commander.asp
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Post by tvsjr »

SafetyLighting wrote:Firegood, check out the Carson Sirens SC409

http://www.carson-mfg.com/sc-409-commander.asp
"You're looking for a new Lexus? Perhaps I can show you this fine, used Yugo... only 20,000 original miles!"

:roll:
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Post by SafetyLighting »

Interesting, why do you say that?
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Post by tensi0n »

tvsjr wrote:
SafetyLighting wrote:Firegood, check out the Carson Sirens SC409

http://www.carson-mfg.com/sc-409-commander.asp
"You're looking for a new Lexus? Perhaps I can show you this fine, used Yugo... only 20,000 original miles!"

:roll:
I don't get it.
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Post by tvsjr »

Jeebus, you're all a bunch of idiots.

The Cencom is a top-notch, fully-customizable, top-end siren. The Carson is a second-rate piece of crap. Sorta like a Lexus is a top-end vehicle, and a Yugo is a piece of crap. Get it now?

*WHooSH* <-- The sound of humor travelling over your head at high speed.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
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Post by SafetyLighting »

Right, and I was asking why you think that, seeing as how Carson has been producing sirens a lot longer than Whelen, and the SC409 has almost all the features of the Cencom and doesn't need to be programmed by a computer. All features are face programable. So instead of just taking pot shots at the Carson, explain yourself please. I am seriously interested in what your reasons are.
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Post by SafetyLighting »

I just want to clarify that because these are products that I install and use for myself as well as customers, I like to know as much as I can about them. That includes user feedback. If you have used a Carson Siren and had a problem with it, I want to know. But these statements need to be fact. If you love the CenCom and are perfectly happy with it, than that is great, keep using the Whelen Equipment. But if you haven't had any experience with a Carson Siren, then please do not just put the company down because you like the Whelen. Whelen has some very nice products, But they are not always my first choice. I would never make a blanket statement such as you have though.
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Post by tvsjr »

The Carson is a basic siren, and the tones aren't very high-quality in my opinion (my reference point being an HLN1185, which still has some of the best-sounding tones out there). However, it's still a basic siren/switchbox... I'd put it one step above a Code 3 VConn and a step below a SmartSiren, which is still a couple of steps below the CenCom.

The Carson sirens may work fine... a Cencom they ain't.
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Post by SafetyLighting »

Now see that is my point, the SC409 is not a basic siren/switchbox. As I said before the SC409 has almost all the same features as the CenCom, so how is it a "Basic" Switchbox? The VCon is a basic switchbox, nowhere near the SC409 or the CenCom.
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Post by SafetyLighting »

I just wanted to be sure that you(tvsjr) understand that I am smiling as I write this. Sometimes text is taken the wrong way, and I am not trying to start an argument with you. I am genuinely interested in your reasons, as I said before. I just wanted to add this so you don't think I trying to do battle. :)
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Post by SafetyLighting »

I just wanted to be sure that you(tvsjr) understand that I am smiling as I write this. Sometimes text is taken the wrong way, and I am not trying to start an argument with you. I am genuinely interested in your reasons, as I said before. I just wanted to add this so you don't think I trying to do battle. :)
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Post by EVModules »

tvsjr wrote:The Carson is a basic siren, and the tones aren't very high-quality in my opinion (my reference point being an HLN1185, which still has some of the best-sounding tones out there). However, it's still a basic siren/switchbox... I'd put it one step above a Code 3 VConn and a step below a SmartSiren, which is still a couple of steps below the CenCom.

The Carson sirens may work fine... a Cencom they ain't.
Just where do you rank the Smart Siren with the Cencom? I have installed both and I think the Cencom is a badly designed system. A relay is needed for the horn ring transfer function, the wiring and the plugs are not grouped appropriately, and the control head felt cheesy. Did I mention the wiring? That's alot of wiring for 39 wires for both output & input! Oh and what's with the SOFTWARE? Why can't it do like the Smart Siren where it's field programmable? I can do it in 30 seconds and all with just my fingers rather than the laptop, software, cables, etc...

the horn ring wires are only positive & still need a relay, the wiring and the plugs are not grouped accordingly, and why in the world are there two hugh 8 gauges for Position 1 & 2 but a small 14g for position 3?
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Post by tvsjr »

EVConcepts wrote:Just where do you rank the Smart Siren with the Cencom? I have installed both and I think the Cencom is a badly designed system. A relay is needed for the horn ring transfer function, the wiring and the plugs are not grouped appropriately, and the control head felt cheesy. Did I mention the wiring? That's alot of wiring for 39 wires for both output & input! Oh and what's with the SOFTWARE? Why can't it do like the Smart Siren where it's field programmable? I can do it in 30 seconds and all with just my fingers rather than the laptop, software, cables, etc...

the horn ring wires are only positive & still need a relay, the wiring and the plugs are not grouped accordingly, and why in the world are there two hugh 8 gauges for Position 1 & 2 but a small 14g for position 3?
I didn't... I consider the Cencom a step or two above the SmartSiren.

