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Brian H
Regular
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 543
Location: IOWA
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 Posted: Thu 14-Aug-2008 12:45 Post subject: Fire Truck LED upgrade |
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Thanks to the fine folks at Priority One for their help we recently upgraded our front and rear Code 3 Osiclasers to Federal Signal Qaudra Flares. We were running into a problem with the Osiclasers melting and shorting out and we decided to quit fighting them and we are going to eventually change out all the Mid Level warning with these. I just got in 2 Ambers for the sides behind the rear doors and in the next month or so we will get the remaining 4 replaced or when they eventually quit.
The install was simple. On the front we used Fed Sig's retrofit kit for the front and dropped them right in. On the back was a little bit of a challange. They was a large hole cut out due to flush mounting the Osiclasers and when you set the new lighthead up against the hole the mounting screws went perfect into the corners of the hole. We moved the QF up just enough to screw into the truck and put a piece of sheet metal behind the light, into the hole and made the sandwich effect. Worked perfect, looks professional and sturdy, would pass for brand new.. 
Before
After
Upcoming install, Pics soon
Before anyone asks about the colored lenses, the chief and I decided to go with colored because it's a fire truck and no need to hide them until they are on with clear lenses. I think they look really good and look amazing on. I will get some video when we get the 2 on the sides mounted here in the next couple of days |
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David B.
Frequent Poster
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Posts: 1883
Location: Rochester N.Y.
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| Posted: Thu 14-Aug-2008 16:38 Post subject: Re: Fire Truck LED upgrade |
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The truck looks good.
| Brian H wrote: |
| Before anyone asks about the colored lenses, the chief and I decided to go with colored because it's a fire truck and no need to hide them until they are on with clear lenses. I think they look really good and look amazing on. I will get some video when we get the 2 on the sides mounted here in the next couple of days |
That's the way it should be. I've never understood the need for colored lights with clear lenses on a fire or EMS unit.
David B. |
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usdemt
Regular
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 869
Location: Britton/Vermillion SD
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| Posted: Thu 14-Aug-2008 16:38 Post subject: |
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| Why blue? Please dont let it turn into a debate. I was just wondering why you replace two red lenes with a blue and red. |
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Brian H
Regular
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 543
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Thu 14-Aug-2008 19:15 Post subject: |
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| We run both Red and Blue and when the truck was delivered it has all Red lighting |
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DaveCN5
Contributing Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 4041
Location: "The Hook", CT
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| Posted: Thu 14-Aug-2008 20:24 Post subject: Re: Fire Truck LED upgrade |
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| David B. wrote: |
The truck looks good.
| Brian H wrote: |
| Before anyone asks about the colored lenses, the chief and I decided to go with colored because it's a fire truck and no need to hide them until they are on with clear lenses. I think they look really good and look amazing on. I will get some video when we get the 2 on the sides mounted here in the next couple of days |
That's the way it should be. I've never understood the need for colored lights with clear lenses on a fire or EMS unit.
David B. |
Don't some maufacturers charge extra for putting colored lenses on or don't even make colored lenses in the first place though? |
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WEVFD2341
Regular
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 760
Location: West Elmira, ny
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| Posted: Fri 15-Aug-2008 15:20 Post subject: |
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I didnt see it soooooooooo I guess I'll be the first to post it
VIDS?? (if able) |
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LED138
Regular
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 480
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Fri 15-Aug-2008 20:45 Post subject: Re: Fire Truck LED upgrade |
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| Brian H wrote: |
| I will get some video when we get the 2 on the sides mounted here in the next couple of days |
Psst... he said it in his post.. last line |
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dustymedic
Contributing Member
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
Posts: 2562
Location: Columbus,OH-IO!
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| Posted: Fri 15-Aug-2008 21:17 Post subject: |
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I'll agree with the colored lenses on fire trucks. The clear only look good on white vehicles. A department in our district just got a new medic that's red. There are colored lenses on the front & back of the box,but the warning lights on the side of the box, grill, & front fenders are white. It just doesn't look right some how....
But if you aren't in Europe, blue on a fire truck is just wrong!!!! |
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LED138
Regular
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 480
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Sat 16-Aug-2008 15:53 Post subject: Re: |
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| dustymedic wrote: |
But if you aren't in Europe, blue on a fire truck is just wrong!!!! |
Well then check out these apparatus with alot of blue...Clicky here!
(scroll through the pics and check the lightbars) |
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dustymedic
Contributing Member
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
Posts: 2562
Location: Columbus,OH-IO!
