Its an aluminum LFE/Automatic Signal head. The lenses are plastic versions of the common TL4777 glass lens. The plastic version was made exclusively for LFE. The signal itself is from the mid to late 1980s. In 1993 the Laboratory for Electronics' Automatic Signal division was merged with Eagle Signal under the supervision of Mark IV industries. The LFE aluminum head was discontinued and poly heads are continued to be made until this day under Eagles current owner Siemens, but with Eagle guts and lenses.
Well, I guess you could give the reflectors and lenses some cleaning but it looks like the plastic lenses got a bit dull with age. Maybe a new set of lenses (or better yet glass lenses) would make it look brighter.
RioLilC, many traffic signals are not generally stamped with labels that are in regards to when they were exactly manufactured. Although, of course, this is not true for every signal.
You need to know the actual model years that the light was in production to get a rough date idea if nothings stamped inside. Eastern Industries (later became the Laboratory For Electronics Co. and later yet as LFE) was a huge electronics conglomerate. The traffic signal division was called "Automatic Signal" was around from the early 1980s till 1993.
This one was probably the early 1980's. The stretch of road this came off of was not built until about 30 years ago, and this signal was probably put up when they first built the road.
This is my first aluminum signal, and I want to work on restoring it. I want new lenses, I want a new paint job, and maybe new visors, since the visors are all bent up and out of shape, I could make this signal look brand new, and preferably I want this to be black, then I can have a black signal.
My buddy Phil owns Twin Green start there for parts. Lenses can (and should be replaced) with TL4777 glass lenses, they have the exact same pattern as the LFE plastic ones, with the sawtooth design. I have a red and yellow in my Econolite. pulled the green for an 8 inch green arrow. But seriously the lights in amazing shape for its age and use. You should've seen my Eaglelux for a real back-from-the-dead project!!
That guy doesn't seem to have anything available for purchase. But I did buy a set of lenses for this light, glass ones, that will work perfectly for this.
Where can I get visors for this? If I want to restore it I would like new visors.
Hmm, the visors don't look that bad to be honest, you should see how my CGE ped looked when I first got it.
Anyways here's a set of lenses that should match and fit your light...there are also NOS lenses on eBay too at $16 per lens but used should be fine. As for visors they show up from time to time on eBay.
I bought a set of lenses already, not the same style but they will work.
And as for the visors, During the transit from the intersection (where I took this picture) To the yard the visors got a bit banged up, so they aren't in as good condition as they were in this photo. I do want new visors to make this signal look nicer, I Just dunno where to get one.
You wouldnt have to go through the time/money to make your own. You'd have to get the proper dimensions, and access to a plasma cutter that can CNC out the proper size and shape. And in order for the CNC to work you'll need CAD drawings the computer can read. It isn't as basic as roll and done for most shops. Then it has to be painted and rolled into shape with the clips welded or riveted on. Thats a pretty costly hassle when visors...or any LFE parts are as common as dirt. You get visors from a variety of sources including the one I just said...or other sources like ebay, etc
Up to you though, just trying to find you the most cost effective and logical route
I got the lenses today. Funny thing is they actually are MATCHING ones! The ones I got were TL-4777 ones with the same pattern that my plastic ones on the signal have.
The ones you linked Joe were cheap, for all three lenses they were 30 dollars with free shipping. And they are glass and look nice.
TL-47 77 is the correct glass lens for the LFE head and common to see in Eagles and older Econolites. They're the longest continually produced glass lens. The plastic ones were made specifically for LFE using injection mold copy of the original glass tooling. LFE's branding is on the rim of the plastic ones The plastic version was discontinued when LFE merged with Eagle Signal in 93
Glad to hear you got the correct lenses for your light!!
The light that comes from this is DEFIANTLY brighter then it was with the old plastic lenses. The new lenses on this thing practically makes it look LED!
Do the plastic ones get dull over time and not let light come out of it as much?
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.....but I ramble....your light's from the 1980s.
I got this traffic signal now! It had a burnt out lamp but I got a new one for it.
It's a nice signal! Not very bright though, I dunno how it could of got used outside!
I could restore and repaint this thing. It's not the best condition. But it's still nice.
How can I find the date on this thing?
This is my first aluminum signal, and I want to work on restoring it. I want new lenses, I want a new paint job, and maybe new visors, since the visors are all bent up and out of shape, I could make this signal look brand new, and preferably I want this to be black, then I can have a black signal.
Where could I get visors for this thing?
Where can I get visors for this? If I want to restore it I would like new visors.
Anyways here's a set of lenses that should match and fit your light...there are also NOS lenses on eBay too at $16 per lens but used should be fine. As for visors they show up from time to time on eBay.
And as for the visors, During the transit from the intersection (where I took this picture) To the yard the visors got a bit banged up, so they aren't in as good condition as they were in this photo. I do want new visors to make this signal look nicer, I Just dunno where to get one.
Up to you though, just trying to find you the most cost effective and logical route
I hope I can find some new visors. I got the new lenses already.
The ones you linked Joe were cheap, for all three lenses they were 30 dollars with free shipping. And they are glass and look nice.
I am glad they are the matching ones. xD
Glad to hear you got the correct lenses for your light!!
Do the plastic ones get dull over time and not let light come out of it as much?