Difference between revisions of "Winko-Matic"

From HighwayWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
  
'''''This page is a work in progress!'''''
+
<font size="3">'''''This page is a work in progress!'''''</font>
 +
 
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
  

Revision as of 04:31, 19 December 2013

This page is a work in progress!

Summary

Special thanks to clubmember "Ray" for this info.

Copied from the former MSN Signalfan Club without changes Oct. 2008

<article deleted at the request of parties mentioned in the article>

As recalled by Pete aka: RYGDWW

Copied from the former MSN Signalfan Club without changes Oct. 2008

I visited their facility in Avon Lake (the company has moved several times) before they moved to Atlanta / Norcross. They were a pretty big player in the communications side of computerized traffic control, making specialized central communications units to interface with mainframe minicomputers; and field located communications units that interfaced with local intersection controllers.


They also were one of the first to make fiber optic ped signals. Tampa bought a bunch of them. One design flaw - the reflector lamps were configured to face up - so that the reflector itself became a collector of condensation. Lamp life was a real problem, as the water would crack the lamp housing when the lamp was turned on. Tampa eventually went back and replaced the internal modules with other brands.


US Traffic acquired the Winkomatic / Multisonics line a couple of years ago. Within the last couple of months, US Traffic was acquired by Quixote, which also owns a number of other traffic related firms.

Traffic Signals

broken down into general categories

Adjustables

175.jpg

Figure: 12" Winko-Matic signal


Winkofront.jpg

Figure: Front of signal with interesting lens pattern.


Winkoback.jpg

Figure: Back of 12" signal showing "WM" logo and manufacturer plate.

Eight Inch signals did not have this ID plate installed.


Pedestrian Signals

16" Style Heads

Intersection.jpg

Figure: Older Winko-Matic installation.

Non neona.JPGNon neon.jpg

Figure: incandescent signal. [Photo by Blecha67]

Winkomatic word ped signal.jpg

Figure: WinkoMatic 16" incandescent ped signal. [Photo by Metro118]


Winkomatic ped inside.jpg

Figure: Inside view. The lens has a rubber strip between the WALK and DONT WALK portions. The reflector is one piece. [Photo by Metro118]

Wide Format Heads

Much like the Neon Crouse-Hinds signals of times past, Winko-Matic created a Very Large format pedestrian signal. Large enough, in fact, that many municipalities would not consider these signals as they violated ordinances on sinage! These units were two section with seperate DONT and WALK housings covered by diffused clear lenses. Each section contained a red neon grid, but only the WALK contained a green neon grid allowing it to operate bimodally.

Wide Winko Ped 1
Wide Winko Ped showing a DONT WALK indication and the neon tubes. [Photo by LC]
Wide Winko Ped 1
Wide Winko Ped showing a WALK indication and the neon tubes. [Photo by LC]

Informational Signals and Signs

LCMX-LV Lane Control Signal

Winko Lane Signal.jpg

Red X Sign Photo by SignalLab This is the 1970 Low-Voltage model. It has a self-contained power supply set to operate at 20 volts that runs the 15 watt lamps. Unlike modern units that use a single low-voltage halogen lamp passed through a color filter and fiber-optic cables, this one has a bulb in each lens. They were available as single indication (arrow or x) signals with a single color, or as bi/tricolor units with arrows and xes in red, yellow, and green. A single color x unit weighs approx. 35 lbs and is 20"W x 22" H x 11" deep.

Lenses

Controllers

Different type of controllers

Hardware

this would include any kind of mounting hardware including brackets slipfitters, hangers, bases, etc.

Restored Examples

a couple of quality pics of a restored unit