Opticom Preemption through the years

[JohnMarcson]

Here are some different models of 3M Opticom traffic preemption devices I have lying around.

These examples range from an early model with mineral oil in the bulb for cooling (approx. 1970) to a 2000s unit. I don't have any infrared ones.


Approx. 1970


Approx. 1980


Approx. 1990s (for mounting on a Whelen edge or edge plus. Multiple encoding based on dip switches and multiple priorities based on wire sectected.


Approx. early 2000s, but for units that didn't have the edge series bars, Whelen offered this stand alone unit that mounted to a flat surface.

 

[167]

Never seen that last one you posted John. Interesting. Strobe version with the same 14hz flash pattern?

 

[JohnMarcson]

Never seen that last one you posted John. Interesting. Strobe version with the same 14hz flash pattern?

Yeah, you could use pretty much any head you wanted, why they chose that one I don't know. It came with a remote supply that looks just like the ones for any other 3M opticom.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

City of Louisville, KY started using them in the 70s and outfitted all fire apparatus. Pretty effective as a warning device too. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, John.



There between the 174-As. This was Capt. Jim Murphy’s truck (note the ”chopped” Ward LaFrance cab to accommodate the snorkel boom). On his off days he was week day staff at the volunteer department I was on. I learned a lot from those guys!

 

[JohnMarcson]

City of Louisville, KY started using them in the 70s and outfitted all fire apparatus. Pretty effective as a warning device too. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, John.

View attachment 240039

There between the 174-As. This was Capt. Jim Murphy’s truck (note the ”chopped” Ward LaFrance cab to accommodate the snorkel boom). On his off days he was week day staff at the volunteer department I was on. I learned a lot from those guys!

I think I actually bought the two older ones from the Louisville. One is complete with installation instructions.

 

[167]

Yeah, you could use pretty much any head you wanted, why they chose that one I don't know. It came with a remote supply that looks just like the ones for any other 3M opticom.

Nice!