I got a JetSonic Chain Drive

[Eric2.0]

So the Jetsonic is my favorite light of all time, since childhood and this year I found two of them. One a individual motor version, but I got it anyways. Today I found a JetSonic with the chain drive and I am stoked. I literally took it off an old wrecker I saw in the area I am working right now. I asked the guy there if he wanted to get rid of it and he said yes. Told me give him 10 dollars for lunch and it's mine. It was hooked to a flat rack and harness to an auxiliary battery. I had it off in like 20 minutes.

The domes are hazy of course, but I think they could be polished up, no cracks, both endplates intact. Center housing still has the speaker and both grills in great shape.

I have found that it is a chain drive which is real cool, with 4 rotators, alley lights, take downs, rear flashers, front strobes with the power pack and front take downs. The base is totally flat and does have some surface rust, but it's nothing...it can easily be sand blasted and painted. I tested it out and everything works, didn't hear any loud grinding and had full rotation on rotators. Just a couple blown bulbs. I think the strobes are fried ..two different strobe tubes I saw. About 7 feet of original harness.

I feel this one is worth a full restoration, no doubt. Only thing that sucks, is, I can't find the original plate that says model and series. Oh well ..must be a part got replaced. Otherwise I love this piece of junk, lol

 

[Dave F]

my first fullsize bar was a jetstream. loved that bar

 

[tsquale]

Nice find! There are plenty of parts still around for these too. Be sure to post pictures once you're done rehabbing it

 

[Mars Light]

Chain drive Jetsonics or individual rotator Jetstream are a must have in every collection.

 

[Eric2.0]

Issues I have found are, couple blown bulbs, I think the strobe power pack might be shot, or the strobes themselves(both?) A tiny bit of corrosion inside, but really can be taken care of, it's missing the series tag inside which sucks... I don't know what gen or series this is.

The plus side is....center housing and domes are great shape, domes can be polished easily, it works(except for strobes) chain drive and all rotators spin and not real noisy. It has front and rear flashers, and front strobes(if I can get them working)

This one I will for sure do a complete rebuild and get as perfect, original and nice as possible. After I get my mx7000 done I'm going into the Jetsonic. Will be spending many hours on it

 

[kitn1mcc]

the strobes work

 

[Eric2.0]

the strobes work

Not on mine, unless I'm touching the wrong wire to power. I touched a gray wire that seems to lead to the power pack. All it did is spark a bit and nothing. I think I fried the power pack

 

[kenwied]

The strobe power supplies on these were finicky. They are hard to find, but it can't hurt to put a post up looking for a J22 power supply. IME, the strobe tubes were almost always good, but the power supply was dead.

 

[JohnMarcson]

The strobe power supplies on these were finicky. They are hard to find, but it can't hurt to put a post up looking for a J22 power supply. IME, the strobe tubes were almost always good, but the power supply was dead.

Good point. Since they use the socket/frame as ground in a two wire system, the ground can easily be the failure pint in ways people aren't used to with strobes. Troubleshooting Federal J strobes isn't the same as other strobe issues.

 

[Eric2.0]

Good point. Since they use the socket/frame as ground in a two wire system, the ground can easily be the failure pint in ways people aren't used to with strobes. Troubleshooting Federal J strobes isn't the same as other strobe issues.

I've been tracing wire routes and colors on my Jetsonic and amazingly, it appears to be the original wire harness. All the colors match the diagrams.

I'm going to clean the ground wires that come from the power pack to the frame and see what happens.

I'm thinking of lifting the power pack out to see if the series tag is under it. This is the only bar I have that doesn't have a series tag on it

 

[JohnMarcson]

J22 FEDERAL STROBE POWER SUPPLY 12VDC 4 AMP NEW OLD STOCK | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for J22 FEDERAL STROBE POWER SUPPLY 12VDC 4 AMP NEW OLD STOCK at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

and

Vintage J22 Federal Jetsonic Strobe Power Supply 12VDC 4 AMP - USED | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage J22 Federal Jetsonic Strobe Power Supply 12VDC 4 AMP - USED at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

If need be... Not bad deals

 

[Eric2.0]

Thanks.

I'm going to clean the ground and then use my voltmeter at the strobe sockets to see if any power getting through. Then usual probing the power supply wires coming into the pack and out.

I looked for fuses on the power pack but did not find any. I'd like to crack it open too, if I don't get power from it. Just to see if I could possibly fix it I side, a bit beyond my scope but worth a try anyways.

I'm also looking for amber and clear dome insert filters. No reds or blues as I plan to use this on my car when finished.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Thanks.

I'm going to clean the ground and then use my voltmeter at the strobe sockets to see if any power getting through. Then usual probing the power supply wires coming into the pack and out.

