100 watt siren......Does it have to be a 100w speaker???????

SOC · Post by **SOC** » Fri May 07, 2004 7:03 pm

Hello,
Im new at working with sirens. I have a federal signal siren and it is 100 watt, i have a 50 watt speaker(x2) does it matter what size the speaker is?

Gman · Post by **Gman** » Fri May 07, 2004 7:07 pm

Generally yes.If the speaker is 50w,that is the max you can put in.The only exception is if the siren itself has a wattage selector switch that will lower the power going to the speaker.Not sure though if yours has that,good luck......

SOC · Post by **SOC** » Fri May 07, 2004 7:13 pm

Thanks I appreciate it, mine doesnt have the selector.....but befor i blew a good speaker i didnt want to take a chance, I cant afford a 100 watt one.the cheapest one i found was $60!@@ Thats more then what i gave for the siren

fire-medic8104 · Post by **fire-medic8104** » Fri May 07, 2004 7:17 pm

What is the model of siren you have?

Most sirens have an internal jumper for 58 watts.

The best thing to do is buy a 100 watt speaker, but in a pinch you could move the jumper, just remember the sound is reduced considerably using a 50 watt speaker.

Susan157 · Post by **Susan157** » Fri May 07, 2004 7:19 pm

Do not forget the Impedance value.

(That is the ac resistance of the speaker.)

If you have 100 watts (OK) What is
the Z ohms of the output amp?

We will us 8 ohms output.

If you have two speakers
(What output ohms?) Say
8 ohms each with 50 watts out
then 2 ea in parallel means
4 ohm output Z this is a NO-No.
two each in series means
8 + 8 = 16 ohms. This will
work ok.Higher "Z" is safer
than a lower "Z".

Please post the amp "Z"
Please post the speaker "Z"
ohms to answer correctly.

.

Susan157 · Post by **Susan157** » Fri May 07, 2004 7:23 pm

Watts is 1/2 the answer.The other 1/2
is the "Z"impedance (ac resistance.)

What is the "Z" ohms of the amp?
What is the "Z" ohms of the speakers?

Very Important "Z"This will make or Burn
the system.

Please anser these questions.

.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri May 07, 2004 9:47 pm

What model Federal is it?
Federal uses 11 ohm speakers (an odd impeadance), so the siren is rated at 100 watts into an 11 ohm load.
The PA300 is a 200 watt siren. You can run 2 speakers in parallel to gett the 200 watts.
Also note that a stanard music or voice speaker will not last long. A siren puts out a saturated sine wave (ie square wave), so a normal speaker will die in short order.
You can try using the 58 watt tap.
How loud do you need it to be?

jackhackett · Post by **jackhackett** » Fri May 07, 2004 9:50 pm

Standard siren speaker impedance is 11 ohms, standard power levels are 58, 100, and 200 watts(unless you get some weird brand).

Depending on the model of siren it might have a 58 watt output, for example a Federal PA300 has a 100W output, while a PA300-012MSC has a 100W and a 58W output, on that one they just use a different pin on the connector for each power level, there's no jumper or switch.

Susan157 · Post by **Susan157** » Sat May 08, 2004 3:55 am

The question was with two each speakers.

Two in parallel 11/2 = 5.5 ohms of impedance.

Two in series 11+ 11 = 22 ohms of impedance.

SOC · Post by **SOC** » Sat May 08, 2004 5:50 am

The model i have(well i actually have two) One is a PA300 which i dont think i will use cause i hear there junk so i prolly just let it go, but the one im gonna use is PA20.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat May 08, 2004 9:17 am

If they told you that a PA300 is junk, don't take too much advice from this person! The PA300 is probably one of the longest-lasting and most popular electronic sirens ever produced. They have a nice tone to them also- unlike some of the others (can we say "Code 3"). They will take a direct short in the speaker circuit and not hurt a darn thing like some. The only real problem withe them is the weak "sirer/airhorn" rocker switch breaking every few years if you use it alot.

My experience shows that for sirens, these are the best:
1- Federal
2- Whelen
3- Carson (and many knock-off brands)
4- the rest of them.

