Buckeye Moto-Ray oscillating light

[jtf027]

Here are some better photos of the Buckeye Moto-Ray that was mentioned in the other thread. I had a request for better photos. Hopefully these photos turn out well, apparently the size was greatly reduced when uploaded.


Buckeye Moto-Ray


Model 507


6 volt


Patent No 2123090


The lighthead seems to be a K-D Model 850, or at least the glass lens is. The long upright bolts on the side are in place for display only, to keep the light upright and attached to a display base.


Patent information shows:


patented Jul 5, 1938 to R.C. Anderson and Buckeye Iron Works, Dayton, OH

 

[JohnMarcson]

Thanks do much for posting this. I love it when a user brings out a light that has only been rumored to have existed at all. Thanks again!


Also see the thread that began this one, with more pics and patent info.


http://elightbars.org/forums/f18/oscillating-traffic-clearing-lights-thread-8731/#post398226

 

[fyr1075k]

Fantastic !


I looked last night through my books. This type of light is on a Reading PA, Bureau of Fire, Chief Car, circa 1947. Brooklin Models has a diecast of it (I will have to take a phot of it) with the light on top. I have seen this light a few times for sale, but never was able to see who made it. Thanks for the photos,

 

[Fireman2941]

I just bought one of these at a flea market. Anyone have a rough idea of the value? It appears that they are fairly rare.

 

[jtf027]

is yours identical to this one ?

I just bought one of these at a flea market. Anyone have a rough idea of the value? It appears that they are fairly rare.

 

[Fireman2941]

is yours identical to this one ?

Not to brag but mine is in better shape. Chrome is in good plus condition... very few nicks and scratches but no flaking. The only difference I see is that the the back of the light (shell) on mine is painted black I assume to reduce glare.

 

[jtf027]

well, congratulations. There is speculation that there are only a few in existence. Post photos of yours.....

Not to brag but mine is in better shape. Chrome is in good plus condition... very few nicks and scratches but no flaking. The only difference I see is that the the back of the light (shell) on mine is painted black I assume to reduce glare.

 

[Fireman2941]

Here are some photos of the Buckeye Moto Ray that I purchased over the weekend. The light itself is an S & M Number 52 light and the Moto Ray unit is 12 volts.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here are some photos of the Buckeye Moto Ray that I purchased over the weekend. The light itself is an S & M Number 52 light and the Moto Ray unit is 12 volts.

I think you found the one that was refurbed by a late board member. He stated once that he refurbed several single digit serial number buckeye lights. That's a heck of a find.

 

[Fireman2941]

I think you found the one that was refurbed by a late board member. He stated once that he refurbed several single digit serial number buckeye lights. That's a heck of a find.

Any idea on value?

 

[Skip Goulet]

Now I've seen something that I've never seen before. When I first looked at your post, I thought you had a Roto-Ray and had just mispelled it! This is something nice, and has got to be very old (especially if I've never seen one).


The Carpenter Light people had a similar oscillating light that sat on a small "box" like that. They also marketed a single-faced light that competed with Federal's FS3 light; the main difference being that the Carpenter light had red plastic lenses that faded badly to a pink shade, where the FS3 had thick glass lenses. Carpenter also offered an oscillating version of the single face light as well.

 

[jtf027]

beautiful example

 

[Fireman2941]

I'm still trying to determine if I paid too much for it. Does anyone have any idea as to what the value of this light would be? Also, does anyone know how many were made?

 

[jtf027]

Ive been trying to get these same answers for weeks......

 

[JohnMarcson]

As far as value, there are less than ten left in existence. So what ever someone pays is the price... there simply aren;t enough to say what a standard price is. I'd pay $500 max, but that's my max on almost all lights..

 

[Liberty703]

Sorry I didn't post this sooner, trying to clean out my camera's SD card and stumbled onto it. Part of a friends collection, snapped some photo's of his collection before he moved. Only one I've seen still sporting roof/grill mounting brackets. No idea where he got it or what it saw service on.

 

[shues]

Sorry I didn't post this sooner, trying to clean out my camera's SD card and stumbled onto it. Part of a friends collection, snapped some photo's of his collection before he moved. Only one I've seen still sporting roof/grill mounting brackets. No idea where he got it or what it saw service on.

These things sure are coming out of the woodwork!

 

[Skip Goulet]

These things sure are coming out of the woodwork!

I was recently given a copy of a nice "old ambulances"book called EMS Classics by Peter Adsten. Peter was an owner of Canadian-based Crestline Coach. One picture that I found interesting was of a bright red '49 Cadillac ambulance from TN that sported twin Mars FL8 lights on the fenders and an original Roto-Ray light on the roof. The siren wasn't visible, so there's no telling what it was; but it made me wonder how they powered that car with three motor-driven lights plus the siren. I would suspect that they used twin batteries and maybe a truck-type generator. Another interesting unit was a 1949 Chevy sedan-delivery that was converted by Weller Bros of Memphis. This little truck sported two single-faced red lights on the front corners of the roof with a Mars FL8 in the center; and there was a big Federal C6B siren with the PropelloRay light on the left fender and a free-standing PropelloRay light on the right fender. Again for this car.....how'd they do it?

 

[Henry455]

Here is another similar light:


Antique Fire Emergency Light | eBay

 

[Skip Goulet]

I had mentioned the Buckey RotoRay earlier. Last night while watching the late news, a story was presented showing a new firetruck just purchased by the small town of Andrews,TX, just NW of us. This new aerial ladder truck had LED lights, a Q siren, an electronic siren and an all-clear RotoRay mounted to the front of the truck. I've never seen anything spin quite so fast!!