Model 1/2: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "The General Detroit Model 344 was a siren produced by the General Detroit Company, based out of Detroit Michigan. Not much is known about this siren, but it has an 8 port roto...")
 
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The General Detroit Model 344 was a siren produced by the General Detroit Company, based out of Detroit Michigan. Not much is known about this siren, but it has an 8 port rotor/stator assembly, runs off of 110V single phase power, and is about the size of a Model L siren. This siren was most likely manufactured before World War II.
{{Infobox siren|title=Federal Electric Model 1/2
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General Detroit Model 344|company=Federal Electric Company
Federal Enterprises Company|produced=1930s-1950s|type=[[Omnidirectional]] [[Electromechanical]]|hp=½ hp|voltage=120/240|current=AC/DC|preceded=|succeeded=[[Federal Enterprises Model K]]
[[Federal Signal Model L | Federal Signal Model LV]]|image=Federal_Enterprises_Model_Half_Side.jpg}}The '''Model 1/2''' is a small short-lived omnidirectional siren that was introduced in the late 1930s to early 1950s by Federal Electric. Intended to be mounted on top of traffic signals as a street clearing siren or used as a short-range fire siren, similarly to how a [[Klaxon SO4]] is used. The Model 1/2 is essentially an omnidirectional [[Federal Signal Model D|Model D]] or [[Federal Signal Model L|Model L]], with the addition of two ornate louvres over the rotor for sound propagation and to protect it from the elements, similar to the [[Sterling Vertical Siren|Sterling 2V8]].
 
== History and design ==
The Model 1/2 was introduced in the 1930s as a small electric siren designed for street clearing or industrial use and was a stepdown from the larger [[Fedelcode |Type Mach. 1]]. It was one of the first sirens to use the 5½" 8-port rotor and stator that would be used on many of Federal's vehicular and industrial sirens, The Model 1/2 is driven by a ½ hp AC/DC universal motor running at either 120 or 240 V as standard. However, unlike most of Federal's small industrial sirens, the Model 1/2 is a vertical siren, designed to be mounted on a flat surface, rather than a wall or ceiling.
 
The Model 1/2 uses a rotor-over-motor configuration, and the motor is encased inside of a metal housing which also includes a mounting stand on the bottom. The rotor and stator are located underneath a protective housing with two ornate louvres, which direct the sound outwards and downwards. The stator ports include finger guards to prevent potential injury from misuse of the siren, as it is small enough to be handheld.
 
The Model 1/2 was also resold by the [[General City Service Co.|General Detroit Company]], based out of Detroit, Michigan, which later became General City Services. This GDC rebrand of the Model 1/2, which was named the Model 344, was produced until around 1939 when World War II began. General Detroit would drop the production of it soon after in favor of manufacturing aircraft parts.
 
The Model 1/2 was discontinued in the 1950s, being entirely replaced by the Model K, and later LV which took all of the roles. Today, only 6 known examples of the Model 1/2 remain, with 4 being privately owned. There is a Model 1/2 located at a boy scout camp in Iowa, as well as one near a post office in Hamilton, Iowa.
 
[[Category:Federal Signal Corporation]]
[[Category:Omnidirectional Sirens]]
[[Category:Electromechanical Sirens]]
[[Category:Industrial Small Sirens]]
__INDEX__
[[Category:Sirens]]
[[Category:Single Toned Sirens]]

Latest revision as of 07:39, 3 November 2024

Federal Electric Model 1/2

General Detroit Model 344

Company Federal Electric Company

Federal Enterprises Company

Produced 1930s-1950s
Type Omnidirectional Electromechanical
Horsepower ½ hp
Voltage 120/240 V AC/DC
Succeeded by Federal Enterprises Model K

Federal Signal Model LV

The Model 1/2 is a small short-lived omnidirectional siren that was introduced in the late 1930s to early 1950s by Federal Electric. Intended to be mounted on top of traffic signals as a street clearing siren or used as a short-range fire siren, similarly to how a Klaxon SO4 is used. The Model 1/2 is essentially an omnidirectional Model D or Model L, with the addition of two ornate louvres over the rotor for sound propagation and to protect it from the elements, similar to the Sterling 2V8.

History and design

The Model 1/2 was introduced in the 1930s as a small electric siren designed for street clearing or industrial use and was a stepdown from the larger Type Mach. 1. It was one of the first sirens to use the 5½" 8-port rotor and stator that would be used on many of Federal's vehicular and industrial sirens, The Model 1/2 is driven by a ½ hp AC/DC universal motor running at either 120 or 240 V as standard. However, unlike most of Federal's small industrial sirens, the Model 1/2 is a vertical siren, designed to be mounted on a flat surface, rather than a wall or ceiling.

The Model 1/2 uses a rotor-over-motor configuration, and the motor is encased inside of a metal housing which also includes a mounting stand on the bottom. The rotor and stator are located underneath a protective housing with two ornate louvres, which direct the sound outwards and downwards. The stator ports include finger guards to prevent potential injury from misuse of the siren, as it is small enough to be handheld.

The Model 1/2 was also resold by the General Detroit Company, based out of Detroit, Michigan, which later became General City Services. This GDC rebrand of the Model 1/2, which was named the Model 344, was produced until around 1939 when World War II began. General Detroit would drop the production of it soon after in favor of manufacturing aircraft parts.

The Model 1/2 was discontinued in the 1950s, being entirely replaced by the Model K, and later LV which took all of the roles. Today, only 6 known examples of the Model 1/2 remain, with 4 being privately owned. There is a Model 1/2 located at a boy scout camp in Iowa, as well as one near a post office in Hamilton, Iowa.