Car Horns
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Originally Posted By: VeryNoisyPoet
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
I will caution you on one thing, though. A loud horn is nice, but don't put a train horn on a KIA. Drivers who are startled by a horn will look around for the source and they equate tone with vehicle size; in other words if they're looking for a train, they won't see your KIA as the source of the honk, and might not see you at all. So keep the horn somewhat appropriate to the vehicle it's attached to.
I respectfully disagree. Stock car horns are pathetically ineffective at higher speeds and typical cut off distances.
Lost count of how many times people have continued changing lanes on top of me or pulling out into my path until the air horn kicks on. Then they stop short because they finally hear it or realize that it would be a problem if they kept doing the stupid thing. The fact they aren't aware enough of your presence such that they are surprised and looking around for a different vehicle means that you better be loud enough to get through their thick skull that they are about to cause a wreck.
I suppose it depends on your driving style. I can't remember the last time I used my horn, although I know they tested it on the Miata in 2001 and on my old '77 GMC in about 2008 because they both had to pass safeties on those dates, and a working horn is mandatory. I honestly would guess I've used my vehicle's horn less than a dozen times ...possibly much less, as I can't remember a single instance ... since I got my license nearly 50 years ago.
But, I can relate a story from a good friend who put an air horn on his motorcycle, and nearly was killed a few times when he used it, as vehicles would veer into his lane or abruptly brake, looking for the "truck" they just offended. He took it out after less than one season.
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
I will caution you on one thing, though. A loud horn is nice, but don't put a train horn on a KIA. Drivers who are startled by a horn will look around for the source and they equate tone with vehicle size; in other words if they're looking for a train, they won't see your KIA as the source of the honk, and might not see you at all. So keep the horn somewhat appropriate to the vehicle it's attached to.
I respectfully disagree. Stock car horns are pathetically ineffective at higher speeds and typical cut off distances.
Lost count of how many times people have continued changing lanes on top of me or pulling out into my path until the air horn kicks on. Then they stop short because they finally hear it or realize that it would be a problem if they kept doing the stupid thing. The fact they aren't aware enough of your presence such that they are surprised and looking around for a different vehicle means that you better be loud enough to get through their thick skull that they are about to cause a wreck.
I suppose it depends on your driving style. I can't remember the last time I used my horn, although I know they tested it on the Miata in 2001 and on my old '77 GMC in about 2008 because they both had to pass safeties on those dates, and a working horn is mandatory. I honestly would guess I've used my vehicle's horn less than a dozen times ...possibly much less, as I can't remember a single instance ... since I got my license nearly 50 years ago.
But, I can relate a story from a good friend who put an air horn on his motorcycle, and nearly was killed a few times when he used it, as vehicles would veer into his lane or abruptly brake, looking for the "truck" they just offended. He took it out after less than one season.
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
Originally Posted By: VeryNoisyPoet
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
I will caution you on one thing, though. A loud horn is nice, but don't put a train horn on a KIA. Drivers who are startled by a horn will look around for the source and they equate tone with vehicle size; in other words if they're looking for a train, they won't see your KIA as the source of the honk, and might not see you at all. So keep the horn somewhat appropriate to the vehicle it's attached to.
I respectfully disagree. Stock car horns are pathetically ineffective at higher speeds and typical cut off distances.
Lost count of how many times people have continued changing lanes on top of me or pulling out into my path until the air horn kicks on. Then they stop short because they finally hear it or realize that it would be a problem if they kept doing the stupid thing. The fact they aren't aware enough of your presence such that they are surprised and looking around for a different vehicle means that you better be loud enough to get through their thick skull that they are about to cause a wreck.
I suppose it depends on your driving style. I can't remember the last time I used my horn, although I know they tested it on the Miata in 2001 and on my old '77 GMC in about 2008 because they both had to pass safeties on those dates, and a working horn is mandatory.
True, it does depend on driving style and a lot on local driving culture. Around here that culture seems to be "take what you can; give nothing back", so the "respectful" drivers like me tend to get stepped on, cut off, merged into, etc. Apparently a big black station wagon with bright lights is all but invisible to these dummies. Therefore I often need to compensate with sound, hence the inspiration for my username on here. I don't honk all the time on a whim, but when a honk is sorely needed, I don't hold back.