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| Posted: Sat 16-Aug-2008 17:58 Post subject: Re: |
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| LED138 wrote: |
| dustymedic wrote: |
But if you aren't in Europe, blue on a fire truck is just wrong!!!! |
Well then check out these apparatus with alot of blue...Clicky here!
(scroll through the pics and check the lightbars) |
A blue street hawg on a Mack CF ! They should have it taken away from them! |
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NJEMTMAN
Member
Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Location: West Orange NJ
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| Posted: Sun 17-Aug-2008 22:23 Post subject: |
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maybe the trucks were used and Mahwah got them from a place that uses blue light on fire trucks
now the pickup at the end why a blue light bar maybe it is in the same house as the truck with the blue lightbars and they just wanted to keep some uniformity in the house |
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Ben E.
Contributing Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Posts: 3524
Location: Tama county, IA
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| Posted: Mon 18-Aug-2008 01:45 Post subject: Re: |
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| dustymedic wrote: |
I'll agree with the colored lenses on fire trucks. The clear only look good on white vehicles. A department in our district just got a new medic that's red. There are colored lenses on the front & back of the box,but the warning lights on the side of the box, grill, & front fenders are white. It just doesn't look right some how....
But if you aren't in Europe, blue on a fire truck is just wrong!!!! |
Seriously, nobody cares. Red=emergency. blue=emergency. red and blue=emergency. who cares what colors the truck has? Most places in the US don't have designated, super-special colors for ONLY fire or ONLY police.
| NJEMTMAN wrote: |
maybe the trucks were used and Mahwah got them from a place that uses blue light on fire trucks
now the pickup at the end why a blue light bar maybe it is in the same house as the truck with the blue lightbars and they just wanted to keep some uniformity in the house |
Uhhhh... what? |
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LED138
Regular
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 480
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Mon 18-Aug-2008 08:59 Post subject: Re: |
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| NJEMTMAN wrote: |
maybe the trucks were used and Mahwah got them from a place that uses blue light on fire trucks
now the pickup at the end why a blue light bar maybe it is in the same house as the truck with the blue lightbars and they just wanted to keep some uniformity in the house |
Yes, the apparatus with the blue lightbars are all from the company. Thats their kind of trade mark. I agree with Ben E, it doesnt matter what colors are on the apparatus.. They are all emergency vehicles and if they want blue so be it.! |
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LED138
Regular
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 480
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Mon 18-Aug-2008 08:59 Post subject: Re: |
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| NJEMTMAN wrote: |
maybe the trucks were used and Mahwah got them from a place that uses blue light on fire trucks
now the pickup at the end why a blue light bar maybe it is in the same house as the truck with the blue lightbars and they just wanted to keep some uniformity in the house |
Yes, the apparatus with the blue lightbars are all from the company. Thats their kind of trade mark. I agree with Ben E, it doesnt matter what colors are on the apparatus.. They are all emergency vehicles and if they want blue so be it.! |
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R. Dodd 10-75 E.L.
Professional Upfitter
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 1922
Location: Oakland, NJ
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| Posted: Mon 18-Aug-2008 09:02 Post subject: |
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| haha mahwah buy a hand me down truck, when pigs fly. Like LED138 said its there trade mark or Tradition that they are all blue |
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NJEMTMAN
Member
Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Location: West Orange NJ
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| Posted: Wed 20-Aug-2008 09:06 Post subject: |
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| if you look all the trucks with blue lights are from 2 company |
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Brian H
Regular
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 543
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Wed 20-Aug-2008 09:31 Post subject: |
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| I'll try and get video this weekend. I'm in Des Moines for work all week so not around. Hopefully the side LED's will have been put on without my presense....yeah right I know |
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mooseseven
Regular
Joined: 01 Dec 2007
Posts: 630
Location: Bergen County, New Jersey
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| Posted: Wed 20-Aug-2008 11:16 Post subject: Re: |
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| R. Dodd 10-75 E.L. wrote: |
| haha mahwah buy a hand me down truck, when pigs fly. Like LED138 said its there trade mark or Tradition that they are all blue |
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PTR-Jason
Turbo Poster
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2261
Location: Menifee, CA
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| Posted: Wed 20-Aug-2008 13:59 Post subject: |
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| I agree with colored lens on fire trucks except if it is bumper mounted on the chrome or on a reflective stripe, that way it blends in, and looks nice IMO |
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CGFD43
Regular
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 388
Location: Cottage Grove, WI
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| Posted: Wed 20-Aug-2008 16:22 Post subject: Re: |
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| Ben E. wrote: |
| dustymedic wrote: |
I'll agree with the colored lenses on fire trucks. The clear only look good on white vehicles. A department in our district just got a new medic that's red. There are colored lenses on the front & back of the box,but the warning lights on the side of the box, grill, & front fenders are white. It just doesn't look right some how....
