Help Identifying Accessories - 1961 F850 Firetruck
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Help Identifying Accessories - 1961 F850 Firetruck
Interested to see if you guys can tell me what some of the addons are under the hood of this old fire truck. Little backstory, my boss purchased this on eBay years ago, didn't do anything with it. So I offered to buy it from him and now I have it. Came from Ethel Missouri, I got it with less than 10,000 miles on it and just rolled it over last year. Only use it for hay rides and parades really.
Okay so under the hood is this thing that looks like a mailbox. There are two battery boxes on the truck, only has one battery, but both positive leads go through this box before going back out to the ignition system. there is a switch inside the cab that has three positions, not labeled. The truck will only get power from the battery with the switch in one position. Once running you can flip it wherever.
All I know is that it is made by Furnas Electrical Company of Batavia Illinois. Has "style" number of J7828.
Check out the pictures and let me know. My thoughts are that it was an old inverter for running electrical tools or lights from the truck. There are two electrical outlets below the driver door.
Thanks,
Canaan
Okay so under the hood is this thing that looks like a mailbox. There are two battery boxes on the truck, only has one battery, but both positive leads go through this box before going back out to the ignition system. there is a switch inside the cab that has three positions, not labeled. The truck will only get power from the battery with the switch in one position. Once running you can flip it wherever.
All I know is that it is made by Furnas Electrical Company of Batavia Illinois. Has "style" number of J7828.
Check out the pictures and let me know. My thoughts are that it was an old inverter for running electrical tools or lights from the truck. There are two electrical outlets below the driver door.
Thanks,
Canaan
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
Wow, 24 hrs and no replys.
I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say it's a battery disconnect switch. 3 positions, Batt 1, Off and Batt 2. You've only got one battery, thus 2 positions with no power.
Once the truck is running, it'll run off the generator, thus moving the switch doesn't really do anything.
I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say it's a battery disconnect switch. 3 positions, Batt 1, Off and Batt 2. You've only got one battery, thus 2 positions with no power.
Once the truck is running, it'll run off the generator, thus moving the switch doesn't really do anything.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks Crow, I can't believe that didn't cross my mind. But I think you are exactly correct. I will test later by hooking up another battery to the truck and moving the switch.
I guess why it didn't cross my mind is that other battery selectors I had seen in the past have had four positions:
Battery A
Battery B
Both A & B
Off
Is there a reason that a truck would be equipped with two batteries and only have the option to run one at a time?
I guess why it didn't cross my mind is that other battery selectors I had seen in the past have had four positions:
Battery A
Battery B
Both A & B
Off
Is there a reason that a truck would be equipped with two batteries and only have the option to run one at a time?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
Probably, but I'm not sure why.
I can see the total disconnect as firetrucks usually sit for a long time and if you disconnect the batteries they won't run down as fast, but I'm not sure why they wouldn't add a "both" option.
Got any pics of the whole truck. '61's my favorite year.
I can see the total disconnect as firetrucks usually sit for a long time and if you disconnect the batteries they won't run down as fast, but I'm not sure why they wouldn't add a "both" option.
Got any pics of the whole truck. '61's my favorite year.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Watertown
My thought was that it was a safety device so that if the truck was turned off at a fire but lights were still needed they could leave them on and when they needed to get out of there the second battery could be used if the first one was discharged too much.
Mark
Mark
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
That makes sense. Kinda like RV tow rigs have a relay to separate the truck battery from the trailer battery when the engine is off. Use 12v stuff all night and still be able to start the truck in the morning.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
We did a restoration on one of the trucks they used on the old TV show, "Emergency". It was one of the Squad 51 trucks. I'd post a pic but it's a Dodge.
Not as cool as yours though. Just looks like a red truck with a utility bed. Your's is awesome.
Not as cool as yours though. Just looks like a red truck with a utility bed. Your's is awesome.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Did you do it yourself? I can't imagine what anyone would price me for an estimate. That picture is a couple years old. But it still looks good for its age.
Would really like to hold on to it long enough to where I can afford to do it.
Going to be in a parade in two weeks, i'll post a few photos.
Would really like to hold on to it long enough to where I can afford to do it.
Going to be in a parade in two weeks, i'll post a few photos.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
A couple of us worked on it. I own a small restoration shop buried in the Ozarks. What this pic doesn't show is that the owner wanted the interior of all those compartments lined with aluminum diamond plate. What a PITA! No 2 pieces of the diamond plate were the same size.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
82_F100_300Six
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Apr 27, 2018 07:58 PM
john fin
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
32
Mar 11, 2012 04:44 PM
