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Is the Thunderbolt blower loud?

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:12 pm
by 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.

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:34 pm
by 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

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:11 pm
by ThunderboltFreak
Alright man appreciate info.

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:20 pm
by 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.

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:31 pm
by 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.

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:01 am
by 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!! :shock:

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:28 am
by 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.

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 10:43 pm
by 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

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:29 pm
by EL1998P71
jerrylovessirens wrote:Turned out the blower was louder than the actual siren!!! Even with our earplugs on, the blower was still very loud!! :shock:
Cause you were under it, the sound from the horn is deflected out and not right down to the ground.