If you want to skip ahead to the question you asked or a specific one, you may do so here: 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Why I like traffic signals and how did I get into them? 1:54 - How to find traffic signals? 2:59 - Which one is my favorite and which is my least favorite? 4:36 - How heavy is the 3M? 6:03 - What is my most expensive signal? [and] How much have I spent on my signals in total? 7:44 - What is my advice to those who want to start a collection? 10:52 - How do traffic lights work? 12:54 - How do pedestrian countdown signals work? 15:12 - Am I going to get more signals?
You know what? As a kid, the 3M 131 was what peaked my interest as a kid - that and the doghouse. Of course, both were fairly ubiquitous in the city I grew up in the early 80’s.
From one signal collector to another, your collection is amazing. My passion for signals started at age 3 in the 70s. I wanted to touch a traffic light so my dad raised me off his shoulders and I was able to reach the green ball of the light. It actually tuned on as I tapped the glass and I thought I made it change. In my 40s I am a member of the IMSA, and switching from IT to traffic signal technician work. All of this from touching a traffic light and collecting them.
Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your story. Not everyone can take a passion and a hobby and turn it into a career (I tried with the railroad) but I'm glad you love what you do. So many people go to work their entire lives and never get a moment of joy from it.
Thanks for the quick response, I would like to say the 3m was not the only signal I got from fb 8" Crouse hinds type m And a Michigan style flashing red right turn signal with the box on top Now to answer your question it has c style labels with 159827, 159828, 159829. Sorry for going on and on.
Thanks! I've been wanting one for a while so I'm glad that I finally got one! I got a plastic one at an antique store a year back somewhere, but unfortunately, when I got home and plugged it in, the lights burned out a few seconds later, and may have blown a fuse that was on it... The fuse could not be replaced, so we just trashed it... It was $60, and was working before I bought it, too! Dang! I don't think it was a real outdoor model, nor was it used in a traffic setting! The yellow lens also fell down some stairs and shattered... I was very disappointed! Oh well! The traffic light I ordered was made by Peak, and has a Galak Electronics VC-305B traffic controller installed in it! I'm looking forward to getting it in the mail! It should be delivered by March 6th! I also have two pedestrian signals (one don't walk, the other walk, they are symbols) that use LEDs that I got in an antique store for $10 each! They are pretty bright, and each one can be plugged in the wall individually! Thanks for the love by the way! :D
now, i have to tell you something. when i was a kid. New jersey used to have a lot of these Worded ICC Pedestrian signals. now they are being phased out of service in favor of countdown pedestrian signals.
I’m a huge fan of icc ped signals and willing to get one.. the only thing that bothers me about traffic lights is when the workers replace them if they are still working and/or if they’re rare. here’s a true story, so in one intersection, there’s a set of green housing signals (for cars and the ped signals made of aluminum) presumably installed in the early 2000s.. when I was on my way home, I noticed that the ped signals housings are poly and yellow, while the signals for cars is still old and green🤦🏿♂️. Another true example, some point in 2011, half the state where I live, all different colors and different kinds of signals were replaced with yellow poly econolite but left the original poles.. I still don’t understand why that happened. quite frankly I miss seeing interesting signals where I grew up seeing.
Hey, where did you get the poles for your traffic signals? I finally got my 8” econolite but I it came with a hanger and I don’t want to hang it up because I’m afraid it might fall so
deloreanman14 oh nice, I have a Crouse-Hinds too but I don’t use it because the holes where you connect the arm brackets and the traffic light are totally rusted onto it so it’s impossible to mount it or hang it up... another reason why I’m getting a new traffic light
deloreanman14 so I plan on changing the color of my traffic light to a glossy black or yellow... can’t decide but is it okay if I spray paint over the color it currently has and do I use matte black to color the insides of the visors??
As speeds increased, it became increasingly clear that 8" lenses were not adequate so the first to be made larger was the red since it's the most important. Eventually, all indications on high-speed approaches (above 40 mph) were required to be 12" but for the most part, it's universal today. You almost never see new 12/8/8 or all-8" signals installed.
These were very common in/near Kansas City until the 90’s. There are a few of the 12” Red/8” Yellow/8” Green signals still in operation, but they’re likely scheduled for removal before 2025, because here, if a signal appears to be older than 10 years, they tend to get replaced.
The TCT signal is also one of my least favorite signals you can get. Especially second hand ones, the plastic always fades and looks like garbage, and they are made a plastic. The econolite button backs are also very very ugly.
This one has never spent a minute outside in its life and back when I had it on a pole, the side that was exposed to sunlight through the window started to turn chalky after only a year. It's aluminum, not polycarbonate but that development was one of the reasons I moved it to the ceiling beam, to keep it totally out of the sun. I won't even get it wet with quick detailer anymore...there are lines in the paint from the last time I tried. Utter garbage paint job.
