Code 3 NightProbe Bar

kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
Hi all,
I recently obtained this Code 3 NightProbe bar. I’m in the process of tearing it down, cleaning it, replacing the belts and rewiring (it was cut short to the frame).
Does anyone have a wiring diagram or info regarding these bars? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 

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Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
I am currently in the process of revising & rewiring a Code3 SD bar with Nightprobe and SelectAlert option.

The (schematic) wiring diagram in the Patent is the only one I could find. Helped me a lot!
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Which light bulbs are installed for the Nightprobe? 4454 dual filament bulbs?
I have seen a variety of bulbs. The last one I laid hands on had the default weird dual filament bulbs, I have one in a box at home. I will look when I get off duty. I know bulbs were an option you could pick when ordering, but it said "special dual filament" as a default and i know I have one. Standby

probe.JPG
 
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kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
Thanks Tony. I pulled the driver side tray up and there’s wire nuts. I don’t think that was a factory option . This’ll be a task to figure it out. Literature I’ve seen said you can reverse the motor to widen the search area. I’m wondering if a Control head is indeed necessary to operate this.
I have seen a variety of bulbs. The last one I laid hands on had the default weird dual filament bulbs, I have one in a box at home. I will look when I get off duty. I know bulbs were an option you could pick when ordering, but it said "special dual filament" as a default and i know I have one. Standby

View attachment 240798
they have been a nightmare to find. Everything you find online that gives you hope, once you go looking or try to add to cart, they are out of stock.
 

kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
I am currently in the process of revising & rewiring a Code3 SD bar with Nightprobe and SelectAlert option.

The (schematic) wiring diagram in the Patent is the only one I could find. Helped me a lot!
I guess I actually need to print out the schematic. I’m a picture type of person lol.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Some versions did use a special controller. There were a lot of versions of these. Wire nuts should not be present in any factory setup. These are super hard to put back together because of the variations in setups. Here is some more info.probe2.JPG
 
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Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
Yeah, that’s the one that I’m looking for. One side works, but the other one had a crack in the glass which let the magic smoke out lol.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one yet, so I'll have to find something similar.
Do you know what kind of light cone the 4454 produces? Is it a flood, spot or something in between? Could you maybe take a picture of how it looks on the wall?
 

kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one yet, so I'll have to find something similar.
Do you know what kind of light cone the 4454 produces? Is it a flood, spot or something in between? Could you maybe take a picture of how it looks on the wall?
It’s actually a combination of flood and spot. The bulbs they used were actually originally designed for snowmobile. Headlights many years ago. One beam was lower, and the other was higher. That’s how they facilitated the highbeam and low beam. The more you know! Lol.
 

kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
Some versions did use a special controller. There were a lot of versions of these. Wire nuts should not be present in any factory setup. These are super hard to put back together because of the variations in setups. Here is some more info.View attachment 240799
Thanks John,
Ideally would be nice to find somebody who has one of these bars, so I can kind of see where the wiring was supposed to go. The main wire harness coming out of the bar that was cut only had four leaves on it. So that makes me wonder as well. and that’s where the wire nuts are connected to. They have a bunch of different wires tied into it that go to each side of the bar. Also, when the alley light function is activated, the dual filament bulb lights up, and so does the opposite side, one and the same pod, but that one is very dim. Which makes me believe tAlso, when the alley light function is activated, the dual filament bulb lights up, and so does the opposite side one and the same pod, but that one is very dim. Which makes me believe that maybe the diode is bad.
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
I pulled the driver side tray up and there’s wire nuts. I don’t think that was a factory option . This’ll be a task to figure it out. Literature I’ve seen said you can reverse the motor to widen the search area. I’m wondering if a Control head is indeed necessary to operate this.
With the Nightprobe-option and a standard inboard rotator you should have 6 wires per side and 2 for the speaker.

With inboard selectalert-option one additional wire per side is added
Before:
IMG_4204a.jpg

after:
IMG_4669a.jpg
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
Also, when the alley light function is activated, the dual filament bulb lights up, and so does the opposite side, one and the same pod, but that one is very dim.
Both sides should work independently. If the Alley light is activated on the driver's side, the passenger side should continue to spin normally.
 
