NDHP Federal Signal 24EAH AeroDynic: COMPLETE!

[CrownVic97]

After almost 5 months of work and patience, my own version of the North Dakota Highway Patrol's 24 EAH AeroDynic has been completed! This bar went through a couple of customizations of my own doing until I decided to make it into a HP-spec AeroDynic. I will link that post when I complete it in the "Custom lights/lightbar" thread (EDIT --->http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/lets-see-pictures-custom-lights-lightbars-7646/index17.html#post389454)


So, to start, I want to give a big shout out and thanks to all involved in making this project a reality.


- Chief Kenton from the Golden Valley Rural Fire Dept for the AeroDynic and other retired goodies from their upstairs loft.


- Ryan (Rwo978) for the FA-3 flashers (but then I wound up not using one, but thanks for the 4 of 'em anyways. I can use 'em for future projects or replacement flashers :haha: :thumbsup: ).


- Scott (Wfdstation42) for the used motor that runs great for its age.


- AJ (Kadetklapp) for the mounting feet from that Visibar I got a while back.


- Randy (Hoser) for the AeroDynic nameplates (I used yours on my Model 24, 8-rotator bar and took the ones off of that Aero for this EAH. Without them, my other Aero would be nameless! )


- Guy M for the NOS positive gear drive kit for AeroDynic's gear cage (You saved the project with that kit, sir!).


- Dennis (Timmy) for the replacement AeroDynic rotator (thanks for the great deal!).


- Ebay user Laoc_apm for the Signal Stat HD 537 flasher (works perfectly, btw!)


- Last but not least, Steve (Emtanderson51) for the great deal for NIB lenses from Federal Signal.


The inner rotators were already set to alternate with each other, thus making each side alternate. I didn't want to risk breaking the belt to adjust them to both flash together. Besides, I liked the wig-wag pattern anyway. I set up the rotators in a standard SAFE pattern on each side for more dynamic effect. This bar also had the bulkhead mirrors when I got it, but I have never liked them on AeroDynics. Although the state ran their bars with the mirrors, I didn't want the inner rotators impeded by 'em, so they are in my box of parts now.


Without further a-do, enjoy the pics and video! Comments are welcome :2thumbs:


For reference, a photo of an actual NDHP AeroDynic in service:


[Broken External Image]:http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/406650_316914805088348_2009992058_n.jpg


The shape the Aero was when I got it:











The finished results after the decision was made to go NDHP :


























Wig-wags





Alley lights





Turnin' and burnin'

 

[stansdds]

That turned out great!

 

[Reno911]

Looks Sweet!! Makes me want to fix my first Aero

 

[timmy]

Very nice job....


Timmy

 

[denko3]

i love it! great restoring.

 

[stansdds]

I think I spotted one error in this 24EAH. Federal Signal mounted angled mirrors to the bulkheads of Aerodynics that were equipped with alley lights. I can see a mirror in the photo of the NDHP car pictured above, but this build up is lacking those mirrors. Otherwise, it is still a fantastic job! I see this 24EAH originally had the mirrors, perhaps you still have them and can install them?

 

[PinballCharlie]

Now that IS nice!!!!!!

 

[fireball3]

very nice, looks great!


Cyril

 

[CrownVic97]

I think I spotted one error in this 24EAH. Federal Signal mounted angled mirrors to the bulkheads of Aerodynics that were equipped with alley lights. I can see a mirror in the photo of the NDHP car pictured above, but this build up is lacking those mirrors. Otherwise, it is still a fantastic job! I see this 24EAH originally had the mirrors, perhaps you still have them and can install them?

I could if I want too, Stansdds, but I've never really liked them on the bulkhead and in front of the inner rotators. Yes, it'd be a more accurate bar, but I've seen an old one in person that had no front mirrors and only had them in the back. Maybe they'll grow on me, who knows?

 

[ERIC6913]

nice looking mister!

