Pneumatically telescoping mast having DC operated controls

1. A control system for a vehicle mounted pneumatically operated mast, comprising:

a first control comprising a plurality of switches for powering lights and moving said mast and an LED digital message display which indicates a plurality of fault codes related to powering lights and moving said mast wherein said message display comprises at least the following fault codes: Err U, N wherein Err is for error, U is for a specific band number and N is for a specific fault; wherein U is given a specific value of one, two or three for said first control, a second control and a positioning member;

wherein a first serial link communicates said first control with said second control, wherein said first serial link comprises an RS-485 link, and a second serial link communicates said second control with said positioning member;

a relay system communicating with said first and second control and said positioning member, wherein said relay system comprises:

a first input connected to a 12 volt source;

a second input connected to a 24 volt source;

an output connected to the first and second control and said positioning member; and

a relay to select between the 12 volt source and the 24 volt source and to selectively outputs one of the voltages;

a pulse width modulator communicating with said relay system to adjust the outputted power to 12 volts; and,

a contact closure provided to indicate when the mast is in a fully stowed position, said contact closure communicates with said second control.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said second serial link comprises a RS-485 link.

3. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a pulse width modulator communicating with said relay system to adjust voltage output to be 12 volts.

4. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said positioning member provides AC power to an associated light system of said mast.

5. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said second control provides DC power to said positioning member.

6. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising an input system in communication with said second control for initiating and disengaging power to said mast.

7. The control system of claim 6 , wherein said input system comprises a first input that initiates power to said mast when said first input is placed in a closed position.

8. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said input system further comprises a second input that disconnects power from said mast when said second input is placed in a opened position.

9. The control system of claim 8 , further comprising an actuator communicating with said first input and said second input to activate one of said first input and said second input.

10. The control system of claim 9 , wherein said actuator is moved to a first position to activate said first input.

11. The control system of claim 9 , wherein said actuator is moved to a second position to activate said second input.

12. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said first input is momentarily closed prior to raising said mast via said first control.

13. The control system of claim 1 wherein said contact closure is opened by raising the mast from its stowed position.

14. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of valves, wherein a first valve acts as an air valve and a second valve acts as a vent valve, wherein said valves are in communication with an air supply connected to said mast assembly.

15. The control system of claim 14 , wherein energization of said first and second valves raises said mast to an elevated position.

16. The control system of claim 14 , wherein energization of said vent valve maintains a position of said mast.

17. The control system of claim 14 , wherein de-energization of said air valve and said vent valve lowers said mast to a stowed position.

18. The control system of claim 14 , wherein said first valve is a three-way valve.

19. The control system of claim 14 , wherein said second valve is a three way valve.

20. The control system of claim 1 wherein said first control comprises a hand-held remote control.

21. The control system of claim 20 , wherein said first control comprises a keypad comprising said switches, wherein said switches comprise at least the following: Pan Left, Pan Right, Left Lights, Auxiliary Lights, Right Lights.

22. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said second control is positioned on a base of said associated mast.

23. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said positioning member is positioned adjacent a top end of said mast.

24. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said second serial link comprises a pair of wires.

25. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said 12 voltage source is a vehicle power supply and said 24 voltage source is a self-contained power supply separate from the vehicle power supply.