The Siren Board

Anyone know what type of siren this is? it is our Fire Dept. Siren and the tag is worn down and is unreadable.

Thanks
Dayne Lancaster
Frostburg Md

That appears to be a modified federal electric model b

Here is Half of one, Does yours rotate?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9tBFsJjL-zw/maxresdefault.jpg

jgardner48 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 20, 2017 5:37 pm

That appears to be a modified federal electric model b

Here is Half of one, Does yours rotate?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9tBFsJjL-zw/maxresdefault.jpg

It's not modified. that's a particular revision Federal made to the design in the 1920s (I think). And no, it won't rotate either.

Siren does not rotate but it does work well. Just trying to identify it and see if anyone knows someone who has parts or works on them.

[quote=Chem_Boffin_6589 post_id=180484 time=1487615555 user_id=155477]
[quote=jgardner48 post_id=180483 time=1487612226 user_id=156237]
That appears to be a modified federal electric model b

Here is Half of one, Does yours rotate?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9tBFsJjL-zw/maxresdefault.jpg
[/quote]
It's not modified. that's a particular revision Federal made to the design in the 1920s (I think). And no, it won't rotate either.
[/quote]
It appears to have some kind of projector horns off the side of the cones, and the angle looks funny, the base of the siren appears to be elevated

Yes, the cones were part of one of their designs of the Federal B. And no, it still doesn't rotate. That's probably the original mounting legs of the siren where you think the rotator would be.

P.S could you fix up your quotes?

Is it a single or dual tone siren? Some of those Model B's had a 12/8 option.

It is a single tone. I would like to know as much about as possible about this siren, the tag is worn so I can't read it. Do you know what size/style electric motor was used in these sirens? I think it is a slow start motor but I'm not sure.

Thanks

Also looking for a manual/ literature for this siren.

Federal's Type B, produced from 1915 to about 1941 in a variety of forms. They used a variety of motors including Howell, Lincoln, Peerless, and other brands. Usually AC motors but sometimes DC instead. The Type B usually ranged anywhere from 2, 3, or 5 HP. I believe your siren is a 5 HP however this isn't guaranteed. The adjustable covers were a patented feature introduced in 1927 so your siren was probably not made before that date. The point was to improve sound coverage. They are almost always single tone 15 ports but sometimes we have come across Type Bs with fewer ports. A dual tone version was also attempted at some point but it did not take off.