Simplex Strobes and Light Plates

I am starting this topic because I think there needs to be a topic about these! I also have a question: how old are Simplex 2903 light plates? When in the 80s?

I’m thinking that the 2903 light plates were used in the early to late 80s and 4903 light plates were used in the late to early 90s but I may have gotten the dates completely wrong so you shouldn’t trust me. I know that the 4050-80 light plates were used in the early 70s to early 80s.

IIRC simplex released the 4903 strobe and light plates around 1988. My 4903-9101 dates back to 1990 when it was installed in a primary school.

[quote=RSSAlarms post_id=86626 time=1585284875 user_id=4672]

IIRC simplex released the 4903 strobe and light plates around 1988. My 4903-9101 dates back to 1990 when it was installed in a primary school.

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That seems to line up with the information I have. I pulled a 4002 dated 1988 and some 4903-9101s from my old elementary school. I believe it was installed some time between 90-93 when they added a minor addition to the building. It was then expanded in 98 when they made another addition which had QuickAlerts (the TrueAlerts w/o “TrueAlert” branding on the front).

So then the 2903 light plates were made until the mid-80s and then the 4903 light plates took over afterwards? That is what I am thinking. But I’m also wondering if the 2903 STROBE plates and 4903 STROBE plates came out at the same time since I can’t imagine they had the 2903 strobe plates replaced by the 4903 light plates.

[quote="Simplex 4051" post_id=86637 time=1585336996 user_id=18]

So then the 2903 light plates were made until the mid-80s and then the 4903 light plates took over afterwards? That is what I am thinking. But I’m also wondering if the 2903 STROBE plates and 4903 STROBE plates came out at the same time since I can’t imagine they had the 2903 strobe plates replaced by the 4903 light plates.

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The 2903 light and strobe plates came out in the late-70’s to replace the 4050-80’s that have been around since around 1970 when the 4208 came out. the 2903 had a nice, long run for a decade, until the 4903 light and strobe plates took over. The 4903 light and strobe plates replaced the 2903s I believe to comply with code That was rapidly changing Around the late 80’s-early 90’s when ADA was passed.

So were the light plates and the strobe plates made at the same time or did the strobe plates end up being the successor to the light plates?

[quote="Simplex 4051" post_id=86642 time=1585369735 user_id=18]

So were the light plates and the strobe plates made at the same time or did the strobe plates end up being the successor to the light plates?

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They were both made at the same time.

I would have no clue why they would do that. Wouldn’t the strobe plates be made in response to new ADA rules? Why would they still make light plates then?

[quote=RSSAlarms post_id=86638 time=1585337462 user_id=4672]

The 2903 light and strobe plates came out in the late-70’s to replace the 4050-80’s that have been around since around 1970 when the 4208 came out. the 2903 had a nice, long run for a decade, until the 4903 light and strobe plates took over. The 4903 light and strobe plates replaced the 2903s I believe to comply with code That was rapidly changing Around the late 80’s-early 90’s when ADA was passed.

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Even though several sources say the late 70s was when the 2903 series plates came out, I’m pretty sure it was 1980 when they were introduced. I saw a diagram for one online with a patent date of 1980. Plus, I’ve seen plenty of late 70s Simplex fire alarm systems with 4050-80s, with some even as late as 1980!