@@deloreanman14 It seems to be unique to them too, I guess they just use a really stupid or cheap method of doing paint, there is one set of them left in my town, and they are nearly white from being faded. I guess they wised up to this since, they have been buying McCain to replace their older signals. Not really a big fan of Econolite either. They just look really ugly, except for the flat backs, which I think they just swiped from McCain. The bullseye and the button backs just look really bad. McCains and the 3M-131 are by far the best, just in my opinion
Not sure what prices are today but when I got mine, Econolite did not sell to the general public. I was only able to get mine ordered through a friend who worked for the company.
First LEDs for traffic lights showed up in the early 1990s and were red only. The tech in the modules of today compared to the early ones doesn't even compare...the current ones are so much better.
deloreanman14 So I might be getting a econolite 8 inch traffic light because I seen one on eBay and yours and they look really good but is/was it difficult to get the leotek LED’s??
@@treytrent1999 It wasn't hard at all. Just locate your nearest Leotek distributor (a listing by state is on their website) and give them a call to see if they'll sell to you. Be forthcoming about your status as a collector and make sure they understand your order will be small. Having the part numbers for what you want to buy handy helps big time as it shows you're serious. In all my years, I've only ever had one distributor refuse to sell to me but in doing so, they lost that business to another who was. If one says no, another will almost certainly say yes. Money is money and oftentimes they're curious about the collecting world.
deloreanman14 sweet, so would they also sell to someone who just started like who only has one traffic light or they only sell to someone who has a legit collection??
@@treytrent1999 They don't care about that. Just tell them what you're looking for and they'll say yes or no. I'm not sure where you are but I had good luck with Western Pacific Signal in San Leandro, California. Their prices were reasonable and they shipped quickly.
If you want to skip ahead to the question you asked or a specific one, you may do so here:
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - Why I like traffic signals and how did I get into them?
1:54 - How to find traffic signals?
2:59 - Which one is my favorite and which is my least favorite?
4:36 - How heavy is the 3M?
6:03 - What is my most expensive signal? [and] How much have I spent on my signals in total?
7:44 - What is my advice to those who want to start a collection?
10:52 - How do traffic lights work?
12:54 - How do pedestrian countdown signals work?
15:12 - Am I going to get more signals?
You know what? As a kid, the 3M 131 was what peaked my interest as a kid - that and the doghouse. Of course, both were fairly ubiquitous in the city I grew up in the early 80’s.
From one signal collector to another, your collection is amazing. My passion for signals started at age 3 in the 70s. I wanted to touch a traffic light so my dad raised me off his shoulders and I was able to reach the green ball of the light. It actually tuned on as I tapped the glass and I thought I made it change. In my 40s I am a member of the IMSA, and switching from IT to traffic signal technician work. All of this from touching a traffic light and collecting them.
Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your story. Not everyone can take a passion and a hobby and turn it into a career (I tried with the railroad) but I'm glad you love what you do. So many people go to work their entire lives and never get a moment of joy from it.
@@deloreanman14which traffic signals are those one's on the white cabinets what are the name of those traffic signals
Cool to see you upload again
I recently got a 3m 131 from FB
Congrats on your purchase!! Just curious...what are the serial numbers on yours?
Thanks for the quick response,
I would like to say the 3m was not the only signal I got from fb
8" Crouse hinds type m
And a Michigan style flashing red right turn signal with the box on top
Now to answer your question it has c style labels with 159827, 159828, 159829.
Sorry for going on and on.
Congratulations 900!
Thanks! Will have to do something special for 1,000.
I just ordered a traffic light with a sequencer installed! I'm very excited to get it!
Congrats!
Thanks! I've been wanting one for a while so I'm glad that I finally got one! I got a plastic one at an antique store a year back somewhere, but unfortunately, when I got home and plugged it in, the lights burned out a few seconds later, and may have blown a fuse that was on it... The fuse could not be replaced, so we just trashed it... It was $60, and was working before I bought it, too! Dang! I don't think it was a real outdoor model, nor was it used in a traffic setting! The yellow lens also fell down some stairs and shattered... I was very disappointed! Oh well! The traffic light I ordered was made by Peak, and has a Galak Electronics VC-305B traffic controller installed in it! I'm looking forward to getting it in the mail! It should be delivered by March 6th! I also have two pedestrian signals (one don't walk, the other walk, they are symbols) that use LEDs that I got in an antique store for $10 each! They are pretty bright, and each one can be plugged in the wall individually! Thanks for the love by the way! :D
Awesome!
😀🚥
now, i have to tell you something. when i was a kid. New jersey used to have a lot of these Worded ICC Pedestrian signals. now they are being phased out of service in favor of countdown pedestrian signals.
Very nice!