Originally Posted By: VeryNoisyPoet
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
I will caution you on one thing, though. A loud horn is nice, but don't put a train horn on a KIA. Drivers who are startled by a horn will look around for the source and they equate tone with vehicle size; in other words if they're looking for a train, they won't see your KIA as the source of the honk, and might not see you at all. So keep the horn somewhat appropriate to the vehicle it's attached to.
I respectfully disagree. Stock car horns are pathetically ineffective at higher speeds and typical cut off distances.
Lost count of how many times people have continued changing lanes on top of me or pulling out into my path until the air horn kicks on. Then they stop short because they finally hear it or realize that it would be a problem if they kept doing the stupid thing. The fact they aren't aware enough of your presence such that they are surprised and looking around for a different vehicle means that you better be loud enough to get through their thick skull that they are about to cause a wreck.
I suppose it depends on your driving style. I can't remember the last time I used my horn, although I know they tested it on the Miata in 2001 and on my old '77 GMC in about 2008 because they both had to pass safeties on those dates, and a working horn is mandatory.
True, it does depend on driving style and a lot on local driving culture. Around here that culture seems to be "take what you can; give nothing back", so the "respectful" drivers like me tend to get stepped on, cut off, merged into, etc. Apparently a big black station wagon with bright lights is all but invisible to these dummies. Therefore I often need to compensate with sound, hence the inspiration for my username on here. I don't honk all the time on a whim, but when a honk is sorely needed, I don't hold back.
I've driven in five Canadian provinces, one Territory, Alaska, about 30 other US states, Jamaica, Cuba, Costa Rica, and .... wait for it ... Morocco. Whether it was Interstates around Chicago or freeways in San Francisco~San Jose, and gravel roads with nothing but oncoming tractor-trailers with wobbling logs 40" in diameter stacked on dubious flatbeds at 50 mph (while I was going faster).
I've lived in Minneapolis which I must admit doesn't have terrible traffic, but it can get big-city at the wrong times of day.
And if you operate a motorcycle, you learn pretty quickly that no amount of traffic ... sparse or as dense as can fit bumper to bumper ... is safe from other drivers. I just don't waste perfectly good avoidance reaction time hitting a horn button, whether on the bike or in a car or truck.
I don't know how people are taught to drive these days, from the looks of things pretty poorly I must surmise, but I learned from my father which is what our Nanny State Do-Gooders insist is the wrong way to do it. Can't really argue there as it's obvious to me that there are plenty of people who shouldn't be teaching their kids anything at all, let alone something so important as handling a two ton missile at 80 mph. We had Drivers' Ed in school but I didn't take it. Didn't harm me any, but maybe I am the exception.
Oh, and I've spent perhaps 20,000 hours driving a boat. Legally we had to have "a noise making device" which we decided was a steel frying pan and my axe, both of which were too far away to take my hand off the tiller (15~90 HP, depending) so I would have had to stop the boat to use them. ;-) Later on we upgraded the equipment to a whistle, which was kept packed away inside a waterproof floating container.
And then there's the Private Pilot's license.
Not trying to judge anyone, people have different driving styles and that's fine. There are far worse driving habits. The few times I've used my horn were in parking lots, probably saved a few fender benders there. I understand there's a reason why they are mandatory to pass a safety.
I've lived in Minneapolis which I must admit doesn't have terrible traffic, but it can get big-city at the wrong times of day.
And if you operate a motorcycle, you learn pretty quickly that no amount of traffic ... sparse or as dense as can fit bumper to bumper ... is safe from other drivers. I just don't waste perfectly good avoidance reaction time hitting a horn button, whether on the bike or in a car or truck.
I don't know how people are taught to drive these days, from the looks of things pretty poorly I must surmise, but I learned from my father which is what our Nanny State Do-Gooders insist is the wrong way to do it. Can't really argue there as it's obvious to me that there are plenty of people who shouldn't be teaching their kids anything at all, let alone something so important as handling a two ton missile at 80 mph. We had Drivers' Ed in school but I didn't take it. Didn't harm me any, but maybe I am the exception.
