View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject: Siren on M-38 |
|
|
Gentlemen: I am thinking of putting a siren on my 1952 M-38. How were the sirens activated, by a button or switch on the dash board? I was thinking of using a floor mounted MB starter button. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
P.S. Merry Christmas to All!!!
Regards Dennis : |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16265 Location: Wisconsin
|
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
I was wondering why you wanted to install a siren and then I noticed you are in New Jersey! Just kidding, I'm from Williamstown down between Camden and Atlantic City.
A spring loaded to "Off" momentary on toggle switch or a spring loaded "Off" button. You could also add a relay
It will be a little easier on your ears to mount it on the bumper or the right fender. Put the relay under the dash and mount it to the battery box or the dash support. Run a 14 gage wire from the battery positive post to the relay and from the relay to the siren. Then add a 16 gage wire from the small post on the relay to the dash switch and a 16 gage wire from the dash switch to a ground. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for getting back to me Wes. Excuse my ignorance, but what kind of relay switch should I use and why. I was planning on putting a fuse on positive line to be safe.
Thanks again, Dennis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zane Member
Joined: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 158
|
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
the mechanized sirens on our fire trucks are activated with a floor switch very similar to the mb starter switch, the reasoning for this is so you can keep both hands on the steering wheel where they belong instead of fumbling with a dash switch and causing a wreck, your mb floor starter switch will work perfectly (its a spring loaded momentary switch) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BILLR3408 Member
Joined: Apr 29, 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Cuba, IL.
|
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi,
I've got a starter botton mounted on the floor to the left of the gas pedal. It works real good, doesn't stand out, and it keeps my hands free. I never accidentally step on it.
I mounted the siren on the right fender in line with the blackout light on the left fender.
Billr3408 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
keats Member
Joined: Apr 14, 2005 Posts: 332 Location: Middletown Ct
|
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you don't want to drill extra holes in your jeep for this installation you can get a piece of L-iron and attach it to the tapped hole in the front frame member where the winch would normally go. Then mount the siren onto the top of the L -bracket. Nice and neat and easily removed. Run wire up through frame and engine compartment and go through the firewall main harness grommet to your switch of choice. Check out photo in my gallery under Gary Keating. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the advise guys. I agree with using the MB starter switch on the floor. Wes mentioned using a relay. Does the relay function as a junction box for the wiring? What does it do? Thanks again for the advise.
Regards Dennis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Cacti_Ken Member
Joined: Apr 20, 2005 Posts: 1021 Location: Silsbee, Texas
|
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Relays are used in circuits when a switch can't handle the current needed to operate the electrical device. The relay contact has to be rated to handle the current as well. If a light duty switch is use where high current is produced, then the switch will burn up. Or maybe the wiring will get hot and cause a fire. Proper size wire has to be considered for the device/motor that is to be operated also.
The relay coil is wired to a light duty switch. When the relay coil is energized it causes the relay contacts to close mechanically by electro motive force. the closing of the relay contacts is just another switch rated to pass the current to energize the motor.
_________________ Tropical Veteran
35th Inf. Reg. "CACTI" 4th I.D. VN
Amateur Radio K5XOM |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thnaks Ken for the thorough explaination. I am thinking of using a floor mounted, MB starter switch to activate the 12 volt siren, along with 14 gauge wiring. Do you think the starter switch is heavy duty enough to handle the current? I also was thinking of getting the power right from the starter positive terminal. It's the same as going to the positive on the battery isn't it? If the starter switch is heavy enough to handle the current, do I still need a relay? Also what about placing an in-line fuse?
Thanks Again, Dennis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16265 Location: Wisconsin
|
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Generally wiring and switches rated for 6 volt systems can usually stand the pressure applied by a 12 volt system.
Relays are necessary when operating amperage exceeds the rating of the switch or the wires at the switch.
To select a proper gauge wire you need to know the amperage rating of the siren. For example the Timberwolf siren PN 45 is 12 volts 28 amps (with a start up amp draw of 78 amps) requires 8 gauge wire.
Here's a quick comparison of three sirens:
Quote: | INDUSTRY COMPARISONS
B&M
Super
Chief 60 Amps (start-up 175) Wire gauge 6
Federal
Q2B 125 Amps (start-up 350) Wire gauge 2
TimberWolf
45 28 Amps (start-up 7 Wire gauge 8
|
_________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Gentlemen:
Thank you all for the great responses to my siren questions. So you know, my M-38 (Serial number 53472) has a 12 volt system in it. Sometime in it's lifetime the engine and transmission were replaced. It now has an early 2A engine and a 1946 dated T-90 transmission. I plan on installing a Federal, Model EG, 12 volt siren on the right fender and use an MB floor mounted starter switch to activate it. What size wire do you think I should use?
Thanks again, Dennis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16265 Location: Wisconsin
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wes: Is there anything you don't know about jeeps?????
I just got the siren today, but it's my Christmas Present and "The Boss" wants to give it to me for Christmas! Now I feel like a little Ralphie wishing for his Daisy Red Rider BB gun!!!
I will try the Federal website you sent me in the meantime and let you know how I make out.
Ho..HO..Ho to All.
Regards Dennis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16265 Location: Wisconsin
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
dv3468 Member
Joined: Dec 02, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey
|
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Wes. I would think I could use the same gauge wire that is coming out of the siren. I would think #10 multi-strand wire? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|