Information on the ACA Banshee

[Josh_S]

Hey guys! I am looking for some information on the ACA Banshee. I am getting a single phase unit, and was wondering what it would take to get it running. Specifically the amperage, and caps I might need to purchase for it? Also, by chance does anyone know generally how big they are, and how much they might weigh? Basically any information available (including manuals) would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[SuperBanshee]

This was ACA's most popular mid-size omnidirectional siren. The Banshee 110 was a 10 horsepower siren introduced in 1968 with the very first ones bearing a dual tone 10-12 port chopper like the Allertor. By 1970 it was changed to 9-12 port which it would keep for many years. During the late 1970s ACA preferred to categorize sirens by horsepower rather than decibel rating which gave us the Banshee 15 and Banshee 10.
A single tone 8 port Banshee was also offered however this was not as commonly found until the 1980s when ACA phased out most dual tone sirens. The 8 port models are often 15 horsepower while dual tone was 10. A handful of single tone Banshees were made by ASC as the "OM-117".

A typical Banshee weighs about 450 pounds and is 42 inches diameter.

[connerdstines]

There is an OM-117 in Claude, about 27 miles southeast from me.

[Stormsetter4]

You'll need the control cabinet that is made for it to run the siren. If it's the 15 hp version they draw around 80-90 amps running, and 200-300 on initial startup.

[Josh_S]

Yeah, or at least the capacitors specifically made for the motor. I do know that the specific controls will probably be thrown in so there won't be any worries. I'm still crossing my fingers it will be the 10 horse though. What would you suggest for a disconnect fuse amperage? I know for the 10 horse it suggests 100amp slow blow, and I think that is probably the max for my electrical service...

[Stormsetter4]

You could probably get away with a 60-70 amp time delay. The 10hp sirens aren't as bad with amperage as the 15hp ones are. Make sure you get the control box though, there is a lot more to it than just some capacitors.

[Travis]

There is an OM-117 in Claude, about 27 miles southeast from me.

Claude actually has two units one on the West side on a really tall pole, and one kind of southeast of downtown. They also added a 3V8 a few years ago at the ball fields east of town.

[connerdstines]

There is an OM-117 in Claude, about 27 miles southeast from me.

Claude actually has two units one on the West side on a really tall pole, and one kind of southeast of downtown. They also added a 3V8 a few years ago at the ball fields east of town.

The first is the only one i ever got a chance to see. They also have a nice Darley 5 there, fairly low mounted.

[Travis]

They have 2 Darley 7, 2 OM117s, 1 3V8-S, and a 3V8-H.

[Josh_S]

So I have been trying to dig into my single phase control board for the Banshee I now own. From what it looks like there is a main contactor and a capacitor contactor. I assume both latch at the same time when the siren is activated? Also what is the Voltage Sensing Relay in the middle of the board? It is in-between the two contactors. What exactly does this do? Also, it appears the heater is tied into the run caps, but I can't see anything on the schematic that would indicate such a connection? I don't even know where to start when re-wiring this. The schematic that I have is horrible, but I can email it to anyone who can help. Other questions that I have, there is a 240V 40w heating block mounted on the side of the cabinet, am I ok to do away with that? The rotation sensor and heating pads on the stator of the siren itself, can I do away with those as well and the wire that runs up to them (the only wires supplied to the unit would be the two 120V lines and the capacitor line)?