Where did you put your air horn switch??

[Radshooter]

I was just wondering what type of switch you guys use (push, pull, toggle, momentary, ?????) and where you put it.

I am planning my install-don't have anything yet, but like to know where everything goes before I buy it. I am not into scaring grandma out of her walker on the sidewalk, and only plan on using them when I really need to get some jerk's attention. I pull a 38', 16k fiver, and have had some close calls. It is time for some real horns.

I am trying to figure out somewhere very quick and easy to get to for the switch. I was thinking of some kind of momentary switch on the shift column near the Jake switch. I usually drive with one hand on the shifter, and figure if I get in a bind I am going to be grabbing gears anyway.

I also thought about some kind of foot switch on the floorboard, but if I get where I need the horns, one foot will probably be on the brake and the other on the clutch, so that won't work too good.

Thanks for your ideas. Pics, or links to pics would be great also.
Thanks a bunch.
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[AMassaro]

Why not just tap off of the stock horn wires feeding into a relay to fire the air horns? This is what I did. I like just hitting the steering wheel in anger (usually) rather than reaching over to some switch... Pretty easy to do also...

 

[CHornsby]

Here is mine. One toggle is for Compressor Enable, one is for stock horn / air horn, ... ... ... ... . and the one on the right is for my strobe lights.



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[Thomas]

... I was thinking of some kind of momentary switch on the shift column near the Jake switch...
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Always handy, the small red button lets the Grovers sing!

 

[BarryG]

In my 01 I hooked them up to the stock horn with a switch in what was once my cubby hole on the dash to turn off the air horn. Switch on both stock and air horn blow. In off just the stock horn blows.

 

[JGK]

I agree with Thomas - on the shifter. When something happens, the first thing I grab is the shifter. But mine is a momentary toggle switch I can hit easily with my second finger. I found that when I grab the shift knob the shaft is between my second and 3rd fingers. The horn switch is just a finger stretch away.



-Jay

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks guys! All good ideas.

Thomas... . That is exactly what I was thinking about. Where did you get the switch, and did it come with the mount for the shifter? I could do a toggle switch there too, like JGK. Either would be good. Like JGK, my hand instinctively goes to the shifter when I get in a bind.

I am not crazy about tying it into the stock horn because sometimes you just need a little toot. That is what the stock horn is for. Also, I don't want to have to flip toggles to enable horns and disable stock horns etc (sorry CHornsby and BarryG) I want them to be available all the time because when I want them, I want then NOW.

Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming. It will take me a while to plan this all out, so I have plenty of time.

Steve

 

[Thomas]

... Where did you get the switch, and did it come with the mount for the shifter?...

It's my creation. I've made several. The attached photograph shows my original painted aluminum bracket. My itchy trigger finger wore the paint off. The bracket shown in the earlier post is black Delrin®. There is no paint to wear off. Both materials machine fairly easily with my woodworking machinery. Besides the bracket, there is a machine screw, nut, plug, and the normally-open switch.

 

[Yo Hoot]

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[Slingblade]

Air horn switch

I removed the cigarette lighter and put in a push Button starter switch for my horn. The hot lead from the lighter runs thru the switch then on to the air valve under the hood. Easy to do, and it's close enough to get to. I didn't need the lighter anyway.

 

[BigPapa]

I have a lanyard valve on mine mounted on the A-pillar. I have a 10 gallon air tank in the bed. No compressor, no solenoids, quick and simple. I air the tank up to @110psi about once a month. Gives me plenty of good "air time".



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Scott

 

[cojhl2]

Also run as long and big a hose as sensible between the on/off air solnoid and the horn. This gives the on/off delay that sounds like you are controlling the horns with an air valve/lanyard.

 

[LuisG]

Just curious

Oo. Just curious, what air horns are good and wont leave peolpe deaf on the sidewalk?

 

[GWBourne]

since there is room in my setup i placed the Van Aaken switch in the gauge pod... oncei did this i realized how easily it was to get to is and i can see what position its in when i glance at the gauges. i tell you this because since i have found on the gage pods, there is LOTS of room for mouting switches of the small sorts. a Momentary switch would fit nice in there and look good and be in reach.



i have a train horn on the way, and will be placing the switch there once i get OBA set up one way or another. pockets are shallow on this end...

 

[bmoeller]

I was just wondering what type of switch you guys use (push, pull, toggle, momentary, ?????) and where you put it.

I bought my airhorns from a boneyard, as did the air tank. I bought a solenoid operated valve (even though I did get a lanyard from the truck, didn't use it), and since my stock horns don't work, I just use the stock horn buttons to activate them.

 

[MMichaels]

Air Horn Issues

I have a pair of Grover air horns mounted on my Texas Ranchhand front bumper, and I just installed a Firestone compressor - the kind they sell to inflate their air bag system - to replace the worthless Chinese p. o. s. I had. I use a push button mounted below the left side of the instrument panel to activate them.

 

[TFlory]

I have an auto, so the shifter was out for me. I added a large momentary switch (it's for a starter) and mounted it to the kick panel by my left knee. It took a while to get used to the location, but now it's habit.

 

[cojhl2]

MMichaels, was that POS you had a Vair by any chance?. If not do you know anything about them?



Where didja obtain the Firestone compressor and for how much?



I dont have an elec compressor yet but am looking for what I should get.

 

[Kalaehina]

I have one switch on the front left corner of my Genos cup holder on my center console, perfect position when I'm resting my arm on the rest. If the console is in the up position I have a second on the lower panel just above the transfer case shifter. I was going to install an old foot horn valve I got out of a Crown school bus, but haven't gotten around to it yet, as I will have to drill in to the floor board and do some carpet trimming.

 

[CHornsby]

(sorry CHornsby ... ... ..... )



Steve

No big deal at all. Different Strokes for Different Folks.