Thread: Federal PA15 - 1E Problem HELP!

Have a vintage PA15 1E (lat70s-early 80s) installed and the last 2 parades have been on warm days. Near the end of each parade the siren goes to shrill, much faster pulsing tones and does not work correctly. I'm guessing it's getting too hot!. Is it near death, or an easy fix I can do myself?????????? Have a same era PA 20 1E waiting in the wings as a possible replacement. Is it time to replace???????

It's possible that heat is affecting it, but it could be a capacitor or resistor that's calling it quits.

Originally Posted by 72copriv

Have a vintage PA15 1E (lat70s-early 80s) installed and the last 2 parades have been on warm days. Near the end of each parade the siren goes to shrill, much faster pulsing tones and does not work correctly. I'm guessing it's getting too hot!. Is it near death, or an easy fix I can do myself?????????? Have a same era PA 20 1E waiting in the wings as a possible replacement. Is it time to replace???????

Open it up. You may be able to see the resistor / or capacitor that is going south. The defective components may be discolored or "swollen".

If the sound is changing and the selector is in the 'yelp' position, then it could be either capacitors C6 or C7 that are wearing out.

If it's something worse than that and not fixable, then get another PA15A 1E. 1Es are cheap and easy to find.

I have a great guy that fixes sirens very reasonable

if you want to send it for repair let me know and I can send his info

email me at dcaptain@aol if you need it.

dale

When unit is left on for a while then sound turned on, weird tones (sped up versions) are both in wail and yelp.
Thank you to both Wailer and Dale Cohen. Car is back in storage until one last show in August. Will try to check it before then and see what's inside. Both units are the newer 1E, PA15 and PA20 so not exactly correct and cheap. No sure if the 15 if worth fixing in that case. May use the PA20 waiting in the garage.
Kevin in ND

Originally Posted by 72copriv

PA15 and PA20 so not exactly correct and cheap.

The PA15A series 1E and PA20A series 2E are the most common versions of the Director and Interceptor. They were in production for a long time and they are easy to find. They are not worth as much as the earlier versions of the Director and Interceptor.