Most companies turned to type 2...readily available and cheaper. They were easier to maintain as well....a basic Ford or Chevy Body...mechanics knew these vehicles inside out and could get parts at the local Auto parts stores..
Actually we were still using Cadillac ambulances up until 1985 in Meriden Connecticut. We were granted waivers. Smoothest ambulance I ever worked in...very depressing as well.....
I first began running ambulance in one of these Caddys... LONG before "EMS" was even a phrase. Back then we were just an "ambulance corps.". Ahhh... the memories.
That's actually a Unity RV 46 beacon up there. I also have a Federal 184 Powerlight that I thought about putting up there instead, but I realized that the Unity has 6" bulb reflectors while the Federal 5" (or maybe it's 4" and 5"-I haen't had the dome off in a while) so I thought I'd leave it since Unitys seem a bit rarer than Powerlights. The Michigan State Police, incidentally, still use RV-26's- same light w/ 2 bulbs instead of 4.
I've got Federal Interceptor sirens from various production periods, and depending when they were made, they will sound different. The 2E was introduced some time during the early 1970s, and it is quite high-pitched compared to the earlier versions. The 2E yelp also has a distinct 'barking' sound, so I was quick to pick that out in your video.
Yes, this car has a Federal PA20A electronic siren. I have heard about the high pitched series, so if you think this is a high pitched one, then it is a series 2E. The car has one battery, though other cars in this service's fleet had two. The alternator is a Delco 145 ampere unit. This car is in original condition with only about 50k miles on her! She runs great.
Q sirens were more common on ambos from the mid-1970s on back. I've seen quite a few old pics of Superior Cadillac ambos with Qs only.
As for the electronic siren on this ambo, it is either a Federal PA15A series 1E or PA20A series 2E. The E series are the high-pitched versions of the PA15A and PA20A.
Lol, I love how all of the lights dim right before the q starts winding....our old tower (Mack) used to do that, it would actually reset the electronic siren...
I noticed that, too. How many batteries does that car have, one or two? Shows that the Q uses a lot of juice if the lights dim. With two batteries and a good beefy alternator, though, that sucker should scream.
Lol, on Reiffton's old tower, every time you wound up the Q, the electronic siren would reset....
Oh, and I tried to comment on this a few minutes ago, but I guess I had commented too much already, so the only option to click was spam, which I noticed a little late, so if youtube gives you any trouble, just send them my way, lol...
Is that a Cadillac Superior? That thing is freakin awesome! I want... I want!!! Now do a video of the inside... Man, I wish I were born thirty years earlier so I could go on a call in one of those babies!
Yup, that's the one. Rides just like it looks -- smoooooooth!!! Our department got rid of one just like this right after I came on in 1980, I made a couple of runs just before it went OOS
i bet your neighbours love you
guitarboy96 9 months ago
Most companies turned to type 2...readily available and cheaper. They were easier to maintain as well....a basic Ford or Chevy Body...mechanics knew these vehicles inside out and could get parts at the local Auto parts stores..
Nootherlove1 2 years ago
Actually we were still using Cadillac ambulances up until 1985 in Meriden Connecticut. We were granted waivers. Smoothest ambulance I ever worked in...very depressing as well.....
Nootherlove1 2 years ago
When did they stop using hearse ambulances? I mean like what year?
Fanik8 2 years ago
Those Caddies were smooth, but if someone went into full arrest, there wasn't a whole lot of room to work with...
parkman35 2 years ago
i like the yelp...
kameronbc21 3 years ago
Lights dim when you start Q siren?
Was engine running?
robertgift 3 years ago
the q is known for its power consumption i could olny run myne once and the battrie cut out
youngestpilotinGa 2 years ago
Q draws 100 amps or more at startup.
I presume the engine was running and alternator working.
Otherwise the drain would drop battery voltage and lights would dim and continue to dim more.
robertgift 2 years ago
San Juan EMS has decided to replace their modern ambulances with older hearse style ambulances which use more gas.
starcraftguy1 3 years ago
Wow now thats a nice rare ambulance!
