Federal Beaconray Date Coding...

Paul Steinberg

PCS Life Member President
Staff member
Super Site Supporter
Don't know the accuracy of this information, however, I found it on eBay while looking at beacons... Your thoughts...

First digit indicates voltage.
1 = 6VDC
2 = 12VDC
4 = 24VDC
The next letter indicates a range of years.
A,B,C,D = 1948-1954.
H,I,M = 1954-1958.
N = 1956-1963.
P = 1964-early 1968.
R = Late 1967-1976.
The next two digits indicate the specific model of the beacon.
16 = 17 and 17-H permanent mount
14,57 = 17-A stanchion mount.
22 = 17-B Quick disconnect mount
11,12 = 17-C special California model with a PAR-46 bulb in a Unity fixture attached to the beacon's skirt, "P" serial.
14 = 17-C special California model with a PAR-46 bulb in a Unity fixture attached to the beacon's skirt, "R" serial.
48,52,56,58 = 17-D De-mountable.
33 = Flange skirt.
The letter after the model likely indicates the month, the letters "I", "J", "L", and "O" are skipped.
A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
K = September
M = October
N = November
P = December
The final digit is the last digit of the year.
 
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