Current draw for stock A horn

pdora

pdora

Senior Member
My horn doesn't work and I am preparing to troubleshoot. The wiring to the horn by way of the horn button checks out.

For logistical reasons I need to work on the horn in my workshop and not near the car. This means I need a source of 6-volt power for testing.

I have a 1-amp, 6-volt battery charger. Is this sufficient to power the horn, or must I look for another source? I really don't feel like removing the car battery and hauling it inside.

Thanks.
 
One amp is not enough. Tom Wesenberg will no doubt post a correct figure, but it is several amps.

Note that the button provides ground to one terminal of the horn, and the other terminal should be hot full time--assuming you have an original horn. A VOM and a jumper will help you isolate the problem to power, ground, or the horn itself before you remove it from the car.

Joe
 
Thanks.
I have isolated the problem to the horn itself.

BTW - does polarity matter? I would guess not since it does not use permanent magnets.
 
My horn wouldn't stop honking and I discovered that one brush holder was missing the insulating washer between it and the frame.
 
Every horn I've checked has drawn 5 amps when properly tuned and running. It will take a bit more to start the horn armature spinning from a dead stop. A 6 amp battery charger might be OK. If not,you can back off the adjust screw to get the armature spinning, then tighten the screw to the correct tone.

Just carry a couple wires and horn to the car if you don't want to remove the battery. A 10 amp charger should be plenty good for testing the horn.
 
My horn wont work at idle speed ,but when I speed up the engine it will sound fairly good . Just rewired one side of the field coil.Wonder if a Horn relay will help ,its 6 volts .
 
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