I live in Germany and you may find some people driving a Cadillac Hearse or whatever, but I've never saw an old ambulance like that!
Like the car in Ghostbusters, haha ;D
TX200000000 3 years ago
that thing would make me want to get hurt
NobleLumpkin 4 years ago 3
haha, same here xD
doranduh 4 years ago
nice
gary0046 4 years ago
I first began running ambulance in one of these Caddys... LONG before "EMS" was even a phrase. Back then we were just an "ambulance corps.". Ahhh... the memories.
HermitousZen 4 years ago
do you go to tune by tunas car show with that car
crownvicpd 4 years ago
Never heard of that show-where's it held?
JayyB 4 years ago
The Tune By Tunas car show is held in Springfield Mass at Smith and Wesson
crownvicpd 4 years ago
Any chance you can film your Caddy cruising with the Q and lights going? That would be VERY cool!
I have the same Superior Caddy but, white over blue. And a fake Q siren (eQ2b). No more lights dimming when I get to play with it!
911caddy 4 years ago
THATS AWSOME!
mbfd5130 4 years ago
That's actually a Unity RV 46 beacon up there. I also have a Federal 184 Powerlight that I thought about putting up there instead, but I realized that the Unity has 6" bulb reflectors while the Federal 5" (or maybe it's 4" and 5"-I haen't had the dome off in a while) so I thought I'd leave it since Unitys seem a bit rarer than Powerlights. The Michigan State Police, incidentally, still use RV-26's- same light w/ 2 bulbs instead of 4.
JayyB 4 years ago
thats what im talking bout' thats classic right there.all sirens up high so that it carries.whats on the roof a dietz or powerlight?
fmartinjr 4 years ago
I love it! I wish our department had one
fire4skywarn 4 years ago
I've got Federal Interceptor sirens from various production periods, and depending when they were made, they will sound different. The 2E was introduced some time during the early 1970s, and it is quite high-pitched compared to the earlier versions. The 2E yelp also has a distinct 'barking' sound, so I was quick to pick that out in your video.
nmtoc 4 years ago
Yes, this car has a Federal PA20A electronic siren. I have heard about the high pitched series, so if you think this is a high pitched one, then it is a series 2E. The car has one battery, though other cars in this service's fleet had two. The alternator is a Delco 145 ampere unit. This car is in original condition with only about 50k miles on her! She runs great.
JayyB 4 years ago
Thanks for the info. I read Q's need as much as 300 amps to start up.
seagravefan 4 years ago
Q sirens were more common on ambos from the mid-1970s on back. I've seen quite a few old pics of Superior Cadillac ambos with Qs only.
As for the electronic siren on this ambo, it is either a Federal PA15A series 1E or PA20A series 2E. The E series are the high-pitched versions of the PA15A and PA20A.
nmtoc 4 years ago
Lol, I love how all of the lights dim right before the q starts winding....our old tower (Mack) used to do that, it would actually reset the electronic siren...
Rofocowboy84 5 years ago
I noticed that, too. How many batteries does that car have, one or two? Shows that the Q uses a lot of juice if the lights dim. With two batteries and a good beefy alternator, though, that sucker should scream.
seagravefan 5 years ago
Lol, on Reiffton's old tower, every time you wound up the Q, the electronic siren would reset....
Oh, and I tried to comment on this a few minutes ago, but I guess I had commented too much already, so the only option to click was spam, which I noticed a little late, so if youtube gives you any trouble, just send them my way, lol...
Rofocowboy84 5 years ago
who you gonna call.
PSB1973 5 years ago
Ghostbusters...lol
billybingo2006 5 years ago
Is that a Cadillac Superior? That thing is freakin awesome! I want... I want!!! Now do a video of the inside... Man, I wish I were born thirty years earlier so I could go on a call in one of those babies!
ruralemt 5 years ago
Yup, that's the one. Rides just like it looks -- smoooooooth!!! Our department got rid of one just like this right after I came on in 1980, I made a couple of runs just before it went OOS
K8IG 5 years ago