 

[kitn1mcc]

looking nice i like the amber to the front too

 

[stansdds]

I could if I want too, Stansdds, but I've never really liked them on the bulkhead and in front of the inner rotators. Yes, it'd be a more accurate bar, but I've seen an old one in person that had no front mirrors and only had them in the back. Maybe they'll grow on me, who knows?

The purpose of those mirrors was to reflect light to the corners and ends of the Aerodynic when the alley light was installed. At least that was the idea, but I don't know how effective it was and they partially blocked light to the front and rear of the bar. Is that the reason you do not like them?

 

[CrownVic97]

The purpose of those mirrors was to reflect light to the corners and ends of the Aerodynic when the alley light was installed. At least that was the idea, but I don't know how effective it was and they partially blocked light to the front and rear of the bar. Is that the reason you do not like them?

Yeah, pretty much. I can understand the concept Federal came up with to solve that problem, but the execution does not work as effectively as it should have since the inner rotators are then partially blocked to the front and rear as you've mentioned. Last night I temporarily installed them and fired up the bar to see the action, and I just didn't like the inner clear rotators being mostly blocked by the mirrors. I bent the mounting flanges as far as they can safely without the mirrors interfering with the lenses, but even then they still were interferring with the light output. So, out they went again.


I say if Fed Sig wanted to solve this problem better, they should have made the inboard bulkhead surface reflective with a template of polished aluminum that would fit the contures and angles of it. Kinda like the Force 4 XL lightbars. Those have that piece of polished aluminum, cut to the angles of the lense, that's fastened at the inboard end of the lenses to reflect more light to the sides. Maybe the problem would be alleviated a bit without sacrificing front/rear warning with that concept.

 

[stansdds]

I agree, polished aluminum surface on the bulkhead would have been just as effective. I think one of the most effective Aerodynic designs was the 24RV series of AeroTwinsonics. Outboard rotators, inboard mirrors and stationary lights, highly effective.

 

[denko3]

the most effective was 24EAH-T-2Z LAPD model with external alley lights,with no internal alley mirrors.

I agree, polished aluminum surface on the bulkhead would have been just as effective. I think one of the most effective Aerodynic designs was the 24RV series of AeroTwinsonics. Outboard rotators, inboard mirrors and stationary lights, highly effective.

 

[emtanderson51]

Looks GREAT! Glad I could help out on that one!!

 

[dmathieu]

Nice bar.....Nice job!!!!

 

[kadetklapp]

Fantastic!

 

[stansdds]

the most effective was 24EAH-T-2Z LAPD model with external alley lights,with no internal alley mirrors.

I agree, LAPD hit a home run with their version of the 24 when using the incandescent or H1 bulb and reflector models.

 

[RyanZ71]

Oh man how I miss the 89-90 9C1 Caprice. (The box car) (That picture is of I believe an 87. 86-88 had the Carbed engines, 90 & 91 were fuel injection and 190 HP)


Great restore on that lightbar.

 

[ex416]

congrats on a job well done. :thumbsup:

 

[rwo978]

Great Job Jamison!!!


Those domes look great!!

 

[Hoser]

Came out Sweet!! Nice job and thanks for the shoutout!! Whats Next??

 

[CrownVic97]

Thanks for all the great comments, everybody:thumbsup:. I don't know if I will have another long project like this again, Hoser, but time will tell. Who knows what I'll find next to get myself in trouble ?

 

[motorolamaniac]

HOOO boy, I really like this bar!!

 

[Mars Light]

Very nice AeroDynic! I love it.

 

[toon80]

How did I miss this bar?


Fantastic job on the NDHP Aero.

 

[CrownVic97]

How did I miss this bar?
Fantastic job on the NDHP Aero.

I don't know! How did you!?!? Haha, thanks, man .

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Nice Restoration.


Good job.


I be loving the Aerodynics...

 

[hyperjohnny]

Do you know the history or reasons for the front amber in ND and do they still use this? What was the reasoning, I guess is my question, amber not being an emergency vehicle color...


