Evolution Of The Federal Vitalite

[dmathieu]

The Vitalite has always been one of my favorites, and very effective. The best I can give you is a 1962 start.

You are correct, yours is a newer version. A plus to this 3rd version is the ability to run while not completely level, due to the added tension wheel on the drive disc.

Another plus is the base down bulb configuration.

Stansdds is our date expert, and would be your man for more dates on this light.

 

[toon80]

In Army of Darkness, i think the first beacon shown at S-Mart is a vitalite, the latter is a blue code 3 550. Maybe someone can confirm.

 

[stansdds]

Sorry, but I have not even tried to put all the dates on the Vitalite. I know that production started in 1962 and ended sometime around 1998.  Series A1 was the first, I'm not sure what changes were introduced with the Series A2 nor when it was introduced. The Series B was in production by the early 80's and was a major design change, the bulb turned base down and a pinch roller to keep the motor shaft in contact with the rubber ring on the rotator plate.  The Series B could also be ordered with the H1 halogen bulb.

 

[kitn1mcc]

are they still in production

 

[dmathieu]

I believe an industrial version may still be offered under a name other than Vitalite; Electraray comes to mind..

 

[Skulldigger]

Here's a beautiful Vitalite 121S 120 Volt.

The light is NOS with original box.

I installed a perfect 1960s vintage Deep Ruby Red dome, and a cord and plug, and rubber feet on the bottom for shelf or table mounting.

View attachment 100176

Is that a standard base  you have? or did you make that?  Mine is pretty basic on the bottom. Am I missing something?

 

[dmathieu]

This is the standard base on the 121S 120 Volt model with the pipe mount removed. I added the rubber feet.

 

[Skulldigger]

This may help with our timeline.  I took mine apart to start the clean up and repair process and the motor is stamped '76.  That matches the symbol on the tag to be 76 or later.  As a reminder, mine is a Type 3, 121A, B1

 

[stansdds]

This may help with our timeline.  I took mine apart to start the clean up and repair process and the motor is stamped '76.  That matches the symbol on the tag to be 76 or later.  As a reminder, mine is a Type 3, 121A, B1

That does help!  I also like to gather photographic evidence for record keeping and research purposed.  Just a guess, but since Federal introduced the FB11/12 for 1976 and the Series B Vitalite shares the drive design basics of the FB11/12, 1976 might be the introductory year for the Series B Vitalite.

Oh, looks like I may have to start digging into the 121 history now.

 

[stansdds]

are they still in production

The original 121 design is no longer in production.  The current Vitalite is sold for industrial uses, the 121A (24 VDC), 121S (120 VAC) and 225 Electraray (120 VAC), all have a completely redesigned base and dome.

 

[Skulldigger]

That does help!  I also like to gather photographic evidence for record keeping and research purposed.  Just a guess, but since Federal introduced the FB11/12 for 1976 and the Series B Vitalite shares the drive design basics of the FB11/12, 1976 might be the introductory year for the Series B Vitalite.

Oh, looks like I may have to start digging into the 121 history now.

i have the patent info I think..at least for the image. When i get home tonight I will post that and some pics for you.

 

[dmathieu]

The latest I have is a 1992 Vitalite advertising page.

 

[Billy Goldfeder]

We used to "speed up" the Vitalites by taking 10g wire stripping insulation off a wire and sliding it onto the post coming out of the motor. 

 

[stansdds]

We used to "speed up" the Vitalites by taking 10g wire stripping insulation off a wire and sliding it onto the post coming out of the motor. 

That will certainly do it, much like the rubber grommet on the drive pulley of a CJ184/284.

The latest I have is a 1992 Vitalite advertising page.

Thanks, but the 121 Series B1 was still in the 1997 catalog, but it is not in my 2000 set of online catalogs.

 

[dmathieu]

That doesn't mean they ended then, that's just the latest that I have.

