Beefing Up a CJ-194

[DalmatProd]

Hey gang,


Sorry for my extended absence, but same old problem. But I am going in for the procedure on my back tomorrow, but paying for it myself since the insurance company can't make up their mind.


Anyway....my CJ-184 works like a dream, both the lights and the speaker. However, my good friend reminded me that most of the police departments that used them as their sole emergency illumination on their vehicles (and a number of fire departments, as well) were able to mod the motor somehow to increase the speed of the revolutions. I can remember that when the Mass State Police (not to be messed with) used them on their cruisers statewide, they rotated much faster than mine does. Additionally, we had two of these on our Snorkl back in Greensboro in the '70's and they turned considerably faster than mine.


Any ideas on the mod? Henry? Skip? Anybody?


Thanks,


Steve


DalmatProd

 

[CrownVic97]

Found this old post of mine with the inexpensive trick to make your CJ184 go hyperspeed.

CFD125 had a thread a long time back about using a simple rubber grommet that fits over the drive shaft and putting the band in the grommet's groove to increase the rotation rate of the CJ beacons. Here's a pic and video from his photobucket library.




Pa Light Video by CFD125 | Photobucket

And here's another thread for a "crackhead CJ184." :thumbsup:


http://elightbars.org/forums/f18/what-size-grommet-do-you-use-speed-up-federal-signal-cj-184-a-23478/


I did this same trick with my CJ and man does it go fast! I don't have the grommet on the motor post now, but I have it stashed away for when I do want to .

 

[DalmatProd]

Thanks CV for the links. Following them I found the details of the grommet to buy at Lowe's, including the part number! Ha!


Thanks again. Once I'm up and about, I'll pick it up and then post comparable videos.


Take care!

 

[CrownVic97]

You're welcome, Steve! Hope all goes well with you in the next few days .

 

[stansdds]

Ah, yes, the old grommet over the motor shaft trick. The CJ-185/284 supposedly gave 105 flashes per minute, but that was under perfect conditions with a brand new beacon. Put them out in the weather and in service for a while and the belt would slip in an excessive manner. The grommet provided a much better grip as well as a larger diameter drive, so the beacon would provide about 150 flashes per minute.


Good luck on you surgery and sorry about your insurance treating you like that.

 

[DalmatProd]

Thanks, Stansdds, both for the CJ184 info, as well as your good wishes. I'm heading out at 10 EST. When, (NOT if) all goes well, I should be back online this evening and headed to Lowe's by Saturday or Sunday to pick up my little grommet.

 

[Wailer]

Where I live the city FD had three pumpers and a rescue unit with CJs. From what I can remember all of them had the fast flash speed.

 

[Liberty703]

One of the other CJ-184's I have simply has a short piece of heater hose over the drive pulley to increase diameter.

 

[DalmatProd]

I believe that is what will be the result adding the grommet from Lowe's.

 

[Liberty703]

Same effect, but curious whether groove in grommet would add resistance to drive belt.

 

[Skip Goulet]

Now I've learned something new. I would've guessed that you would've had to replace the motor with something Federal had available. So simple! :crazy:

 

[DalmatProd]

Now I've learned something new. I would've guessed that you would've had to replace the motor with something Federal had available. So simple! :crazy:

Skip - I was thinking the same thing and I'm no "motorhead." I figured I'd have to leave it just as it is. But if the grommet truly works, it's one of those amazingly simple, yet rare, solutions in life!

 

[Skip Goulet]

Skip - I was thinking the same thing and I'm no "motorhead." I figured I'd have to leave it just as it is. But if the grommet truly works, it's one of those amazingly simple, yet rare, solutions in life!

I agree, Steve. I don't know how many junior beacons were scrapped because of a little plastic gear that went bad that Federal didn't, or wouldn't, supply. Eventually the late John Dorgan came up with a supplier. I know that I scrapped a decent old Junior because of that. And a similar gear on the 174s that gave it its wig-wag also went bad, and I think J.D. had a supplier of those, too.