Is the Thunderbolt blower loud?

[ThunderboltFreak]

Hey guys, from watching videos on Youtube of Thunderbolt blowers in action, I was wondering about any of your experiences with blowers, are they extremely loud in person? To where you need hearing protection?

By this i mean the blower itself, and being close to it as in you own one. Not while the actual siren is in service and you happen to hear the blower. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[kx250rider]

Mine is about the same as a small lawnmower at full speed. Not bad, but I can't say at what level a person should wear ear cups.

Charles

[ThunderboltFreak]

Alright man appreciate info.

[SouthDakotaBoy2009]

When I was in Valley Springs, & they tested the County wide siren drill, I was at the West side one & was a good distance away but the blower I could hear perfectly well.

Then at the East side unit & could hear the blower running on that one pretty good too.

[500 AT fan]

The blower is very loud. I could hear the original A series blower on the Malone, WI 1000T when it went off. I was about 300 ft from it, at that time.

[jerrylovessirens]

During a tornado warning, me and my friend Brandon (who also thinks sirens are kinda cool) went right under St. Peter, Wi's Tbolt. Turned out the blower was louder than the actual siren!!! Even with our earplugs on, the blower was still very loud!!

[JPayne9207]

I remember standing directly under one of the thunderbolts we used to have here in Houston. The blower was not very loud, it sounded like a very low pitched muffled growl. It couldn't be heard over 50ft away with the chopper operating. I think it was one of those earlier models with the massive blowers the turned at a lower rpm.

[holler]

Yes, the blower is very loud. These vids should give you an idea as to how loud it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpSJwDzO-AY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D04jpC2hr8Q

[EL1998P71]

Turned out the blower was louder than the actual siren!!! Even with our earplugs on, the blower was still very loud!!

Cause you were under it, the sound from the horn is deflected out and not right down to the ground.