posted June 16, 2003 07:08 PM
An electrical question I am putting some Pep Boys air horns on the bike. Horn mounting location is 'inside' the right rear tail section. Compressor location is just forward of the tail light in the trunk.
The kit came with a relay.
My question is .... do I need to use the relay, or can I just extend the horn wires and wire them directly to the compressor?
It is already a protected circuit (20a), but the wire is kinda light ... looks like the typical 18ga wire. Do you recommend I use the relay? If so, I guess the horn switch now becomes the relay activation circuit, and then I need to run a new 12volt power line to the horn.
posted June 17, 2003 04:47 AM
pimp? I wished! They have a higher income level and better perks!!
I live in Tampa, and I am tired of the q-tips running me off the road. If I am gonna cross three lanes of traffic , all going in the wrong direction, just to avoid grandma, I want her to hear about it!
posted June 17, 2003 07:33 AM
Edited By: n da zone on 17 Jun 2003 08:33
good point, jw. .... maybe I am pimpin after all, haven't thought of it that way .... but I like to make noise wherever I go and in any direction.
they really are L_O_U_D! about pissed my pants when I was testing them out Sunday in the garage. (Fathers Day gift!!). HAven't tried them at speed, but we'll see. I guess if someone tries to cut me off in my garage, while the engine is off, it'll be loud enuf!.
posted June 17, 2003 09:41 AM
Edited By: n da zone on 17 Jun 2003 10:55
Good question swft. I found that it pulls about 15amps, which pretty well gives me the answer I needed. Thats way too much for those little horn wires. I guess I will go ahead and use the relay, and just follow directions and not tempt fate.
Will 12ga wire be sufficient? What wire would you recommend?
The horn circuit is one of those weird 'grounded' circuits. I think the circuit is always hot and fires when the horn switch 'grounds', rather than the switch providing the power.
Anyway, I will buy an inline fuse and some 12ga/10ga wire and just power it separately.
I just hate following directions. An anarchist, and a hooligan .... only a mother could love me!
posted June 17, 2003 05:38 PM
I tried one on another bike and loved it.Wait until the first time you have a passenger on and use the horn!Not only is the horn wire undersized for that application but so is the horn switch.
____________
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posted June 18, 2003 08:11 AM
...lemme' know how it works out, zone...I'm interested in doing something like this as well on my 12R and KLR (once I remove some of the 'stuff' that gets to be removed, I might have room on the KLR...the 12R has tons of room already )...I've' used my 'MuzzyTitaniumHorn' with some success, it's too poser-ish...I'd like a legit shit-yer-pants LOUD horn better...reminded me of a dude at a gym that I used to work at in Hawaii...he had a little Toyota HiLux pickup, a huge air-tank in the bed, and two massive trumpet horns on the roof...sounded just like a Kentworth...for the same reason as you ____________ “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
quote:Lemme see, air horn, I'm assuming you have an aftermarket pipe on there....
12-R in opposite lane of traffic blowing air horn at full song @ 11k RPM....nah. They won't see/hear ya.
jw, you wuz righton. No louder than the original horns when at speed. They are distinctive below 40 mph. but I don't think they were worth the effort & cost since they didn't increase the 'noise' factor I was lookin for.
Anyway. I'll leave them on, but I wouldn't do it again unless I was just lookin to be a-styling down main street.
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posted June 16, 2003 07:08 PM
posted June 16, 2003 07:31 PM
Edited By: 
)...I've' used my 'MuzzyTitaniumHorn' with some success, it's too poser-ish...I'd like a legit shit-yer-pants LOUD horn better...reminded me of a dude at a gym that I used to work at in Hawaii...he had a little Toyota HiLux pickup, a huge air-tank in the bed, and two massive trumpet horns on the roof...sounded just like a Kentworth...for the same reason as you 