what horn do you have on your boat ?

[Spi D]

At least two versins exist:

a) The compressor runs when you hit the button. Builds a pressure and eventually sounds the horn which means there is a slight latency depending on the hose length

b) A compressor builds pressure nd stores it ina tank. When you hit the button a valve (often electromagnetic) opens and send air to the horn. Whenever the tank prssure is low, the compressor runs.

a) is for horns using modest air flow and pressure
b) is for big horns. If fitted to a vessel or vehicle already with compressed air system (like trucks with air brakes), they will use the existing air system.

 

[BosnBill]

Yep, I can imagine.
I also have onboard something like that. Probably even cheaper, but a bit more modern - see below.
The trouble with it is that you actually must hide it if you have kids onboard, because it's UNBELIEVABLY loud.
Borderlining on dangerous actually, if a kid has the great idea to blow in it near the ears of someone. Been there, done that...

I have the same horn ("whistle") that MapisM has and use it as a safety backup. My grandkids know where to find it too, so I've had to move it around to keep it well hidden. That thing is LOUD! I warn you, if you decide to blow it you better be wearing earplugs!

 

[BosnBill]

Dual Trumpet Air Horns mounted on the port side bow.

 

[Piers]

I am fed up with electric horns and I am looking to fit a Kahlenberg air horn which has a small electric compressor about the size of a tin of beans.

See Piers of this parish for details.

"It's Piers of this Parish" here....

As they say, 'size matters'. Bandit above kindly referred to me to give some info. So, as a forumite for over 10 years, and having been involved with MBM cruises for many years as well, I hope no one will mind if I give some pointers. In a nutshell...

First, some basics,

If your boat is 12m+ and used in open water, the COLREGS apply for your sound signalling kit.

Few horns on the market meet the standards, but to check, you need the certificate of IMO compliance that goes with it. Here, you must be careful on which body has raised the certificate. Not all are compliant outside the country in which they are issued.

Second, the sound,

When it comes to it, the sound of the sound (so to speak) really matters. Kahlenberg has been referred to in a number of posts above, and if you look at any superyacht or megayacht, you'll see Kahlenberg horns fitted. The major UK boat leisure builders now fit Ks as well to some of their larger boats - sound matters!

Some of the smaller UK boat builders have started fitting Ks as well, not just to meet compliancy, but when the button is pushed, the sound (have I mentioned this?) is great!

Third, the size,

The width (not the length so much) determines the pitch. The wider the diameter of the main trunk of the horn, the deeper the sound.

Fourth, electric or pneumatic?

From experience, electric horns for the leisure market seem to have a habit of failing. This is either the chrome starting to pit and peel, or the internal 'works' corroding soon after the warrantly runs out....

Providing the chroming is good when manufactured, pneumatic horns should not suffer in this way at all. There are two versions. Horns powered by a small inline bean can size compressor which is compliant for up to 20m loa boats, or larger horns which require a separate compressor and air tank.

And that's where I need to stop. I feel I'm getting boring! Much more info in the link below.

 

[AndieMac]

Thanks Piers, great info..and a good read!

 

[BartW]

I hope no one will mind if I give some pointers.

ofcourse not,

thanks for a comprehensive overvieuw

cheers
Bart

 

[HermannLenz]

TOETER

Hallo ,

I also have the (non-compressor) FIAMM DUAL TOETER , the 12 Volt version,
but driven by 18 Volt.

Greetings

HL

 

[BosnBill]

Just curious, why do they call horns "whistles" on a boat. They're clearly not whistles, their horns. There's a difference between this:



and this:

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Thank you all so much for this entertaining info,
reading your posts was nice, but selecting a horn while listening to samples was even more fun.

and the winner is.....

a Kahlenberg D-2


Originally Posted by grumpy_o_g

click to hear

Hang on, I meant that little one for the tender


The Big Beastie that could knock out Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor and uses subsonics to repel boarders was the one I meant for Blue Angel...

click to hear

Now that's style...

 

[Piers]

Last year we supplied a T1 (triple trumpet, 132dB) for a 9m 'tender', with the horns mounted on the small radar arch above the driver's head. We had to provide a Health and Safety warning for that one....

 

[davidej]

Yep, I can imagine.
I also have onboard something like that. Probably even cheaper, but a bit more modern - see below.
The trouble with it is that you actually must hide it if you have kids onboard, because it's UNBELIEVABLY loud.
Borderlining on dangerous actually, if a kid has the great idea to blow in it near the ears of someone. Been there, done that...

Can anyone tell me what this is. it looks a lot better than my fart producer on top of a can of compressed air.

PS I am a raggie - as if you didn't guess!

 

[BartW]

The Big Beastie that could knock out Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor and uses subsonics to repel boarders was the one I meant for Blue Angel...

click to hear

Now that's style...