Yes, a relay is needed for horn ring transfer. Big deal - this also increases the flexibility of the system, and allows the horn ring output to be used for something else if that functionality isn't required.

The software is pretty intuitive in its latest build. How many cops do you know that a. want to or b. need to reprogram their switch box on the fly? And, wow, you need a laptop and a cable... no interface box, nothing fancy. You could even use a palmtop or tablet. And, I know I get it right before I blow it into the unit - not so much when I'm having to perform incantations with my fingers to program a Smartsiren.

You need to get your story straight on the wiring. Outlet 1 is a 40A circuit, with a high-current Powerpole and 8ga wire. Outlets 2 and 3 are both 20A circuits, with 12ga. wire and the "regular" size Powerpole connectors. 4-8 are 10A ciruits (with 8 being NC/NO), on the Molex connector... 9-12 are 250mA circuits, on the next Molex connector. Seems pretty logical to me. The Cencom does use two heavy-gauge inputs - one for outlets 1-3, the other for 4-12, presumably so that installers aren't having to work with 4ga. wire.

Don't like the Cencom? Fine. Personally, I think they're pretty revolutionary, as evidenced by the fact that I'm seeing them pop up *everywhere* around here in new vehicles.
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Post by EVModules »

tvsjr wrote: I didn't... I consider the Cencom a step or two above the SmartSiren.

Yes, a relay is needed for horn ring transfer. Big deal - this also increases the flexibility of the system, and allows the horn ring output to be used for something else if that functionality isn't required.

How is it flexible? The Smart Siren can be wired thru the horn ring in either positive or negative or it can stand alone by going thru a momentary switch, again either positive or negative. No relay needed. That doesn't make the Cencom flexible in that regard.

The software is pretty intuitive in its latest build. How many cops do you know that a. want to or b. need to reprogram their switch box on the fly? And, wow, you need a laptop and a cable... no interface box, nothing fancy. You could even use a palmtop or tablet. And, I know I get it right before I blow it into the unit - not so much when I'm having to perform incantations with my fingers to program a Smartsiren.

Programming the Smart Siren is very quick. Why need a laptop and a cable to make configurations? What happens if your laptop breaks down, or if the Cencom brain is mounted in the console, out in the trunk,... By the time you fetch your laptop, I'll be done. Incantations with your fingers to program a Smart Siren is no worse than getting the cable plugged, opening the laptop, booting it, clicking on the software, and you still have to pluck away on the laptop!

You need to get your story straight on the wiring. Outlet 1 is a 40A circuit, with a high-current Powerpole and 8ga wire. Outlets 2 and 3 are both 20A circuits, with 12ga. wire and the "regular" size Powerpole connectors. 4-8 are 10A ciruits (with 8 being NC/NO), on the Molex connector... 9-12 are 250mA circuits, on the next Molex connector. Seems pretty logical to me. The Cencom does use two heavy-gauge inputs - one for outlets 1-3, the other for 4-12, presumably so that installers aren't having to work with 4ga. wire.

My fault on the wiring size of the 20a circuits. With the 250mA circuits, MORE RELAYS? Adding relays adds space & time. I think lighting & siren units should be self contained without adding stuff for additional functions. The worse example to date is the Whelen 295's. I had to put in a bank of relays to control functions! It's stupid!

Don't like the Cencom? Fine. Personally, I think they're pretty revolutionary, as evidenced by the fact that I'm seeing them pop up *everywhere* around here in new vehicles.

I've got 3 depts that dumped the Cencom for the Smart Sirens. Most noteably from the largest county in the US. They actually ordered 2 test vehicles, one from Fed Sig and the other from Whelen for direct comparisions. The Smart Siren won them over for its simplicy and less wiring. They weren't pleased with the barrier strip that we put down to try to make for a clean installation rather than just butt connecting the short pigtail wiring. The Smart siren harness goes the entire distance! Lightbar & aux wiring terminates right up to the Smart Siren.

You didn't say anything about the plastic controller. It looks like it was made in China with screened prints that rubs off over time.
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Post by tvsjr »

The Cencom supports positive or ground triggering for the horn ring.

