Horn problems

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SpiderDiver

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Fitted a set of expensive twin 100% stainless horns last summer but over winter they have seized up and now give out a fairly pathetic imitation of their original sound. Having had this problem before even when fitted facing downwards on a previous boat I am beginning to think there are no horns out there built to withstand a typical UK winter. Does everyone else suffer from this or is it just me? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Naw - Cyalis is more effective /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
Sorry to spoil the fun with previous replies with a boring aswer but I had the same problem with the horn (now now forum mates - behave yourselves!) and after much head scratching (behave!) the problem was not with the horn itself, but the supply voltage.
The trumpet type horns are critical on voltage and the problem was cured by a direct (fused) supply from an engine battery and switched by a relay from the button.
Cost about a fiver for the relay and no more horn problems (not the noisey type anyway) /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
I believe that the problem is that the so-called stainless steel horns do in fact have non-stainless steel components. They are really made for lorries etc.

I dismantled (ok, wrecked) a non-functioning one after the demiose of sevral one-season otherwise marine-looking horns, to find that the problem was the diaphrammy bits of steel right inside the works of the thing are very thin and twangy pen-steel type stuff, very rustable, but neccessaryy to vibrate agains he magnet whatever and make the noise. Yep, the horn itself stainless, just not that bit powering it. Also the wires aren't stainless steel (esp the insulation) so if advertised as 100% maybe you could get your money back? Unlikely...

The bestest cheap way to make a decent racket is a handheld airhorn,and replace every season or so.

Alternatively the best way regardless of cost is to buy a 2hp air compressor with tank for about 200quid, (needs space and generator) and then a decent air trumpet with separate button/dashboard actuator. These don't have the diaphrammy bits and therefore last for ages regardless of accidental hosepiping, rain or sea. Unfortunately the trumpets starts about 400 quid for single trumpet such as Marco. But dial up about 4bar inthe compressor tank and the horn will blow crew off the foredeck, hur hur. For even more loot, but needing bigger tank, and from about 1500 quid you can get one of the american-made ones (beginning with k...) which are multi-chord tunable and even progammable ones which i keep thinking about in the lunatic chandlery, but realising it's getting rather out of hand...
 
huh! I am guessing you are not the owner of twin stainless airhorns, which are mounted well up in tarah! decent spot - but sadly well out of reach of wd40 squirting. Also, it's bit girly doing maintenance on twin air horns, really. Also the pen steel would have to be clagged in wd40 and even then it probly wdn't stop all the rust....
 
You are correct in assuming that I don't currently own a set but when I do I'll be doing the girly thing and looking after them . Everyone moans when something stops working but unless time is spent maintaining them they will go wrong . Nobody would buy a new car and not service it , so everything needs to be looked after if people want it to keep working , including the horns . Maintain , replace annually ? , choices are simple
 
Yep, quite agree - I find frequent use and a drop or two of oil/lubrication now and again keeps my horn in tip top condition. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
Naw - I prefer this /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
or even this /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
not surprisingly , the links don't work Cliff /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

from what I'm told there are going to be some pretty good ones for sale , erm , you know where , oh I do so love it when a plan starts to come together . You had a look recently ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif your favourite place and mine ? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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