Twinsonic 12F Craigslist find

Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
Was given a heads up that this was local to me, and its been awhile since I had any luck finding things in the wild.
Twinsonic 12F, overall not bad used condition, I have some work ahead of me with cleanup but shouldn't need much.

As I got it..
Optimized-20191116_111645.jpg

Optimized-20191116_111705.jpg

Anyone know what Model 528 is referring to?
Wrecker brand maybe?

Optimized-20191116_111718.jpg

Not sure why the endcap was cut like that.

Optimized-20191116_115528.jpg

Optimized-20191116_120837.jpg

Gearbox.... YUCK!

I'll post some video.. OCD is kicking in as I work on this.. finding little things that are irking me..

 
Last edited:

stansdds

Member
May 25, 2010
3,533
U.S.A., Virginia
My guess is that this was mounted on a tow truck, the "Model 528" likely the tow truck body model. End caps may have been cut so as to fit around whatever the TwinSonic was mounted upon.
 
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
This is chugging along quite nicely..
Tear down complete..
Optimized-20191117_113356.jpg

Cleaned parts
Optimized-20191117_163119.jpg

The Mirrors came out great and they other then the gearbox were the worse for wear.
And I discovered that PBblaster is a pretty effective degreaser quite by accident.

I'm giving all the fastners and small metal bits a bath in PBblaster currently.
It also tackled and completely cleaned the drive chains.. so win.

While that was going on I attacked the domes.. left one is untouched... right one has gone through one cleaning and polishing round.

Optimized-20191116_192446.jpg

Quick question.. does anyone know the factory wiring order on the terminal?
It's a 5 position terminal.. obviously 12v+, 12v-, Speaker +, Speaker -, flashers.

But what order did it come from factory.. the sticker is long gone.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: OliverD
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
Ironically enough I got it right with my last post.. lol
 

ejwa

Member
May 22, 2012
60
Southeastern Kentucky
Do you know if Code 3 made an SD bar that was comparable to this one? I remember one of the old fire tankers at the local department had a light bar like a Twinsonic but the flashers were mounted right against the inside of the domes. I want to say the flashers were between the rotators.


Never mind, I was able to answer my own question.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kadetklapp

Benno

Member
Jul 17, 2011
364
Germany
Do you know if Code 3 made an SD bar that was comparable to this one? I remember one of the old fire tankers at the local department had a light bar like a Twinsonic but the flashers were mounted right against the inside of the domes. I want to say the flashers were between the rotators. ...
Yes, they did!
These flashers on the SD-Bar were an option you could choose. They were called Selectalert alternating flashers
 
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
Not to mention the later generation Model 12F and 12EF used the round Par36 lamp holders found in the Aerodynic.
 
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
In the event anyone ever wondered what a Twinsonic Gearbox looks like completely stripped and laid out.. here you go.

This was by far the nastiest conglomeration of Grease I have ever dealt with.
On the plus side it did a good job protecting the parts, and after some inspection they all look to be good and reusable.

BTW the type 3 motor that was attached had a date of 2-90


Optimized-20191121_235442.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: OliverD

deelony

Member
May 23, 2010
185
LINY
Model 528 is a type of No-Mar brand wrecker (E.R Buske mfg). They were based out of Pochantas Iowa and have been defunct since around 2003. They were a very popular brand in the 70' and 80's and into the early 90s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stansdds
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
Progress, progress.

Optimized-20191123_151050.jpg

Pro Tip.. make sure your gearbox is assembled correctly and test it before you remount it.. lol don't do what I did. ;)

Optimized-20191123_153909.jpg

You can actually see the base again! this was bad lots of degreaser, and a powerwasher and this is it.
 
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
So with some fairly major progress completed I will post up some results..

Optimized-20191220_153225.jpg

Optimized-20191220_153239.jpg

Cleanup is complete. I need to add some additional grease, synch the rotators and rewire a new harness to the wiring block.

The holdup was getting time to work on the domes..

Optimized-20191220_153412.jpg

Nothing fancy done here.. these are the original domes..
I adjust my finishing method a little to experiment.

1.) Soap and water
2.) Magic Eraser (gave it a shot.. meh)
3.) Wet Sand. 1500 grit.. (abit high looking back, probably should have started at 1000)
4.) Soap and Water
5.) Auto Rubbing Compound.. (Turtle Wax brand I think)
6.) Mequires Auto Wax.. kinda smelled like bananas.. Carnuba maybe?

Take note I did not use PlastX, Novus or any other product. I grabbed what was on the shelf in my garage and ran with it..

I think the results speak for themselves.. Daylight reveals all flaws.. some crazing, but still overall pleased.

Optimized-20191220_153423.jpg Optimized-20191220_153436.jpg Optimized-20191220_153446.jpg
Optimized-20191220_153456.jpg

compare these to the original pictures..
 
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
And the wrap up!

Optimized-20191221_152151.jpg
Optimized-20191221_152209.jpg

And with that, I am calling it a day.. If I can locate a replacement speaker tray on the cheap then I might just replace the plastic one altogether. No big deal either way.


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.. to everyone!


Rob
 

stansdds

Member
May 25, 2010
3,533
U.S.A., Virginia
Yes, you can still find TwinSonic's in service. Tow/maintenance vehicles and maybe on some volunteer or reserve fire department equipment. Federal Signal made quality equipment.
 
Jun 18, 2013
3,709
PA
Yes, you can still find TwinSonic's in service. Tow/maintenance vehicles and maybe on some volunteer or reserve fire department equipment. Federal Signal made quality equipment.

I know of at least 2 departments that still have twinsonics in use. one R/R and one R/B. I was able to save one from the dumpster a few years back on one of the vehicles I rode around in when I was still active.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stansdds

Forum Statistics

Threads
53,962
Messages
449,805
Members
19,102
Latest member
Hilux01

About Us

  • Since 1997, eLightbars has been the premier venue for all things emergency warning equipment. Discussions, classified listings, pictures, videos, chat, & more! Our staff members strive to keep the forums organized and clutter-free. All of our offerings are free-of-charge with all costs offset by banner advertising. Premium offerings are available to improve your experience.

User Menu

Secure Browsing & Transactions

eLightbars.org uses SSL to secure all traffic between our server and your browsing device. All browsing and transactions within are secured by an SSL Certificate with high-strength encryption.