May have a "pick of the lot" on Thunderbolts

[jmfirefighter20]

Hello All,

So I may have the chance to get the "pick of the lot" in terms of Thunderbolts.......I have been in contact with a local municipality that has decommissioned it's entire Thunderbolt fleet.....I know they have at least two of them, if not more spread around the area. I've only SEEN two at least, but I haven't traveled around there very much.....

So that being the case, what should I look for when I'm going through the lineup? Anything specific to look at?

Thanks,
Josh

[coastalsyrolover]

Jailbar? If there are any videos on them sounding watch them. If they have different blowers find the one you like. Is it a 1000 or 1000T and which do you prefer? Does the chopper spin freely or is it rusted? Just a bunch of little things. Usually A siren that hasn't been beat to... Uhh... Is usually a good bet. If there isn't too much rust (You will see some rust though) it's usually a good bet too.. It just kind of depends really.

[FSThunderboltfan1000]

It depends are you going to restore it and put it back up or is it for a personal collection.

[jmfirefighter20]

Up in NH actualy, it's the only place I've seen a TBolt in person.

I'll have to see what they look like when I get there, they are still up on the poles right now, but the city says they have been taking them down which leads me to believe they have more than the two I've seen.

One currently has no rotator and chopper/horn setup, but the blower box is still there. The other has everything present on the pole still.

Neither of the ones I have seen have controllers however......

My intent is to restore for a collection....

Thanks for the help so far.

[Brendan W]

Maybe you should slap up some pictures of it, I bet someone on here can tell you what you have.

[jmfirefighter20]

Will do when I get home

[jmfirefighter20]

Here are some photos of one of the two I know of. The second one appeared the same when it was still all there.






Sorry for the blurriness, I was on the ground and had to zoom in with my crappy cell phone camera.

[Brendan W]

I'd estimate that siren is from the 60's, probably the latter part. Were you able to see if the back of the blower had and ventilation holes on it?

[jmfirefighter20]

Looking at the blower box, it's pretty much a solid box. No vent holes I could see.

[coastalsyrolover]

You don't need an RCM panel if you just want to run the chopper nor do you really need one for the blower if it's a 3 phase (Although it will take some improvising... Perhaps jeb knows how to convert a 3ph blower to single phase. That or get a gas motor or 10 HP single phase motor!!!!) That blower is the early A2 blower. If you get that sucker to run you are pushing 130-132 DB roughly (If it is single tone). Mine had the same blower but it fried and the city I got it from threw it out. Hope this helps a little further.