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Old 04-18-2020, 10:30 PM   #1
tomcarman
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Default Klaxson Horn

The old Klaxson horn on the 32 5 window could use some help. Instead of the pleasing aaahoooga all we get usually is just the aaah part and it sounds more like a duck with a hernia. I've tried it at idle with ammeter reading discharge and at fast idle with ammeter reading charge. Didn't make a difference. The other day I kept trying it and after about a dozen or so horn taps it came to life. Parked it and every time it's restarted same result. Googled Klaxson horns and didn't come up with answers. Searched FB for Klaxson horn and no result. So.....Question is do these need to be lubed? If so where and what type of oil. And/or is there an adjustment? To the best of my knowledge it is the same horn that was on the car when my uncle got it in 1972, likely way older.
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Old 04-19-2020, 04:06 AM   #2
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

There are several sources on line for info regarding the Klaxon/Sparton horns.
This is just one for a Sparton horn which is similar to the Klaxon.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un31ggRTP5I
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Old 04-19-2020, 05:35 AM   #3
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

You can adjust them...basicly what you do is push the motorshaft sideways so it hit harder on the membrane.
Should be a screw and locking nut.
Lube is never wrong on moving parts...and cleaning all dust and dirt ainīt to bad of an idee while at it.
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Old 04-19-2020, 06:28 AM   #4
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

I don't believe Klaxson was a supplier to Ford. If your horn is motor driven add a couple of drops of light synthetic oil to the bearing locations. If vibrator horn no lubrication just an extremely small adjustment of the contacts or cleaning of the contacts.
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Old 04-19-2020, 06:41 AM   #5
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

I still have my Original 32 Horn and I used to oil the shaft when it got lazy. It always brought back to life. I believe I used MMO. JM2CW kerk
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Old 04-19-2020, 08:35 AM   #6
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If it is a true motor driven horn as used initially in '32 production and not a vibrator horn used for the rest of the model year, in addition to oiling the motor shaft, there is an adjustment screw protruding through the back of the cover where you can adjust the sound of the horn. Normally, only very slight adjustments are required to achieve the desired sound.
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Old 04-19-2020, 11:37 AM   #7
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

Klaxon was the original name for the type of motorized horn. It was later that a company formed by that name. The term is still used to describe the type but not necessarily the manufacturer.

I have no idea about the 1932 production year but there were several different companies that supplied this type of horn in the model A era. The one I have from a 29 Tudor is a Stewart Warner. All of them needed periodic lubrication of the motor shaft bearings & vibrator wheel plus a good check for condition. The diaphragms sometimes crack and that kills the sound of it when that happens. If the oil on the bearings fixes it then you're good to go.
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Old 04-19-2020, 01:48 PM   #8
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

Three different manufacturers supplied the '32 motor driven horn, namely Sparks-Withington (Sparton), Stewart-Warner, and GMI. Only Sparton supplied the '32 vibrator type horn.
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Old 04-19-2020, 02:04 PM   #9
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidG View Post
If it is a true motor driven horn as used initially in '32 production and not a vibrator horn used for the rest of the model year, in addition to oiling the motor shaft, there is an adjustment screw protruding through the back of the cover where you can adjust the sound of the horn. Normally, only very slight adjustments are required to achieve the desired sound.
Thanks, Iwent out there in the dark this morning and sure enough the adjustment screw was there on the back as described. Turned it clockwise and it got worse, turned it counter clockwise until better, then too much. Adjusted it back and got it to go through its cycle. I'm not quite satisfied with the sound. I think I'll take it off the car at some point, clean it and lube it. I'll take a look and see who the manufacturer was. And yes, very little adjustment is needed. Also, it seems "Klaxson" is used interchangebly with other manufacturers, much the same as the noun "Kleenex" is used for all brands of tissues. Thanks for all your help! I continue to learn from all of you.
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Old 04-19-2020, 03:26 PM   #10
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

FYI, the correct spelling is "klaxon". There's no "s'.
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Old 04-19-2020, 05:21 PM   #11
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