But if you aren't in Europe, blue on a fire truck is just wrong!!!! |
Seriously, nobody cares. Red=emergency. blue=emergency. red and blue=emergency. who cares what colors the truck has? Most places in the US don't have designated, super-special colors for ONLY fire or ONLY police.
| NJEMTMAN wrote: |
maybe the trucks were used and Mahwah got them from a place that uses blue light on fire trucks
now the pickup at the end why a blue light bar maybe it is in the same house as the truck with the blue lightbars and they just wanted to keep some uniformity in the house |
Uhhhh... what? |
Actually I can think of 1 state in particularthat the color does matter. In IL in Chicago blue is police and red is fire. you go outside of chicago red is fire, red and blue is police and just blue is a courtesy light for volunteers. The colors are based off population of the city. |
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Will
Regular
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 297
Location: Camdan CO,Missouri
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| Posted: Thu 21-Aug-2008 06:30 Post subject: Re: |
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| CGFD43 wrote: |
| Ben E. wrote: |
| dustymedic wrote: |
I'll agree with the colored lenses on fire trucks. The clear only look good on white vehicles. A department in our district just got a new medic that's red. There are colored lenses on the front & back of the box,but the warning lights on the side of the box, grill, & front fenders are white. It just doesn't look right some how....
But if you aren't in Europe, blue on a fire truck is just wrong!!!! |
Seriously, nobody cares. Red=emergency. blue=emergency. red and blue=emergency. who cares what colors the truck has? Most places in the US don't have designated, super-special colors for ONLY fire or ONLY police.
| NJEMTMAN wrote: |
maybe the trucks were used and Mahwah got them from a place that uses blue light on fire trucks
now the pickup at the end why a blue light bar maybe it is in the same house as the truck with the blue lightbars and they just wanted to keep some uniformity in the house |
Uhhhh... what? |
Actually I can think of 1 state in particularthat the color does matter. In IL in Chicago blue is police and red is fire. you go outside of chicago red is fire, red and blue is police and just blue is a courtesy light for volunteers. The colors are based off population of the city. |
And think how dumb that is.
I never understood why there is a need to try and color code the lights when they mean the something. I would say that 99.99% of the people in the world do not care. |
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NJEMTMAN
Member
Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Location: West Orange NJ
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| Posted: Thu 21-Aug-2008 06:47 Post subject: |
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| 99.99 % of normal people dont care the other .1 percent are on the boards here |
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René Foppes
Moderator
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 1679
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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| Posted: Thu 21-Aug-2008 07:04 Post subject: |
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Then, would you hesitate to go out of the way for a firetruck with blue lights because "it should have red/clear on it" or do you yield just as fast?
In which case, color does not matter. It only matters because you're used to it being a certain color, that does not define that it's more or less important an emergency vehicle.
In The Netherlands we have 3-tone sirens on our ambulances. There's one test project with ambulances having Wail and Yelp in the siren as well.
The sound may confuse people because it's not what they're used to but the emergency is still the same "Get out of my way". |
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PTR-Jason
Turbo Poster
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2261
Location: Menifee, CA
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| Posted: Thu 21-Aug-2008 14:14 Post subject: |
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It is simple about lights,
People will pull over if they want to, no matter who you are or what lights they have, yes some lights means they will get in trouble if they do not pull over, but in the end, you still have to wait for them to yield to you. |
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CGFD43
Regular
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 388
Location: Cottage Grove, WI
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| Posted: Thu 21-Aug-2008 15:35 Post subject: Re: |
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| René Foppes wrote: |
In which case, color does not matter. It only matters because you're used to it being a certain color, that does not define that it's more or less important an emergency vehicle.
In The Netherlands we have 3-tone sirens on our ambulances. There's one test project with ambulances having Wail and Yelp in the siren as well.
The sound may confuse people because it's not what they're used to but the emergency is still the same "Get out of my way". |
Color most certainly does matter because the color may determine whether you are a courtesy vehicle or an actual emergency vehicle. Which in the end means whether I can write someone for not yielding and who may be at fault in an accident.
The old county I used to live in had dual sirens...VERY effective. Definitely made you look around thinking there were a couple pieces of apparatus coming then the little old bambulance flies by and thats it. |
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