The Siren Board

Hello all, I’m very new to here, and I’m just getting into this hobby. Near my location is a 2001-SNRB. There is a lot of variants out there, so what are the differences?

The Federal Signal 2001 was introduced to the market in 1989 in the 'roundback' variant. These models had a rounded back panel, the windscreen, and were considered 2001-DCs, or the 1st Generation of 2001-SRNs.

Around 1992-1993, the second variant was introduced - the squareback 2001-DC or SRN-G2. This one also featured a windscreen, but had a square rear panel. This design would be used until the introduction of the 2001-130 in 2006. This variant underwent a few changes, including a change in the size of the center cone in the siren's horn.

The last version of the 2001-DC or SRN-G2 removed the windscreen and made common the large center cone. These were still considered part of the G2 or DC line, and were not what we know and love as the true 2001-SRN.

The 2001-SRN-G3 was introduced around 1998, and featured a logo placed on the center cone. This also was the first 2001 series siren without the 2001-DC model stamp. These are easily identified by their logo on the center cone, and the 2001-SRN sticker on the rotator panel, although both of these stickers, or decals, have faded over time or were removed or painted over.

In 2002, a change was made to the rotator assembly of the 2001 series, prompting a new design for the rotator cover. This was a square rotator instead of the rectangular one introduced with the original 2001 in 1989, marking the first major change for the series. This was known as the SRN series B, or simply the 2001-SRNB. The head was nearly identical to the 2001-DC and SRN. The first generation of 2001-SRNBs featured the smaller logo from the 2001-SRN series, however in Mid-2004, this was swapped for a larger cone logo with the "FS" logo.

In 2006, the 2001 series underwent its most major overhaul. The internals of the siren were moved around, prompting a larger rear panel, in a rectangular shape. The rotator stayed the same from the 2001-SRNB series. This model could output more sound than the previous 3 models, giving it the name of 2001-130. This is the most popular variant of the 2001, with over 5,000 units currently in service around the world.

There's also another siren that's considered part of the 2001 series, however this one features a different chopper assembly, this one being 8-port instead of the standard 12-port. This is the Federal Signal Equinox. There are no visible differences between the Equinox and the 2001-130 aside from the decals on the rotator panel, and, of course, the sound.

I'm somewhat new in this community as well (I've been learning about sirens for at least a year), so how do you tell the difference of an SRNB and a 130 without looking at the decals? (meaning the SRNB and 130 decals on the rotator)

EDIT: There is a visible difference on the Equinox: by looking at the slits on the back of the horn (right were it attaches to the box), the Equinox has 8 slits (for 8 ports), while the 130 has 12 slits (for 12 ports)

the 130 has a rectangular vertical box (looks elongated) on the back of the horn and the SRNB has a square vertical box on the back of the horn.

Now I see it. Thanks, I always appreciate information that I didn't know!

Here's the simplest way I can put it. nvanw27 had it very close, but had some years wrong.

2001-SRN
1st generation was 1988-1989, the "roundback" model. Model was offered with a coded option that presently is unknown to truly exist.

2nd generation was 1990-1996, the same as Gen 1 with square back. Coded option was completely dropped.

3rd generation was 1996-1998, New spun aluminum projector and motor cover with bug/debris screen relocated to the stator rather than the front of the projector. The earliest of this generation can be found with the older small, cone shaped motor cover.

4th generation was 1998-2002, Same as the 3rd gen, but compacted the design, with a skinnier rotator housing and back housing.

2001-SRNB
2002-2006. Same as the 4th generation SRN, but moved to a new 6.5HP chopper motor over the old 6 horse motor and added a revamped rotator assembly that featured a one piece direct drive gearbox to drive the rotator.

2001-130
2006-Today. Basically the same as the SRNB, but the rear housing was elongated to move the rotor and stator assembly above the collector ring assembly for increased air flow.


Pay no attention to the 2001-DC nomenclature. It's really a complete misnomer because that refers to every single 2001, including the SRNB and 130. There's only 3 generations of the 2001, SRN, SRNB and 130. 2001-DC is any 2001 that's equipped with batteries. Otherwise, it's a 2001-AC model that runs off a rectifier.

Here is an image I made that has the various 2001 models side-by-side, as well as listing some of the changes introduced with each revision.