The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay How to wire a horn

It's been a year since I purchased my 46. The previous owner called last weekend and told me he'd been cleaning the shed and had come across a set of horns for my truck.

What is the easiest way to check if they work?

Also, could someone explain how I should wire these?

I know I'm going to have to use an aux. horn button, but could it be as simple as power and ground through the button?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Jed,
It could be that simple...let the people speak!


Stuart.

atomarc,

Thanks for the quick reply. I just couldn't imagine it was that hard, yet didn't believe it would be that easy.

Jed,
I was waiting for someone else to throw in their two cents. It sort of isn't that simple. To be proper, the button should operate a horn relay, which is located nearer the horn mounting location and switches battery voltage through much larger wires so your horns are real loud and scare the heck out of old people and dogs. Do a search and you will find lots of info/wiring diagrams. So, it is simple, but not that simple!!


Stuart.

Stuart,

Appreciate the follow-up.

I'll do as you suggested.

Anyone else?

I don't know when GM started using horn relays, but I'm pretty sure it was in the 50's so your truck didn't have one to begin with. Doesn't mean you can't use one, just its not stock.

Is your truck still 6-volt? If it is, you'll need to find a 6-volt relay to go that route.

Jed,
Oldsub made a good point, and was probably right on target...I know little about '46 trucks! Your first theory was then correct, ground the horn and power it through your aux horn button. You might want to install a little inline fuse before the button. If the system is 6v and you choose to install a horn relay, the horn button is wired the same, except to the coil of the relay instead of the horn. The normally open contacts of the relay are wired between the battery or amp meter and the horn.

The horn relay can use larger wire and can be a little closer to the horn which gives a chance to pass more current...louder more responsive horn. The little button in the cab doesn't have to try and pass the load for the hungry horn. I went to the gallery and looked at your '46..beautiful, and what a story of discovery!

Didn't this truck have a steering wheel horn button? You could probably get it fixed up and working...much more convenient than a button somewhere else..honk honk


Stuart.

Old Sub and Stuart.

Thank you so much for the help. The truck is still powered by 6-volts. Still doesn't sound like it should be too difficult to accomplish. Guess I'll see what happens.

Stuart, the truck did have a steering wheel horn button. However, I don't have a stock steering wheel on it, and the wheel I do have is not really what I'm planning on keeping.

Thanks for the positive comments on the truck. Although I found it in really good shape, I've done quite a bit of work on it in the last year. Including a new engine...

If you'd like to see some better pictures, take a peek at the link below.

Thanks again for the help.

Here ya go

http://www.rallylights.com/useful_info/horn_wiring.htm