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kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
Both sides should work independently. If the Alley light is activated on the driver's side, the passenger side should continue to spin normally.
It does. It’s the bulb in the same pod that is opposite of the dual filament bulb (the one that is facing the mirror). Like it’s getting power back fed at a lower voltage. I could take the multimeter to it and confirm though.
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
Ah ok!
For the nightprobe to work properly, there must be ground on the black and gray wire. +12V should only be on the lightred wire and the brown one should only be connected to the green one (without connection to ground or +12V)

Opposite side same colors + black line
Provided the wire colors are the same as they were on my SD Bar.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Ah ok!
For the nightprobe to work properly, there must be ground on the black and gray wire. +12V should only be on the lightred wire and the brown one should only be connected to the green one (without connection to ground or +12V)

Opposite side same colors + black line
Provided the wire colors are the same as they were on my SD Bar.
The controllers essentially just connected the colored wires together in different configurations. This sounds correct. Having select alert and the more advanced nite probe together adds a a wire for each if I remember. This looks correct. I hope I still have my bulbs. Them being atv or snowmobile headlights would make sense.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
I can't find the bulb(s) I pulled out but I did find several NIB bulbs I bought to replace them via cross referencing the bad one. I honestly don't see the claimed "flood and spot" that the box references, but this is where I got replacing what was in it. The original bulb had very light fluting on the glass like a standard 7400, but this is what the cross search got me.

PXL_20221125_021412909.MP.jpgPXL_20221125_021424892.MP.jpgPXL_20221125_021415405.MP.jpg

"extra position" contact
PXL_20221125_023040725.MP.jpg

Standard "position" contact
PXL_20221125_023059508.MP.jpg

Both
PXL_20221125_023145276.MP.jpg
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Still, it illuminates more area than the single filament (that will deliver the pop while in rotation).
Yeah, that's what I thought. I still think that this was an "incomplete" or "closest in stock" cross-reference and not the 100% exactly original bulb. It has been a year but I am pretty sure this was the only production bulb I could get with the three contacts in the correct style and not heavily fluted (as you said allowing for it to "pop" as a rotator).

Most dual filament bulbs have headlight style contacts that use the "can flasher plug" connector. You can bend them down but that's a risk. Also most dual filament par 36s are heavily fluted (probably because they are used as high / low beam headlights).

These 4700s are the closest thing I found compared to what I pulled out. FYI I have several of these bulbs and I would sell them for what I paid which I can look up if you anyone wants them.

Most dual filament par 36s have these contacts:
61-6kKQIkZL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

The type I think is required and on the 4700s I found:
contacts11.jpg
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
The 4700 bulb is used in the FedSig Visibeam SL. I have them (because of the Visibeam SL) in stock. Because of the almost double the power, I refrained from using it in the SD.

I have tried the #4460 (40W/40W, 12V) - has the right contacts but is heavily fluted.
Lights up in a wide flat area. Is not what I expected and doesn't look right! (
but I haven't seen yet what the #4454 looks like)

one filament:
IMG_4763.JPG
both:
IMG_4762.JPG

Next I'll try the #H4460x - maybe it looks better.

Most dual filament par 36s have these contacts:
61-6kKQIkZL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

The type I think is required and on the 4700s I found:
contacts11.jpg
Had to resolder a contact of the #4460, otherwise it would not have fit into the old lamp holders.

You can also change the contacts yourself (if necessary). All you need is a soldering iron and a few contacts from old/defective lights.
Maybe this is the key to getting a suitable replacement!
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
The 4700 bulb is used in the FedSig Visibeam SL. I have them (because of the Visibeam SL) in stock. Because of the almost double the power, I refrained from using it in the SD.

I have tried the #4460 (40W/40W, 12V) - has the right contacts but is heavily fluted.
Lights up in a wide flat area. Is not what I expected and doesn't look right! (
but I haven't seen yet what the #4454 looks like)

one filament:
View attachment 240854
both:
View attachment 240853

Next I'll try the #H4460x - maybe it looks better.


Had to resolder a contact of the #4460, otherwise it would not have fit into the old lamp holders.

You can also change the contacts yourself (if necessary). All you need is a soldering iron and a few contacts from old/defective lights.
Maybe this is the key to getting a suitable replacement!
I say with 99% certainty that the correct bulbs are not (at least heavily) fluted. The 4700s I have are by far the closest thing to what was in the bar I worked on (the watts may be too high). The contacts can be changed on other lights, but the fact that they need to be tells me they aren't right. A non-fluted or lightly fluted dual filament bulb is what was installed from the factory. The 4554 is closer, but still more fluted than what I saw. I am still looking for a parts list that I thought I had. My take on it is the less fluted the better. If to try a 4700 I will ship you one for the cost of shipping. I will continue looking for the dead bulb I pulled from the bar too.
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
The 4700s I have are by far the closest thing to what was in the bar I worked on (the watts may be too high). The contacts can be changed on other lights, but the fact that they need to be tells me they aren't right.
Even on the 4700, I would have to change the direction of the contacts to fit into the early SD lampholders.

IMG_4769 (2).JPGIMG_4770.JPG
I hope you can see what I mean (is difficult to make a picture of it).

