Air horn & Compressor

[PeterSchurms]

G'day,

Last weekend I was rear ended by car. Because of the protruding tow pack he did not even get to take the dust off the rear panel. Hehehe. The car that stopped in front of me (for no reason) got a blast from my stock horn. He did not even look. So….

I have just installed twin air horn system for a truck on my MU that runs in parallel with my existing horn. I bought it in a kit from Autobarn. It has a 3.5lt air cylinder. It is very, very loud. Fantastic for scaring the daylights out of any unsuspecting road user. ;D

Next mod will be will be installing an air hose option that will allow for air lines for quick tyre inflation.

I would like to install air compressor of some type because I am not keen on recharging the air cylinder at the servo each time its required. I have a small portable unit air compressor that I may install but would like to consider other options.

Has anyone tried this mod (ie installing a air horn and compressor) before?

I am not keen on converting the AC compressor into a air type, unless I can run them in parallel.

Cheers,

Pete

[geeves]

Ive just installed a std airhorn with similar results except that it takes half a second or so to actualy work as the air horn compressor starts.To use a air con pump it is either all or nothing unless you install a second ac compressor.There are several reasonable air compressos on the market starting at around 70 at super cheap upwards to 500 for a arb model To ermanantly mount them would depend on the one you buy

[James W]

Excellent more people joining the BIG airhorn club. ;D

I have on board air fitted and a locomotive airhorn which drowns out truck air horns...

That and it makes pumping your tires up after airing down offroad easy. The air impact gun has come out a few times for quick tyre changes also.

The air supply is powered by an air con pump as I don't have air con so there is space to fit it.
You can pick up second hand air compressors from wreckers for about $NZ50 if you don't want a rare one.
The advantage with these is the electromagnetic clutch that makes auto start stop very easy. I went the whole hog with an air tank, pressure switch, unloader and safety valve. Once setup it's amazing how often it gets used.

See my website for some more details.

[PeterSchurms]

I have Air Con and enjoy it on a hot day so that option is out. I also have a small compressor, I will look at installing that under the bonnet. I am running out of room under there. The air tank takes up room.
mmmmm I like the idea of a pressure safety valve. If I install the seperate 12V compressor I need to work out how to cut it out when it reaches a set pressure. Where did you get the pressure switch and could this be used for auto stop?

[James W]

Others have put a second air con air compressor elsewhere in the engine bay running off a belt.

I couldn't fit an air tank in, so I went with a length of 2.5" pipe accross the firewall to give a couple litres of tank.

I have a proper air compressor check valve, pressure switch and unloader aviliable from most air compressor type stores, plus a safety valve if that all goes wrong.

The problem you will maybe have with your compressor is even if you switch it off it may not resart if it is still under pressure with air from the tank and burn out the 12V motor. On a belt driven system the belt would slip. The compressor needs to start unloaded. This is why you need all the extra stuff.

Anymore questions just ask.

[Harry]

Easy enough to fit a non return valve between compressor and tank.

[James W]

"Easy enough to fit a non return valve between compressor and tank"

Yes, but that doesn't unload the compressor. You would have to wait for any air to between the non return valve and compressor to leak out. Ideally you would have no leaks.