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jerrylovessirens
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Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Sun Apr 30, 2023 1:29 pm

I will begin the documentation on the restoration of this antique Decot (pronounced Deck-oh for the new guys) It is a Model 12, the biggest Teddy made. It was made from 1925-1930. This one was originally purchased and installed in Wisconsin Dells, but then sold and reinstalled at Lyndon Station WI VFD, where it remained for many more years. Bill Nagler then purchased this siren and another one from Lyndon Station in the 1970s for a whopping $100. He then kept the model 12 for parts, as the Valley Electric motor had burnt out.
. He wanted to make sure this one ended up with someone who would cherish and take care of it after he was gone. He had expressed this a good 10+ years ago that he thought I would be a good person to fulfill this due to my aptitudes and stable living situation. But I left it to him to make this decision.

With Bills latest injury, and health scare, he called me up and said he would like me to take and restore this one to working condition now. This whole debacle has really got him thinking of of his own mortality and what he will do with his material goods for when he does pass away someday in the future.

So yesterday, I spent the day visiting and helping him organize the basement of his shop/museum. While still in recovery, he mustered up all the energy he could to help me find and recover all the parts needed for this Model 12, and a spare motor for LukeH's Quadruplex. I was able to make a clear path around. And we commenced the game of 20 questions with Bill, as he rested on the basement steps. Is the motor blue? Is the peckerhead on the side? "No, that's a repulsion induction". "I swear it's in this corner"
Bills memory and internal inventory is amazing when it comes to the motors on the shelves. I can pick one of the shelf; He feels it, thinks for a second, and can tell me each one's history and application, repairs he's done to it, and even the bearing sizes. I've known him for nearly 20 years, and this never fails to amaze me.

With quite a bit of lugging and pulling up the stairs with my pneumatic tired handtruck, I was able to get the 10/15 port head up the stairs. With a bit more rummaging we found the legs. He also gave us a good used 10hp Baldor to retrofit into it. Both the motor and siren head weigh about 150-200lbs each.
Last edited by jerrylovessirens on Sun Apr 30, 2023 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jerry

Owner of former Wisconsin Dells/Lyndon Station Decot Model 12 (10/15 port)

Owner of the world's only fully operational Mobil Directo BN52G

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jerrylovessirens
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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Sun Apr 30, 2023 1:51 pm

Picture of the Model 12 head, 10HP Baldor, 5HP GE(for Luke's Quadruplex)

Tech Tip: A Model 12 head fits PERFECTLY on a 16in truck tire for cushioning/suspension during transit!
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Jerry

Owner of former Wisconsin Dells/Lyndon Station Decot Model 12 (10/15 port)

Owner of the world's only fully operational Mobil Directo BN52G

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jerrylovessirens
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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Sun Apr 30, 2023 1:57 pm

When I got it home, I just couldn't resist reinstalling the legs and tipping the thing back right-side up. So that's What I did. Teddy Decot would pour babbitt in-between the interface of the legs and the siren head as fine-tuned shims, and I can see why. It's a bit of a uneven fit without these.

I could then begin the measuring and brainstorming process of how the heck we are going to shoe-horn the 10hp Baldor into it! By removing the fan shroud and fan, I was able to get the length of the motor short enough to have the motor clear. I will also have to machine the stub shaft for the fan off.

You might ask, how will the motor be cooled then? The fan is there for continuous duty usage of the motor. Sirens are typically run in an intermittent duty cycle. This combined with the Decots specific arrangement, bottom half of the chopper will pull enough air from the top of the motor to facilitate
enough heat transfer. Cooling with short run times will not be an issue.
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Jerry

Owner of former Wisconsin Dells/Lyndon Station Decot Model 12 (10/15 port)

Owner of the world's only fully operational Mobil Directo BN52G

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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Sun Apr 30, 2023 2:12 pm

I also was able to spec out a set of Lovejoy couplers to connect the two up. A L100 series set was found. The sirens shaft is 1 1/8 in with a oddball 5/16 keyway. The Baldor has a 1 3/8 shaft with a standard 5/16 keyway. A few clicks on ebay and I scored a NOS set for $20 shipped to my door. What a deal!

As far as the oddball sized keyway on the Decot, I have two options. Either have one of my machinist friend broach the 1/4in keyway out on the lovejoy to 5/16, or run a stepped key. I'm honestly inclined on the former, for a stronger bond.
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Jerry

Owner of former Wisconsin Dells/Lyndon Station Decot Model 12 (10/15 port)

Owner of the world's only fully operational Mobil Directo BN52G

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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Sun Apr 30, 2023 3:28 pm

jerrylovessirens wrote:
Sun Apr 30, 2023 1:51 pm
Picture of the Model 12 head, 10HP Baldor, 5HP GE(for Luke's Quadruplex)

Tech Tip: A Model 12 head fits PERFECTLY on a 16in truck tire for cushioning/suspension during transit!
Alright, I think I have seen EVERYTHING and ANYTHING after looking at that photo.
and the video was indeed uploaded when i was in the cracker barrel of anderson, south carolina.
High Hoods!
Lord knows I can't change
Lord, help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah

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jerrylovessirens
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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Mon May 01, 2023 11:48 pm

Lovejoy couplers have been ordered. Cut 7/8 in of the fan-side shaft- I was then able to fit the 10HP Baldor underneath the Model 12. I think a simple 1/2in steel plate cut in somewhat a "H" shape will make it so the thing will mount right. I will then make torsion brackets to tie in the other two legs of Teddy's Milkstool to the motor mount plate
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Jerry

Owner of former Wisconsin Dells/Lyndon Station Decot Model 12 (10/15 port)

Owner of the world's only fully operational Mobil Directo BN52G

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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Tue May 02, 2023 1:50 am

I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes! I really like the work you put into your Mobil Directo, and I don't imagine any less effort going into this.
~1950 Federal Enterprises Model 5 - 12-port
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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Tue May 02, 2023 2:06 am

Sweet, always found the Decot’s as cool sirens, especially the 12’s.
Howdy, I’m Kole. I own a 1950’s Darley Model 2 (Helmet Variant.), a DSA 4X2, and a few other items that are related to sirens.

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jerrylovessirens
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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Fri May 05, 2023 1:20 am

Got the NOS Lovejoy mounted. Had to cut the Baldors main shaft a little, took 7/8in off to get everything to line up. Need to go to my trusted welder to get some 1/2in plate for the motor mount, and some 1/4in for the side torsion braces.
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Jerry

Owner of former Wisconsin Dells/Lyndon Station Decot Model 12 (10/15 port)

Owner of the world's only fully operational Mobil Directo BN52G

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Re: Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

Fri May 05, 2023 8:14 am

Man, I seriously love your restoration work! It's amazing that you managed to first off get your hands on a Mobil Directo BN52G, but now you've even acquired a Decot Model 12! I can't wait to see it finished!
:D
A British siren enthusiast. Previously lived at the furthest point from any sirens before co-discovering one very close to where he is located. Also features a great discomfort referring to themselves in third-person.

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