No matter what you think about modern technology and these transistorized electronic sirens. The electro-mechanical sirens from Federal, B&M, SIreno and maybe a few others I can't recall right now that were made decades ago, to me are more effective in heavy traffic and intersections than any electronic I have ever used. I used them in LA traffic from Hollywood to Watts to East LA and to the San Fernando Valley. Electronics were just something new and cheaper to buy in those days.
A large siren like this draws about 100-120 amps while running up to speed. It could be put on the average full size car or truck but you better make sure that you have your battery, cables and alternator in top condition. You will notice that the lights will dim a bit when you step on the switch! I have a model EG and WG that would be easier on your charging system( not for sale). They are not quite as loud as a 66G and you can find them on eBay for $80-120 very easily.
100-120 amps is less than half the draw of a Q, which I read can draw up to 300 amps. The EG was the standard FDNY mechanical siren until they went electronic and they are not that loud at all, unless you are surrounded by buildings. But if you're using a 66G would a beefier alternator would do the trick as far as the lights go or maybe use with LED lights which don't draw as much power? Just curious.
Well, just remember that you will only be drawing those 100-120 amps while you are on the switch. This shouldn't be a problem unless you plan to have it screaming all day long:) The alternator will recharge the battery a bit while it is coasting. Use at least 4 gauge battery cable from the battery to the solenoid and to the siren. I would use a heavy duty 150 amp fuse and holder (high power stereo equipment) or a 150 amp fusible link between the positive battery post and solenoid for safety.
A higher output alternator will help also as it will be able to provide more of the required amps instead of those amps coming from the battery. But I don't think you will need it if you take good care of your stock charging system. Are you going to put one on your POV? Sounds like you might be a Volunteer Fireman like me!
This might be the same siren that FDNY Tower Ladder 21 has on it. It sounds exactly the same and has the same-speed wind-down as a Q but uses less amps and is not quite as loud.
Almost all have a momentary foot switch that you step on to turn on. The longer you step on it, the longer the siren sounds. I have seen only one with a custom setup that had a spring return on it. You stepped on the foot switch quickly once and the spring would slowly retract in about 5 seconds giving you 5 seconds of power to the siren.
Any mechanical siren can be set up to be controlled by the horn ring or dash switch(starter button style), some of the electronic ones can also be controlled this way. The horn ring was always my preference. It would be possible to connect a flasher to the solenoid, but I doubt that would give you a long enough 'on' time to operate the siren effectively
From FVFD36, August 14, 2007: Someone recently stole the siren off of my beloved "Unit 3", this 1969 International Howe Pumper! It is our department's backup hose tender carrying 300' of 4" supply line and 500' of 2 1/2 hose.
No matter what you think about modern technology and these transistorized electronic sirens. The electro-mechanical sirens from Federal, B&M, SIreno and maybe a few others I can't recall right now that were made decades ago, to me are more effective in heavy traffic and intersections than any electronic I have ever used. I used them in LA traffic from Hollywood to Watts to East LA and to the San Fernando Valley. Electronics were just something new and cheaper to buy in those days.
Code3forever 10 months ago
♥ Federal Sirens and what they stand for - Help ♥
zapataoffshore 2 years ago
when ever one of thease trucks come by, my dogs howl sooooooo loud its not even funny! lmao.
yuppypuppy5 2 years ago
the fed will get you going! got an adreno rush just thinkin about it.
sonottiny38 2 years ago 2
I watch this vid cause my dog goes crazy when he hears a firtruck siren and it's SO funny!
Mikeybaseball629 3 years ago
That was awesome! How about something longer.
Jiltedin2007 3 years ago
Hey if your company is ever looking to tell the truck as is let me know
ffemt99 3 years ago
q n powercall all day
Mizatt03 3 years ago
There's only one sound like that in whole world! And it's made by the one and only Federal "Q"! HEHE!!!
Flamewalker217 3 years ago 4
@Flamewalker217 To bad your wrong. This is an 66G. Made by federal signal, but not a Q. Sorry, but back to whacker school for you.
thecatyoukai 1 year ago
I've never heard a firetruck's siren that spirals down quite that low...