I don't like trying to perform incantations on a keypad that was built for operation, not programming. To each his own. And, of course, the Cencom has quite a few more programming options, making it more suited for computer programming. If the brain is in a console, a. that's a stupid design and b. why not pigtail a USB cable out?

The 250mA circuits do not require relays - they work great as outputs to the sense wires of various strobe packs, LED flashers, etc., leaving the high-current outputs open for other things. And, if you don't want to use them, don't! You still have the same number of outlets you do with a Smartsiren. Again, more flexibility. And why are you bitching about the 295HFSs? They've got models with high-current outputs... did you end up trying to use a 295HFS4? If so, I believe it's a slight modification from one of the B-LINK boxes... perhaps you should've specced a siren/switchbox that was up to the job?

You make it sound like they had hundreds of vehicles in service and dumped that many Cencoms to swap for Smartsirens. The Cencoms haven't been on the market all that long - I doubt that many have been retired from service. And, the department bought TWO demo cars and liked the Smartsiren better. Good for them - not too surprising considering California has been a FedSig state for a long time. And, you didn't have to lay down a barrier strip - I've got the right tools to crimp pins for the Molex and Powerpole bodies (they aren't that expensive), so I build my own cables, just like I do for strobes. That way, I get exactly the cable I want. Oh, and if you're using butt connectors in emergency vehicles, you should be shot. I can't tell you the number of failed butt connectors I've seen over the years.

I've got no problem with the plastic controller - for me, it's mounted in a console, so who cares? The only lettering to wear off is the red Whelen, and I've not seen a big problem with it. Besides, if you abuse the control heads of either unit, it'll take its toll over the years.

The Cencom is still a superior box.
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Post by EVModules »

The Cencom supports positive or ground triggering for the horn ring.

Not what the installation manual tells me. Look on Page 5 & Page 8.

I don't like trying to perform incantations on a keypad that was built for operation, not programming. To each his own. And, of course, the Cencom has quite a few more programming options, making it more suited for computer programming. If the brain is in a console, a. that's a stupid design and b. why not pigtail a USB cable out?

With the Smart Siren, no need to add more stuff & cost like a USB cable. And what more programming options are there? Ring tones? Really, what more stuff is there that warrants a laptop?

The 250mA circuits do not require relays - they work great as outputs to the sense wires of various strobe packs, LED flashers, etc., leaving the high-current outputs open for other things. And, if you don't want to use them, don't! You still have the same number of outlets you do with a Smartsiren. Again, more flexibility. And why are you bitching about the 295HFSs? They've got models with high-current outputs... did you end up trying to use a 295HFS4? If so, I believe it's a slight modification from one of the B-LINK boxes... perhaps you should've specced a siren/switchbox that was up to the job?

I didn't pick the siren. It was given to the agency by the local Whelen rep. As a matter of fact, everything on the truck was Whelen. Regardless, I believe that a full ighting & siren controller should handle all types of jobs not certain types. All Smart Siren outputs can handle at LEAST 10 amps and nothing lower. Got some leds? No problem, how about halogens? Only the Smart Siren. Cencom's limited to some of their outlets unless relays are used.

You make it sound like they had hundreds of vehicles in service and dumped that many Cencoms to swap for Smartsirens. The Cencoms haven't been on the market all that long - I doubt that many have been retired from service. And, the department bought TWO demo cars and liked the Smartsiren better.

Two? Oh no, this is just two DEMO units outfitted for evaluation. They did start with a number of Cencoms and it was too much of a hassle with programming & etc. 3 different softwares to be exact. As for the actual numbers of vehicles in the bid? 65 Ford F-250's to start with this summer.

Good for them - not too surprising considering California has been a FedSig state for a long time. And, you didn't have to lay down a barrier strip - I've got the right tools to crimp pins for the Molex and Powerpole bodies (they aren't that expensive), so I build my own cables, just like I do for strobes. That way, I get exactly the cable I want. Oh, and if you're using butt connectors in emergency vehicles, you should be shot. I can't tell you the number of failed butt connectors I've seen over the years.

I do have such tools for Molex, AMP, and Powerpole connectors. The question is how much more labor does it cost your customers to do all those cables, connectors, time, etc. when none is necessary for the Smart Siren? The harness are long enough to reach everything and the lightbar & directional cables terminate right at the smart siren. No extra cables, molex, pins, etc needed. Only user supplied wiring is the 8 gauge and 14 gauge for the Smart Siren and Signalmaster respectively. That's it, nothing else to charge customers extras.

