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Old 15-01-2015, 09:54   #1
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Horn Hookup Advice

Hello All,
I have called in all my favors from Electricians I know and I know just enough to get me in trouble and that’s where I am at now .
I am trying to hook up a WEST MARINE double trumpet horn on a catamaran.
It draws 8amps I think [ ?] when you push the button
It’s a 40ft run from the horn to the panel. I am using 12/2 . Is that heavy enough for that length of run.? I know there is an app for this but don’t know what the name is …Wizard something
In the middle of that run I am cutting into the hot [red] and taking another 12/2 up to the helm for the button. SO one side of the 12/2 will go up to the button , when you press the button it will contact the other side back down to the original run .
Before I do this [ This is my second attempt ] I am looking for any advice , guidance, etc so I don’t have to do it a third time .
Thank you in advance for any help …if anyones in Key West and feels like having a beer [38degrees ] and playing with DC let me know .
Tom
SV Cecilia Marie
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Old 15-01-2015, 20:41   #2
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Re: HORN HOOKUP ADVICE

Follow all the manufacturer's instructions.

The AFI Dual Trumpet Horns all look to draw 20A, not 8A.

Here are tables showing wire size verus length versus current. According to the table for 10% drop the wire size should be either 12 AWG or 10 AWG. I would recommend 10 AWG. The AFI instructions recommend 10 AWG for that length.

The best way to run wires is to have contiguous, unbroken runs, from each connection point, w/ the only splice at the horn pigtail.

The horn will sound best if the air hose length is minimized. Put the compressor right near the horns and make the hoses as short as possible. Do not have any air hose kinks.

Follow the periodic lubrication instructions.
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Old 15-01-2015, 21:53   #3
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Re: HORN HOOKUP ADVICE

I would run the heavy wires to a solenoid switch mounted near the horn. Run light wires from the solenoid to the button to control it. This reduces the distance the heavy amps have to travel and also let you use a lighter switch to control the horn.

Don't forget to put a fuse or circuit breaker in the circuit.

Are you installing air horns with a compressor or direct electric horns?
Eight amps sounds about right for direct electric horns. Compressor driven horns will depend on the size of the compressor.
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Old 16-01-2015, 03:35   #4
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Re: HORN HOOKUP ADVICE

  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Loudness dB: 123dB
  • Power Requirements: 12V
  • Draw: 8A @ 12V DC
  • Dimensions: 8"W x 18 1/2"L
  • Warranty: One year
THank you WIngless and Hopcar

Sorry about that , I should have said they are the electric 12v not the air.
I did not realize you gauge by the "Round Trip " not just the distance run .
It looks from the graphs that 12 will work but 10 would be better . I will look into the switch solenoid idea ....I like that . I thought you just needed to interrupt the hot or ground with the wires to the switch .
Beers for everyone .
TOM
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Old 16-01-2015, 04:38   #5
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Re: Horn Hookup Advice

According to the 10% table 12/2 is plenty for 40 feet.

Run un-interrupted from the horn to the switch. Switch the hot not the ground.
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Old 16-01-2015, 04:40   #6
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Re: Horn Hookup Advice

Oh man...

I thought this was going to be some useful info about Cape hotspots with good potential...
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Old 16-01-2015, 05:06   #7
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Re: Horn Hookup Advice

Here are images showing the staggered, step-down, crimped, heat shrinked and strain relieved splices for my air horns and whistle solenoid valves.

My preference / suggestion is to stagger splices so the junction width is minimized.

The strain relief is to ensure that pulling forces on the wire are not exerted on the crimp junction.








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Old 16-01-2015, 05:15   #8
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Re: Horn Hookup Advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor View Post
Oh man...

I thought this was going to be some useful info about Cape hotspots with good potential...
Yeah I as disappointed too to see it was about electronics. Oh well.
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Old 16-01-2015, 12:07   #9
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Re: HORN HOOKUP ADVICE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Farley View Post
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Loudness dB: 123dB
  • Power Requirements: 12V
  • Draw: 8A @ 12V DC
  • Dimensions: 8"W x 18 1/2"L
  • Warranty: One year
THank you WIngless and Hopcar

Sorry about that , I should have said they are the electric 12v not the air.
I did not realize you gauge by the "Round Trip " not just the distance run .
It looks from the graphs that 12 will work but 10 would be better . I will look into the switch solenoid idea ....I like that . I thought you just needed to interrupt the hot or ground with the wires to the switch .
Beers for everyone .
TOM
You can do it your way. Just remember to add the additional wire length into your calculations. This will be less wire length than running the entire cable to the switch and back and you are only switching one (the hot) wire anyway.

Don't forget overcurrent protection at the source. If you are getting power from a 12 volt electrical panel, just add another circuit breaker. 15 amp is fine, 20 amp is fine with #12 wire.
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Old 16-01-2015, 12:16   #10
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Re: Horn Hookup Advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor View Post
Oh man...

I thought this was going to be some useful info about Cape hotspots with good potential...
That is what got me to look!

We must think alike or have a similar sense of humor.

Seriously, I thought it might be about "hooking up" or joining a crew/boat that is going to go 'round the Horn. Something I would like to do someday.
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Old 16-01-2015, 17:24   #11
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Re: HORN HOOKUP ADVICE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Farley View Post
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Loudness dB: 123dB
  • Power Requirements: 12V
  • Draw: 8A @ 12V DC
  • Dimensions: 8"W x 18 1/2"L
  • Warranty: One year
THank you WIngless and Hopcar
Always glad to help.

The West Marine 10028 Stainless Air Horn looks like a solid device.

It cannot hurt to mount the horns so the trumpets have a downward slope, so any water or spray drains from the internals.
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Old 17-01-2015, 14:44   #12
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Re: Horn Hookup Advice

Here are my Kahlenberg D-1 Chimetone Air Horns. These are operating at 95 PSI and peg the 130dBA measurement limit on my loudness meter.

The tonal quality and the volume are AMAZING!


wingless' Kahlenberg D-1 Chimetone Air Horns - >130dBA at 95PSI
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