The death of the ACA Howler, And a call for action

[ThatGuy2020]

I just went to the Cologne Howler for the SWAW test, and unfortunately, it is dead.

It did not activate at the 1:45, from what a firefighter told us, and it didn’t work at 6:45 when I was there.

When my dad messaged them about the siren two years ago and they said once it dies, it’s done.
But the fire chief seemed to be under the mindset that it might get repaired or restored.

I will reach out to Carver County EM and urge them to restore it and explain the importance of it, but if we want to repair it we will need someone to do so at a good deal, and if we don’t it’ll become another siren model killed by the 2001-130.

Please do not harass the EMA there, it’s pretty understaffed.

I’d really like to see someone reach out for help. Email me if you are interested in helping!

Link to my youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNXCL6kXqzY

[Randomizer]

What reasons are there for saving it, pray tell, besides your own personal vanity?

Let's say they were to procure a 2001-130. The 2001-130 is a better siren in every way than the Howler. Less complex, more reliable rotation system, significantly louder, more modern controls, and time tested reliability.

This versus a siren that's 45 years old.

[ThatGuy2020]

What reasons are there for saving it, pray tell, besides your own personal vanity?

Let's say they were to procure a 2001-130. The 2001-130 is a better siren in every way than the Howler. Less complex, more reliable rotation system, significantly louder, more modern controls, and time tested reliability.

This versus a siren that's 45 years old.

You have a good point.. BUT
there is a 2001-SRNB that can be heard perfectly across the entire town, since it is a very small town.

And the howler is a piece of history.
And it is able to be restored. if not, I could talk with sirencon and maybe it could become a guest siren.

And, Yes it is a good idea.. But from what I've seen, the 2001-130 is probably less reliable than most other sirens I've ever seen

[Randomizer]

2001-130 is probably less reliable than most other sirens I've ever seen

You say this based on what, exactly?

[Eclipse DDS]

I will say that "ThatGuy2020" has a valid point in that it would be good for the siren to be preserved for historical purposes, however at the end of the day it would be more highly beneficial to the Fire Dept. to replace it with a newer model, such as the Federal Signal 2001 mentioned here.

Also, from what I understand the 2001 does not appear to be unreliable in any way in particular... Sure it's newer than a Howler, but it's still a robust piece of equipment.

[ArxCyberwolf]

I'm not sure where anyone here got the idea that any model of 2001 is unreliable. I've only seen a handful of videos of 2001s experiencing any major issues, 99% of the thousands of 2001s across the country work perfectly fine and without issue. Even units that are over 35 years old now are still kicking.

[ThatGuy2020]

I'm not sure where anyone here got the idea that any model of 2001 is unreliable. I've only seen a handful of videos of 2001s experiencing any major issues, 99% of the thousands of 2001s across the country work perfectly fine and without issue. Even units that are over 35 years old now are still kicking.

It’s odd to me that I’ve seen so many 2001s fail to activate, keep running until they burn out, or just fall apart in a storm compared to most other sirens I’ve seen.
Ones in my city usually need a repair once a year for one of those things.

Somehow my Model 2 is 90 years old and it still runs fine, and FS expects you to replace your 2001s after about 30 or so years

But who knows I could be infected with the kiddie mind virus of “2001 bad!!!!!!”

[T128]

The Aca howler deserves to restored and be at Sirencon. I do agree however, that a Federal Signal 2001 would be a good replacement. there is a school in my town that has a 2001 (I don’t know specs) But the control box is rusted out and all stickers and logos are faded or gone. Yet it is still on the pole running fine to this day. Do coincided an Asc T-128 since those are also great quality, loud, and naturally have a good sound carry distance to them. Let me know what happens to the Aca Howler please I am curious about this topic.

[0zunth]

Honestly to my perspective a 130 Decibel 2001 siren is way too overkill for such a town. If there is already a 2001 there, despite being a fairly old model by now that covers the entire town, why not go with a smaller, omnidirectional siren like a T-121 or an Eclipse 8? That would be more cost efficient than keeping that old howler up and leaving it to die. Just my take on the matter.

[T128]

I do agree with that. You don't want to blow the ears out of the town and waste any money on say a 2001 that is overkill when you can spend less on one such as like a T-121 that will meet the needs of the town better. T-121s are reliable I live a 5 minute walk from one and just recorded its test. Still, the Howler should be restored if possible.