I looked for fuses on the power pack but did not find any. I'd like to crack it open too, if I don't get power from it. Just to see if I could possibly fix it I side, a bit beyond my scope but worth a try anyways.

I'm also looking for amber and clear dome insert filters. No reds or blues as I plan to use this on my car when finished.

I probably have clear, I think I'm out of amber filters

 

[Eric2.0]

Whats the

I probably have clear, I think I'm out of amber filters

Number$$ on the clear Jetsonic filters and the blue jetstrobe filters? You say d before that you have blue, fresnel jetstrobe filters.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I probably do.... I will look again. I spend 60% of my time at work, 20% sleeping and the rest randomly distracted by shiny things. Stand by.

 

[Eric2.0]

I probably do.... I will look again. I spend 60% of my time at work, 20% sleeping and the rest randomly distracted by shiny things. Stand by.

Take your time, I'm definitely in no hurry.

I forgot that I have some NOS amber, clear and red lenses for a JetStrobe I got from someone on here a long while ago. It's not enough amber to complete a jetsonic tho. I could probably mix some clear with amber and make it work. I do have NOS end caps that look like they will go on the Jetsonic, the cut outs look to fit perfect over the alleys. Originally I got these to complete my jetstrobe, but I decided I want to turn that back to it's original Chicago P.D configuration and shelf it.

Most of my amber inserts I have are half inserts and I have two full inserts. I'll have to check and see how they go in and how many I need. I could probably put the amber ones over the rotator area, I have two red ones for the rear flashers and I could put clear in front of the take downs and strobes . However I don't know if clear over the strobes would be legal, but I wouldn't use them on the road anyways, just in the driveway for my own entertainment. Flashing anything more that my rotators on the road would probably get me a ticket to the. Courthouse.

 

[Eric2.0]

And now I find this local for 45 dollars with what looks like a full cord. Looks to be a streethawk, but the center grill looks a lot more narrow than most. Perhaps an early model? I'm enjoying looking for rare and older bars these days, not just random, cheap ordinary ones anymore. I have no idea what i am looking at, so anyone knows what this is, please add your thoughts.

I also have another Streethawk I am looking at, all amber, model SHL series B, looks good, but its basic IMO. Still a nice looking streethawk. I only have money for one though, this one in the pic or the yellow SHL Series B.

 

[ex416]

the red one in the picture is more desirable due to the shorter length, which is not that common.

 

[stansdds]

Yes, the red one is the short version of the Streethawk, a version that is not often seen. Great catch and at $45, it's a steal.

 

[Eric2.0]

Yes, the red one is the short version of the Streethawk, a version that is not often seen. Great catch and at $45, it's a steal.

Damn, I have to save it then.

 

[TDC]

The Strobe Pack has a funky fuse inside, 32V something maybe, that will blow when hooked up wrong.
I have 5 or so of those Power Supplies if yours is messed up.

Here the single front strobe, which came on in Primary, and had a separate switch for driving with the headlights off in the rain all stop-action-like, was later removed. The tube was switched for halogen, and the assembly jumped to the takedown on the other side of the speaker housing.
The power supply remained, so they have low time.

 

[stansdds]

Damn, I have to save it then.

Yes, you must.

 

[Eric2.0]

I messaged about it, to see if I can come get it. It's two hours away.

Pictures of the bottom show one side is all scratched it seems and other side perfect where the feet would be. I guess for 45.00 that sort of thing can be overlooked. I just hope it isn't gouged bad or cracked up. Domes look fair, but not great ..looks like they may be able to be polished up. Full chord.

Like I said, the left base area looks mashed up and the right side looks perfect. I don't know what is going on there. I put up pictures of each side

 

[Eric2.0]

Good news, it's all mine.

The guy got back to me and offered to meet half way, because the Monday after Christmas, he's coming up my way. I offered to pay now with PayPal, but he said don't worry about it. So I guess I e spoken for it and he's bringing it to me, awesome.

45 dollars and a Streethawk that is a bit different from most and he said it works. Said he has clear domes for it and red/blue filters and he will throw that in with some NOS bulbs he had for it. That is a sweet deal IMO and I don't have to drive over three hours to get it!

 

[Eric2.0]

Bringing this back to the Jetsonic project. I got my new old stock power supply today. Has the wire harness and manual. Pretty neat to find these things through the internet. Without the internet I bet most of these old lights would be gone forever, because the lack of finding parts for them. It wouldn't be like you could go down to the local dealer and get a J22 power supply for a jetsonic light bar from 1993.

Internet has it's perks and now I'm really enthused about bringing them s old Jetsonic to as new condition as possible.