Originally when my 1957 maxim ladder truck was delivered the only siren it had on it was a Q. Over time from info I’ve gathered the department added an electronic siren and while going over the engine compartment I came across this “mount” I believe it would be for a siren speaker, can anyone recommend or guess what kind of speaker this would of held?
Hoping someone can help
- Thread starter Scott Richard
- Start date
JohnMarcson
Administrator
It could be a lot of different models even with the dimensions. The timeframe in which it was installed would narrow it down more. Was the diren 58w? There were speakers from the siren makers and some from public address companies. Sometimes the speaker would just have a Federal plate over the name of the speaker company.
The measurement is 7 1/4 inches
sadly I don’t know the exact time frame in which the siren was added. The truck is a 57
NPS Ranger
Member
That looks like an awfully robust bracket to just hold a speaker, plus the open mounting slots almost look like mounting for some type of rod or axle. Are you sure it's for a speaker?
Maxim2Eng
Supporting Donor
With the enormous external mounting options for sirens and/or speakers on a Maxim, I would be surprised to see a speaker mounted under the hood, even if the hard suction hose was wrapped across the nose (ala Louisville Fire Dept.). Perhaps an exhaust whistle occupied that space (even though it’s on the intake manifold side). It was a popular option in that era. It would be helpful to see more photos of the engine compartment.
JohnMarcson
Administrator
That's a great point, it may not even be a speaker mount. There certainly would be better spots for one. An exhaust whistle may make sense or it could be some entirely different component altogether. Like others said, we need context. Era of siren, bumper "holes" (and other possible mounts), and wiring or lack thereof. This is a pretty generic "U" bracket, it could really be anything and there are such better places of an electronic siren speaker, unless they considered it an eyesore and were trying to hide a gigantic "PA style" speaker.
Maxim2Eng
Supporting Donor
I had another thought. As @NPS Ranger said, it’s very robust and a very good custom fabrication to mount on the alternator bracket bolted to the engine block. Another possibility is a brake booster as I believe a 57 may have been hydraulic assist instead of air. (Schnikey! That would have been a hoot to drive!) Here’s a link to Cape Cod FD where they feature Maxim equipment of the area, and might have more references for you to explore.
