Squad 51 In Cab Lightbar Control Box

[fltmedic469]

Hey guys I am doing some digging actually starting a squad 51 build. got a truck working on the cab electronics. Got the PA20A, lightbar GE MASTR PRO mobile radio but the one thing that is killing me with no info is the left lightbar control box besides the radio and pa it has a gooseneck map light attached to the top corner of it.I ait has a couple of switches on it one for the map light and looks like one for the lightbar but i cannot find any info on the manufacturer or any frontal up clost photos of it onlt a few side shots that dont show it very well.  Anyone know much about it or where i could find one? So far they are nonexistent. 

Thanks for any help!

 

[southpaw]

Suggest you contact the L.A. County Fire Museum.  They may be helpful. 

 

[southpaw]

Is this what you are describing?

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here is a different view... 

 

[fltmedic469]

By george yes it is! the silver control box to the left of the PA20A in pic #2 

Any idea whom the maker is of if i am going to be able to locate one?

 

[southpaw]

Fairly sure it is a L.A. County Shop made item, not something you will find and will have to fabricate yourself.

 

[fltmedic469]

Great info thank you !

I wish i could see the lettering down at the bottom a little better. I believe it says reset in the middle i wonder what it is resetting?

 

[coop359]

I always thought Roy would turn the light bar on with his left hand when he got behind the wheel. Maybe a toggle switch or pull switch?

 

[crescentstar69]

I second the custom/radio shop fabrication, or a custom rum by a local manufacturer. My city PD had some really cool hump consoles that were made in-house at the city garage.

 

[Wailer]

On the L.A. County sheriff's car control box it looks like the lettering reads as follows:

Map (top toggle switch)

Reset (small red pushbutton)

Red siren (bottom toggle switch)

Amber horn (bottom toggle switch)

I'm guessing by saying that when the indicator light is red, the siren is enabled and when the light is amber the horn is enabled.  The siren can be activated via the steering wheel horn ring, and maybe this gadget allowed the driver to switch between siren and horn functions.

The control box for the Squad may have had different functions. 

Notice that the PA20A in the sheriff's car has no yelp or hi-lo tones. 

 

[fltmedic469]

Thank you! yes your right it dosent!

 

[MtnMan]

Found a couple more pics:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wfdt/5176228470/sizes/l

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ralph-toyama/2660388391/sizes/l

In addition to the map light / switch box, the switch just left of the steering column (with a red pilot indicator?) looks like it could have been added in. I found a pic of a stock 1972 Dodge truck that doesn't have a switch in that position.

 

[fltmedic469]

Great photos! You guys have been a huge help piecing all the clues all together. Keep them coming if you dig anything else up!

Thank you very much.

 

[Crownfire]

I believe the bottom toggle switch labels indicate which lights in the CTS (red or amber) are active, along with the horn ring function. In other words, when the switch is up, the red lights (and the rear amber too) are on and the horn ring activates the siren. When the switch is in the down position, only the rear amber flasher is active and the horn ring blows the horn. It appears there was a center "off" position on that toggle switch that is not labeled, as the switches in the photos are neither up nor down.

 

[southpaw]

Squad 51 did not always have  CTS..

 

[fltmedic469]

Found this on Ebay yesterday,the were quite proud of it but new so i am making progress!

Wow whats that season one? Early stuff.

Crownfire , thanks very much for your description, when i fab one up that makes a difference, i'll get a 3 position toggle instead of a two , thanks!

 

[Scoot163]

I will second Crownfire's description, I believe that is exactly the way it was wired.

 

[fltmedic469]

Thanks Scott!

 

[Crownfire]

Squad 51 did not always have CTS..

I think that platter is on the BC's sedan.

 

[stansdds]

I think that platter is on the BC's sedan.

Platters were used on the first squads, the 1970-71 Dodge D500's.



The 1972 Dodge D300 unit was the first one with a CTS.

 

[southpaw]

  If recalled correctly... mostly for FACFD, not on LASD vehicles.... But.. there were many "platter" variations over the years they were in service.    

 

[kitn1mcc]

They built the squads all in house.   i heard the blueprints for everthing are still in storage

 

[Wailer]

Platters were used on the first squads, the 1970-71 Dodge D500's.

The truck with the platter has a Federal C5G mechanical siren.  

It looks like the PA20A in the restored Squad 51 doesn't have yelp or hi-lo tones either. 

 

[fltmedic469]

They built the squads all in house.   i heard the blueprints for everthing are still in storage

Do you know where in storage? At the museum maybe?

 

[JohnMarcson]

I believe the bottom toggle switch labels indicate which lights in the CTS (red or amber) are active, along with the horn ring function. In other words, when the switch is up, the red lights (and the rear amber too) are on and the horn ring activates the siren. When the switch is in the down position, only the rear amber flasher is active and the horn ring blows the horn. It appears there was a center "off" position on that toggle switch that is not labeled, as the switches in the photos are neither up nor down.

When doing a CA vehicle of this era, it's pretty safe to do a "center off"  setup.  As Crown stated, it's usually setup with siren functions and 360 on the up portion, and rear amber only and horn function on the down.  

 

[fltmedic469]

When doing a CA vehicle of this era, it's pretty safe to do a "center off"  setup.  As Crown stated, it's usually setup with siren functions and 360 on the up portion, and rear amber only and horn function on the down.  

Nice! Thanks!

 

[kitn1mcc]

I would suggest the museum or even contact the county garage

 

[fltmedic469]

Does anyone have any contact info for LA County Garage?

 

[kitn1mcc]

http://www.lacountyfiremuseum.com/default.html

http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/

give them a try

 

[fltmedic469]

Wow! thank you Sir! you guys have been great!

 

[CPSS]

heres lots more pictures

http://www.flickriver.com/groups/844800@N20/pool/interesting/

 

[kitn1mcc]

I am still surprised you were able to find a 70's d300   very hard truck to find

 

[fltmedic469]

i have been looking for a long time! finally found one that would work!