Trippe Light (pre beacon era?) 1940's-1950's

[kerry4951]

Anyone know anything more specific about these? I do know they were later offered (around 1953) with an all red plastic lense top cover, allowing the light to radiate 360 degrees. I suspect this could be the earlier version, since it has the solid metal chrome top. It is 6 volt and it operates with a parabolic reflector that moves around a pretty powerful 6 volt bulb (50-100 CP). I will get more internal pics. Motor and shaft are very unique in design and the way it operates. From an early ad copy it appears they didnt have a model# assigned. Im guessing pre beacon era for sure. They are very large, about 13" long and about 6" high in the front.

 

[kerry4951]

I also know this same design and style was offered in a clear lense spot light version. Mounted on the roof the beam could be adjusted from inside the car.

 

[kerry4951]

1953 version with all red lense top cover

 

[894]

The version you have has the motor toward the rear of the unit with a speedometer cable with the worm gear on the end, running forward to the rotator gear. This kept it's height lower to put the motor and such behind the rotator. I don't think the transparent top units offered a helluva lotta light to the rear with all that crap behind the rotator, INHO. I mean something, but I can't say much...

 

[kerry4951]

I agree, performance wise in either version would of been a joke compared to the later beacons that came out. But still a very unique early style light. Im sure these were out before anyone thought much about how "non effective" they would be compared to the later stuff. Back in the day these were probably considered state of art and much better then nothing.

 

[jph2]

It's a cool light that's a nice addition to any collection. It comes from the era when emergency lights were not very advanced, cars had fins, and streamlined was the latest thing.

 

[StEaLtH2]

B E A Utiful

 

[Skulldigger]

Here is one on a DeKalb County, Georgia Fire Department vehicle. That is a 1950 F-1 Truck, so that can give you some idea on a date.

 

[Wailer]

Anyone know anything more specific about these? I do know they were later offered (around 1953) with an all red plastic lense top cover, View attachment 163036

There is no 'e' on the end of the word lens.

 

[kerry4951]

There is no 'e' on the end of the word lens.

Thanks, I'll be sure to sleep better tonight

 

[marslights_IL]

I have one with the lens top.

 

[kerry4951]

View attachment 163061 I have one with the lens top.

Thanks for posting the pics. Nice!! Your base bottom and internals appear to be the same.

 

[894]

There is no 'e' on the end of the word lens.

There is in Europe and the British Isles... might even be in Canada, eh? Knucks? What say you?

 

[Scoot163]

It's a cool light that's a nice addition to any collection. It comes from the era when emergency lights were not very advanced, cars had fins, and streamlined was the latest thing.

Absolutely! This light is art deco at its best, and stylish as hell! A great piece!

 

[Wailer]

There is in Europe and the British Isles... might even be in Canada, eh? Knucks? What say you?

Lens = singular, one.
Lenses = plural, more than one.

 

[jph2]

Frankly, lens with an e on the end (lense) bugs me, just like then instead of than and a space between a word and an exclamation point, but two of the three have some acceptance in usage. Nonetheless, the substance of the post is what I'm interested in. So, these lights are really cool, whether the lens is just at the front or if the whole top is a lense!

Just my take. lol

 

[894]

What about centre then?

I'm sorry, just picking a fight...

 

[Aaron W]

I've never seen one of these in person or a video of one in operation. Does the reflector oscillate back and forth in a wide arc to provide side to side lighting, just wobble about a bit to draw attention mostly in one direction or rotate a full 360?

 

[kerry4951]

Its a full 360 rotation. On my version you will see action from the front and 2 sides. Gee, I hope I spelled everything OK.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

The same components were used to create a roof-mount spot light...this on a 1946 Diamond T prototype station wagon.

I remember the rotators used on the corners of a roof on an old ambulance in rural KY, with a 175 in the middle of the roof....

 

[kerry4951]

 

[Maxim2Eng]

There ya go! Now all you need is an old truck!

 

[OliverD]

Here are some picture of this light, but not mine .

 

[Skulldigger]

So am I the only one who doesn't have one? One of you are going to have to do a video.

 

[kerry4951]

You want to use a high output bulb in these. I just put a 50 CP #1183 bulb in mine and it flashes very bright.

 

[CrownVic97]

Here's a couple of videos I've found on YouTube with these beacons. I also threw in one vid of the High Ball beacon that replaced this one later on for comparison of the two.

High Ball from Tsquale's collection

 

[kerry4951]

Every one of those High Balls, including mine, sound like meat grinders.