Loud 12V horns?? sound or vid clips?

[ebike11]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000DINKPQ/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=pe_385040_30332190_TE_dp_1

Hi guys
I have a DC/DC converter from my 72v battery to 12V.
I then ordered and tested a Fiaam low tone car/motorcycle horn linked above, but the output
is really disappointing and would like to here other members horns.

I was looking foward to a real powerful sound but my horn sounds like its half dead haha
Battery is also fully charged.
If I cant improve or tweak ot, then Ill have to try another
Thanks!!

 

[teklektik]

Interrupter/diaphram horns like the Fiaam must be mounted so the entire horn body is free to vibrate/resonate at the horn frequency - they don't work properly if bolted to a solid object like the frame or bars. This is why auto horns are always mounted on 4-6 inch steel arms behind the grill. Try it unmounted and it will sound hugely louder.

That Fiaam was rated as the loudest non-air-horn in motorcycle tests a few years back and is what I use. It definitely gets attention...

If yours is not loud and is unmounted then your converter may not be up to the task. I run mine from a dedicated battery tap so my coverter can be sized just to run the other normal 12v accessories without the extra 6A to run the horn...

 

[ebike11]

Thanks a lot!!!!!
yes I just unbolted from the frame as you said and it is much louder!!

However where do you suggest mounting it if not on a solid surface like the frame??

 

[teklektik]

It's going to be a custom solution...
You can try a short narrow arm of thin material similar to auto mounting.... sort of depends on the bike and where you are putting it. The trick is simply to not damp the natural horn vibration.

Mine is hung sideways pointing to the left/forward into traffic (ride on right road shoulder). I just have a slightly oversized mounting hole and hang it loosely with a nylok nut on the stock mounting stud. The wiring is oversized and keeps it from rotating. I was going to overbore the hole to 3/4 or 1 inch and fasten the horn with a large rubber disc/washer on each side of the plate to clamp/center the horn stud in the rubber cushion when tightened down with small 3/8 inch outer washers - but the simple nylok worked so well that I never bothered with the 'improved' technique.

 

[cal3thousand]

Interrupter/diaphram horns like the Fiaam must be mounted so the entire horn body is free to vibrate/resonate at the horn frequency - they don't work properly if bolted to a solid object like the frame or bars. This is why auto horns are always mounted on 4-6 inch steel arms behind the grill. Try it unmounted and it will sound hugely louder.

That Fiaam was rated as the loudest non-air-horn in motorcycle tests a few years back and is what I use. It definitely gets attention...

If yours is not loud and is unmounted then your converter may not be up to the task. I run mine from a dedicated battery tap so my coverter can be sized just to run the other normal 12v accessories without the extra 6A to run the horn...

Is that horn running of pack voltage? Or do you mean you have a separate converter for it?

 

[nukezero]

must be going real fast to use a horn. i use the traditional bell and whistle.

 

[cal3thousand]

must be going real fast to use a horn. i use the traditional bell and whistle.

Bell and whistle are great for pedestrians. Cars just don't hear that crap. I can ding, ding, ding all day and cars won't notice.

 

[teklektik]

Is that horn running of pack voltage? Or do you mean you have a separate converter for it?

Nope - I have a separate +13.2v tap with separate Gnd from the traction pack just for the horn. The occasional 2 second blast does nothing to the pack balance. The extra dedicated Gnd keeps the interrupter/inductor noise spikes out of the normal bike wiring. Easy-peasy....

must be going real fast to use a horn. i use the traditional bell and whistle.

Try using a bell and whistle for an unconscious idiot pull-out with his windows closed.
Playing in traffic needs normal auto/motorcycle traffic-sized alerts not bike path toys.

I use a sweet little bell for peds on bike paths.
Different alerts for different jobs....

 

[cal3thousand]

Is that horn running of pack voltage? Or do you mean you have a separate converter for it?

Nope - I have a separate 13.2v tap with Gnd from the pack just for the horn. The occasional 2 second blast does nothing to the pack balance.

must be going real fast to use a horn. i use the traditional bell and whistle.

Try using a bell and whistle for an unconscious idiot pull-out with his windows closed.
Playing in traffic needs normal auto/motorcycle traffic-sized alerts not bike path toys.

I use a sweet little bell for peds on bike paths.
Different alerts for different jobs....

Ah... Ok, so you have a section of your main pack where 4 cells are tapped just for the horn. That's an interesting idea since the horn won't be used much. I think I will steal that

 

[veloman]

I have generic 12v and 24v motorcycle horns and they are pretty loud. They have an adjuster screw that needs to be set just right or you will not get a sound or a poor sound. $7 shipped on eBay.

I also use a bell/bugle horn for peds on paths.