First Federal Beacon Ray JR model 15-a

[kitn1mcc]

i picked it up on an auction site for 95.00 not sure if i paid too much. i has a glass lens

 

[rick h.]

nice looking light

 

[kitn1mcc]

video

 

[dmathieu]

Looks like it's in nice shape! It also seems to have a relatively fast flash rate, which is desireable. I think you got a good deal!


Dan

 

[Dr. Dennis Stouffer]

These were great lights, but rarely used in Southern California. I saw one in amber around 1968, and a bunch in blue on harbor patrol craft at a major fire in San Pedro around 1970, and a couple on a FD snorkel in red around 1974 (CHP forced their removal because they we not CA approved in red). The blue lights produced a sharper impulse than standard BRs that were on a couple of craft, and the red ones were brighter than 17's on other apparatus, so I always thought the 15 was preferable to the larger models. For the condition, and glass dome, the price looks very fair to me.

 

[stansdds]

I'll agree that the light impulse is sharp, but that is because the light beam is tightly focused. Get slightly above or below the plane of the beacon and they are not visible. Sealed beams have a much wider angle focus, so being slightly above or below the plane of the beacon still results in seeing a flash. Energy wise, the small motor and single 50cp bulbs of the 15 and similar beacons is excellent, they draw far fewer amps than full size beacons.

 

[Sirenman]

The standard bulb used in the 15a was a 100 watt spherical bulb #1019.

 

[kitn1mcc]

i got it on property room.com and it says it was at the orlando warehouse.

 

[stansdds]

The standard bulb used in the 15a was a 100 watt spherical bulb #1019.

DOH! You are correct and I should have checked my sources before posting. The model 15 was equipped with a 100cp bulb and the optics produced a 40,000cp flash. Whelen's Rota-Beam series beacons used 50cp bulbs and the optics produced 8,000 to 10,000cp flashes. In comparison, the standard 12 volt 4416 sealed beam of 35 watts was rated at 35,000cp.

 

[dmathieu]

DOH! You are correct and I should have checked my sources before posting. The model 15 was equipped with a 100cp bulb and the optics produced a 40,000cp flash. Whelen's Rota-Beam series beacons used 50cp bulbs and the optics produced 8,000 to 10,000cp flashes. In comparison, the standard 12 volt 4416 sealed beam of 35 watts was rated at 35,000cp.

Both the 15, and the Rota Beam will accept a 795X halogen, increasing the light output nicely, with no negative results. Good idea for anyone thinking of a retro light on their vehicle.


Dan

 

[Lt.214]

Really nice light! I have 2 myself and make a grea addition to any collection. $95 was a fair price for your light.


Chris

 

[lotsofbars]

Haha. I ALMOST outbid you on this light, but I thought $95 was a little much.

 

[patrol530]

Nice, I've been looking for one to go with a pristine blue glass dome I procured.

 

[kitn1mcc]

i did a whet the heck bid for 100