I am an old (61) new guy entering the old school classic car scene. I have a 1951 Chevy Fleetline and got the bug to install a Federal Model O siren in it. I am wondering if you could help me out with a wiring diagram? I bought a Ford solenoid, wiring for both a positive and negative, the switch and the relay. I think all I need to do is figure out the placement and wiring and I will be GOLDEN... I should have prefaced this message with... I never grew up working on cars and usually have someone else work on them. This is my first classic car. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
How to wire a Federal
- Thread starter Tracy Lundin
- Start date
Simple wiring + battery post to solenoid big post, other big post to siren. Now hard part what kind of switch do you want? There is a floor mount monetary on, a push button on the dash or a flip switch so you can operate it off your horn button. Both the push button and floor switch are simple plush on make noise let off quit. Your solenoid will be either 3 or 4 post. Two little two big. you all ready did the big one #4 wire at least bigger if it 6 volt . So now to wire the trip. Hot on hot or with switch on, your choice. It Goes to one side of switch. other side to small post on solenoid. If 3 wire it grounds threw the mount. if 4 run a ground off other side . If you want it to go threw the horn button it takes a double pole double throw switch . Splice the wire going out to the horn to one side of the switch. Then jump the side that comes from the steering column to the other side of the switch. the last post will go out to the solenoid. Not you flip the switch one way press the horn button and the horn honks. Throw it the other way and press the horn button the siren screams. Good luck.
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What you need is a constant duty solenoid, not a Ford starter solenoid. It isn't rated for constant duty. Wiring isn't much of a problem if you have the proper equipment and tools. Is your car still a 6-volt system, or has it been changed to 12 volts? You will need the largest ampere-hour battery that you can fit into the battery box. Do you want to control the siren from the horn ring, foot pedal, or a button on the dash? The general principles will remain the same; however, their application will vary. Do you have a siren model in mind? One thing to consider is where you want the siren to be mounted. Your car looks like it would make a perfect "police car" clone. You could also build it like a detective car.