using model A horn on 12 volt system

oldforder

oldforder

Senior Member
So I have a 1928 Ames horn that works good, but I would like to use it on my 65 Mustang. How can I accomplish this. I have ran it directly on 12 volts, but it doesn't sound good.
 
If you don’t care about authenticity and it won’t be seen buy a cheap 12 volt reproduction at a place like Harbor Freight or AutoZone.
 
I have the horn, and am trying to sell it on facebook and craigslist, but in the meantime, if it doesn't sell (I'm not gonna give it away) I just am looking for a CHEAP way to make it work. Actually what I REALLY want for my Mustang is one of those horse whinny horns. But I am too tight to buy one when I have a valuable A horn sitting on the shelf. If I sell the A horn I will use the money to buy a whinny horn.
 
The vendors sell resistors to wire in series with a 6 volt horn to use it on 12 volts. There are two styles of resistors, one that goes inside the horn and one that mounts on the frame. The one that goes inside the horn will burn out if used to long as it does not have the wattage rating needed. The one on the frame is a better choice.

The alternative is to rewire the horn to convert it to 12 volts but unless you are going to use it on a 12 volt Model A I would not recommend that.
 
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To rewire the field is a fairly complex thing and it will change the value for those that want an original 6-volt horn. A dropping resistor from Fifth Avenue Internet Garage or some other source would drop the voltage to work on a 12-volt vehicle.
 
rotorwrench said:
To rewire the field is a fairly complex thing and it will change the value for those that want an original 6-volt horn. A dropping resistor from Fifth Avenue Internet Garage or some other source would drop the voltage to work on a 12-volt vehicle.
Click to expand...

Finally, just buy the resistor and splice it into the 12V power source wire to the horn. I think that all of the vendors sell a resistor for this purpose. Should be an easy fix -----------
 
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