Federal 175 question

[Skulldigger]

Why are the two tilted lights wired separately from the two horizontal lights on a 175?

 

[tsquale]

My understanding is that they should be clear bulbs and that way you could shut them off on scene vs blinding responders with the down angled one but still have the warning of the red bulbs

 

[NESQ115]

Yes, the Strat-O-Ray version of the Beacon Ray typically was ordered with two red and two clear lamps, and the clear lamps would be the tilted ones. It allowed for the separate operation of the red lamps and the clear lamps, if desired.

 

[shues]

What the others have said is corroborated when you find that the motor is powered by the same wire as the horizontal lamps.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

@tsquale is correct. I also recall literature promoting the "eye-catching" effect of the tilted beams reflecting off of buildings or trees to alert drivers of the presence of an emergency vehicle--either stationary or responding. It was also a fav of many airport operations vehicles (at least in Louisville where I grew up)...approaching aircraft could see the tilted beams easier.

 

[coop359]

176 had that option also. You could shut down the white on the clear domed red and white beacon or shut down two of the bulbs under the solid red dome so your 176 becomes a model 17.

 

[Skulldigger]

Thanks. I have finished my display and I used two switches so the whites could be on or off.

 

[dmathieu]

DPDT, on/off/on switch works great for this purpose.