Oh, and I've spent perhaps 20,000 hours driving a boat. Legally we had to have "a noise making device" which we decided was a steel frying pan and my axe, both of which were too far away to take my hand off the tiller (15~90 HP, depending) so I would have had to stop the boat to use them. ;-) Later on we upgraded the equipment to a whistle, which was kept packed away inside a waterproof floating container.
And then there's the Private Pilot's license.
Not trying to judge anyone, people have different driving styles and that's fine. There are far worse driving habits. The few times I've used my horn were in parking lots, probably saved a few fender benders there. I understand there's a reason why they are mandatory to pass a safety.
If you do the old two tone horns as suggested. There should be adjustment screws on them that allow you to bring 2 horns into phase alignment. Once you have them hooked up have someone hit the horn and adjust till you cannot hear a wavering/warbling sound. At this point the 2 will be phased and sound the loudest.
Leave the stock horn relay hooked up and use it to power the coil of a bigger 30 amp auto relay you can get at AZ for $6. Then run a fused 12v from batt - relay - horn - grnd
Leave the stock horn relay hooked up and use it to power the coil of a bigger 30 amp auto relay you can get at AZ for $6. Then run a fused 12v from batt - relay - horn - grnd
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Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I think the old Caddy and Buick horns where actually 3 or 4 INDIVIDUAL horns and they had the NOTE they blew stamed on them. So play with your synth to find the sound you want and then go to the boneyard and gather them up.
There will be a lot of current expended so you may need a 10GA wire and a healthy relay rating to run 3 horns.
Yes … and some of those are still on eBay …
I think the old Caddy and Buick horns where actually 3 or 4 INDIVIDUAL horns and they had the NOTE they blew stamed on them. So play with your synth to find the sound you want and then go to the boneyard and gather them up.
There will be a lot of current expended so you may need a 10GA wire and a healthy relay rating to run 3 horns.
Yes … and some of those are still on eBay …
https://hornblasters.com/pages/videos
These are pretty amusing videos.
Wolo Bad Boy is loud and gets the point across for cheap.
These are pretty amusing videos.
Wolo Bad Boy is loud and gets the point across for cheap.
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Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
The world's junkyards are made for this kind of DIY parts hunting.
I will caution you on one thing, though. A loud horn is nice, but don't put a train horn on a KIA. Drivers who are startled by a horn will look around for the source and they equate tone with vehicle size; in other words if they're looking for a train, they won't see your KIA as the source of the honk, and might not see you at all. So keep the horn somewhat appropriate to the vehicle it's attached to.
Dual horns with musically-related tones sound the loudest and richest. So you don't really need a super horn. Luxury vehicles of roughly the same size as your car will generally have the best sounding horns, so seek out, say, BMWs at the wreckers for your donor horn(s) if you'r driving a compact import.
The power draw is mostly irrelevant provided the wiring to the horn on the relay side is adequate, as it's a temporary load so is not considered significant when sizing an electrical system.
Rain and other environmental contaminants are not good for horns, so don't mount it pointing outward right beside your fog lamps in the belief it will project better and louder; it probably will instead fail to sound when you need it.
Agreed with a big NO grossly outsized horns. I think this has happened to me a few years ago; Where's the Firetruck? It isn't that Kia Rio behind me that's for sure! Which way to go which way to go!
The world's junkyards are made for this kind of DIY parts hunting.
I will caution you on one thing, though. A loud horn is nice, but don't put a train horn on a KIA. Drivers who are startled by a horn will look around for the source and they equate tone with vehicle size; in other words if they're looking for a train, they won't see your KIA as the source of the honk, and might not see you at all. So keep the horn somewhat appropriate to the vehicle it's attached to.
Dual horns with musically-related tones sound the loudest and richest. So you don't really need a super horn. Luxury vehicles of roughly the same size as your car will generally have the best sounding horns, so seek out, say, BMWs at the wreckers for your donor horn(s) if you'r driving a compact import.
The power draw is mostly irrelevant provided the wiring to the horn on the relay side is adequate, as it's a temporary load so is not considered significant when sizing an electrical system.