I have a Sparton on Horn my 32 which I have rebuilt I have fitted a relay on it and it will only go properly when the battery is fully charged and engine is not running but when you are travelling it sounds like a dead duck most of the time so I know a electric motor rewinder he is going to replace the motor windings with a different wire, they should be able to go on 5 volts
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Old 04-19-2020, 11:15 PM   #12
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian NZ View Post
I have a Sparton on Horn my 32 which I have rebuilt I have fitted a relay on it and it will only go properly when the battery is fully charged and engine is not running but when you are travelling it sounds like a dead duck most of the time so I know a electric motor rewinder he is going to replace the motor windings with a different wire, they should be able to go on 5 volts
Thanks for your reply.Please let all of us know how that works out. It might be some time before I have a look at ours. It's low on the list of things to do as it now cycles and we rarely drive it.
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Old 04-19-2020, 11:37 PM   #13
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

No useful information to add. klaxon-3. no battery needed. Scares the geese off in the spring, but they get used to it. Sounds great.
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Old 04-20-2020, 12:32 AM   #14
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

That's awesome! A hand pumped Klaxon. OFF TOPIC. Aside from my earliest memories of the car horn I recall "Dive Dive Dive" from an early TV show. Perhaps Seahunt or Voyage to the bottom of the Sea. I don't remember. BTW also off topic. Stravinsky. Quarter note = 160.
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Old 04-20-2020, 12:35 AM   #15
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

The firebird is quite an amazing arrangement, not 4/4 time. Not to go off topic. If you are a Chopin fan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef-4Bv5Ng0w


Maybe to heavy. Another folk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT9Eh8wNMkw




Lots of great info posted by a lot of knowledgeable people here. They are the best! Years of stuff get into the horn. Use it often. Like anything 50 or 100 yrs old a bit of cleaning is not a bad thing. Take it apart.


.

Last edited by Tinker; 04-20-2020 at 01:04 AM.
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Old 04-20-2020, 01:12 AM   #16
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

[QUOTE=Tinker;1876848]The firebird is quite an amazing arrangement, not 4/4 time. Not to go off topic. If you are a Chopin fan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef-4Bv5Ng0w


Maybe to heavy. Another folk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT9Eh8wNMkw




Lots of great info posted by a lot of knowledgeable people here. They are the best!


.[/QUO
TOTALLY OFF TOPIC but enjoyable. I'm pretty well versed in classical though in truth I'm a jazz snob. PM me and we can shoot our favs back at each other. You dig jazz? Listening to the tune "Manhatten" right now. Ella, puts a smile on my face.
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Old 04-20-2020, 01:26 AM   #17
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

I dig blue note stuff. Some modern. ya shoot a PM.

little bit of wayne shorter, he was eclipsed by miles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfSEwffeK80

Off off off topic of course.

Last edited by Tinker; 04-20-2020 at 01:32 AM.
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Old 04-20-2020, 06:26 AM   #18
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Birth of the Cool on Blue Note!
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Old 04-20-2020, 06:49 AM   #19
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

For me, the two concertos are my cup of tea, Horowitz or Zimerman at the Steinway.
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Old 04-20-2020, 07:21 AM   #20
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Quote:
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For me, the two concertos are my cup of tea, Horowitz or Zimerman at the Steinway.
David, Which ones? Any link to u-tube?
Ken
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Old 04-20-2020, 10:18 AM   #21
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

Chopin's on YouTube; type in Chopin piano concertos at the top and you'll find a long list of performances available, some video performances and others just the recordings. Everything from Bach to Villa-lobos at your fingertips.
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Old 04-21-2020, 12:19 AM   #22
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

I'll take Chopin every day of the week and twice on Sunday's. On a lighter note this has been around for quite sometime but every time I watch it I laugh. Hope the link works.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqf5KSw7FLM#

If not seacrh Youtube:
Sweet Georgia Brown Tractor. Cant see if it's a flathead but most likely is.
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Old 04-21-2020, 01:07 AM   #23
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

I see the link doesn't work. Maybe someone smarter than me can fix it. Can anyone identify the tractor?
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Old 04-21-2020, 06:24 AM   #24
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

Try this one...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqf5KSw7FLM
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Old 04-21-2020, 02:23 PM   #25
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Default Re: Klaxson Horn

How you get from a horn to music i don't know.
But far out man, i haven't seen that tractor video in years.
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Old 04-22-2020, 10:51 AM   #26
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Les Paul and Mary Ford. Maybe a good song for the times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iGXP_UBog4

Guitar legend, Hank Garland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V0jSpCQXcQ


Hanks Light Jazz stuff... great stuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5JDpohTn_U


Movie about Hank, "Crazy"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkUMjZ-rMXo


Be well everyone!!!


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