Federal Model 175 Problems

Ken L

First let me say that I have very little experience working on old beacon lights.
I recently purchased a Federal model 175 beacon light that was said to be in working condition. The light looks to be in fair condition but when I hook it up to a 12 volt DC converter, the only thing that works is the one clear bulb that is angled up. And of course, it does not rotate. I haven�t taken it apart yet but have the dome off and the bulbs all have filaments, the wiring looks good to be so old and everything is very clean inside .
I plan to test the bulbs individually but I need advice on what I should do next. I would really appreciate it very much if someone familiar with this model could give me some direction. It would probably be best if someone could email me to offer any help. Again, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks very much.
klitton@highpoint.net

Peter F

Ken, there are 2 contact terminals on a 175 . One is for the \"Hill\" bulb and the other terminal is for the other bulbs . First ground the light base ,then put power to either terminal. You will find out which one is for which bulbs by trying each terminal . I believe the straight bulbs will turn the motor and the hill bulb is or can be on a seperate switch . OR you can simply put 12 volts to each terminal and ground the light base and all should work of one switch . Hope this helps .

Ken L

Peter

Thanks for the reply. I guess it helps a great deal if you know how to operate the light. Now I know the motor works good and the lights do burn but I still have a glitch.

If I run the ground wire to the base and touch one of the terminals with my hot wire the motor works and both red lights burn. If I touch the other terminal, one of the clear bulbs (the one angled down) burns but the other clear \"hill light\" does not. This is strange because when I first tried to test the light, I could only get that bulb to burn. Why would it not burn now?

I tested this bulb in another light and it works. ??

Ken L

Sorry if my last post is confusing. Now I can get everything to work except the one clear hill light. I took that bulb out and tested it and it is working. Any ideas why it does not work in the light?

cmb56

You have three brushes in the 175. You will see one at the bottom of the gear box with the two power terminals. It is for the straight sealed beams (the red ones in your case). The second one is inside the gear box and is for ground purpose. The third one is on the lower part of the lamp head. That one is for the tilted sealed beams. The problem must be around that brush or the grounding (a screw on the lower part of the lamp head) for the tilted sealed beams. Check the wires to these two sealed beams to see if there are any bad connection.

Ken L

I can't see any loose wiring connections and there is no sign of wires being burned.

The bulb that doesn�t work (the one angled up) has one wire connected to the other clear bulb that is working. The other wire from the non-working bulb goes down to a screw and lock nut on the metal plate that holds the bulbs. There is another wire which is also attached to that screw and lock nut and it goes to one of the red bulbs that work. ???

I apologize for not knowing the some of the terminology being used here. I have very limited experience working on beacon lights.

maxim2eng

Ken,

Sounds like you don't have the \"hill\" bulb properly grounded. Best to check the whole wiring to make sure it's right: First, all the bulbs (with the exception of the \"hill\" bulb--the one aimed skyward) are mounted with the bulb screws aimed vertically--this alligns the element for proper \"flash\".

One wire from each bulb is grounded to two nuts on the lower bulb mounting plate The other bulb screws are for the power. The red bulbs are connected to the power terminal at the top centre of the upper bulb mounting plate. The clear (aimed) bulbs are powered by an connector on the lower bulb mounting plate. The low-aimed bulb power wire (upper screw) runs directly to this connector and the hill bulb has one wire grounded and the power wire connected to the power bulb screw of the low-aimed clear bulb.

I know...lots of words, but I have pictures to help if you need them. Let me know.
Ed

Ken L

Ed,

I understand what your saying but if you would, please email me the pictures so I don't overlook something.

Ken L

Finally! Thanks Ed!

On my light, the lower aimed bulb power wire was connected to the bottom screw on the bulb. The wire from the upper screw ran to the to the upper screw of the hill light bulb. The ground wire was connected to the top of the low aimed light also. In effect, I guess the hill light was double grounded and I hadn�t noticed this. This is how it was wired when I got it and I didn�t noticed until now. Everything works great now.

I want to thank everyone very much for all of your help. Several people emailed and one very nice person called me to offer help. Thanks!

	eLightbars.org Forum -> Collectible lighting	All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Page 1 of 1