Horn - 6v or 12v

[Guest]

I want to replace my non-functioning horn. Thinking of one of these from partsnmore.com

Scroll down near the bottom, it's the mini horns. They have 12v and 6v, 1 amp... there's also the "deluxe" and "standard" horns, but they draw 2 and 2.5 amps respectively. I've looked at the bigger horns, but my understanding is that those typically require the installation of a horn relay? I'm trying to keep it simple and cheap if possible - would one of these options work OK without further modification?

[rustybronco]

Can't use a 6 volt horn on a 12 volt system unless you wire two of them in series.

[exzachtly1]

Can't use a 6 volt horn on a 12 volt system unless you wire two of them in series.

Got it, thanks. I'm not the best with electrical stuff trying to learn though.

Is there any limitation on the amperage? How do I determine what the maximum allowed amps would be?

[rustybronco]

The maximum current draw allowed is determined by the current capacity of the wire, the switch, the fuse and any other current drawing 'loads' (lights-horns-igniters-ect) on the same circuit.

Fortunately you need not worry about those things to a point as, (1) horn operation is very intermittent and (2) if the horn you select is greater than the factory circuit can handle, we have relays that allow installing high current devices.

The factory wiring (in good nick) will easily handle 2.5 amps.

[exzachtly1]

The maximum current draw allowed is determined by the current capacity of the wire- the switch- the fuse and any other current drawing 'loads' (lights-horns-igniters-ect) on the same circuit.

Fortunately you need not worry about those things to a point as, (1) horn operation is very intermittent and (2) if the horn you select is greater than the factory circuit can handle, we have relays that allow installing high current devices.

The factory wiring (in good nick) will easily handle 2.5 amps.

Great! Thanks!

[rustybronco]

http://www.harborfreight.com/bad-boy-air-horn-94117.html

http://www.fiamm.com/Horns-F-Freeway-Blaster-Low-Note-Zone-21-typeLBU84L117A127-Prod-956-561

[exzachtly1]

http://www.harborfreight.com/bad-boy...orn-94117.html
http://www.fiamm.com/Horns-F-Freeway...7-Prod-956-561

I was just looking at the Fiamm freeway blaster low note. Might pick that one up. Will it fit on the existing mounting area? If I decided to do dual horns (high + low) would I need a relay at that point? From what I'm reading it sounds like they draw about 5 amps each so it seems a relay would be required at that point. Horn circuit is on a 10 amp fuse, no?

[rustybronco]

I don't know if they will fit in the stock locations. I suspect that they should.

5 amp draw per horn (10A) would require a relay.

Probably 15A circuit but I'm not certain of it.

[spyug]

I like the Fiamms and retro fit them to all new to me bikes. I have mounted both high and low tone horns both individually and together in stock wiring and they work, but usually only when the bike is running. With both mounted you can cause the charging voltage to drop substantially when you hit the button. For a short stab that's ok but fitting a relay is relatively inexpensive and will give the horn better performance and loudness.

Definitely a good modification for safety as the hons have saved me from being merged into several times. And kids love them when you honk at them. They don't expect such a loud noise from a bike

Go for it.