I’m a huge fan of icc ped signals and willing to get one.. the only thing that bothers me about traffic lights is when the workers replace them if they are still working and/or if they’re rare. here’s a true story, so in one intersection, there’s a set of green housing signals (for cars and the ped signals made of aluminum) presumably installed in the early 2000s.. when I was on my way home, I noticed that the ped signals housings are poly and yellow, while the signals for cars is still old and green🤦🏿♂️. Another true example, some point in 2011, half the state where I live, all different colors and different kinds of signals were replaced with yellow poly econolite but left the original poles.. I still don’t understand why that happened. quite frankly I miss seeing interesting signals where I grew up seeing.
Nice Collection!
Thank you!!
Cool video
🚦🚦🚦
Wow!!! Thanks for answering my question!!!
Hey, where did you get the poles for your traffic signals? I finally got my 8” econolite but I it came with a hanger and I don’t want to hang it up because I’m afraid it might fall so
Go to the hardware store and get some 1.5 inch pipe and fittings that's what I did
these dialights are great when you have a pedestrian push button
I got a dt double red with both red smileys and the yellow one but I need a green one, it also came from my hometown... I payed 170 for it
What’s your favorite 8 inch traffic light if you have a favorite, mine is the econolite because they just look fascinating
It's gotta be that Crouse-Hinds DT. Love the art deco styling touches and attention to detail.
deloreanman14 oh nice, I have a Crouse-Hinds too but I don’t use it because the holes where you connect the arm brackets and the traffic light are totally rusted onto it so it’s impossible to mount it or hang it up... another reason why I’m getting a new traffic light
deloreanman14 so I plan on changing the color of my traffic light to a glossy black or yellow... can’t decide but is it okay if I spray paint over the color it currently has and do I use matte black to color the insides of the visors??
How do i wire one of these?
two question why is there two redlights on one type and on the other the red light is bigger?
As speeds increased, it became increasingly clear that 8" lenses were not adequate so the first to be made larger was the red since it's the most important. Eventually, all indications on high-speed approaches (above 40 mph) were required to be 12" but for the most part, it's universal today. You almost never see new 12/8/8 or all-8" signals installed.
These were very common in/near Kansas City until the 90’s. There are a few of the 12” Red/8” Yellow/8” Green signals still in operation, but they’re likely scheduled for removal before 2025, because here, if a signal appears to be older than 10 years, they tend to get replaced.
The TCT signal is also one of my least favorite signals you can get. Especially second hand ones, the plastic always fades and looks like garbage, and they are made a plastic. The econolite button backs are also very very ugly.
This one has never spent a minute outside in its life and back when I had it on a pole, the side that was exposed to sunlight through the window started to turn chalky after only a year. It's aluminum, not polycarbonate but that development was one of the reasons I moved it to the ceiling beam, to keep it totally out of the sun. I won't even get it wet with quick detailer anymore...there are lines in the paint from the last time I tried. Utter garbage paint job.
@@deloreanman14 It seems to be unique to them too, I guess they just use a really stupid or cheap method of doing paint, there is one set of them left in my town, and they are nearly white from being faded. I guess they wised up to this since, they have been buying McCain to replace their older signals. Not really a big fan of Econolite either. They just look really ugly, except for the flat backs, which I think they just swiped from McCain. The bullseye and the button backs just look really bad. McCains and the 3M-131 are by far the best, just in my opinion
If you know, how much is a 8” econolite if you buy it new from manufacture??
Not sure what prices are today but when I got mine, Econolite did not sell to the general public. I was only able to get mine ordered through a friend who worked for the company.
When did they convert to LED lights?
First LEDs for traffic lights showed up in the early 1990s and were red only. The tech in the modules of today compared to the early ones doesn't even compare...the current ones are so much better.
Are you going to fix the other 3m and put in survice
It will be repaired eventually but like I said, I've got more pressing matters right now.
Can I still ask questions?? I might be getting a 8 inch traffic light... an econolite probably and hopefully
Whatcha got?
deloreanman14 So I might be getting a econolite 8 inch traffic light because I seen one on eBay and yours and they look really good but is/was it difficult to get the leotek LED’s??
@@treytrent1999 It wasn't hard at all. Just locate your nearest Leotek distributor (a listing by state is on their website) and give them a call to see if they'll sell to you. Be forthcoming about your status as a collector and make sure they understand your order will be small. Having the part numbers for what you want to buy handy helps big time as it shows you're serious. In all my years, I've only ever had one distributor refuse to sell to me but in doing so, they lost that business to another who was. If one says no, another will almost certainly say yes. Money is money and oftentimes they're curious about the collecting world.
deloreanman14 sweet, so would they also sell to someone who just started like who only has one traffic light or they only sell to someone who has a legit collection??
@@treytrent1999 They don't care about that. Just tell them what you're looking for and they'll say yes or no. I'm not sure where you are but I had good luck with Western Pacific Signal in San Leandro, California. Their prices were reasonable and they shipped quickly.
It’s call Traffic signal Q&A