6 volt horn to a 12 volt system Options

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HotRodder		#1 Posted : Sunday, 15 June 2008 11:57:28 PM(UTC)
Rank: Member Reputation: Groups: Registered Joined: 15/06/2008(UTC) Posts: 168		Has anyone ever fitted a 6 volt horn to a 12 volt system before, I recently purchased off ebay a 6 volt 1937 Ford trumpet horn and dog its load. What would one need to ask for to connect this baby up so it doesn't damage the electrical system.
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Guest		#2 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:09:22 AM(UTC)
Rank: Guest Groups: Guests Joined: 2/09/2015(UTC) Posts: 43,977 Was thanked: 5 time(s) in 5 post(s)		horns generally pull around 10 amps so somewhere in the region of a 1 ohm 50 watt resistor in series with the horn power wire would be a good starting point. I doubt 12v would damage it but it may change the note. Otherwise measure the amperage it uses

HotRodder		#3 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:19:41 AM(UTC)
Rank: Member Reputation: Groups: Registered Joined: 15/06/2008(UTC) Posts: 168		A resistor thanks Jamie, I was thinking a regulator. Ill measure the amperage and see what I can purchase tomorrow.
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HotRodder		#4 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:19:41 AM(UTC)
Rank: Member Reputation: Groups: Registered Joined: 15/06/2008(UTC) Posts: 168		A resistor thanks Jamie, I was thinking a regulator. I'll measure the amperage and see what I can purchase tomorrow.
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Guest		#5 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:25:30 AM(UTC)
Rank: Guest Groups: Guests Joined: 2/09/2015(UTC) Posts: 43,977 Was thanked: 5 time(s) in 5 post(s)		yeah you can use reducers and so on but you dont really need it for a horn. You just need a load that is going to "eat" around 6 volts. some info on reducers here ebay item 180217549090

Guest		#6 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:29:36 AM(UTC)
Rank: Guest Groups: Guests Joined: 2/09/2015(UTC) Posts: 43,977 Was thanked: 5 time(s) in 5 post(s)		actually from the ballpark I gave 1 ohm is probably a little high because it will drop 10v across it and only leave you about 3. Around 1/2 an ohm or a bit more. Anyway measure the amps and go from there

80737k		#7 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:53:20 AM(UTC)
Rank: Veteran Reputation: Groups: Registered, Veteran Joined: 4/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 1,062 Location: western victoria		Great topic !!! I have two huge trumpet horns that i was once told are from 48 chev trucks. They have gone on every car ive owned over the last 20 years and i have hooked them up various ways but now i hook them up together using a relay for each one an
		Fossil fuels are YUMMY !
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80737k		#8 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 12:53:20 AM(UTC)
Rank: Veteran Reputation: Groups: Registered, Veteran Joined: 4/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 1,062 Location: western victoria		Great topic !!! I have two huge trumpet horns that i was once told are from 48 chev trucks. They have gone on every car i've owned over the last 20 years and i have hooked them up various ways but now i hook them up together using a relay for each one a
		Fossil fuels are YUMMY !
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HK1837		#9 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 1:41:04 AM(UTC)
Rank: Veteran Reputation: Groups: Moderator, Registered, Veteran Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 14,898 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 558 time(s) in 533 post(s)		Run 2 x 6V batteries in series instead of a single 12V, and hook the horn up via a relay from the centre point of the 2 x batteries to 0V (frame). _______________________________________________________ If we all had the same (good) taste, who would b
		_______________________________________________________ If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords?
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HotRodder		#10 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 5:23:59 AM(UTC)
Rank: Member Reputation: Groups: Registered Joined: 15/06/2008(UTC) Posts: 168		I'll let you know tomorrow night how I get on at the auto electrics.
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HotRodder		#11 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 5:23:59 AM(UTC)
Rank: Member Reputation: Groups: Registered Joined: 15/06/2008(UTC) Posts: 168		Ill let you know tomorrow night how I get on at the auto electrics.
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johnperth		#12 Posted : Monday, 16 June 2008 8:17:08 AM(UTC)
Rank: Veteran Reputation: Groups: Registered, Veteran Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 1,991 Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)		I run a vintage 6v Klaxon off 12 volts, sounds like something in terrible pain, but seeing you usually only operate it for a few seconds I doubt it would be damaged, the structure of these old horns is pretty strong.
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Jim5.0		#13 Posted : Wednesday, 18 June 2008 3:04:32 AM(UTC)
Rank: Veteran Reputation: Groups: Moderator, Registered, Veteran Joined: 2/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 2,898 Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)		Wire a headlight bulb in series with the horn that should do the trick but hide the bulb somewhere unless you want an eerie glow in your engine bay every time you hit the horn. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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