Testing Horns

R

rustynutz

Member
Picked up some horns that I think are correct for my 1941 pickup. Can I test with 12volts without harming anything? If 12volts is a no, do I need a relay to test with 6volts? Must they be tested positive ground? Thanks
 
Hi there, 6volt horns will work on 12volts but would be much louder and their nice tone would be more or less lost with lots more NOISE produced. Also the horns would draw about twice the current (amps) on 12volts which would have the effect of burning or pitting the internal contacts much quicker. An option here would be to place ONE resistor in series with EACH horn to lower the voltage. IE TWO RESISTORS REQUIRED. Macs and others can supply these VOLTAGE REDUCERS. Macs part #V12874. Its a good idea to use a horn relay if your car has not got one fitted. The relay will overcome any voltage drop and take the heavy current draw of the horns away from your steering wheel horn button/switch. Use one relay for each horn is preferred. Regards, Kevin.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'm just looking to do a quick test, to see if they work, plan to use the best parts from both to build one horn, since my truck uses a single horn. When it's time to install the horn, I will copy the factory setup.
 
Funny this should pop up.....! My horn stopped working today on my '40. Checked all the wiring and still nothing. Bad relay ? How can I make a test with horn in car. It's negative ground.

Thx....Mike
 
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