Air horn

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by Darryl Siss, Jan 5, 2013.

  1. Darryl Siss
    Joined: Feb 2012
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    Darryl Siss Junior Member

    Have an old dual air horn on wood boat I am restoring. Just the horn, no compressor. Bought biggest Wolo 12 volt compressor (24 psi) they have and does not work. Went to auto shop and hooked up to air hose and horn does work - seemed like at about 28 psi. No info on horn except word "Titan" on top. Have googled Titan air horns with no results.

    Wolo told me if compressor I bought doesnt work would need compressor system for about $400. Cannot believe that this boat (16 foot Grady White) ever had that big of compressor for air horn - no room!

    Any ideas?
     
  2. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    I Don't know anything about the anatomy of air horns. Mine works perfectly with a compressor that can fit into your hand.
     
  3. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    You are assuming it was original equipment. It may have never worked in that installation. Some air horns, like the ones in large trucks, require a large volume of air.
     
  4. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    I probably works on "canned air" which is compressed air in a can (amazingly enough). These are used to power hand held signal horns and a number of other devices. A better setup would be a small 12 VDC compressor feeding a containment tank and a regulator.

    The horn may be disassemblable, if so, take it apart and check the passages, which may be partly blocked. If not, drop in a bucket of solvent for a few days and see if it cleans up.
     
  5. Darryl Siss
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    Darryl Siss Junior Member

    Thanks for responses. Have taken apart and cleaned. Wasnt too dirty. Probably wasnt original but I assume worked at some point.
     
  6. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

  7. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Cheaper to replace. with more reliability.

    Ive found that if you need a horn you generally need it badly.
     
  8. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    They sell high volume 12 VDC compressors intended for just this sort of thing. I have one on my Atkins.

    [​IMG]

    This system is 50 bucks, complete. Compressor, lines, horn button, the works.
     
  9. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    At 16 foot it would be a reasonable argument wether you even need one.

    Electric is fine and I think may even be considerd by some over the top for a 16 footer.
     
  10. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Sure.... you need a sound device on a 16 footer.

    Even 16 footers operate in the fog ...even 16 footers need to attract attention in an emergency
     
  11. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member



    Why? I have my engines astern --3 blasts.

    Who the hell cares.
     
  12. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    I guess. BUT...if I dont have a horn to get your attention when your hauling *** straight at me...then Im going to have to blast you with my rocket flares.

    A bit messy
     
  13. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Not a problem because I have two eyes in the front of my head used solely for navigation and going backwards N stuff.

    2 eyes in the front of you head is generally a first navigation aid and is above all others.
     
  14. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    But But But..what if your PVC exhaust is on fire and you cant see thru the smoke ?????
     

  15. SamSam
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    SamSam Senior Member

    Don't you know that because Frosty keeps his eyes open and all senses alert while navigating, everyone else does too, theretofore, nobody needs a horn! Because Frosty will never run into anybody, he will never need a horn to keep people from running into him! Because his boat never has breakdowns, breakdowns never happen to anybody! It is so simple, why don't you understand ?????
    Also, if you had your engines in the stern like normal people, that eliminates the need for horns. Frosty can explain, but it is through the miracle of modern science and that is all you really need to know.
     
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