Opinions on the Federal Signal SS2000 SmartSiren

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 9:59 pm

I'm considering getting one of these to replace a spectra systems 9000 siren/pa and a SW400 combination also SMC1 for the arrowstick

Good or bad thoughts on the SS2000?

I know the version of this that came with the Vision light bars was a dog, but I attributed the values to the bar itself and poor weather seal design, not the control system.

I like the all in one design and if I do change it would save me several inches of console space.

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 12:08 am

Mine is kickin' ass and taking names in my Impala.....I had a SW400SS/SMC5/Sys 9000 combo, and this is a definate improvement.

Just be ready for a few changes:

1.) The wiring required just for the amp/control unit, before adding the wiring for the lights is obnoxious. It not hard to do, just a bit labor intensive. I found it theraputic, really

2.) The WARN patterns are different from the SMC5 control, but since you had an SMC1, you will find the patterns a great improvement over just the inner/outer WARN pattern

3.) The on-the-fly programming of the siren/light functions kicks ass!!! Keep the programming booklet with you and you can reconfigure the unit within seconds anywhere, anytime.

4.) You get the distinctive "SmartSiren" sound........you can pick a SS out of a crowd of sirens in a heartbeat. If I can find another Dynamax cheap (no comments, please), I will put it in line for 200w of SS glory!

5.) You can set the control head to go "beep beep" every 10-12 seconds whenever you have something turned on (except siren)....That alone is almost worth the $$ for the unit.

*editor's note: I forgot to say that I have the SS2000SM...the SS2000 doesn't have the SignalMaster control.

Post by **Code3Response** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 6:46 am

Just bought one - will have it tomorrow. If you want to control the arrowstick as well, get the SS2000SM model (signal master). Youll LOVE IT!

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 7:11 am

Nice unit with many nice features. Just don't use one in a fire engine or other harsh environment, as the data cable still isn't very heavy duty. When you connect the data cable, use Stabilant 22 on the pins to bond the pins in the plug to those of the jack. This will assure that moisture or humidity doesn't affect the integrity of the connection. This has always been the big Vision problem.

The first one is kind of tricky to program all of the features, but once you do it, it's easy. Make sure you get the proper unit if you're in California! They have a steady-burn lamp feature.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 9:18 am

Thanks for the info guys. The primary reason I was becoming interested in the SS2000 family was that of the remote wiring. Less wires I have running to my console in the new truck the better. I especially like it in regards to a clean install compared to a traditional switch box.

This isn't intended for fire service at all, instead for my POV.

I really like the Systems 9000 Siren/PA its a great unit, but without light its somewhat limited. I've never cared for the matching wildcard controller for lighting. Legends were too small and you could never find the relay box that goes with it. Obviously you could build your relay box, but that's time consuming stuff that I'd rather spend on the overall install of the vehicle.

Post by **Code3Response** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 11:17 am

You guys want some manuals of the SS2000 Stuff? Well here ya go!

http://www.fedsig.com/web/fedsig/fsdc.n ... rtSiren%20

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 8:26 pm

Does anyone know how to make the Premium Vision to work without the Vision Light bar?
I'd Like to use it as a siren and strobe controller. I got it for a song.
I'm told if used with out the Lightbar thatsiren wont work correctlly but it seems very much like the stand alone SS2000. Ther must be some way to make it work.

USPSS · Post by **USPSS** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:45 am

APCO25

I use and have always used the Unitrol sirens, the TM-4 is by far the finest siren ever built or any of the Unitrol Line, Federal Signal bought them in 1995 because they are the standard in the west and in many major cities in the USA, The slide switch will last 30 yrs easy and it carries all the current not like the other stuff out there that uses relays to carry the current.

Also the older 80 series is great equipment and the Omega series give a lot of flexability.

Check them out before you get the other.

007 · Post by **007** » Thu May 01, 2003 9:13 pm

davkenrem wrote:Does anyone know how to make the Premium Vision to work without the Vision Light bar?
I'd Like to use it as a siren and strobe controller. I got it for a song.
I'm told if used with out the Lightbar thatsiren wont work correctlly but it seems very much like the stand alone SS2000. Ther must be some way to make it work.

The Vision controller uses different firmware and talks to the 2 IC boards in the Vision lightbar itself....it's looks similar, but won't work as a stand alone unit very well. You may get some of the functions to work, but since it's not talking to the lightbar it won't do everything it's capable of.

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Fri May 02, 2003 5:08 pm

Thanks

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat May 03, 2003 5:37 am

The Vision unit won't work by itself. It will error without the lightbar attached and only allow you to perform certain functions- and sometimes none. Most departments after two years will gladly give you a Vision system for free, since they are a weekly maintenance item....especially if it rains at least 5" per year where you live!

Did Federal actually think that a consumer-grade telehone cord would actaually work if exposed to the elements?

Did Federal actually think that you could run an entire lightbar through a yellow 1/4" crimp-on terminal?

Did Federal actually think that you could have 2 PC boards in the elements?

Did Federal actually think that stepper motors belong in a commercial lightbar?

Did someone at Federal think that this hideous and overweight lightbar actually looked good on the roof of anything?

"Pass the stuff, man! Hey....like....dude.....let's get 7 of those old Fireball lights and put them on a frame that looks like a Stealth!"; "Ok, gimme my cheeba back (inhale)...cool!.....I'll design the controller.....do you still have that old CAT-5 cable laying around? This is gonna be the most #$%#$% up system- even when compared to a Whelen product!"

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Sat May 03, 2003 1:36 pm

Ouch!!!