I don't know if this was also necessary on the original 4454 bulbs. Maybe is exactly that what Code3 means by "special dual-filament lamp"?

... If to try a 4700 I will ship you one for the cost of shipping. ...
Thanks for the offer! I have them in stock.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Even on the 4700, I would have to change the direction of the contacts to fit into the early SD lampholders.

View attachment 240862View attachment 240863
I hope you can see what I mean (is difficult to make a picture of it).

I don't know if this was also necessary on the original 4454 bulbs. Maybe is exactly that what Code3 means by "special dual-filament lamp"?


Thanks for the offer! I have them in stock.
The ones I pulled out didn't orient right either, I'm not sure Code 3's intended positioning. The 4460 has several different levels of fluting based on the bulbs I have browsed, which is odd.

Here is a PDF with all the par 36 bulbs GE made, you can look through for dual filament ones. I did again note that some have different fluting even within the same model, so again that's a thing.

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/GE/GE-Specialty-Lamps-1983.CV01.pdf

I'm not sure what their intended setup was. I felt like the one I tore down was factory but it still looked odd the way the bulbs oriented. I found the price list, it only lists the 7400 for warning and no mention of the night probe bulb. I wouldn't be surprised if Code 3 used different bulbs as they perfected the design. All the bars I have seen seem either altered or represent a "factory modified" holder and contacts. I would go so far as to say and dual filament bulb that still works as a rotator would be fine.
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
The ones I pulled out didn't orient right either, I'm not sure Code 3's intended positioning. The 4460 has several different levels of fluting based on the bulbs I have browsed, which is odd. ...
Have seen different fluting on the same bulbtype just because they were from different manufacturers. Sometimes it's a bit confusing!

... Here is a PDF with all the par 36 bulbs GE made, you can look through for dual filament ones. I did again note that some have different fluting even within the same model, so again that's a thing.

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/GE/GE-Specialty-Lamps-1983.CV01.pdf

I'm not sure what their intended setup was. I felt like the one I tore down was factory but it still looked odd the way the bulbs oriented. I found the price list, it only lists the 7400 for warning and no mention of the night probe bulb. I wouldn't be surprised if Code 3 used different bulbs as they perfected the design. All the bars I have seen seem either altered or represent a "factory modified" holder and contacts. I would go so far as to say and dual filament bulb that still works as a rotator would be fine.
Thanks, I had been looking for such an overview for a long time, but had not been able to find anything.

But unfortunately the 4454 is not listed. If I looked correctly.
 

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one yet, so I'll have to find something similar.
Do you know what kind of light cone the 4454 produces? Is it a flood, spot or something in between? Could you maybe take a picture of how it looks on the wall?
It’s actually a combination of flood and spot. The bulbs they used were actually originally designed for snowmobile. Headlights many years ago. One beam was lower, and the other was higher. That’s how they facilitated the highbeam and low beam. The more you know! Lol.
Could you please take some pictures of the 4454 bulb (front/back) itself and from both light beams on an wall?
I have never seen the right bulb in function and the attempt to replace it is without a comparison like a shot in the dark.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
I ordered a 4454 bulb and got a 4440 some years ago. it a wattage difference. The fluting is the same.

Here is what I found.

4440

bulb4440x40w.jpg

4454
382576575423_d46366c0-feea-4118-a133-25d9708a7512_1024x1024.jpgA17P_1_20190617647373555.jpg

The fluting stays the same-ish, they are listed as atv/motorcycle/scooter headlamps
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Thanks, I had been looking for such an overview for a long time, but had not been able to find anything.

But unfortunately the 4454 is not listed. If I looked correctly.
No it is not listed on that list, you are correct. If you look through for "3" under the contacts/connections section you get a lot of equivalents, all listed as headlamps for various small vehicles. When you google them they all have very fluted lenses, the 3 contact exception is 4700 which is listed as "spot and flood" vs. "low and high". The only bulb I personally have gotten my hands on that has 3 "normal lightbar" type contacts, is spot/flood, and is not heavily flute is the 4700. That does not in any way mean there are not others out there. As noted even "complete" lists for bulbs are not always complete, especially for the number of decades sealed beams have been made.
 

kenwied

Member
Jan 22, 2015
77
Wisconsin
I was able to find this on eBay for a decent price.

The last 2 pictures are the actual bulb I removed from the bar. The only difference is the contacts on the back are fitted for terminal screws.
 

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JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
I was able to find this on eBay for a decent price.

The last 2 pictures are the actual bulb I removed from the bar. The only difference is the contacts on the back are fitted for terminal screws.
That is what I meant by "less fluted". That looks right...the level of fluting on the glass is often wrong in pictures; they reuse photos. I'm glad you found the this.
 

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