Ok, I realize this topic has been raised several times in the past few years, and I have read all the posts. But please read on.
If a battery backup attachment for Tbolts existed with the following features:
* Ten minutes minimum run time for temperatures above 32 degrees F
* Eight deep-cycle lead-acid batteries (~$70 each) required
* Weight of less than 100 lbs (without batteries)
Are there municipalities that would be willing to pay $3000 for this system, batteries, shipping and installation included? If so, which ones?
It appears to me that cities with a reasonable siren budget would prefer to save their money and purchase new DC sirens, rather than invest any additional money into their old Tbolts. If they have a lean siren budget, they can not afford to spend $3000 on attachments.
Please spare the technical reasons why the battery backup system described above would be very difficult to design. I understand that the inrush power is about 50KW to start the blower, eight batteries can not supply 50KW, a prohibitive number of capacitors would be required to store the energy needed to start the blower, an inverter that can supply 15KW of power would weigh at least 500 lbs and cost $5000, etc.
This is not an announcement of a new available product. I do not have a completed design, nor a set price. $3000 would likely be on the low side. I am an MSEE/MBA and am working with a friend of mine who is a PhD. Developing a new product is expensive, and if the market for a given item is miniscule, it does not make financial sense to look into it.
Are you aware of any municipalities that would be willing to pay $3000 for a Tbolt battery backup system? If so, which ones?