Federal Signal 144

[ex416]

a light/beacon that is not seen all that often. picked this up earlier this year and thought i would share some pictures. i added the blue and amber bulbs for a little different look. it joins another 144 in the collection. believe this is a later model due to the square badge with the "FS" logo. the other 144 i have has a rectangular badge similar to the one on my 044.

 

[tsquale]

Awesome collection addition! One that has eluded my own so far. Looks great!

 

[Mars Light]

Very rare item and a "must have" in each collection.
Congrats!

 

[lotsofbars]

Classic. I like the bulb choice too.

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

ok I feel I MUST insist on some video..

 

[ex416]

ok I feel I MUST insist on some video..

sorry, i do not have video capability. unfortunately my camera came out a year or two before the video feature was available on the type of camera i have.

 

[cmb56]

@ex416
Federal changed name from Federal Sign and Signal to Federal Signal in December 1975 so it is made some time after that date.

If you do not see any manufacturing date on the motor to pin point it closer we can only say it was made from about 1976 to around 1980 because I believe it was out of production in 1981.

Michael

 

[Mars Light]

sorry, i do not have video capability. unfortunately my camera came out a year or two before the video feature was available on the type of camera i have.

No problem. Send the 144 to me, I make some very nice videos and some days ... or years... later I send you the 144 back.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

I love the 144! The sharp profile of the 14 with 4 bulbs...great light! That color pattern was very effective in the day...If I recall, OK Highway Patrol used the same bulbs in the last iteration of their 175s/176s before the went to 911EPs. Originally (60s), they were red/white, then replaced a clear bulb with a blue bulb and soon after added the amber bulb. It was especially effective on the interstate from long distance.

 

[Crownfire]

Just for clarification, the 144 rotates and the 044 is stationary/flashing. Correct?

 

[tsquale]

Just for clarification, the 144 rotates and the 044 is stationary/flashing. Correct?

Correct! And in my opinion, it is easier to find the 044 than the 144

 

[Mars Light]

Yes, thats correct.

 

[ERIC6913]

Very nice addition!

 

[stansdds]

Very nice Model 144. The big ID badge says it was made in 1976 or later. Take a close look at the motor, on the ink line that contains the 12 VOLTS line, there may be another letter and a single number. If so, the letter would indicate the month and the number would be the last digit of the year. Federal Signal started this on these Type I motors around 1969. My guess is, since this is a Type I motor, it's probably going to be a 1976 to 1978 production.

 

[ex416]

Very nice Model 144. The big ID badge says it was made in 1976 or later. Take a close look at the motor, on the ink line that contains the 12 VOLTS line, there may be another letter and a single number. If so, the letter would indicate the month and the number would be the last digit of the year. Federal Signal started this on these Type I motors around 1969. My guess is, since this is a Type I motor, it's probably going to be a 1976 to 1978 production.

the letter/number on the motor is C7

 

[stansdds]

the letter/number on the motor is C7

March, 1977 would be the likely date. I base this on the research I did in deciphering the Beacon Ray serial number codes.

 

[ex416]

Take a close look at the motor, on the ink line that contains the 12 VOLTS line, there may be another letter and a single number. If so, the letter would indicate the month and the number would be the last digit of the year. Federal Signal started this on these Type I motors around 1969.

this is the ID badge on my other 144, which is similar style to the one on my 044. apparently an older model 144 than the one in the original post. the letter/number on it's motor is A7.

 

[coop359]

So 044 is a flashing version and 144 is rotating? Is there a 043? I know there was a 143. Chicago Fire used them for a while.

 

[shues]

The 044 and 144 contain parts you'd expect to find in a 174 or 176. It seems the history of the 044 can be traced back to the 074:

 

[ex416]

So 044 is a flashing version and 144 is rotating? Is there a 043? I know there was a 143. Chicago Fire used them for a while.

044 is flashing. never heard of a 43. here are some pictures of my 044. there's not much to it.

 

[ex416]

here are some pictures of the other 144 i added to my collection a little over a year ago. recently had the lamp holder assembly refinished/plated and just got it reassembled.

 

[stansdds]

this is the ID badge on my other 144, which is similar style to the one on my 044. apparently an older model 144 than the one in the original post. the letter/number on it's motor is A7.

View attachment 223841

January 1977. The ID badge is the older version, but Federal Signal tended to not waste parts, so even though they went to a large, square ID badge for the Beacon Ray series, Model 14, and Model 184 during 1976, they may have still had a good supply of the small badges for their Models 044, 143, and 144 beacons.

So 044 is a flashing version and 144 is rotating? Is there a 043? I know there was a 143. Chicago Fire used them for a while.

No such thing as a Model 043.