Here is a Harley Servi-Car with a Fire Ball extended on it's telescopic pole mount.
This set up was used by the Worcester, MA PD for many years.
This set up was used by the Worcester, MA PD for many years.
Federal FIRE BALL Family History
- Thread starter dmathieu
- Start date
Here is another new addition to my Fire Ball collection. This strobe light is usually named the "Firebolt" strobe, yet this particular version is marked Fire Ball I Strobe. Due to this Fire Ball name, it is going in the "Fire Ball" collection.
This is the only one that I can remember seeing.
I'm wondering if Federal used the name Fire Ball I Strobe before adopting the FireBolt name.
This is the only one that I can remember seeing.
I'm wondering if Federal used the name Fire Ball I Strobe before adopting the FireBolt name.
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I, too, have never heard of that. Is there any sort of date on it? Looks like an older cigarette plug on it. GREAT find, Dan!
I had to add it, just because of the name. Another piece to the Fire Ball puzzle.
Great job your fire ball history compilation! Thank you!
Do you know concrete dates about the Fire Ball 2 market introduction and the end of production? I dont know the exactly years, only 'from the early 80s to the 90s'.
Do you know concrete dates about the Fire Ball 2 market introduction and the end of production? I dont know the exactly years, only 'from the early 80s to the 90s'.
LOL, that's not a real Fire Ball, wrong light.......But that's why it goes in the collection.
I wonder if eric6913 has seen one of these.
I wonder if eric6913 has seen one of these.
Just grabbed an original version NOS Telescoping pole mounted 
FB-1 Cycle Signal with NOS switch, instructions (as they are), and box. Now I'll sell one of my used pole mounted Cycle Signals.
FB-1 Cycle Signal with NOS switch, instructions (as they are), and box. Now I'll sell one of my used pole mounted Cycle Signals.
Just found another first issue Fire Ball FB-1. As in a previous post this seems to be the first version and has a serial # of 1A10. This means that it would be 6 volt, but the 6 seems to be scratched out, and replaced with a 12, probably after converting from 6 to 12 Volt. This has no anti vibration plate that the guts mount to (everything is attached by screws through the base plate), no secure mounting clip on the bottom, and a flip over clip instead of the screw manner of attaching the dome retainer band, All found on the production model S/N 2A12.
This is my second light of this version as seen in previous posts.
I can't resist such a significant piece of Fire Ball history.
This is my second light of this version as seen in previous posts.
I can't resist such a significant piece of Fire Ball history.
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Here is an NOS example of the FireBall II Fire Ball 2 FBST2, Series A
Note the difference in dome from the previously posted Series B
This one has a standard Fire Ball 2 dome and an internal fluted filter.
Note the difference in dome from the previously posted Series B
This one has a standard Fire Ball 2 dome and an internal fluted filter.
Posted on the previous page is an EB-4 Fire Ball as opposed to the typical FB-1. The EB-1 has no power cord, but is powered by a 1/4" phono plug that is inserted into a socket mounted in the base. I was showing a friend and he said "electric base". This may be the meaning of the model # "EB"-4
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The FIRE BALL Family of lights encompasses close to 1/3 + or - of my collection. It's hard to believe the number of models, variations, vintages, and odd serial #s that were manufactured. Most people look at a teardrop light, and assume it's a Fire Ball, and they are all the same. Once you get into the history and nuances of the Fire Ball family you realize how the collection can be so large, with few duplicates.
Gotta love when you find them with the flash blocker cover still in the package.
Yeah, I'm lucky enough to have 13 NOS (different versions and vintages) with the covers, and the one my Dad use back in the 1960s, also still with perfect cover.
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My only teardrop is a Blue NOS Southern VP (currently in service) and I think I would have had to paint the back of the dome if I hadn't had that cover.
I just grabbed 4 NOS Fire Ball eye shield covers, and 4 used cloth Fire Ball storage bags to add to the Fire Ball sub-collection.
They are available, but be warned, you will not be pleased with the results. The LED will lack the bright hot focal point, and the pop of the desired flash. Many have tried, and I've heard of none who were happy with the results. I'd stay with the halogen, as that's what the reflector was meant for.
Dan...I've seen one Fireball EB model; or at least I presume that's what it was. When I was on the West Carlisle VFD in Lubbock, one of our captains drove a Volvo and had a red Fireball that had a phono plug on it with a receptacle that mounted to the roof. This was in the early '80s. If I'm not mistaken I think this might've been one of the late-model lights as it had a large magnet on the bottom.
Just bought another "Rebadged" Fire Ball FB-1.
Note what looks like a very dark deep red dome.
Model # is H573 instead of Federal's # FB-1
Serial # is 2A12D5.
Not sure what Company it was badged for.
I hope to know more once I receive it.
Note what looks like a very dark deep red dome.
Model # is H573 instead of Federal's # FB-1
Serial # is 2A12D5.
Not sure what Company it was badged for.
I hope to know more once I receive it.
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Knowing little about these, this is one I recently acquired. Any thoughts would be appreciated...Thanks much
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Be very careful in cleaning the reflector. Wash in sink under running water with mild soap on your fingertips, then carefully polish.
Thanks much Dan! Very nice thread here, went back to the beginning, well done!
Thank you, I'm constantly trying to update with new and different information.
Got my latest rebadged Fire Ball today. It looks and works great. After a complete tear-down and clean up, I'll post more pics. This is definitely a rebadge, and I'm now on the search for what company would have started their Model numbers with a "H". The model number is H573 instead of Federal's FB-1, and is pictured a few posts up. Has anybody got any ideas on the "H"?
Hurst? I think F/S did some re badging with them.. Federal Signal Light with Hurst badges, maybe Holmes also..
From: Skippy Grisham's post in Facebook page - Emergency Lights and Siren Enthusiasts.
FB-1 from one of Elvis' cars on display in Graceland Museum.
FB-1 from one of Elvis' cars on display in Graceland Museum.
DARLEY IT IS!!!
My newest FB-1, shown in post #427, is rebadged for Darley as Model # H573.
I have a 1961 Darley catalog, and that was their model #H573 for the portable Fire Ball FB-1. The Darley name would also explain the D5 at the end of the 2A12 serial number 2A12D5. This also shows that added characters to the standard Federal serial numbers is done to denote companies or agencies that the Fire Balls were made for.
Thanks for the input! Another piece to the Fire Ball puzzle, and a great addition to my Fire Ball sub-collection!!
My newest FB-1, shown in post #427, is rebadged for Darley as Model # H573.
I have a 1961 Darley catalog, and that was their model #H573 for the portable Fire Ball FB-1. The Darley name would also explain the D5 at the end of the 2A12 serial number 2A12D5. This also shows that added characters to the standard Federal serial numbers is done to denote companies or agencies that the Fire Balls were made for.
Thanks for the input! Another piece to the Fire Ball puzzle, and a great addition to my Fire Ball sub-collection!!
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