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Old 10-17-2020, 08:46 PM   #1
Standing Elk
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Default Anyone using a horn relay

I see that some of the suppliers offer a horn relay that fits inside the horn cover, claiming that it will help the performance of your horn. Has anyone used one of these? If so did it help? Thanks
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Old 10-17-2020, 10:16 PM   #2
CWPASADENA
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

I have been using one for several years now.

It made a difference in how the horn worked. I would recommend it especially if you have a 6 volt system.

Chris W.
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Old 10-18-2020, 05:16 AM   #3
Werner
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

Hi Elk,


yes, I have one too. The horn works much more better also in idle. Easy and unvisible to install.
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Old 10-18-2020, 07:15 AM   #4
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

I have a non-standard, but period correct, horn (the Sparton was stolen long before I bought the car). I couldn't fit the relay inside the cover, so I put it inside the radiator shell. It still worked great and made the horn more reliable.
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Old 10-18-2020, 08:40 AM   #5
shew01
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

Quote:
Originally Posted by CWPASADENA View Post
I have been using one for several years now.

It made a difference in how the horn worked. I would recommend it especially if you have a 6 volt system.

Chris W.

Is this similar to what you have?

https://www.brattons.com/horn-relay.html

Do this work for 6 and 12 volts?


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Old 10-18-2020, 09:06 AM   #6
KGBnut
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

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Originally Posted by shew01 View Post
Is this similar to what you have?

https://www.brattons.com/horn-relay.html

Do this work for 6 and 12 volts?
That is that the one that I have. My system is 6 volt, positive ground, with an original generator.
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Old 10-18-2020, 09:16 AM   #7
Standing Elk
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

Thanks fellas, I believe I will try one.
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Old 10-18-2020, 09:48 AM   #8
Badpuppy
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

Quote:
Originally Posted by shew01 View Post
Is this similar to what you have?

https://www.brattons.com/horn-relay.html

Do this work for 6 and 12 volts?


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Much the same as the one I got from Snyder's. 12V needs a 12V relay - the 6V will probably work with short bursts, just won't last as long.

The relay winding requires much less current through the horn button, so it can operate with less-than-perfect contact there.
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Old 10-18-2020, 10:02 AM   #9
Will N
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

I can see how this might work, depending on how the relay is wired, when the engine is off or the car is idling. When the engine is running at a speed where the generator is charging, the horn is wired right to the generator cutout and you have plenty of voltage to run the horn. If the wiring of this relay bypasses the generator cutout, terminal box, ammeter and starter switch terminal (which is the path the hot wire for the horn takes to the battery) and goes directly to the battery, with fewer possibly corroded connections that can cause voltage drops, it can be more reliable. But IMHO, this relay is just a band-aid. Bright and tight fellas! Clean those wire connections 'til they are shinning and snug them down, Clean the battery terminals and make sure you have a good ground and your horn will work as intended without adding yet another component that can go wrong.
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Old 10-18-2020, 11:47 AM   #10
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Default Re: Anyone using a horn relay

Have been using one since the late ninety's with no problems. If i remember right you had to work a bit to get it inside the horn. Yes the Bratton's one is like what I bought from Snyder's years ago.
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