Mr Ghostrider
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Since this thread is lacking actual tips for being on page whatever....
I used to have a Hummer that I installed an on-board air system into. (When I was 22 years old..if that makes a difference.
) While I didn't have a train horn, I installed a fire truck horn..a Grover 1510 stuttertone. I found it to be just as loud or louder because of the stuttertone and since its only a single chime, its easy to find a place to install it and its cheaper..got mine new for $99. I also used it responsibly and never was arrested or shot in 5 years of use.
I put the compressor under the hood by the battery for easy wiring and the air tank in the cabin. While you can put the air supply outside along a frame rail or something, when charged..there is a large amount of energy stored in that tank and if you can avoid it rusting and getting hit with rocks...its just smarter.
Definitely put in an "arming" switch to turn the air compressor on and off. You won't want it charged all the time.
Place the "HONK!!!!!" button in a hidden location only in reach for the driver..and dont make the button red. Every single passenger will not be able to resist and you'll find yourself in big trouble for somebody honking at a really wrong time.
A big thing I did was to add a 2nd solenoid and button in the cabin as a dump valve. That way if you are going to store it for a long time or if its a hot day, you can drain the tank and avoid temp increased air pressure..without having to use the orn. I made this button red and put it in the cabin...it helped passengers with the urge to push a button..but this one only went "PFFFFFFFFFF"
Viair makes an air gauge for the dashboard which is very nice so you can know exactly how much air is in the tank. Pressure sensors fail and if it goes unnoticed, it will keep filling until you max out the compressor and it blows. I've had lines blow out while 4-wheeling and a couple gallons at 140psi makes a loud pop! I also caught a bad sensor when the tank was at 180psi.
If your horns are exposed to the elements, check out Outerwears pre-filters. Normally for engines, they make a pre-filter for velocity stacks (part 20-2458 velocity stack ******) that fits perfect around the bell of the horn and will keep dirt and road crud from getting to the diaphragm.
The bigger the air line to your horns, the better they will sound. Extra pressure will also help to keep them from squeaking. Keep in mind that train horns are designed to be run at 150psi so its going to sound "squeakier" than they do on an actual train and not nearly as loud because you wont find a small compressor that will safely go up to 150psi. The firetruck horns run great around 90psi and will go down to about 60psi before it starts struggling.
For about the price of a pizza, put a quick connect adapter somewhere in the line and keep an air hose and a tire filler in your trunk. You'll find need to fill tires and run air tools more than you think!
As a personal commentary, the fire truck horn was my favorite feature of all time. People forget when they see these big horns that the original horns are still intact... you dont have to honk the big horn every time. I really only used mine in parades or at car shows. Both police and firemen have given me the international honk sign and a thumbs up in parades. My favorite use though was driving by tailgating college students with "You Honk, We Drink." signs...be careful what you ask for.
On the highway, at speed, it is VERY hard to hear an OEM horn unless you are right up next to it...in most cars at highway speed, you can only hear an OEM horn about 1 car away...really only good for honking at the car as its about to hit you (assuming they dont have their radio on, too!) A 150 decibel air horn though is about 5 car lengths away or loud enough to hear 1 car length away with the radio on.
Anyway..long post but bottom line is they are fun and a crowd favorite...use it responsibly and you wont have a problem.
I used to have a Hummer that I installed an on-board air system into. (When I was 22 years old..if that makes a difference.
) While I didn't have a train horn, I installed a fire truck horn..a Grover 1510 stuttertone. I found it to be just as loud or louder because of the stuttertone and since its only a single chime, its easy to find a place to install it and its cheaper..got mine new for $99. I also used it responsibly and never was arrested or shot in 5 years of use.I put the compressor under the hood by the battery for easy wiring and the air tank in the cabin. While you can put the air supply outside along a frame rail or something, when charged..there is a large amount of energy stored in that tank and if you can avoid it rusting and getting hit with rocks...its just smarter.
Definitely put in an "arming" switch to turn the air compressor on and off. You won't want it charged all the time.
Place the "HONK!!!!!" button in a hidden location only in reach for the driver..and dont make the button red. Every single passenger will not be able to resist and you'll find yourself in big trouble for somebody honking at a really wrong time.
A big thing I did was to add a 2nd solenoid and button in the cabin as a dump valve. That way if you are going to store it for a long time or if its a hot day, you can drain the tank and avoid temp increased air pressure..without having to use the orn. I made this button red and put it in the cabin...it helped passengers with the urge to push a button..but this one only went "PFFFFFFFFFF"
Viair makes an air gauge for the dashboard which is very nice so you can know exactly how much air is in the tank. Pressure sensors fail and if it goes unnoticed, it will keep filling until you max out the compressor and it blows. I've had lines blow out while 4-wheeling and a couple gallons at 140psi makes a loud pop! I also caught a bad sensor when the tank was at 180psi.
If your horns are exposed to the elements, check out Outerwears pre-filters. Normally for engines, they make a pre-filter for velocity stacks (part 20-2458 velocity stack ******) that fits perfect around the bell of the horn and will keep dirt and road crud from getting to the diaphragm.
The bigger the air line to your horns, the better they will sound. Extra pressure will also help to keep them from squeaking. Keep in mind that train horns are designed to be run at 150psi so its going to sound "squeakier" than they do on an actual train and not nearly as loud because you wont find a small compressor that will safely go up to 150psi. The firetruck horns run great around 90psi and will go down to about 60psi before it starts struggling.
For about the price of a pizza, put a quick connect adapter somewhere in the line and keep an air hose and a tire filler in your trunk. You'll find need to fill tires and run air tools more than you think!
As a personal commentary, the fire truck horn was my favorite feature of all time. People forget when they see these big horns that the original horns are still intact... you dont have to honk the big horn every time. I really only used mine in parades or at car shows. Both police and firemen have given me the international honk sign and a thumbs up in parades. My favorite use though was driving by tailgating college students with "You Honk, We Drink." signs...be careful what you ask for.
On the highway, at speed, it is VERY hard to hear an OEM horn unless you are right up next to it...in most cars at highway speed, you can only hear an OEM horn about 1 car away...really only good for honking at the car as its about to hit you (assuming they dont have their radio on, too!) A 150 decibel air horn though is about 5 car lengths away or loud enough to hear 1 car length away with the radio on.
Anyway..long post but bottom line is they are fun and a crowd favorite...use it responsibly and you wont have a problem.
