The Siren Board

On the top of my firehouse we have a siren that just went dead. Looking for a manual . The tag on the siren is Federal Enterprises Inc, Type 2 C 3 1/2 S, 7 1/2 HP, 220 volts 60 Hz. Any info would be greatly appreciated

Tom-g wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 18, 2018 2:54 pm

On the top of my firehouse we have a siren that just went dead. Looking for a manual . The tag on the siren is Federal Enterprises Inc, Type 2 C 3 1/2 S, 7 1/2 HP, 220 volts 60 Hz. Any info would be greatly appreciated

The siren is a Federal Enterprises Model 7. A manual can be found here. It’s named Model 5 in this manual due to a naming error on Federal’s part, but this should tell you what you need to know.

http://www.civildefensemuseum.org/siren ... 5A154F.pdf


Some general information can be found on the Wiki:
https://wiki.airraidsirens.net/Model_7

Thanks Tyler

How did it go dead?

Just stopped going off for calls. Testing showed only 18A starting current. Sometimes it starts but never gets up to full speed. Have it shut off right now until we get time to get up on the roof and pull the access panels.

Sounds like a power supply or wiring issue if it "only" pulls 18A when starting up. Try replacing all the high wattage wiring with new wire of equivalent or thicker gauge.

Just pulled it off the roof yesterday. On its way to the motor shop.
All the building wiring looked fine

Eithier the brushes are shot (assuming it has an induction-repulsion motor) or something is wrong with the motor's windings (be it armature or not)

given you said it only rarely start, I bet it's the brushes that are shot, given they don't make or make poor contact with the armature rotor, thus maybe why it sometimes never gets to full RPM.

That is what I am hoping, it’s just the brushes.

Update
The motor shop found worn brushes combined with an out of round commutator. They were able to grind down and true up the commutator and provide new brushes. Siren should be back on the firehouse roof on Saturday. Thanks for the information the group has provided