I don't count the Motorola siren since it's five times the money as these and usually part of a radio system, although it is a great siren.

If it's rated at 100w, use at least a 100W speaker.

The only time I have EVER run into an impedance issue is with the Motorola sirens and a Dynajunk....I mean, Dynamax speaker. The sirens will sometimes shut down from too low of an impedance and display an error if the radio can do so. Put a good 'ol Federal TS or a Whelen 314 speaker on and it's now fine.

jedi_saber · Post by **jedi_saber** » Sat May 08, 2004 12:58 pm

jim wrote:They have a nice tone to them also- unlike some of the others (can we say "Code 3").

Aye, I second that...hearing a Code3 makes me sick. Unitrol on the other hand is like music in my ears, very therapeutic...

Jim's right, the PA300 can and will take quite a beating - try it.

To slightly veer off topic: For the longest time ever, I believe (the older, GE original) powercall sirens were only to be used with 58W, but I could be wrong....

c17loadsmasher · Post by **c17loadsmasher** » Sat May 08, 2004 3:39 pm

Buy a 100W speaker. It's well worth the investment, and safety issue as well. I don't think I'd skimp on something designed to help get you there in one piece.

--Chris

ALF 935 · Post by **ALF 935** » Sat May 08, 2004 7:01 pm

The model i have(well i actually have two) One is a PA300 which i dont think i will use cause i hear there junk so i prolly just let it go, but the one im gonna use is PA20.

PA300 isn't all that bad. The tone gating and actual pitch leaves a little left to be desired, but definitley a rock solid unit. I seldom have to repair PA300's over a Code 3, any model.
On a PA300, mount a small momentary switch on the front panel, connect the two leads from the switch , one to pin 8, the other to pin 7 of the 556 timer on the board. While in your different modes, press the momentary switch and see what kind of sound you come up with. In either wail or yelp, pressing the switch will give you the phazor sound, while in Hi-Lo, will give you a telephone ringer.
Then again, these sounds may not be DOJ/DOT certified, but better enough to get someones attention who's sleeping behind the wheel.

Jimmy.

jackhackett · Post by **jackhackett** » Sat May 08, 2004 11:31 pm

I gotta agree, PA300's hold up pretty well, and they're a LOT easier to work on than a #$#&^ Code 3.

As for using 2 speakers in parallel or series, you still don't worry about the impedance. First, you don't want to put them in series, and in parallel, siren's like the PA300-012MSC specify that you can use 2x58W speakers hooked to the 58W output, or 2x100W speakers on the 100W output, so you still just match the speaker wattage to the output terminal wattage.

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Sun May 09, 2004 4:48 am

Aye, I second that...hearing a Code3 makes me sick. Unitrol on the other hand is like music in my ears, very therapeutic..

I have to admit that the Dunbar-Nunn Sirens were the best sirens ever made AKA Unitrol. The quality of a DN Siren is awesome, the most reliable siren out there and the sound of a unitrol siren is very distinctive. However when the owners wife got into a Pissing match with her hubby she decided to take away the other half of the business and sold the Unitrol line to Federal Signal,(what a B#*&H) well needless to say that the quality of a Unitrol has gone down a little and Federal could not leave the TM4 alone when they decided to make the Touchmaster Delta (YUCK) The Touchmaster TM4 series still is the best single unit siren and light controller made. Plus the TM4 is used by 70+ percent of your larger Law Enforcement Agencies and they have the neat sweep function plus the ultra hi lo. If you want a real treat of a siren get your self an Unitrol Omega 90 with a MDL 8000 control head (Rocks). I have one of those and I love it... I also have a TM4, (Kicks A$$) But I do have to say that if you have a PA300 keep it, darn good siren for Federal Signal.

Rick Rock · Post by **Rick Rock** » Sun May 09, 2004 6:08 pm

I have several Federal Signal and SVP siren speakers that are all 100watt speakers if you're interested. They're used, but I test all my speakers before selling, and I guarantee them not DOA. Email me for more info.

hoser · Post by **hoser** » Mon May 10, 2004 6:53 am

I've just purchased a used Whelen SA314P to work with my Motorola Siren/PA Box (HLN-1185C).

