I Really Want An Electric Horn

[l008com]

I have a small 15" boat. It had an electric horn, but it wasn't loud enough. The lock operators couldn't even hear it. So I got a can-o-horn and it was super loud. But it ran out in no time. And I had no warning. One full beep and I went to hit it again (long long short short) and it was like "whiiiiiine" and that was the end. So I want to go back to an electric horn. But I don't have a whole lot of space. And it has to be very loud, loud enough to wake a sleeping lock operator ;-) Or at least a nappying one. Any suggestions?

I like these horns, they're pretty small and I could easily fit one or two on my boat in front of my windshield. But are horns like this loud enough to be heard?
http://www.innovativelight.com/-sets-piezo-electronic-deck-mount-horn_p_1466_11572_4.cfm

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

I put an old car horn I had laying around in my center console. Plenty loud and the price was right!

 

[EricJRW]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

Check out the electrically powered air-horns... Similar, though not quite as loud, as what's used on the 18 wheelers. Harbor freight usually has decent prices.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

That's a piezo horn. I have no experience with that one but I did install a different brand. It's not loud enough. The benefit is it does not use hardly any power to activate. This one you are looking at does not list the decibels (db). The one I have that is not loud enough is listed at 106-108 db. I think something at least 120 would be good. You should ask the manufacturer for the rating.

Maybe this? http://www.jcwhitney.com/electric-130db-highway-blaster-replacement-horns/p2009014.jcwx?filterid=j1?skuId=163716&TID=8014524FT4&zmam=15972153&zmas=21&zmac=141&zmap=133190

 

[EricJRW]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

This is what I was thinking of:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/horns/12-volt-super-loud-air-horn-40134.html

This one may be even louder:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...-volt-air-horn-set-with-compressor-94862.html

Of course if space is an issue, these are bulker.

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

Yeah I definitely don't have space for one of those electric air horns. But that JC Whiteney horn is interesting. Problem is where do I mount it. My old horn was mounted completely under the dash, which just made it even more muzzled. The thing I like most about the innovative electronics horn was that it was surface mount. Is the jcwhitney horn mountable externally? Or would I also have to hide it under the dash?

 

[seabob4]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

AFI electric horn...

Hole in the helm console forward, mounts almost flush, 110db...

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

How many db is one of the smaller can air horns? Thats what I had.

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

AFI electric horn...

Hole in the helm console forward, mounts almost flush, 110db...

That looks about the same size as the original horn I linked to.

 

[JoLin]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

I have a small 15" boat. It had an electric horn, but it wasn't loud enough. The lock operators couldn't even hear it. So I got a can-o-horn and it was super loud. But it ran out in no time. And I had no warning. One full beep and I went to hit it again (long long short short) and it was like "whiiiiiine" and that was the end. So I want to go back to an electric horn. But I don't have a whole lot of space. And it has to be very loud, loud enough to wake a sleeping lock operator ;-) Or at least a nappying one. Any suggestions?

I like these horns, they're pretty small and I could easily fit one or two on my boat in front of my windshield. But are horns like this loud enough to be heard?
http://www.innovativelight.com/-sets-piezo-electronic-deck-mount-horn_p_1466_11572_4.cfm

Why would your can horn run out after only one 'beep'? Doesn't make sense. I have both and frankly, the cheap-o electric horns (like mine) stink. They aren't very loud (about 105 decibels) and they self-destruct in a few seasons.

I'd get a decent can horn before I'd cut new holes in the boat.

My .02

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

It didn't run out in one beep. But it only lasted for maybe 5 to 10 boat rides. My point about the beep was that it gave no warning. I went to beep through a lock and my long-long-short-short turned into long-hssssss.

Also the electric horn I pulled out of my boat still worked, and it was at least 20 years old. It wasn't loud enough and was mounted in a location that made it even more muzzled, but it still functioned as good as ever. The only issues it ever had (again aside from simply not being loud enough) was really crappy wiring. That was very easy to fix though.

 

[MolsonCanadian]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

Try and find an older Cadillac horn. Those were great!

...Or a train horn, the lock operator will soil his pants.

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

The company just got back to me, and the original horn I linked to is 108 db. Thats great. Now the next question is: how loud is that? How does that compare to a small air horn? How much louder would it be if I installed two of those 108 db horns?

 

[Dave1027]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

The company just got back to me, and the original horn I linked to is 108 db. Thats great. Now the next question is: how loud is that? How does that compare to a small air horn? How much louder would it be if I installed two of those 108 db horns?

I bought one of those at the beginning of boat season and it is no way loud enough. I just ordered one of those 130 db highway horns off JC Whitney. Maybe now I can get the jet skiers attention. I'd run them over but it might damage my gelcoat.

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

How/Where would you mount one of those car horns?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

I put it under my center console, just below the dash.. It was easy to wire because the 12V fuse block was right there. All I had to do was add a pushbutton.

 

[EricJRW]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

My horn, also a car horn, is under the console. Oddly, slits have been cut (not by me) in the console for the sole purpose of letting the sound from the horn out. That surface mount horn above is very nice looking. Going to have to keep that in mind for when this horn gives out.

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

If I put one of those horns under my dash, it will be blocked by the boat, and all the sound will be going out the back, won't it? Plus it will be super loud for people in the boat.

 

[Topol_86]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

Mines mounted on my bow....see the attached pic, it's above the green arrow. I know there's concerns about drilling through your gelcoat, I didn't have to worry, mine came on the boat Just a thought, I didn't read anywhere that you didn't want it mounted out of the boat, just that room was limited in it. My $0.02, hope it helps.

 

[l008com]

Re: I Really Want An Electric Horn

Are car horns like that ok to be mounted externally like that? The rain & snow won't ruin them? Thats why I liked the horn I originally linked to - it's nice and clean looking, and intended to be mounted externally like that. The car horn didn't look like it would be very secure mounted to fiberglass also. There are so many nice looking boat horns available that are all 108db or less. Very annoying.