As far as butt connectors go, are you telling me that you solder all your terminals? Just how else do you terminate your wiring other than molex terminals? Don't tell me you think butt connectors are horrible. Either you're using the wrong tool or you're not crimping them correctly. And what do you use to extend the short wiring from the Cencom? Oh you throw them out because they are short and make new harnesses? Shame Whelen...


I've got no problem with the plastic controller - for me, it's mounted in a console, so who cares? The only lettering to wear off is the red Whelen, and I've not seen a big problem with it. Besides, if you abuse the control heads of either unit, it'll take its toll over the years.

"who cares?" I care. I don't use anything that is substandard like the Whelen controllers. I'm not bashing Whelen, I just don't like their siren & lighting controllers at all, especially those that offer milliamp switching. What if you need to put a higher current circuit? That's right, another relay. Whelen makes fantastic strobe power supplies and I like them. I even admire some of their Led products such as the Talon.

The Cencom is still a superior box.

Because it makes you money with all the extra acessories & labor.
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Post by SafetyLighting »

Sean, There is no talking sense to tvsjr, just check out his attempt at putting me in my place on this topic:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=56306

I asked him to explain himself about why the CenCom is a Lexus and the Carson SC409 is a Yugo, but he wouldn't ellaborate. He basically worships the CenCom, and doesn't care about factual evidence. As I already stated, in my opinion the CenCom is not worth the price. One of the main reasons is the computer programming. The SC409 is face-programmable, like the SmartSiren. I, like you, think that this is a huge advantage. But, hey what do we know, right? LOL
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Post by tvsjr »

Horn ring input:
Image

If you read the schematic, you'll notice that the output is either switched to the Cencom input, or out to the vehicle car horn. I suspect you're looking at the coil side of the relay, which would be wrong (that's a Cencom output).

Whoo, a USB cable sure is expensive. Besides, the box shouldn't be mounted in an inaccessible location to begin with.

As far as the HFS4, you should've advised the customer the problems. However, if that's what they chose to use, knowing the limitations, then they paid you for it - so quit bitching. Most of the low-current switching units that Whelen builds are intended for use as part of a system... for instance, with an EDGE bar, a UPS/IPS strobe pack, etc., all of which use low-current switching.

The Cencom has 1 40A, 2 20A, and 5 10A outputs, JUST LIKE THE SMARTSIREN. It ALSO features 4 250mA outputs, which are great for strobe sense wires. And what's up with your LED/halogen comment? Are you trying to imply that the Cencom won't handle halogens?

As far as the bid, big deal, they picked FedSig. I didn't say the SmartSiren was a bad product, just that I like the Cencom better. And, nothing ever stopped a customer from picking a bad product... happens all the time. Plus, like I said, California is traditionally a FedSig state and has been for decades.

Yes, I solder my connections almost exclusively (the only time I don't is when I can't get access to the connections). I do custom, low-volume work, so I can do that. I've not had a single failure in any vehicle I've built that could be related to my wiring (equipment failing, wrecks, etc. are one thing... *my* work is another.) If I was doing high-volume stuff, the only butt connectors I'd use are the ones that are heat-shrinkable and have adhesive inside to seal the connection.

I don't extend the short wiring from the Cencom, I build my own harnesses using exactly what I need to do the job.

The FedSig is a good middle-of-the-road product. The Cencom still has more options, more outputs, more features, etc.
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Post by EVModules »

SafetyLighting wrote:Sean, There is no talking sense to tvsjr, just check out his attempt at putting me in my place on this topic:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=56306

I asked him to explain himself about why the CenCom is a Lexus and the Carson SC409 is a Yugo, but he wouldn't ellaborate. He basically worships the CenCom, and doesn't care about factual evidence. As I already stated, in my opinion the CenCom is not worth the price. One of the main reasons is the computer programming. The SC409 is face-programmable, like the SmartSiren. I, like you, think that this is a huge advantage. But, hey what do we know, right? LOL
Hi John,

I saw the link for the Carson siren. It looks good. I've never seen or touched one of them or any of the Carson products but the idea that it's straightforward puts a plus on it. I also believe it's a huge advantage of simplicity. Some Whelen products are good, some bad. The only beef I have with Whelen are their sirens which I think are just cheesy and fragile and the headlight flashers.

Can't fix stupid eh?

