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View Full Version : Electric Air Raid Sirens...



Krypton
26-08-2011, 09:13 AM
I know quite a few of us on here have hand cranked sirens - but does anyone have an electric one?

Just wanting to know how easy they are to connect to mains and get working..

myke
26-08-2011, 11:34 AM
not sure what you are asking if you have an electric one that needs repair or checking out i may be able to help

Krypton
26-08-2011, 01:16 PM
No, i am contemplating buying one to add to my Cold War Collection - but if i am going to get one i want to know how easy they are to connect to the mains.

Tankman
26-08-2011, 02:55 PM
If you are talking of the WWII Sirens such as the twin blade Carter Nelsons etc. They generally use 3 phase power, which means you can only run them on that, unless you can get a converter. Which is generally expensive, plus the ampage drawn from them may take out the mains circuit breakers!

Here are a few from my collection:thumb


http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/47185/2881184970033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2881184970033241453peOjHa)

This little siren is from East Germany, and screams out at 120 db! It runs on 240 volts, so ok with mains electricity. These are easily picked up on German e/bay for about £60.00.


http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/25093/2910391680033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2910391680033241453hKTtGv)

This one is a real bute:thumb It a Federal Electric Siren Type 21, circa 1952 and runs on 110 voltage. But all I need is a voltage reducer 240/110 which is relatively cheap, compared to a 3 phase. I got this on US e/bay! cost £150.00, but shipping bumped that up to £300.00:shocked I always wanted a US, CD siren for my collection. It needs quite a bit of restoration as can be seen but parts are still available:thumb

if you just want a small siren like a gents, single blade siren they are relatively cheap, and again come up on e/bay every so often.

Rebel
26-08-2011, 02:59 PM
They are usually too heavy to move about so nobody bothers. They are 3 phase so I don't know how your going to power it and then theres also the problem of getting a signal to it.

Krypton
26-08-2011, 03:00 PM
Its the three phase power i was worried about,

Im wanting something like a twin blade secomak...

myke
26-08-2011, 03:19 PM
from what i read on the net they are available in single or three phase three phase is out of the question(without expensive invertors or convertors) for most homes as they have single phase.
check the rating plate for the model you buy the max single phase motor you can run of a domestic 13a supply is 3 HP or 3000w but this is extreme i recomend 2.5HP or 2500w max.

ERNIE99_UK
27-08-2011, 06:33 PM
The other problem with the twin rotor carter or castle air raid sirens is the weight, they come in at about 125kg i think!

Krypton
27-08-2011, 07:57 PM
I want one so badly!

DJ OSKA
11-09-2011, 09:19 PM
hehehehe I have 2 Castle Castings sirens :-D (and I don't intend to part with them- ever!)

Both are powered by a 5hp 3-phase electric motor and weigh in at about 85kg each.

Bill50
11-09-2011, 10:49 PM
No, i am contemplating buying one to add to my Cold War Collection - but if i am going to get one i want to know how easy they are to connect to the mains.

Should be easy enough to connect to the mains,with the closure of many Coastguard stations and small Police stations there must be quite a few sirens around because as far as I know they were all fitted with them.My local CG station had one fitted in the event of some need to use it.An electrician could wire it up for you.

myke
12-09-2011, 11:53 AM
hehehehe I have 2 Castle Castings sirens :-D (and I don't intend to part with them- ever!)

Both are powered by a 5hp 3-phase electric motor and weigh in at about 85kg each.

sirens at 5 hp wouldent want to be near them when powered up:wflag any idea how far away they can be heard? some serious power there:lol:

SaltGeorge
12-09-2011, 12:37 PM
If you want it as a museum piece.. keep it original.. but for a working demonstration would it not be easier to swap out the vintage 3-phase for a modern 5HP single phase motor? As long as the shaft aligns, the motor is just a means of spinning up the noise generator. Matched for power and RPM, I can't see a reason why a modern motor wouldn't be just as good for demonstrating. Chris, I believe you've spun yours up on an 18V battery drill.

DJ OSKA
15-09-2011, 09:53 PM
Chris, I believe you've spun yours up on an 18V battery drill.

I have indeed...

You can see such a demonstration HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL3qFr5eg3Y

But trust me, a 240V drill is better! You can feel it through the shed floor!
When I can get away with it, I'll post a video of a 240V demonstration...

Castle Castings DID do a single-phase version of their sirens, but it draws way too many amps and will trip the switch on a standard domestic 240V setup...

Also, it is worth noting that Castle Castings did a variant with a 3-phase 7HP motor- the next model up from mine!

TripleSix
24-09-2011, 11:36 PM
I have access to generators that have a 3phase output....

Krypton
25-09-2011, 10:58 AM
I have access to generators that have a 3phase output....

You have access to everything!

Why didnt i think of you!

I think im gonna buy one now then - it'll look good on the next open day

DJ OSKA
25-09-2011, 08:27 PM
I have now started work on my SECOND siren...

Maybe if I get time, I can bring mine along to an open day...

I took one of mine to the 1940s weekend at Weybourne Station, Norfolk, last weekend- after twisting people's arms to let me have it on static display on the platform!

myke
26-09-2011, 05:45 PM
some nice sirens and info here

http://www.airraidsirens.com/