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I just picked up a six volt General Detroit Siren for my truck on ebay. Also I found a NFPA publication from 1960 which explains how to operate fire pumper trucks. I will let everyone know when I actually get it if it has any valuable info in it.
Thanks Joe B.

Joe B.,

Haven't ever heard of a "General Detroit" Siren? General (Detroit) was a truck manufacturer, as distinct from General (St. Louis), where I think they started. Perhaps the seller got the siren off of a General Detroit fire truck?

I'm very curious . . . and will prob. beg for photos when it arrives.

AND, the NFPA pub. sounds great!!!

-Michael

Hey Mike I will send you a picture when it arrives.
Joe.

what does the tag on the housing say? it should have manufacture name along with a model #

Hey, was this the siren that was killer cheap? Black and not chrome? I can't find it now but must admit I was watching that. I didn't bid, and don't have a firetruck, so it is probably headed to a better home than my 49 pontiac.


After you get it, can you post or email a sound clip? I've yet to hear one I didn't like.

I think the "big three" in Sirens are:

Federal (the mighty "Q")
Sterling (ie, the Model 20)
B&M (the "Coaster", I think?)

A buddy of mine has a St. Louis-made siren on his '41 Diamond-T. Can't remember the brand, but it's VERY throaty, with a real gurgly growl. Pretty neat.

I've admired my Sterling 6-volt Model 20 ever since I discovered that it draws a miserly 20 amps (hence the name). I kinda like the long wind-up time, also. Federal-Qs, as well as my buddy's, can draw a whopping 100 amps!!!

-Michael

I just got the siren today well as it turns out it is not a general detroit siren. It is a federal model s-114. The actual markings on the tag has been rubbed off only the model number that was stamped remained. It does work so I guess that is what is important. Another siren the same model but crhomed went up on ebay after I bought mine for about the same price. That is how I found out that it was really a federal siren. Joe B.

Sounds like a typical E-bay transaction!!! Seller didn't know what they had. Oh well, you can fall into some good stuff that way, sometimes . . .

Send a pic if you can.

-Michael