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Sun May 04, 2003 10:40 am

007 wrote:
davkenrem wrote:Does anyone know how to make the Premium Vision to work without the Vision Light bar?
I'd Like to use it as a siren and strobe controller. I got it for a song.
I'm told if used with out the Lightbar thatsiren wont work correctlly but it seems very much like the stand alone SS2000. Ther must be some way to make it work.
The Vision controller uses different firmware and talks to the 2 IC boards in the Vision lightbar itself....it's looks similar, but won't work as a stand alone unit very well. You may get some of the functions to work, but since it's not talking to the lightbar it won't do everything it's capable of.

What about upgrade or forcing the firmware, Ive done this on radios computers and other electronics. Any ideas?

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Sun May 04, 2003 12:36 pm

I did a little research on this and I don't think it will work. The SS2000SM Siren Unit is completely different than the Premium Vision. My only hope is to find a used and cheap,(read next to free), Circuit Board From a premium Vision and plug that in and see if it bypasses the error.

Look at the prices for the control head and Amplifier from Federal's Service Website.

Z8572191C-S: AMP ASSY., V7P $611.25
Z8572311A-02: CTRL,ASSY,V7PSS,RUBBER $492.50

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun May 04, 2003 1:55 pm

They put the Vectors with the 2 "Smart Pods" on all the cruisers here. I almost had a stroke. Yea, great. 60 amps worth moving parts rattling around on the roof. One of the officers was like "Yea, these are great. You can aim the takedowns anywhere you want them (the smart pods)"

I then pointed out that the flaw. You have one pod that serves as a take down, alley, rear flasher, & front flasher. Once you turn the takedowns or alleys on, you lose 1/3 of your rear warning. If you want the extra rear warning, or just the rear "flasher", you no longer have takedowns or alleys. Oh yea, you can't have takedowns and alleys at the same time either.

Yea, great design. Give me an Ultra Edge 9U bar anyday over those pieces of junk.

007 · Post by **007** » Tue May 06, 2003 8:11 pm

I agree...the Vector with "Smart Pods" are a waste of time. Either get a Vision, or get a Vector with front/rear flashers and alleys in pods 2 and 6.

FWIW, Dav: Sell the Vision controller on Ebay for $200-300 and buy a normal SS2000 or SS2000SM. I've got the latter and love it.

d119 · Post by **d119** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:20 pm

Hi Group.
I realize I am a few months late chiming in on this, but I'd like to add my $.02. The VISION control box and keypad will NOT work properly without the ENTIRE lightbar. You can't fake it with just having the PC boards out of the lightbar plugged in. You need the motors and all the other stuff as well.

I own two of these lightbars, with only one in active service and the other off of my car I sold I keep for a spare. I've had to chase problems through one of them, the other I have never had a lick of trouble with.

The things are F___ing annoying when they error out, I've found oxidized connections to be the root cause of a lot of problems with these bars. Luckily, the only water the bar sees is the car wash, and an occasional light rain. I've never had problems with it being wet, just the occasional lost connection from the oxidized connectors. 30 minutes and a wire brush - no problem.

I've used up all the relay outputs on mine. Very useful. Overall I like the VISION, it's extremely versatile. While I see the design flaws, if one is patient, they can be kept running fairly easily in my opinion.

I don't use the siren portion of the bar, don't even have a speaker in the vehicle. I wish there was a way to disable ALL the siren tones (I know how to disable H/L and FAST/PRTY), but WAIL/YELP still work. Oh well.

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 12:09 pm

Sold mine month ago.

WK9F · Post by **WK9F** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 7:51 pm

I know, I'm a little late, but here's my opinion.

Using a Smart Siren has really cleaned up the install in my truck. I use the SS2000-SM - freed up a bunch a space in my console since I was able to mount the control head right above the FM radio in my truck ('03 F-250). Plus, it looks really cool at night!

I use it to control my Vector - the good one, with the 'dumb pods', and my strobes.

Jerry - AB9EO

Post by Pj » Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:20 pm

I think that the Vectors could have been a great product, if they just had the preimum (sp?) one marketed. Some of the flash patterns can be kinda cool, but as matt said, one you need to use more than two functions, you lose some of the warning power. Aside from that and amp draw, (minus the failures) it could have been cool.

The Whelen CenCom is a neat idea, but its hard to justify the cost of one unless you are using it with a non-relay halogen bar, as most of their products are low current (250ma) swtiched now. It was designed specifically to compete with the SS and does offer some stuff. Still expensive. I don't know what the federal heads go for though.

c17loadsmasher · Post by **c17loadsmasher** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:50 am

I love my Vector! It's just the basic one however. My only complaint is the water that sometimes gets inside the pods, and that one of the diodes went bad inside, so I cannot get the flashing alley/takedowns to work. It's looks great on my TrailBlazer. I've no experience with the Vision/Premium Vector, are they actually THAT bad?

ka7wnf · Post by **ka7wnf** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 8:38 am

I had a Smart Siren in one of my patrol cars. It was a POS. We called them stupid sirens. The Vector looks cool but when the car is driving over 80 Mph it generates tremendous wind noise.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:59 am

Just a clarification this post was NOT about the Vector or Vision bars that use a different model SmartSiren to control them. THere are known issues with reliability, maintenance and failures of these bars.

I am refering to the stand-alone version the SS2000-SM!

Opinions on the Federal Signal SS2000 SmartSiren

Opinions on the Federal Signal SS2000 SmartSiren

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Re: Smart Siren

SMART SIREN