I'm sorry GOG, I can't read notes,
so I don't know how to play this Beastie ?

 

[Piers]

I'm sorry GOG, I can't read notes, so I don't know how to play this Beastie ?

The 8 trumpet system comes with a keyboard for fitting on the bridge...

 

[BosnBill]

Can anyone tell me what this is. it looks a lot better than my fart producer on top of a can of compressed air.

It's called a Marine Safety Blaster Horn: Super loud. It floats. It's rust-proof. Mouth-operated and blasts at a screaming 120 dB of sound that can be heard over a mile (1.6 km) away. Here's another one of the same type.

http://DSP.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pDSP1-9669343dt.jpg

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

Few horns on the market meet the standards, but to check, you need the certificate of IMO compliance that goes with it. Here, you must be careful on which body has raised the certificate. Not all are compliant outside the country in which they are issued.

Very informative post, but how does one ensure the above, as when I have been looking for whistles/horns I do not recall seeing any mention of a certificate of compliance, mind I may not have been looking
I am in the process of rebuilding a 50' motor yacht so I need something of substance to go along with the image 'don't ya know'
Any suggestions, the multi-tone affair suggested by G-o-g sounded a little 'sleepy' and the other a little too 'Italian Red Sports Car' maybe one of those damned Yankie things they fit to trains

Mal

Ah, just had a look at your signature link, and I see what you are on about. Tell me why are all the test sounding recorded in a cavernous building to give a distorted echo? Still think the K-380 sounds too 'Italian Red Sports Car'

 

[Piers]

Very informative post, but how does one ensure the above, as when I have been looking for whistles/horns I do not recall seeing any mention of a certificate of compliance, mind I may not have been looking.

I am in the process of rebuilding a 50' motor yacht so I need something of substance to go along with the image 'don't ya know'.

Mal

Hi Mal,

To comply with the sound requirements stated in the COLREGS (which you need to do if over 12m loa and in open waters - inland waters tend to be covered by local by-laws) an IMO compliant horn would come complete with its own certificate of compliancy, and the maker would be shouting about its compliancy. If not, ask for the certificate for your specific horn. No certificate = non-compliancy. No excuses.

All Kahlenberg horns fully comply and come with their certificates. These horns range from an inexpensive single trumpet with an in line 'bean can size' compressor, to large multi-horn arrays with external compressors and air tanks. It all depends on the size of you boat, the sound you want to make, and the image you want portray!

There's more info on the website below. By the way, take care with RINA certification since it only applies within Italian waters (see the info under Resources)

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

All Kahlenberg horns fully comply and come with their certificates. These horns range from an inexpensive single trumpet with an in line 'bean can size' compressor, to large multi-horn arrays with external compressors and air tanks. It all depends on the size of you boat, the sound you want to make, and the image you want portray!

There's more info on the website below. By the way, take care with RINA certification since it only applies within Italian waters (see the info under Resources)

Thanks for that, did you also read my addendum? I think I like the Zero class range, nice tone, both in terms of sound and looks

Mal

 

[Piers]

Ah, just had a look at your signature link, and I see what you are on about. Tell me why are all the test sounding recorded in a cavernous building to give a distorted echo? Still think the K-380 sounds too 'Italian Red Sports Car'

Oops - forgot to answer this point. We've tried many ways of recording the sounds of the horns. Inside the anechoic chamber, outside the chamber, near the horns, far away, etc, etc. We've had a professional company involved as well, but the problem is that they are simply too loud and the full effect and dynamic range just cannot be captured unless being replayed over a decent hi-fi.

When thinking of playing them over a laptop's speakers, it all pales into feebleness with the lower tones almost disappearing. Listening to them live is the only real option.

But, any suggestions for recording them would be really gratefull received.

The 380 sounds really good 'in the flesh' so to speak. These were built to a) meet the COLREG frequencies for up to 20m loa, and b) to be able to be powered by the bean can compressor to keep costs down. Deeper frequencies require much more air and therefore a separate compressor and air tank so costs increase a bit.

As we say, size matters....

 

[Piers]

Horn Wars

Now this is a stunning battle of the horns - the QE2 thrashes the Queen Victioria at Zeebrugge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5wh098yEwE

 

[BartW]

Tell me why are all the test sounding recorded in a cavernous building to give a distorted echo? Still think the K-380 sounds too 'Italian Red Sports Car'

I'm impressed that you noticed and mention about this echo (reverb),
I also wondered about that, (professional deformation) but didn't bother to report.

agree about the sound of a K-380 is for a Ital red sports car
thats why my preference is the D-2 (on a old 70ft boat)
but I'm afraid that the price is going to be .............ear bleeding