I'm approaching the end of a 4-yr build on my '37 Plymouth, and just yesterday stumbled across the original ram's-horn shaped horns. I'd like to keep them, but they're 6-volt, and I've since changed to 12-volt. What modifications, if any, do I need to make, to use the original horns?
I would think just a voltage-drop resistor inline would be adequate. I run a 6-volt horn with my 12-volt and it works fine without the resistor, but I am told it might burn out the horn in time.
I think they'll work with 12V, but they will vibrate at a higher frequency and thus sound different, and have an even shorter life. I would use a voltage drop (available from Radio Shack or an auto parts store) if you want to be cautious.
I run an old 6 volt stainless Motovox horn on my car, no issues on 12 volt just loud as hell. But isn't that what you want a LOUD horn? especially in a hotrod.
YEP used alot of 6V horns on a 12V system. make sure the horn works before mounting it. hook it to a 12V battery, but put your ear inside horn cone before touching the wires! NO put ear plugs in & then hook the wires. ITS LOUD as mentioned above!
They'll work fine if you don't put sustained current to 'em. Even 12V horns burn out on 12V if you hold the ****on down. The original horn in my '60 burned out when the ****on shorted out, so now I'm gonna put in a pair of horns from a shoebox Ford. I put 12V to 'em and they sound awesome.
Unless you use'em like a Calcutta cabby, you'll never burnemout. The effect on volume can border on terrifying with either a regular beeper or a Ford A or B Ahoogah. An ahoogah is immediately transformed into an OOOGah!!! horn with enough volume to blow subarus into the ditch. The "ah" just disappears because spool up to full blast is now faster than sound... Even drivers who are text messaging while shaving will notice...
it'll be loud but it comes in handy when a bunch of bicycle riders are clogging up your favorite route for a Sunday cruise...those hemorrhoids have no idea what the bike lane is for...now this is turning into an off topic rant...my bad
I've had several sets of 6volt trumpets in various cars, they all still work. LOUD! The set in my Saturn is the oldest, had 'em since the mid '80s. I use them plenty!
If you are truly concerned, you can pick up a ballast resister from basically any old car that ran a stock/standard points ignition system. The ballast resistor will effectively drop the current from 12v to between 6-7v. They are typically around $10, and can be picked up in single or dual configurations. I'd run dual just in case you burn one side out. That way you can just switch to the other side and still have your power. We used one when we first built my 1941 Ford (my 1st car) to run the stock 6v heater fan. Worked great.
Excellent, thanks for all the advice. As long as it works for the short blast when I take it for the Pa. State inspection, all is cool.
I PREFER 6V horns on my cars. It makes them sound like freight trains. Try an early 50's Plymouth, Cad, or 1950 Studebaker horn set. Make sure you don't get stuck with the high-tone only. I prefer the high-and-low pairs, or sometimes just the low tone horns.
The "ah" just disapears'. I think I pissed myself laughing! I have a pair of stock 50 Ford horns (originally 6 volt) on two of my cars and they are 12 volt systems. Been using them for at least 4 years, no problems. These horns are so loud people hate it when you honk. Especially people on bikes that don't see you behind them.
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