Sean
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Post by SafetyLighting »

I agree with you Sean, I have used Whelen, Code3, Able2 and Sound Off flashers. By far my favorites are the Sound Off, with Code3 coming in second. The SoundOff's are consistent and reliable. The only gripe I have with the Code3's are that they have screw terminals instead of wires. When used in this area(Northeast), the terminals tend to corrode from the salt and water. Other than that I don't have any problem with them. As far as the Whelen sirens, I have used many of them including the CenCom and haven't been impressed.
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Post by Pj »

Personally, I don't see the big deal in programming the box with a laptop. Bascially everything inside a police vehicle is laptop programmed... from the radios, camera systems, etc. If doing large fleets, these are usually programmed/cloned on the bench before the install anyways, and shouldn't be a big deal.

As for the Cencom software, sure...stuff gets upgraded all the time, but there are only two Cencom software packages out there: Cencom and Cencom Gold.

I'd rather point and click something on the computer screen than hoping that I pressed the correct keypad sequence on the SS.
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Post by wkr518 »

SafetyLighting wrote:Firegood, check out the Carson Sirens SC409

http://www.carson-mfg.com/sc-409-commander.asp
Seen 2 of these overdrive the siren driver and blow them.Has it been fixed?
Cencom sure are expensive,but well worth it if space if an issue.Local Vol FD bought a Jeep for thier new Chief vehicle,talk about space limitations for 2 mobiles,controllers and switch boxes.Cencom fit in nicely.
Cencom Gold is even sweeter.
If the Carson 409 was fixed and I could assure user of it not blowing I woould sell them again.Carson gave us run around and blaming us for the blown driver.Whelen would have just swapped it with no fuss.Good products with bad factory support suck.
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Post by SafetyLighting »

The SC409 was only released two months ago, are you thinking of a different model?
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Post by wkr518 »

SafetyLighting wrote:The SC409 was only released two months ago, are you thinking of a different model?
My bad,it was the 407 series,Enforcer or some cheesy sounding name like that.It had built in horn ring cycling.
So I have not tried the 409 or know anyone who has it,I retract my comments on it.
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Post by 2112 »

Thanks for the response, tvsjr. I am glad that someone here with experience in what I asked for could advise me past a flaw in the installation manual. :)

My experience with using sirens is rich; my experience installing them is not. The CenCom was the first siren I ever installed, and I'll say this: it was *very* easy. Once everything was hooked up, programming it was even easier (/\/\otorola could learn some things from Whelen in this regard). :P

Yeah, there are some things about Whelen products that disappoint me... like the construction of the control head and the lack of a real finish on the exterior of the CenCom brain (Whelen could learn some things from /\/\otorola in this regard). However, the features, programming and operation of the thing more than make up for some minor physical flaws.

On an aside, I didn't expect my question or any on-topic responses to generate a big "my favorite is best" argument. :-?

Other things about other sirens (or anything else for that matter) are important to others, and some of those sirens have enough of those things to make them favorites of others. Some of those favorites may actually be the best for those people. That doesn't make them the best for anyone else, nor does it make them the best for everyone. :wink:
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Post by SafetyLighting »

Ok Fair enough 2112. It's just that tvsjr was saying the SC409 was a piece of crap, so I wanted him to back up his statement. I wasn't arguing which was better.

WKR518, I agree about the SC-407. In the last couple of years Carson has really stepped up to the plate, and the SC409 is a testament to that. Plus they have excellent customer service now.
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Post by tvsjr »

2112 wrote:Thanks for the response, tvsjr. I am glad that someone here with experience in what I asked for could advise me past a flaw in the installation manual. :)
Glad to help and to hear you got it running. Despite what anyone may say, the Cencom is an excellent device... sure, there are always improvements to be made... but it's pretty good to start off with. I just picked up another lightly used CenCom CCSRNTA to go in another POV.
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Post by 2112 »

So now that I've gotten over alot of my ignorance with the CenCom and its feature set, I've another question...

If I'd like to be able to power on a port replicator for a trunk-mounted laptop, I need momentary contact closure but no applied 12VDC current (or any other current, for that matter). Can the CenCom provide this?

Thanks again...
2112
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Post by tvsjr »

2112 wrote:So now that I've gotten over alot of my ignorance with the CenCom and its feature set, I've another question...

If I'd like to be able to power on a port replicator for a trunk-mounted laptop, I need momentary contact closure but no applied 12VDC current (or any other current, for that matter). Can the CenCom provide this?

Thanks again...
Not directly - everything on the Cencom is simple 12-volts out. You can, however, make any button momentary... so toss a relay in, and you're good to go for a contact closure.
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Post by philter »

Outlet 8 can be configured as a relay output, and could do exactly what you are looking for.
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Re: Whelen Cencom wiring question...

Post by alstonamos »

I need momentary contact closure but no applied 12VDC current (or any other current, for that matter). Can the CenCom provide this???
waleeed
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