2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Weak Horn?

[Texis]

I have tried 3 different horns! The volt meter says I have 12VDC at the horn wires, I have also replaced the relay. Still the horn is embarassing and the inspection station wouldn't pass the truck last week.

 

[KRStone]

good ground?



Did you measure with the voltmeter going through the same ground as the horn, or did you go to the battery?



Remember, the horn will pull amps, try and do an amp test too.



Hardwire the horn to the batt and see if it improves.



Or, clean out your ears :]

 

[mwilson]

Put these on and see if the Inspection Station can hear that, have 'em bend right down close just before you trip the valve... ... ... .



United Pacific Industries



Mike.

 

[KRStone]

Put these on and see if the Inspection Station can hear that, have 'em bend right down close just before you trip the valve... ... ... .



United Pacific Industries



Mike.

That's cool. Just watched a bunch of youtube vids about the train horn. A bunch of juvenile kids are using the horns to scare people. Not cool. That would be cool to get cattle off the road or signal the family I'm headed down the road to the house.

 

[Texis]

Cousin has one of the train air horns, ear splitting unbelievable loud. He tows a lot and wants to let you know if your are presenting a hazard to him & his load... LOL. They are not legal BTW.



i didn't go to batt ground, I checked at the horn wires. there are 2 grounds and 2 hot wires, one set for each horn. Hard to imagine both sets would be bad, or have ground issues? Going direct to the battery is next test.



No hurries now, I found a guy in another little town that passed the truck. So I have 1 year to figure out the horn issue.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I always have fun when this subject comes up. In our state I believe the law indicates the horn must be a certain loudness. I think I meet the criteria.

The comment about the youtube children... you can say that pretty much about anything out there.

I use my horn very carefully. Always look around for anyone close by. The worst thing i could do is hit it when in traffic next to someone in the adjacent lane with their window down. I avoid using it in heavy traffic.

I originally purchased this set of Airchime K3LA's way back in 2002. I got on the web and located a guy in Missouri that managed a rail yard locomotive rebuilding center. He said they took the horns off every engine and put knew ones on regardless. He had piles of them. Got my used horn for $300.

I originally installed it in the Duramax I bought in 2001. When I traded the Dmax for my current Dodge I moved it over to this one. Had the horn now for 10 years. Just love it.

Then I had to figure out the air supply. Temporarily I picked up a nitrogen cylinder. I wasn't interested in installing a 50amp air pump at the time with all of the peripherals. The platform that the tank is on I originall fabricated for a large propane tank used in the Dmax for propane injection.

Then the valve. Solenoid valves are on/off. You can't get the true modulated sound from them. Other choices were a standard lever ball valve like you use in house plumbing or a real "Graham White" locomotive valve. I picked that one.

The nice thing about my setup is there are no electronics. Nitrogen goes from the regulated tank to the valve and directly to the horn.

I need to exchange the tank about 2 or 3 times a year at $32 a pop. Takes a lot of room in the bed but I don't use the bed that much that it has been a major issue. Full on with a fresh tank yields about 3 mins of eardrum breaking blast. That's actually months of use.

Nothing like that sound when going through an underpass or along side a mountain and getting the echo.

These picture were taken way back in 04 when I got the truck. It looks a lot different under there now... Bilstein shocks, airbags, nicer tires.


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[Texis]

OMG.

That's a bunch of equipment in the vehicle dedicated to a horn. I would classify that set up as "PE"... . personal entertainment. I just need my electric horns to be loud enough to pass test, and get other driver's attention in an emergency.



I'm sure that thing is fun

 

[Yo Hoot]

OMG.





I'm sure that thing is fun

Yea it's a blast

 

[Tractorat]

How often do you have to pass a horn test ? Here in Washington (at least in seattle), you can get a ticket for using your horn.

 

[Texis]

Once a year, vehicle inspection sticker is on the windshield. Runs $15 bucks, but everything has to work, including decent tires.

 

[Yo Hoot]

My stock horn is still there. They beep it and go on to the next thing. Friends do my inspection. Some ask if that lever is for something hydraulic LOL