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FEATURE Whelen's CanTrol WC Light and Siren System nections that are made. Because all light heads are driven by the CanTrol WC system, their reliability increases and troubleshooting becomes easy. CanTrol WC also makes installing your WeCan- series lightbar faster than ever, plugging directly into the system via two communication wires. CanTrol WC comes standard with 43 output connections to power all your lighting. Should more output connections be needed, optional 16-output remote expansion modules are available. Tese expansion modules can be installed under the hood or anywhere else in the vehicle. Light heads are then wired to the expansion module, which communicates with the CanTrol WC unit via two commu- nication circuits. CanTrol WC supports up to two additional expansion modules, allowing the system to operate up to 75 individual light heads, a traffic advisor, and a fully loaded WeCan-series lightbar. Te remote expansion modules not only add capability to CanTrol WC, they provide installation flexibility as well. Mount them where you need to consolidate and simplify wiring. All front-end lighting can be wired to one, all rear lighting to another, for example. Once everything is wired, the software interface is used to synch light heads, set or change patterns, and configure pattern changes based on selected modes or active inputs. You can also configure low power or cruise light modes for any connected light head. It is even possible to design and program a "test" mode in which all lights could activate in a full-power, steady-burn mode allowing for quick inspection. Te CanTrol WC software has a virtual simula- tor feature that allows the programmer to preview how the entire lighting system will work and look, even mimicking the selected flash patterns. If you want to make changes, simply click the mouse. Te CanTrol WC system is even capable of making smart deci- sions to protect the officer from life-threatening mistakes and reduce department liability. CanTrol WC can automatically activate the siren, or even lights and siren when the vehicle is travelling at a high speed. Or, it can automatically re-activate the front lightbar if the officer forgets by sensing the car is no longer in park; with other systems, the officer would have to remember to manually turn off the front cut-off switch. If automatic switching isn't desired, CanTrol WC could simply be programmed to emit a warning tone when it sensed a conflict, such as when the vehicle is exceeding a set speed without lights and siren or when front cut-off is active and the vehicle is moving. Perhaps the smartest feature of CanTrol WC is that the vehicle operator can override it if so desired. For example, the officer may want to override the dimming feature of the lightbar for safety or other reasons. While CanTrol WC can be programmed to predict and anticipate lighting needs based on a set of parameters, there are always going to be unusual situations to contend with and this flex- ibility is built in. Te multiple options and versatility offered by the combination of automatic decisions and operator override means CanTrol WC can meet any challenge with unmatched safety. Finally, CanTrol WC has complete Diagnostix™ capability built in. Tree banks of LED indicator lights monitor the lightbar, con- trol head, and amplifier / controller module, allowing for rapid trou- ble shooting. Te system can indicate if a fused output has failed and also protects from over and under voltage. In every way, CanTrol WC does more and does it better than any other system available. Whelen makes the CanTrol WC system in its Connecticut and New Hampshire production facilities. Te system meets or exceeds all applicable SAE, California Title XIII and NFPA requirements when properly configured and using matching Whelen lighting and siren components. It is backward and forward technology compat- ible, providing one solution for the entire fleet. Power and input / output cabling is provided with all necessary connectors. CanTrol WC provides for both hands-free and eyes-free activa- tion of all major safety features and enables the emergency vehicle warning and lighting system to become a true safety tool for the officer. Advance pre-configuring of responses to mobile tactical problems—be they traffic stops, pursuits or crash scenes—reduces the officer's need to make instantaneous decisions when timing and judgment are critical and distractions potentially lead to disastrous consequences. Matthew Ayers is a Lieutenant with the Sevierville, Tenn. Police Department and the owner of Command & Control Installations (C2 Installs). He may be reached at C2Installs@gmail.com or mayers@seviervilletn.org. Post your comments on this story by visiting www.pfmmag.com Circle Reader Service #23 or click on EInfo at www.pfmmag.com 54 Police Fleet Manager Jul-Aug 2012 Visit Us at PFE 2012, Booth #334