Did I make a wise purchase? It's a nice compact little package.

The siren is 100W/11 ohms so technically its proper. I know the Motorola Siren can do 58/100watts.

Any comments on the sound quality?

I also remember reading that the Siren output can fluctuate as the DC supply (in the vehicle) does so it may exceed the 100W! Anybody have experience with this or can confirm this?

Post by **alex** » Mon May 10, 2004 7:27 am

hoser wrote:I've just purchased a used Whelen SA314P to work with my Motorola Siren/PA Box (HLN-1185C).

Did I make a wise purchase? It's a nice compact little package.

The siren is 100W/11 ohms so technically its proper. I know the Motorola Siren can do 58/100watts.

Any comments on the sound quality?

I also remember reading that the Siren output can fluctuate as the DC supply (in the vehicle) does so it may exceed the 100W! Anybody have experience with this or can confirm this?

While not with the same siren speaker - I have the S9K siren package in my truck. No complaints, PA and Audio is CLEAR as can be. I'm very impressed with this setup - but I have a dynamax.

-Alex

Jacob · Post by **Jacob** » Mon May 10, 2004 8:35 am

I'm pretty sure the PA-20 is a 58 watt siren to start with, so that should be fine with your speaker. There are some interesting tones to be found in between the switch positions on the PA-20 or PA-200.

The original GE Power-Call is also a 58 watt siren.

ALF 935 · Post by **ALF 935** » Mon May 10, 2004 10:35 am

There are some interesting tones to be found in between the switch positions on the PA-20 or PA-200.

Qeeeeew, Qeeeew, Qeeeew, Qeeeeww,
Or how 'bout setting it to hi-lo and pressing the manual switch really fast.
I made a custom siren from a PA200 with an automatic timer that would imitate someone pressing the manual button at a rate of about 25 hz.
Nieghbors love me!!!!!!!!!!
Just took apart a police auction relic Aerodynic with dual TS100's in the center. Sealed beams, and one motor and belt. Did I hear Dukes of Hazzard? Mint condition, been switched over 3 times from dive truck to dive truck.
Jimmy

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Mon May 10, 2004 11:03 am

AeroDynics never had sealed beam rotators, the AeroTwinsonic came with sealed beam rotators, the domes will say AeroDynic but it is actually an AeroTwinsonic.... If you want you can place topics like this on http://www.cop-talk.com/forum

AltonFF · Post by **AltonFF** » Tue May 11, 2004 8:18 pm

I would honestly just save your money and buy a 100w speaker. Depending on what type of siren you have, 100w won't always be heard by traffic, and even worse with a 50 or 58w. I think those wattages are for golf-carts honestly.

When dealing with a siren, you really need to buy the best to have them be effective. Whelen Alpha series and Fed Sig's PA300 are really good, powerful sirens. I have a Fed Sig MS4000, it's a compact siren with a 100w dynamax. It's good, but I would choose the Whelen or the PA300 over that. Really, save up your change and get a 100w. It will be worth it, trust me. I think most would agree.

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Tue May 11, 2004 8:54 pm

58 watt speakers are used on police motorcycles, you can not use a 100 watt siren on a motor because the DB level is way to high for OSHA standards. besides you would not want to go deaf in the first year of being a motor officer now would ya....

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:48 pm

SOC wrote:Thanks I appreciate it, mine doesnt have the selector.....but befor i blew a good speaker i didnt want to take a chance, I cant afford a 100 watt one.the cheapest one i found was $60!@@ Thats more then what i gave for the siren

DUDE...

100Watt Sirens.. $40

http://www.lightbars.net/Speakers.htm

x1sspic · Post by **x1sspic** » Fri May 14, 2004 1:32 pm

AltonFF wrote:I think those wattages are for golf-carts honestly.

Bwahahahahaha. 200 is good, 400 better

100 watt siren......Does it have to be a 100w speaker???????

100 watt siren......Does it have to be a 100w speaker???????

Thanks

Do not forget the Impedance Value"Susan157"

Watts is 1/2 the answer "Susan157"

11 ohms output "Susan157"

Speaker

Re: Thanks