Air Horns

TomC · January 28, 2018, 08:13:54 AM

Wondering what everyone has for air horns. I'll start off-the only horn originally was a normal 2 tone electric car horn with button in the middle of the steering wheel-which still works! Since I'm an old truck driver, wanted some air horns-but something different. Grover air horn company is here in L.A. I bought two of the double air horns with 19" and 17" bells. I had them cut the one set down to 15" and 13". Now I had two sets of double air horns. Mounted them in the center side by side on the roof in front and plumbed them with two pull valve above the driver's seat with a chain looped between them. I tee'd into the air supply for the air seat. Now I can blow the high one, or the low one separately or pull down for both for a nice 4 tone blast.
But-I decided that wasn't enough. On my truck I had a set of Buell 4 tone train horns for trucks (plastic bodies) that are very loud. On my bus, I mounted them underneath the front right, in a pocket just ahead of the stairs pointing down. I have an electric solenoid with the push button next to the pull chain for the other air horns. This is also tee'd into the air seat, with quick release.
The seat quick release is also where I attach my air hose for filling tires. Good Luck, TomC

Oonrahnjay · January 28, 2018, 08:21:46 AM

Quote from: TomC on January 28, 2018, 08:13:54 AMWondering what everyone has for air horns. I'll start off-the only horn originally was a normal 2 tone electric car horn with button in the middle of the steering wheel-which still works! Since I'm an old truck driver, wanted some air horns-but something different. Grover air horn company is here in L.A. I bought two of the double air horns with 19" and 17" bells. I had them cut the one set down to 15" and 13". Now I had two sets of double air horns. Mounted them in the center side by side on the roof in front and plumbed them with two pull valve above the driver's seat with a chain looped between them. I tee'd into the air supply for the air seat. Now I can blow the high one, or the low one separately or pull down for both for a nice 4 tone blast.
But-I decided that wasn't enough. On my truck I had a set of Buell 4 tone train horns for trucks (plastic bodies) that are very loud. On my bus, I mounted them underneath the front right, in a pocket just ahead of the stairs pointing down. I have an electric solenoid with the push button next to the pull chain for the other air horns. This is also tee'd into the air seat, with quick release.
The seat quick release is also where I attach my air hose for filling tires. Good Luck, TomC

Is the quick release so that you can detach air from going to the Buell horns, sort of as an emergency kill-switch???

lostagain · January 28, 2018, 08:24:27 AM

I have the stock air horns in the compartment under the driver's seat. The button is on the floor. I rarely use them, but if I have to, usually for someone cutting me off, they are loud.

We still have them in the late model coaches I drive. Button on steering wheel, with a toggle switch on the dash to choose from electric or air horn. I use them even more rarely. It spooks the passengers. Driving a charter group is all about being smooth and patient.

JC

TomC · January 28, 2018, 09:11:02 AM

As has been found for many things on the transit bus I converted, the quick release on the floor connecting the driver's seat was there. I assume it was there to be able to disconnect the air seat in case of air leak. It was convenient to add my two sets of air horns to it, and also be able to use it for air hose attachment.

PP · January 28, 2018, 10:06:46 AM

My Prevost came with a couple of chrome horns mounted on the roof and connected into the auxilliary through a couple of electric valves on the side dash. A high and low. Unfortunately, when I replaced the ceiling in the driver's compartment, I pinched one of the air lines up there and now it leaks when I hit that button. Horn still blows, but not like it should. The high one works fine, so I know exactly where the leak is. In fact, when I push the button I can hear the air whistle up in the ceiling. One of these days I'll fix it. It's just that the ceiling looks so good I hate to pull it back apart. Stained wood w/walnut cross members, a couple of marine lights, and speakers mounted in it. Will probably never go back together the same if I pull it apart.

Will

chessie4905 · January 28, 2018, 10:31:42 AM

I like using mine in a tunnel if there aren't any vehicles close,especially in front of me. If you want serious diesel locomotive air horns to here:

https://hornblasters.com/collections/complete-kits

Oonrahnjay · January 28, 2018, 11:00:41 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on January 28, 2018, 10:31:42 AMI like using mine in a tunnel if there aren't any vehicles close,especially in front of me. If you want serious diesel locomotive air horns to here:

https://hornblasters.com/collections/complete-kits

Hey, Chessie! Can you bring me a glass of cool water? I'm resting quietly in a darkened room -- I saw those prices and .... well ...

Iceni John · January 28, 2018, 11:45:27 AM

Train horns are all well and good, but for something seriously loud how about a ship's fog horn? I've got space (just) for one under the front, but I don't know what air pressure and volume they need. Maybe they need high-pressure steam instead? I don't want to cause involuntary defecation, but LOUD sometimes is good.

I suspect those train horns, expensive though they are, may not be the real deal, in other words not actual horns made by Nathan and used on locomotives. The sound recording of the P5 sounds thin to me, without all the harmonics that make a true train horn so rich sounding. Real train horns are sand-cast, and non-cast replicas will never sound the same. The last time I checked eBay the ex-railroad horns were going for almost $2000.

John

sledhead · January 28, 2018, 11:47:18 AM

I had a set of 3 train horns that I mounted up front beside the original small air horns that came with the M C I

WOW ! big difference . I ended up using a 12 volt solenoid to the button on the steering wheel as the floor button was to hard to find in a panic situation

like this set

https://kleinn.com/product/model-500-train-horn/

on the featherlite I have a set of 2 on the roof that are about 30 " long and they sound good but not as load as the train horns

dave

chessie4905 · January 28, 2018, 01:21:52 PM

I'm sure they would be cheaper without the tank, pump and valves. The horn I blow in tunnels is not one of these, just coaches air horn, in case of confusion. They may be a little thinner sounding, but most people wouldn't notice, being more concerned about another pair of underware.
I've seen take off locomotive horns at train shows for $600 to $1200, still quite salty.

windtrader · January 28, 2018, 01:47:47 PM

well, what a nice my horn is louder than yours!

Now, from a practical point of view, when and how often are you going to really cut them loose and let them BLAST unless you just want to scare the shiite out of someone!

Dave5Cs · January 28, 2018, 01:56:45 PM

In the Evansville Parade we all had them going and they were all different. Neat sounds going through town with buildings and walls All 60 of us.

Lin · January 28, 2018, 03:13:39 PM

Some states have laws prohibiting train horns, so be careful where you use them and who's around you.

https://trainhorns.us/articles/are-train-horns-illegal-in-your-state/

luvrbus · January 28, 2018, 03:37:44 PM

CA and AZ both have laws limiting a air horn too 110 db the 150+ db aftermarket train horns are highly illegal in those 2 states and I am sure most states have about the same law

richard5933 · January 28, 2018, 03:40:23 PM

We've got the factory air horn and electric horn on the 4108. They both protrude through openings under the front-right corner of the bus. The air horn is not nearly as loud as a train horn, but it could easily cause some unwanted seat moisture if someone gets caught unaware by it.