The task of installing a siren with emergency lights in a car is not as hard as you might think and once you’ve got all the equipment up and working you’ll most likely agree. Here’s what you’ll need: A siren with or without emergency lights, proper gauge wire, heavy duty switch to activate the siren, relay switch, drilling machine, and some oil (optional).

First, if you are doing an exterior installation, make absolutely sure that you have a firm mounting surface. These units are very heavy and require a solid mounting area. You might have to reinforce the underside of the roof under the headliner to adequately support the weight. If it is a front fender install, the same holds true. Some light installs have the advantage of having structurally heavier metal surfaces to mount the siren on. Either way, make quite sure that the unit is securely bolted to the mounting surface or it absolutely will loosen from vehicle shaking and vibration, as well as its own vibration from being used. If the mounting surface is not solid enough, the metal used to mount the siren on will fatigue from stress.

Another serious consideration is using the proper gauge wire and heavy duty switch to activate the siren. The wiring must be heavy enough to handle the load or you risk damaging the siren or worse, an electrical fire. Always fuse any electrical accessories you install to help prevent this risk. It would be wise to use a relay to activate the siren.

There’s a bit of metallurgy and chemistry involved here that isn’t necessary to get into. Bolts are made with hard, dense metals, which get harder as the rating grade of the bolt gets better, and are notoriously difficult to drill, and often even to cut. More often than we would like, they have to be drilled out as penetrating oil can be ineffective. If you do not have a high speed corded drill or drill press and sharp high strength metal bits of the correct size, do not attempt to do this. You will end up ruining the bits you have without accomplishing your task, at the very least, especially if you use lesser grade bits. The driver mounting holes will have to be re-tapped with new threading to accept new mounting bolts after the old ones are drilled out, if you are even successful at doing this. This means that you have to have a tap and die set available also.

If you try using penetrating oil, make sure you allow for sufficient time for the oil to creep into the threading before attempting removal. This is a common mistake when using oils. Applying heat carefully, and I emphasize carefully, from a torch can help with removal of the offending bolts, and is a common mechanic practice when repairing under a car to break loose corroded fasteners from components, but be very cautious near rubber, paper, plastic or cast metal parts with high heat.

They can be easily and permanently damaged with less heat than you might expect. A combination of heat and oil should be done with extreme caution, as oils are flammable. You should heat the unit then apply the oil as it starts to cool. Use a liberal amount of oil, as the hot surface will make it evaporate.

It is also a good idea when installing these parts to use an anti seize metal coating on all fasteners to keep this from happening on new components or reoccurring on reconditioned ones. Oils and other lubricants will not work as well or last as long. Keep this coating in mind for any fasteners you have to deal with especially ones that are subjected to direct weather and moisture. Every place that sells auto chemicals sells this valuable coating.

In short, it might be a bit time consuming if you mess up somewhere, but with a little bit of precaution and proper understanding of the steps to be followed, you can install it within no time.

Article by William Gold. He writes about how to install a siren in a car. For Vehicle Emergency Lights such as Whelen Emergency Lights visit PrestigeEmergencyLights.com they have the best prices and service on the web.

[tags]Vehicle Emergency Lights, Whelen Emergency Lights, Law Enforcement, Service Workers[/tags]