The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 1941 Horn: Is 12 Volts Okay?

Okay, y'all are probably tired of hearing about '41 horns, but I've got another question. First off, many thanks to everyone for the info on hooking up the horn. Finally got mine working today. Couldn't figure out how the button worked until it was explained how it's actually the cone shaped unit that does the job. Had to adjust the steering shaft cover so there's some play between it and the cone unit, then I put the spring and horn button on and wa-laa, it works!

I converted my truck to 12 volts. The horn seems to work fine on 12 volts, but I'm worried about burning it out. So I installed a medium resistor (one recommended for the ignition system) and the horn didn't work. Tried a light resistor (for the gas gauge) with the same result. So its back to being hooked up to 12 volts and it works fine. Is it okay to run it on 12 volts or will it burn out after awhile? Bear in mind that this is Southern California where we use our horns a lot.

Charlie

as long as you aren't holding the horn button down for too long,it should be fine. It's louder on 12 volts too,isn't it? That's a good thing.
Speed

Speed is correct. Under normal use you'll never hurt your horn. When I was a kid my dad would go to the salvage yard to buy 6 volt horns & put them on our family cars (12 volt). Dad liked LOUD horns.

I,ll bet you have some burned out resisters.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll keep 'er at 12 volts and take it easy on blowing it. The horn wasn't hooked up when I got the truck, so I don't know what it sounded like at 6 volts. But it is plenty loud now. Also got a spare horn just in case. And the resistors I tried were new, but never tested so maybe they're bad. I'll check 'em out later.

12 volts will push a lot more amps through that horn. normal horn use will not hurt it. You should use a relay to avoid burning the horn button contacts.

just had to talk about the horn!!!!!!!!!!!! mine just gave up after 23 yrs of 12 volts. i would push the button and the engine would shut of until i let up on the button. the relay is burned up. will have to get another one the first if the week. thanks again. ron

OLD;
Sorry if we jinxed ya...
Speed

why don't you just buy a fiamm horn set
they are loud and about $10-16 bucks
12 V

http://motors.search.ebay.com/fiamm...QfsopZ1QQsacatZ6000QQsamcmZ6000QQsaspiZ2

if you would are wored you can use OHM's Law the first step is it find the resistance of the horm DMM or if you you shold be able to find specs on a shop manule that will give you the ma pull of the horn. if you do not have a DMM but can find the amoeres pull simply use this formula to find resistand R = 6/I (I= Current in AMPS and you are using 6 for 6 volts) then wen you have the Resistance cunect a res. with the same R value in seareas. then your hore will get just 6V and the corect I to it.

i replaced the relay with a 12 volt one, evidently that was not the only problem. it caught the relay on fire and also the wiring on the fender started to smolder. there was a short there. i still worry but i think everything is ok now. i tightened the wiring on the fender and no more smoke. Ron

1947rbt is right. All you have to do is find another resistor and wire it in series with your horn. FYI Your spare horn will act as that resister. Instead of just crating heat and magnitism you could be creating more noise!