Bringing an Antique Mack Firetruck Back to Life

Bringing an Antique Mack Fire truck Back to Life

A Rewarding Challenge: I had the privilege of working on a wide variety of projects over the years. In July 2024, I had the opportunity to tackle a particularly challenging and rewarding task: restoring the charging system on a 1953 antique Mack firetruck for the Peebles VFD.

Bob Jeke, a volunteer fireman from Peebles, reached out to me after struggling to find someone who could help them with the truck's electrical system. Drawing on my over 60 years of experience working on Pittsburgh firetrucks, I was able to quickly diagnose the issue with the unique positive ground electrical system.

After testing the alternator and confirming that it was functioning properly, I turned my attention to the external selenium rectifier. I discovered that the rectifier was damaged, likely due to its age and the truck's long period of inactivity. Given the obsolete nature of the system, I had to do some research to locate a replacement rectifier and voltage regulator. I was also able to find the appropriate wiring harness and supply relay, which were necessary to produce a field current to the AC generator.

With the correct components in place, I was able to successfully repair the charging system and bring the 1953 Mack firetruck back to life. Bob was thrilled with the outcome, and I was equally pleased to have played a role in preserving this piece of history.

This project was a great reminder of the satisfaction that comes from using my skills to solve complex problems and make a positive impact. It's always a challenge to work on antique vehicles, but the rewards are truly gratifying. If you have an antique vehicle in need of repair, contact Goeller Generator today.

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