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Old Darley help needed

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:10 am
by vavricka
New to sirens here. I have an old darley champion from 1942 (also red stamped in 1947) according to the paperwork. 2.5hp, 220 volts, 60 cycles, 15 amps, 1 phase siren I thought I would try to restore. When my father was FC yrs ago, he brought it home abt 1975 when it was being replaced. I found the red domed housing with the continual vertical vents and the motor with the three legged iron footed base. I was wondering if anyone has a pic of the triangular base mounting and switch and any other parts I should know abt so I know what to be looking for?

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:13 pm
by Robert Gift
Can you post a photo?

(I can be of no help because I know nothing about such sirens.)

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:37 pm
by Jim_Ferer
photos and measurements would be a good idea, and maybe a post in the "wanted" section.

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:24 pm
by Daniel
Is this one of those "helmet sirens" that looks like a paint can with a dome? I got a video of one of those a couple of months ago, but for some reason, Windows Movie Maker will not play the audio. Otherwise I'd put it on Youtube. I would think that the inside was the same as a Model 2. I don't know what its base looked like, but it sounded like a Model 2 with six ports instead of five.

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:39 pm
by vavricka
have a photo, but can't find how to post it here. very frustrating! Yes, it is one of those red cans with the helmet top and 1/4" crimped edge. Looks nothing like the one in the pics that were posted in response. It stands abt 22 1/2" tall, 20 1/4" brim diamater, 13" diamater of the can and 14" diamater with the lip at the base.

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:02 pm
by JasonC
This is what you have, a
"Darley Model 2":

Image

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb14 ... G_2015.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb14 ... G_2028.jpg

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb14 ... G_2027.jpg


(yours should have come with one large row of ports instead of two pictured in the second pic, last three images are from holler)

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:08 pm
by Daniel
This is the siren I recorded in Etna, California. Does it look like yours?

Image

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:23 pm
by JasonC
Daniel wrote:This is the siren I recorded in Etna, California. Does it look like yours?

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1 ... 92.jpg[img]
Whats the link to the recording? That looks to small to be model 2 sized... But I'd be willing to bet money on that being a Darley model 1 though.

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:34 pm
by vavricka
It's not the Darley 2 model and it doesn't have the 2 domes. The pics of the motor by holler is similar in structure but doesn't have the double stacked openings at the top, just one hole in place of the 2. Looks exactly like the one from Etna, CA. From what I can see on the vents, they are not double stacked and they continue down the length of the cylinder like mine. Mine also has the smaller double stacked vents way up under the dome at the top of the cylinder. Thanks for the help guys! What do I have? If I can figure how to load pics, I will post them. I tried to add one to my profile and it didn't take.

The link below is a pic of the Old Darley Champion I have.

http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu344/cvavricka/

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:17 pm
by Rheems1
What you have there is a 2HP Darley Champion.... it is basically a Model 2 siren with a different housing. Federal sold their "insides" to a couple of different companies to slap thier own name and housing on. Your 2HP Darley is a little odd in that it has the motor on the bottom and the rotor on top (exactly like a Model 2).. most of the Darley Champions have the motor on top and the rotor on the bottom. Good looking siren and congratulations on that very nice find that has some history in your family!!

Dave