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Chem_Boffin_6589
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Siren Cycles

Fri Oct 28, 2016 11:33 am

I live in England and the power frequency here is 50Hz, as with most (if not all) of Europe, hence why English dual tone sirens sound different to their counterparts in America, which run on 60Hz power.
Now we know (with a certain Model 3 in Germany) that sirens which are meant to run on 60Hz power, when they are actually running on 50Hz power run slower, and vice versa with 50Hz sirens, but is there a way to reverse that?
Is there a way to bump up (or down) the power frequency going to a siren using a set of transformers, or is there something else that you can do? (because I'm picky, is there a schematic?)
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Re: Siren Cycles

Fri Oct 28, 2016 7:38 pm

You'd either have to get a generator, inverter, or VFD that can put out 60Hz AC. Transformers will only change the voltage going to the siren.
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Chem_Boffin_6589
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Re: Siren Cycles

Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:46 pm

Okay, I had a thought, could you possibly re-wire the siren motor(s) to run on 50Hz at 3450RPM? Or is that not possible?
Alfie Woolard
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Re: Siren Cycles

Mon Oct 31, 2016 11:20 pm

Chem_Boffin_6589 wrote:Okay, I had a thought, could you possibly re-wire the siren motor(s) to run on 50Hz at 3450RPM? Or is that not possible?
No. The motor will either run on 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Some might run on both but I'm not completely sure. You could get a 60 Hz generator or power inverter to run it but it will be a watt hog. Also check that it can output the Amperes you need. That's how I'd do it.
Proudly own a Edwards Model E, a Federal Enterprises Model 2, a Darley Model 5, and a Thunderbolt 1003A converted to "B". Also, an ACA Hurricane.
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E57
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Re: Siren Cycles

Mon Oct 31, 2016 11:29 pm

The motor runs at 50 Hz with 2800 rpm, at 60 Hz it's 3450 rpm. That's why the american sirens are higher pitched with having the same amount of ports!
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Re: Siren Cycles

Tue Nov 01, 2016 6:03 pm

E57 wrote:The motor runs at 50 Hz with 2800 rpm, at 60 Hz it's 3450 rpm. That's why the american sirens are higher pitched with having the same amount of ports!
Okay, I did previously know that from the E57 and the DS977 sirens in Germany, but a power inverter may just work... provided you have loads of amps to spare.
How about sirens that have a DC motor in them? Since they use a rectifier for the current change, could you use them in a 50Hz environment? If so, could you re-wire sirens to have a DC coil in them? (this has happened with a Model 2 if I remember) Or is the current going to the siren going to be a problem?
Alfie Woolard
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Re: Siren Cycles

Tue Nov 01, 2016 11:01 pm

Chem_Boffin_6589 wrote:
E57 wrote:The motor runs at 50 Hz with 2800 rpm, at 60 Hz it's 3450 rpm. That's why the american sirens are higher pitched with having the same amount of ports!
Okay, I did previously know that from the E57 and the DS977 sirens in Germany, but a power inverter may just work... provided you have loads of amps to spare.
How about sirens that have a DC motor in them? Since they use a rectifier for the current change, could you use them in a 50Hz environment? If so, could you re-wire sirens to have a DC coil in them? (this has happened with a Model 2 if I remember) Or is the current going to the siren going to be a problem?
I believe someone ran a model 2 at 240V fully rectified. I think if you find a 50 Hz rectifier it will work. It probably doesn't matter what type goes in as long as DC comes out. Someone tell me if I'm wrong.
Proudly own a Edwards Model E, a Federal Enterprises Model 2, a Darley Model 5, and a Thunderbolt 1003A converted to "B". Also, an ACA Hurricane.
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DJ2226
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Re: Siren Cycles

Wed Nov 02, 2016 12:59 am

Chem_Boffin_6589 wrote:
E57 wrote:The motor runs at 50 Hz with 2800 rpm, at 60 Hz it's 3450 rpm. That's why the american sirens are higher pitched with having the same amount of ports!
Okay, I did previously know that from the E57 and the DS977 sirens in Germany, but a power inverter may just work... provided you have loads of amps to spare.
How about sirens that have a DC motor in them? Since they use a rectifier for the current change, could you use them in a 50Hz environment? If so, could you re-wire sirens to have a DC coil in them? (this has happened with a Model 2 if I remember) Or is the current going to the siren going to be a problem?
Model 2s have universal motors, which will run on DC and AC regardless of the Hz of the incoming AC since they are self-commutating. My Model 1 runs on 110 VAC, but since it has a universal motor in it like the 2 it'll take electricity from an 18V Ryobi battery with no problem. A rectifier will put out DC regardless of the Hz, so yes they can be used in either environment.
Proud owner of a Model 1, SiroDrone, and sketchy MS-790.
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Chem_Boffin_6589
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Re: Siren Cycles

Wed Nov 02, 2016 9:13 pm

In which case, could you do this with, let's say, a Model 3? (Leaving the Thunderbolt out of this because it, too, has a universal motor for the chopper)
Alfie Woolard
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Installed, initiated and maintains school campus warning system.
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