Horn Button (for signaling?)

[l008com]

So I wired up a simple push button switch for my electric horns (which themselves are not installed yet, I'm currently using an air horn). So this may sound kind of silly but, every single time I go out, I have to go through at least one set of locks, and then again when I come back. If I go up the charles river, we're talking about 4 lock passings. There's two drawbridges too but turns out I just fit under them. So I'm wondering if anyone makes a horn switch that automatically does the Long-Long-Short-Short, rather than just the on-when-pushed that my regular horn button does.

Here's the switch I have:
http://www.iboats.com/Horn-Button/dm/view_id.39668

I want to keep that, and get a second one that's ALSO hooked up to my horns (which should be a piece of cake to wire), have the second one be blue or something, and have that one hard coded to the long-long-short-short signal that I have to constantly do when boating. Does such a switch exist?

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

And yes, I do realize that a button like this would either have to be an interesting spring loaded button that uses mechanical contacts as it slowly decompresses, to sound the horn properly when pushed. OR. The button would have to have some internal electronics, and have three contacts instead of two. The + going in from the battery, the + going out to the horns, and a - to ground the switch so it's electronics could be active. And thinking about it, I'm also realizing that if the switch has electronics in it to do the signaling, and the electronics fail, the horn could get stuck on. That would suck big time. So I'll leave my red horn switch coming directly off the battery, and probably hook my signal horn switch up to my accessory switch so I could turn it off if I needed to.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

I just key the mic and say whats the plan.

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

"HEY WAKEUP GUYS, OPEN THE GATES HERE I COME!!!"
Like that?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

You may want to check the current rating on that switch. Some of those are a little short on current handling and may not last long on a horn circuit. Horns can draw a fair amount of current. Either a heavier duty switch may be needed or you may need to incorporate a relay to handle the current (just like your car).

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

The horns I purchased are supposed to only use half an amp and are 108db each. So I got two, and if its not loud enough, maybe ill get one more. But a 1-2 amps should be fine for a little switch like that. ALTHOUGH the relay idea is another way I could get the 'programmed' signal I want. I could use a regular switch if I could find a relay that would switch with a pattern when activated.

 

[DianneB]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

It wouldn't be hard to do electronically but would still be a day's work for someone who knows how. A couple of IC's and a relay should do it if you know an electronics person who owes you a favour

I made an electronic horn for my boat last spring that plays a 4 second MP3 clip, switch selectable to any of 32 clips, and plays through the loud hailer. Most of the clips I have programmed into it are sound effects - that sure gets attention! LOL!

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Meh if someone has to make it from scratch, I'll just stick with the old fashioned push-to-beep. I'm surprised this type of switch doesn't already exist. I should invent the switch and call it a Boston Switch

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

The horns I purchased are supposed to only use half an amp and are 108db each. So I got two, and if its not loud enough, maybe ill get one more. But a 1-2 amps should be fine for a little switch like that. ALTHOUGH the relay idea is another way I could get the 'programmed' signal I want. I could use a regular switch if I could find a relay that would switch with a pattern when activated.

An electric horn drawing only 1/2 amp? I'd like to see a link to that.

Bear in mind that once a little dampness gets into the horn (and it will), it's going to strain a bit more to sound, so you'd better make sure your wiring, fusing and switch can handle more amps than that.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Meh if someone has to make it from scratch, I'll just stick with the old fashioned push-to-beep. I'm surprised this type of switch doesn't already exist. I should invent the switch and call it a Boston Switch

I think you should call it a Masshole Switch. They say that's MTV's next logical progression from Jersey Shore. You could probably even get some product placement. The possibilities are endless.

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Boooooooo.

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Also, horn link:
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/.../Piezo+Electronic+Deck+Mount+Signal+Horn.html

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

To do the musical (pattern) horn, make recording using a mic and a standard horn. Then send that audio to an audio chip that activates with a push of the button. In fact, you could create several patterns with a selector switch for each pattern. You could also use a programmable timer to create whatever series of beeps you need. Radio Shack is your friend for this project.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Boooooooo.

Okay, Okay. It was short notice. Have you considered just using a cheapie air horn?

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

108 dB does not sound very loud to me. Is that loud enough to meet Coast Guard requirements? (That might be why the current is only 0.5 amps.)

TerryMSU

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

108 dB * 2 = ~111 dB

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Also, horn link:
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/.../Piezo+Electronic+Deck+Mount+Signal+Horn.html

Ah, piezo electronic rather than electromechanical diaphragm. No wonder it's such a low amp draw. And unlike electromech, unlikely to get weak and start drawing more amps...it'll just die outright when it's time is up.

I wonder if that thing will make the irritating, attention-grabbing "grindy" noise of a diaphragm horn. Please post a link to a .wav or movie clip file once you get that baby hooked up.

 

[l008com]

Re: Horn Button (for signaling?)

Beats my little air horns, which suddenly run out of air and stop beeping... but only after like 5 or 6 boat rides. I need to hook these horns up the quick way to make sure they're actually loud enough first. Plus they're only $16 each so if they last 2 years, i'll call that a deal.