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CASABROKER
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« on: June 12, 2011, 12:28:57 PM » |
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Does the quality of the relay affect the loudness of the horn? Put a wolo on sounds loud , but would like it louder.
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Pete
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« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2011, 01:53:38 PM » |
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Only if the relay is of such poor quality that it cannot deliver the voltage/amperage to the horn.
Same could be said of the wire. Or if the wire is undersize it may not deliver the voltage/amperage needed.
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PhredValk
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« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2011, 02:17:10 PM » |
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Bypass the relay and wire it directly from the battery, see if there's a difference. A relay shouldn't have any affect on power delivery unless it's rated for low amperage.
I use 30 amp relays for everything as devices should only take what they need for power.
Fred.
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
VRCCDS0237
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sailed2japan
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« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2011, 07:53:28 PM » |
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I guess this is a good place to post this question...
Should I run a realy for a horn with a 6-7 amp max draw? the wiring for the stock horn is sufficient, but I have a little worry of burning out the norn button contacts, just because it's been mentioned on here so many times.
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PhredValk
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« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2011, 08:58:56 PM » |
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Casa; don't forget to reinstall the relay after the experiment.
Sailed2; a relay is only like 3 bucks, small cost to relieve that anxiety. Use the horn lead to trigger the relay and you can still use the button.
Fred.
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
VRCCDS0237
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Valkpilot
Member
Posts: 2151
What does the data say?
Corinth, Texas
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« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2011, 02:52:36 AM » |
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I guess this is a good place to post this question...
Should I run a realy for a horn with a 6-7 amp max draw? the wiring for the stock horn is sufficient, but I have a little worry of burning out the norn button contacts, just because it's been mentioned on here so many times.
On a Standard or Tourer, the horn and the brake light and the turn signals are on the same fuse circuit. The brake light pulls about 2 amps and the turn signals over 1 amp. If you're pulling 6 or 7 with the horn, you're getting awfully close to the fuse capability. Any extra resistance in the circuit, say, from a corroded bullet connector in the harness, and you're in danger of blowing your brake light fuse when you use the horn. Installing a relay for the horn will take the horn load off the brake light circuit. |
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VRCC #19757 IBA #44686 1998 Black Standard 2007 Goldwing   |
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Bobbo
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« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2011, 08:32:56 AM » |
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I guess this is a good place to post this question...
Should I run a realy for a horn with a 6-7 amp max draw? the wiring for the stock horn is sufficient, but I have a little worry of burning out the norn button contacts, just because it's been mentioned on here so many times.
On a Standard or Tourer, the horn and the brake light and the turn signals are on the same fuse circuit. The brake light pulls about 2 amps and the turn signals over 1 amp. If you're pulling 6 or 7 with the horn, you're getting awfully close to the fuse capability. Any extra resistance in the circuit, say, from a corroded bullet connector in the harness, and you're in danger of blowing your brake light fuse when you use the horn. Installing a relay for the horn will take the horn load off the brake light circuit. Actually, resistance in a circuit LOWERS overall current, not increases it. In general, a relay should be used if you will exceed the rated current of the switch by 50%. In a few cases, a relay will actually cause a problem. Switch contacts are designed to self-clean by either wiping action or current, or both, and are made of different materials. A low current switch is self cleaned by the mechanical wiping action of the contacts rubbing together. A medium or high current switch self cleans by burning off the residue with current. If you reduce the current enough in a medium current switch, the residue can build up and cause a malfunction. I tossed my stock horn over 12 years ago, so I don't know it's current draw, but I'm guessing it's less than 7 amps. It sounds like a relay would be useful in that setup. |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10616
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2011, 09:54:46 AM » |
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Anyone know how to relay up a horn? I got a HD horn that sometimes work and other times sounds like it 'needs' more power. Wonder if a relay would help? I can get 1 honk out of it and then it sounds like a goose. I rewond it and it helped, I think, briefly.