Here in WI we use red/amber on our tow trucks and I guess I wouldn't even stop/pull over for one of these... What gives...any idea?

 

[CrownVic97]

Do you know the history or reasons for the front amber in ND and do they still use this? What was the reasoning, I guess is my question, amber not being an emergency vehicle color...
Here in WI we use red/amber on our tow trucks and I guess I wouldn't even stop/pull over for one of these... What gives...any idea?

What the NDHP did back then was they'd turn on the amber flashers and rotators to respond to calls and pull over motorists. Once the vehicle was parked, it's up to the officer's discretion to leave the entire bar lit up or to kill the rotators and just use the alt flashers to warn traffic behind him. Most opted to use just the flashers and keep the amp draw down off the car with the rotators off.


Today, the amber-to-the-front/rear practice is still followed. The front of the Whelen LED bars have two amber modules that are not on when the main red/blue LEDs and clear halogen flashers to the front are on during code 3. But once the unit is parked, the rear deck lights (amber/red, red/blue) and amber TA operate to the rear while those two ambers flash up front. That's how it's been I guess, and it's one of those traditions that probably won't be excluded during roadside stops or when the vehicle is stationary for a long length of time.

 

[Mndlm]

Do you know the history or reasons for the front amber in ND and do they still use this? What was the reasoning, I guess is my question, amber not being an emergency vehicle color...
Here in WI we use red/amber on our tow trucks and I guess I wouldn't even stop/pull over for one of these... What gives...any idea?

Thanks for asking this question!!! I always was curious of the amber to the front too and not facing the rear. I "assumed" amber meant "proceed with caution or slow down" when seeing the amber on a law enforcement vehicle activated.

 

[rwo978]

State agencies usually follow the law.... To a T. The way ND law is written, if any emergency colors are displayed (to the front), all vehicles must yield, meaning slow and/or stop; a little difficult to say the least on interstates or highways. The rear lights are fine due to 'move' over laws. To 'get around' the front law, they use the amber to the front for warning when stopped. The only time I've seen them used with the R/B is during inclement weather, such as T-storms or blizzards due to amber working better in those conditions.

 

[hyperjohnny]

What the NDHP did back then was they'd turn on the amber flashers and rotators to respond to calls and pull over motorists. Once the vehicle was parked, it's up to the officer's discretion to leave the entire bar lit up or to kill the rotators and just use the alt flashers to warn traffic behind him. Most opted to use just the flashers and keep the amp draw down off the car with the rotators off.

Today, the amber-to-the-front/rear practice is still followed. The front of the Whelen LED bars have two amber modules that are not on when the main red/blue LEDs and clear halogen flashers to the front are on during code 3. But once the unit is parked, the rear deck lights (amber/red, red/blue) and amber TA operate to the rear while those two ambers flash up front. That's how it's been I guess, and it's one of those traditions that probably won't be excluded during roadside stops or when the vehicle is stationary for a long length of time.

Again, I understand the reasons for the amber "warning when parked" modes, the amp draw on the cars on the ol' Aero's back in the day and whole-heartedly agree w/ their use, especially in bad weather but I'd really have a hard time understanding the amber in my mirror when/if used during pursuit/responding. Again, coming from a state/region (MN, MI, WI, IA w/ permits) where red/amber is used together to the rear of numerous vehicles and the front and rear of ALL tow trucks, my first thought would be "some wrecker driver left his reds on again" and keep going! Just seems strange when amber is not considered an "emergency" color to be heeded in the same manner as red, blue or some combination with white. Just my two cents...

 

[Wailer]

I must have overlooked this thread. Interesting lens colour combination. What make and model of siren did NDHP have in their cars when this bar was in use?

 

[CrownVic97]

I must have overlooked this thread. Interesting lens colour combination. What make and model of siren did NDHP have in their cars when this bar was in use?

I wish I knew exactly, Wailer. I want to say they used Federal sirens (PA150s or PA200s), but that's just taking a wild stab. I should call somebody at the NDHP garage and see what they did run back then.