 

[Skulldigger]

My 1976 Federal Vitalite












If you get the tensioner wheel adjusted just right it is fast and quiet. Too loose and it squeals, too tight and it is slow.

 

[Skulldigger]

 

[dmathieu]

A new addition to my VITALITE Family Collection!
Just grabbed this nice Federal Vitalite rebadged for Fyr Fyter Company as the PILOT Model 763.
I also have one rebadged as Deitz Model 245-M

 

[Windycity411]

In the 1980's, the local park district hired off duty city cops to patrol the parks. I recall riding around in a ford pickup truck painted park district colors. It had a siren under the hood and a Vitalite on the dash. Ahh, memories...

 

[dmathieu]

Received the PILOT light today, and it's another win!!
This thing is MINT, and I can't even tell that, or if it was ever used.
It has the vintage red plug, and a nice dark ruby red dome.

 

[dmathieu]

Been looking at pics of vintage fire trucks, and noticed the use of Vitalites on the tail ends. I've seen them in parades also, and they seem to be very effective lights.

 

[dmathieu]

Current Vitalite collection

 

[dmathieu]

Vitalite came out in late 1961 or early 1962.
Here is my first ad for the Vitalite, dated June, 1962.

 

[EL1998P71]

I have several of the 12 volt and 120 volt vitalite's.
Here's three of them. all say Vitalite.
The middle version I have red, blue, yellow and green
The left one I have red and a yellow
The yellow one in this photo was made in 2005
which of this version I have two blue, one yellow and one green

 

[dmathieu]

All nice lights. Vitalite is one of my favorites.

 

[Abacus]

And with me - I recall the magnet actually being strong in the 80s compared to others

 

[894]

You're old when you can remember these bad boys being primary warning on a vehicle or two around town!

 

[dmathieu]

And with me - I recall the magnet actually being strong in the 80s compared to others

Yeah, on the newer version.

 

[Abacus]

1983 would be "new". Well back in 83 the single beacon was treated with respect and motorists would yield to the left ( for us) and not pull out. Now unless you have a Christmas tree set up and air horns theres not much love on the roads.

 

[dmathieu]

I just grabbed another Rebadged Vitalite.
This is a Federal Vitalite rebadged for Grote as model R-51-M, before Grote started making their own version.
This is in new, and in original box condition.

 

[kitn1mcc]

nice grab

 

[Maxim2Eng]

Some of my fellow VFD members who used the Vitalite had problems when it was on the roof at an angle where the reflector didn't have enough contact with the motor shaft to properly rotate (especially bad on a VW Bug). I came up with a modification by removing the snap ring at the top of the shaft and placing a shortened piece of the spring from a ball point pen between the ring and the rotator base to keep the it securely on the motor shaft. I also added a thin rubber tube to the motor shaft to keep it working in freezing temps--another "undocumented feature" of the original Vitalite.

 

[dmathieu]

Yeah, on any of these magnetic mount portable lights the instructions tell the user to mount on a level surface. This is mostly done to assure proper beam aiming, and effectiveness, but, in the case of the Vitalite, also keeps it rotating as it should. This rotation problem was remedied with the friction wheel on the newer models.
Good ideas on your remedies though.

 

[ERIC6913]

I have NOS clear domes for this light if anyone is looking for one!

 

[Skulldigger]

This thread needs more video !

 

[dmathieu]

Nice video!

 

[kitn1mcc]

They ever build a bar with these

 

[dmathieu]

Nope. Closest was the AeroDynic.

 

[894]

They ever build a bar with these

Had a fellow in my hometown (back in the 1900's) who ran a pair of these outboard and a Model 14 in the middle of a crossbar. Different colors for plowing snow and responding as a VFF. Again, quite effective for back in the day!

 

[dmathieu]

With the proper 1195 bulb, a nice shiny reflector, and a polished dome, the beam was very focused, and very effective. Definitely nice lights.
Few imitators were as good. or as high quality. The Do-Ray 3250 was an exception, and was very good.