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2011, 10:15:22 AM » |
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Easy Fudgie. Make 2 wires with female spade lugs at each end. The wires should be long enough to reach from the stock horn wires to where you are putting the relay. Make another wire to go from a power source, battery or aux fuse panel, to the relay then a 4th from the relay to the positive connection for your horn. Finally make a ground wire for the horn and connect it. Putting a fuse in between the horn and the power source is a good idea. Of course, if you're getting the power from a fused circuit on an aux fuse panel then you don't have to do it.
When you press the horn button, it will activate the relay letting power flow to your horn.
Marty
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers.  |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2011, 10:20:43 AM » |
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Anyone know how to relay up a horn? I got a HD horn that sometimes work and other times sounds like it 'needs' more power. Wonder if a relay would help? I can get 1 honk out of it and then it sounds like a goose. I rewond it and it helped, I think, briefly.
Before you put in the work of wiring in a relay, run the horn straight off a battery and see how it sounds. If it still sounds like a goose, the best button and relay system won't help. |
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Valkpilot
Member
Posts: 2151
What does the data say?
Corinth, Texas
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« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2011, 10:22:12 AM » |
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Actually, resistance in a circuit LOWERS overall current, not increases it.
You're correct. I had my Ohm's Law thinking cap on backwards. It's still the case that the horn he's added has increased the load on the circuit to near the fuse limits and a relay that powers the horn from a different source will take the horn load off that circuit. I'm guilty of this mistake. I had automotive horns added in without a relay that worked fine until one day.... ...during a state inspection, the tech honked the horn, blew the fuse, and then failed my bike for a non-working brakelight. |
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VRCC #19757 IBA #44686 1998 Black Standard 2007 Goldwing |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10616
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2011, 12:29:38 PM » |
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Anyone know how to relay up a horn? I got a HD horn that sometimes work and other times sounds like it 'needs' more power. Wonder if a relay would help? I can get 1 honk out of it and then it sounds like a goose. I rewond it and it helped, I think, briefly.
Before you put in the work of wiring in a relay, run the horn straight off a battery and see how it sounds. If it still sounds like a goose, the best button and relay system won't help. Well I done more thinking after I posted this. I remember putting in a relay and trying the horn. It did not work, well it wasnt loud like it should be. I then went to the HD dealer to see about a new horn. He gave the tip on rewinding it. I think it worked good the 1st year or 2 then went south. My HD buds horn did the same sound on occasion. I guess I need a new horn. Horns been on for 11 years. |
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Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2011, 01:02:42 PM » |
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Anyone know how to relay up a horn? I got a HD horn that sometimes work and other times sounds like it 'needs' more power. Wonder if a relay would help? I can get 1 honk out of it and then it sounds like a goose. I rewond it and it helped, I think, briefly.
Before you put in the work of wiring in a relay, run the horn straight off a battery and see how it sounds. If it still sounds like a goose, the best button and relay system won't help. Well I done more thinking after I posted this. I remember putting in a relay and trying the horn. It did not work, well it wasnt loud like it should be. I then went to the HD dealer to see about a new horn. He gave the tip on rewinding it. I think it worked good the 1st year or 2 then went south. My HD buds horn did the same sound on occasion. I guess I need a new horn. Horns been on for 11 years. Might I recommend a Stebel? Loud enough to scare the hell out of a flock of turkey buzzards at half a mile. Marty |
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers. |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10616
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2011, 03:49:17 PM » |
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Anyone know how to relay up a horn? I got a HD horn that sometimes work and other times sounds like it 'needs' more power. Wonder if a relay would help? I can get 1 honk out of it and then it sounds like a goose. I rewond it and it helped, I think, briefly.
Before you put in the work of wiring in a relay, run the horn straight off a battery and see how it sounds. If it still sounds like a goose, the best button and relay system won't help. Well I done more thinking after I posted this. I remember putting in a relay and trying the horn. It did not work, well it wasnt loud like it should be. I then went to the HD dealer to see about a new horn. He gave the tip on rewinding it. I think it worked good the 1st year or 2 then went south. My HD buds horn did the same sound on occasion. I guess I need a new horn. Horns been on for 11 years. Might I recommend a Stebel? Loud enough to scare the hell out of a flock of turkey buzzards at half a mile. Marty I was going for looks at the time. Its the only part that shakes at idel.  |
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Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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