Thunderbolt Siren
Introduction
Thunderbolt 1003 all 3 Signals
A Thunderbolt 1003 is the only thunderbolt model that can do the Hi-Lo signal
A model 1000 or 1000T
The Federal Signal Thunderbolt siren is one of the most famous "older sirens" in the history of sirens. The Thunderbolt siren consists of three major parts: the blower, rotator and siren chopper. The blower, which is made up of a motor-driven Roots-type supercharger, supplies the big volume of air for the siren head, It is housed inside a large rectangular box typically found at the base of the siren head. The rotator is a motor-driven gear unit which rotates the directional horn/projector to direct the sound where the horn is at. The chopper is located in the cylindrical housing that the horn/projector attaches to at the top of the siren.
History
The Federal Signal Thunderbolt was the siren of choice by many Civil Defense authorities and emergency management agencies from the early 1950s through the late 1970s. Since the Thunderbolt was introduced in 1952 during the beginning of Cold War, it saw primary use as an attack warning siren. Phases of the attack signal was stressed in advertising as one of the most distinguishing features of the Thunderbolt. The dramatic volume in the down-pitch phase of the signal is usually the part of the signal that carries the farthest and is the most "attention-getting."
Later years of the Thunderbolt's production saw a wide variety of different models made to suit a variety of functions as its popularity grew.
Models
- Model 1000, a single-tone siren capable of two signals (alert and attack). (126dB at 100 feet)
- Model 1000T, a dual-tone version of the 1000.
- Model 1003, a dual-tone version with the added capability of producing a fire signal with solenoid valves.
- Model 2000, a single-tone thunderbolt 1000 that ran on gasoline
- Model 2000T, a dual tone version of the thunderbolt 2000, also powered by gasoline.