Electric Horn

RoyS

RoyS

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Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
Last year I installed a small electric horn near my bow with a button at the helm. Proved useful. Went to use it this year and it barely sounds. I bought it from Defender where it is listed as an Ongaro Marine Horn. Failed after one season with maybe fifteen toots. Junk. Has a very deceptive warranty stated as FIVE years but only on the stainless steel. The electrical is only good for ONE year. Must have receipt, blah, blah. I have receipt dated April but I did not try it this year until June and therefore; no warranty. Read a number of reviews on other sites (no reviews on Defender) and many stated failure in one season. This fifteen toot horn cost me $45. That comes to $3 a toot. Does anyone know of an honest marine horn manufacturer? Makes no sense to me to buy one of these every Spring for $45. End of Rant.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,711
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
At least now you cant "Toot your own Horn" :cowbell:
Jim...

PS: Warranty fine print needs a magnifier to read.:mad:
 
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Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,199
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I have a plastic pump horn like this for a backup up my canned air horn. Really loud.

DDDDA9BF-4398-4198-AA5A-D0569785FD53.png


but, this is what I would really like to install…..true air horn with compressor.

AFI Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit with Compressor 10106

Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit with Compressor, Chrome Brass. Marine Horns, Whistles, & Bells are in stock now at Wholesale Marine.
www.wholesalemarine.com www.wholesalemarine.com
B1AFC91D-1F38-4859-8EB6-3DD47B583735.png
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,116
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
You could always go with a horn like this... Only put it in the V-Berth out of the salt spray... Can additionally be used to get crew up on deck.
it works here...
 
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RoyS

RoyS

.
Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
Ted, Thanks for the instructions. However, my horn is different; it is called a snail horn. Might work with a cleaning, we will see. Worth a try. BTW I am not looking for extremely loud as an air horn. Just want to signal like with an auto horn. Will try to service.
 
C

Calif. Ted

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Jun 8, 2004
2,908
Catalina 320 Dana Point
At least play with the diaphragm adjusting screw if such exists, under the "ya just never know" theory of engineering and scientific discovery.;)
 
Sailor Sue

Sailor Sue

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Nov 12, 2009
260
J/ 32 NCYC, Western Lake Erie
Since you've already run the wire, and have the button/switch, you could go to an auto salvage yard and but the car horn of your choice. Or go to any auto parts store. Probably not marine grade, but should last as long as your $45 one.
 
Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
6,972
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
RoyS said:
Worth a try. BTW I am not looking for extremely loud as an air horn. Just want to signal like with an auto horn.
Click to expand
I really hate to piss on your corn flakes but I just don't think the sound of a Morris Mini Minor horn "toot tooting" away is going to have any influence on a power boater. And especially not the Rodney Dangerfield look-alike in the 60+ foot gin palace headed straight at you with his boat on full autopilot.

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No sir. What you really need is something that sounds like a Nathan Airchime locomotive air horn. Let him know you mean business.


 
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jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Tally Ho said:
I have a plastic pump horn like this for a backup up my canned air horn. Really loud.

View attachment 207361

but, this is what I would really like to install…..true air horn with compressor.

AFI Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit with Compressor 10106

Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit with Compressor, Chrome Brass. Marine Horns, Whistles, & Bells are in stock now at Wholesale Marine.
www.wholesalemarine.com www.wholesalemarine.com
View attachment 207360
Click to expand
Yes! I'd love to have a real, loud air horn set, maybe mounted on top of the radome. With a nice, lever control on the binnacle. Maybe even an automatic fog horn control, too.
 
PaulK

PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,303
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
RoyS said:
Ted, Thanks for the instructions. However, my horn is different; it is called a snail horn. Might work with a cleaning, we will see. Worth a try. BTW I am not looking for extremely loud as an air horn. Just want to signal like with an auto horn. Will try to service.
Click to expand
We were out in Block Island Sound one sunny summer day, sailing along on a nice reach when suddenly a truck horn went off about a mile away. It continued honking about every 45 seconds. It turned out to be a submarine doing about 20 knots on the surface.
5e5705b9c1c64509c5ac98fe.jpg
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,543
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Tally Ho said:
I have a plastic pump horn like this for a backup up my canned air horn. Really loud.

View attachment 207361

but, this is what I would really like to install…..true air horn with compressor.

AFI Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit with Compressor 10106

Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit with Compressor, Chrome Brass. Marine Horns, Whistles, & Bells are in stock now at Wholesale Marine.
www.wholesalemarine.com www.wholesalemarine.com
View attachment 207360
Click to expand
Those look a lot like what you see on Big Rig trucks. I have to believe that if they can stand up to highway grime, snow removal salt and constant vibration, they must be sturdy. I've often thought it would be fun to have a ridiculously loud airhorn on my little boat.

This one is only $5,700 :biggrin: and produces 144dB ... that comes to about $40/db... what a deal!:dancing:

1658154657391.png
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,116
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
144 dB. That would hurt. Do you issue ear plugs to your crew or just sign them up for hearing exam and replacement hearing aids.

Noise SourceDecibel Level (dB)How long can you listen without protection?
Jet take off1300 minutes
Ambulance siren109Less than 2 minutes
Personal music player at maximum volume1063.75 minutes
Pop/Rock concert1037.5 minutes
Riding a motorcycle9730 minutes
Using an electric drill941 hour
 
rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,543
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
jssailem said:
144 dB. That would hurt. Do you issue ear plugs to your crew or just sign them up for hearing exam and replacement hearing aids.

Noise SourceDecibel Level (dB)How long can you listen without protection?
Jet take off1300 minutes
Ambulance siren109Less than 2 minutes
Personal music player at maximum volume1063.75 minutes
Pop/Rock concert1037.5 minutes
Riding a motorcycle9730 minutes
Using an electric drill941 hour
Click to expand
Yeah but it might be worth it. I'm already fantasizing about that jet ski that decides to cross 2' in front of my bow..... Then I lay in on the horn..

1658156798700.png
:yikes::biggrin::beer:
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,116
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Yes the horn would be nice.

I‘m thinking auto aim tracking burst fire pink paintball gun that can be deployed or retracted into the anchor locker. In such a case as you describe.
 
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