Sparkstarthunderhawk 3 years ago
it made my dog howl, too.
ninegrainbread 3 years ago
Gentlemen, I am very sorry to bring down the IQ of this conversation but I looked up this video in hopes of making my dog howl. And it worked.
iamunforgivable 3 years ago 5
Would this siren be okay to use on the average automobile or would it use too much amps?
fanoseagrave 3 years ago 2
A large siren like this draws about 100-120 amps while running up to speed. It could be put on the average full size car or truck but you better make sure that you have your battery, cables and alternator in top condition. You will notice that the lights will dim a bit when you step on the switch! I have a model EG and WG that would be easier on your charging system( not for sale). They are not quite as loud as a 66G and you can find them on eBay for $80-120 very easily.
fvfd36 3 years ago
100-120 amps is less than half the draw of a Q, which I read can draw up to 300 amps. The EG was the standard FDNY mechanical siren until they went electronic and they are not that loud at all, unless you are surrounded by buildings. But if you're using a 66G would a beefier alternator would do the trick as far as the lights go or maybe use with LED lights which don't draw as much power? Just curious.
Thanks for the info!! :>)
fanoseagrave 3 years ago
Well, just remember that you will only be drawing those 100-120 amps while you are on the switch. This shouldn't be a problem unless you plan to have it screaming all day long:) The alternator will recharge the battery a bit while it is coasting. Use at least 4 gauge battery cable from the battery to the solenoid and to the siren. I would use a heavy duty 150 amp fuse and holder (high power stereo equipment) or a 150 amp fusible link between the positive battery post and solenoid for safety.
fvfd36 3 years ago
A higher output alternator will help also as it will be able to provide more of the required amps instead of those amps coming from the battery. But I don't think you will need it if you take good care of your stock charging system. Are you going to put one on your POV? Sounds like you might be a Volunteer Fireman like me!
fvfd36 3 years ago
This siren is 7" in diameter, the Fed Q is 10".
Most sirens in use before the advent of electronics were 8" diameter, such as the Sterling 30, Federal C, B&M.
k0smon 3 years ago
It's in the description, Federal Signal Model 66G. It's smaller than the big Q siren but almost as loud.
fvfd36 4 years ago
I know a department that has an IHC with a Q on it.
fire904 3 years ago
This might be the same siren that FDNY Tower Ladder 21 has on it. It sounds exactly the same and has the same-speed wind-down as a Q but uses less amps and is not quite as loud.
seagravefan 4 years ago
Damn my department has a 1963 tanker like that truck, nice soundin siren and nice federal light
Buckshot3715 4 years ago
Is the siren manually operated,
or could it be set to automatic ?
stigchr 4 years ago
Almost all have a momentary foot switch that you step on to turn on. The longer you step on it, the longer the siren sounds. I have seen only one with a custom setup that had a spring return on it. You stepped on the foot switch quickly once and the spring would slowly retract in about 5 seconds giving you 5 seconds of power to the siren.
fvfd36 4 years ago
Any mechanical siren can be set up to be controlled by the horn ring or dash switch(starter button style), some of the electronic ones can also be controlled this way. The horn ring was always my preference. It would be possible to connect a flasher to the solenoid, but I doubt that would give you a long enough 'on' time to operate the siren effectively
k0smon 3 years ago 2
From FVFD36, August 14, 2007: Someone recently stole the siren off of my beloved "Unit 3", this 1969 International Howe Pumper! It is our department's backup hose tender carrying 300' of 4" supply line and 500' of 2 1/2 hose.
fvfd36 4 years ago
Thats bad news, I hope you get it back its a real ripper!
STIHL89 4 years ago
It's not a Q, it's 66G! It's smaller than a Q but still deafeningly loud!
nmtoc 4 years ago
Amen!!! gotta love the Q siren.
fireenginebuff 4 years ago
hey i love it cant wait to be a firewoman
play1210 5 years ago
Sucks to hear that screaming past the house at 3:00 in the morning
Geno2733 5 years ago
If I have to be up, everyone has to be up! LOL
HemHaw136 4 years ago
yea, it sometimes sucks to be in the truck at 3:00 am too lol
co19ff 4 years ago
good stuff
DBR00 5 years ago
lol, i used to. now i live farther from a fire station but still hear that crap going on all night. but its all cool
EuroSport2006 5 years ago
i live near the firehouse got to love that sounds
play1210 5 years ago
gotta love the Federal Q sound.
CTFD13 5 years ago