Rain and other environmental contaminants are not good for horns, so don't mount it pointing outward right beside your fog lamps in the belief it will project better and louder; it probably will instead fail to sound when you need it.
Agreed with a big NO grossly outsized horns. I think this has happened to me a few years ago; Where's the Firetruck? It isn't that Kia Rio behind me that's for sure! Which way to go which way to go!
Originally Posted By: NYEngineer
https://hornblasters.com/pages/videos
These are pretty amusing videos.
Wolo Bad Boy is loud and gets the point across for cheap.
That ranks right up there with straight pipes on motorcycles on the [censored] scale. They are lucky the don’t get shot.
https://hornblasters.com/pages/videos
These are pretty amusing videos.
Wolo Bad Boy is loud and gets the point across for cheap.
That ranks right up there with straight pipes on motorcycles on the [censored] scale. They are lucky the don’t get shot.
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
Luxury vehicles of roughly the same size as your car will generally have the best sounding horns, so seek out, say, BMWs at the wreckers for your donor horn(s) if you'r driving a compact import.
I swapped in horns from a Lexus LS400 on my car and it was an easy swap. Now, if I can convince a friend to chuck his weak Subaru horns for ones off an American-built Acura or a Infiniti...
Luxury vehicles of roughly the same size as your car will generally have the best sounding horns, so seek out, say, BMWs at the wreckers for your donor horn(s) if you'r driving a compact import.
I swapped in horns from a Lexus LS400 on my car and it was an easy swap. Now, if I can convince a friend to chuck his weak Subaru horns for ones off an American-built Acura or a Infiniti...
I drive in one of the more congested urban areas in the US. I only need to use the horn occasionally.
Of course, if I swap my current engine for a big block with a blower, and start driving like I stole the car -- then I can see needing to beef up the horn for maximum decibel and using it frequently to get all of the other slow pokes on the road to move out of my way.
Of course, if I swap my current engine for a big block with a blower, and start driving like I stole the car -- then I can see needing to beef up the horn for maximum decibel and using it frequently to get all of the other slow pokes on the road to move out of my way.
Is SeaJay Jerry Seinfeld? Everything is funny with this guy!
I just try to stay away from others as I am always getting cut off, honked at, and challenged to road rage fights.
Horns were intended to alert others of your presence or intentions (like turn signals- who uses those SeaJay) but honking is just like a auditory assault or someone trying to startle someone for giggles. Ahh so sad. Safety is way down on the list of driver's priorities these days. Really sad to see the term 'motorist' fade away.
I just try to stay away from others as I am always getting cut off, honked at, and challenged to road rage fights.
Horns were intended to alert others of your presence or intentions (like turn signals- who uses those SeaJay) but honking is just like a auditory assault or someone trying to startle someone for giggles. Ahh so sad. Safety is way down on the list of driver's priorities these days. Really sad to see the term 'motorist' fade away.
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mjoekingz28 said:
I've noticed, when I was there, that you can't drive a taxi in New York City without almost constantly using the horn. No driver has ever done it. LOL
Having driven in Saigon, I'd rather drive without brakes than without a horn.
I guess you had to be there!
Smoky
I guess you had to be there!
Smoky
I ended up getting the 2-horn model from Harbor Freight, still haven't hooked it up yet but am trying to think about how to mount it.
Did anyone who's installed these put them on a-la freight train? That is, one facing one way and the other facing the other?
Did anyone who's installed these put them on a-la freight train? That is, one facing one way and the other facing the other?
The reason I have most wanted a loud horn was when an ipod zombie stepped out to cross the road without looking, good job my brakes work well.
How loud would be enough to be heard over the average set of earbuds or would I be better discharging an EMP ?
How loud would be enough to be heard over the average set of earbuds or would I be better discharging an EMP ?
Having driven in Saigon, I'd rather drive without brakes than without a horn.
I guess you had to be there] Yah, On the road from Montego Bay airport to Negril, brakes were optional, but a horn was more essential
I guess you had to be there] Yah, On the road from Montego Bay airport to Negril, brakes were optional, but a horn was more essential
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