The Ford Barn

rustynutz · 10-10-2013, 06:23 PM

Picked up some horns that I think are correct for my 1941 pickup. Can I test with 12volts without harming anything? If 12volts is a no, do I need a relay to test with 6volts? Must they be tested positive ground? Thanks

Bad Daddy · 10-10-2013, 06:31 PM

It will be fine testing them with 12 volts. Just be prepared for them to be really LOUD!

Bill S · 10-10-2013, 07:15 PM

Running 6volt horns on my 50 with 12 volts. Give it short bursts. Do not hold for too long.

koates · 10-11-2013, 03:11 AM

Hi there, 6volt horns will work on 12volts but would be much louder and their nice tone would be more or less lost with lots more NOISE produced. Also the horns would draw about twice the current (amps) on 12volts which would have the effect of burning or pitting the internal contacts much quicker. An option here would be to place ONE resistor in series with EACH horn to lower the voltage. IE TWO RESISTORS REQUIRED. Macs and others can supply these VOLTAGE REDUCERS. Macs part #V12874. Its a good idea to use a horn relay if your car has not got one fitted. The relay will overcome any voltage drop and take the heavy current draw of the horns away from your steering wheel horn button/switch. Use one relay for each horn is preferred. Regards, Kevin.

koates · 10-11-2013, 03:15 AM

Just to add to the above, horns will work OK with positive or negative ground. Regards, Kevin.

rustynutz · 10-11-2013, 12:58 PM

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Thanks for the info guys. I'm just looking to do a quick test, to see if they work, plan to use the best parts from both to build one horn, since my truck uses a single horn. When it's time to install the horn, I will copy the factory setup.

mike42 · 10-11-2013, 01:05 PM

Funny this should pop up.....! My horn stopped working today on my '40. Checked all the wiring and still nothing. Bad relay ? How can I make a test with horn in car. It's negative ground.

Thx....Mike

10-10-2013, 06:23 PM	#1
rustynutz Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: birdsboro, pa. Posts: 75	Testing Horns Picked up some horns that I think are correct for my 1941 pickup. Can I test with 12volts without harming anything? If 12volts is a no, do I need a relay to test with 6volts? Must they be tested positive ground? Thanks

10-10-2013, 06:31 PM	#2
Bad Daddy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Healdsburg, CA Posts: 10	Re: Testing Horns It will be fine testing them with 12 volts. Just be prepared for them to be really LOUD!

10-10-2013, 07:15 PM	#3
Bill S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. So. Calif Posts: 411	Re: Testing Horns Running 6volt horns on my 50 with 12 volts. Give it short bursts. Do not hold for too long.

10-11-2013, 03:11 AM	#4
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: Testing Horns Hi there, 6volt horns will work on 12volts but would be much louder and their nice tone would be more or less lost with lots more NOISE produced. Also the horns would draw about twice the current (amps) on 12volts which would have the effect of burning or pitting the internal contacts much quicker. An option here would be to place ONE resistor in series with EACH horn to lower the voltage. IE TWO RESISTORS REQUIRED. Macs and others can supply these VOLTAGE REDUCERS. Macs part #V12874. Its a good idea to use a horn relay if your car has not got one fitted. The relay will overcome any voltage drop and take the heavy current draw of the horns away from your steering wheel horn button/switch. Use one relay for each horn is preferred. Regards, Kevin.

10-11-2013, 03:15 AM	#5
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: Testing Horns Just to add to the above, horns will work OK with positive or negative ground. Regards, Kevin.

10-11-2013, 12:58 PM	#6
rustynutz Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: birdsboro, pa. Posts: 75	Re: Testing Horns Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the info guys. I'm just looking to do a quick test, to see if they work, plan to use the best parts from both to build one horn, since my truck uses a single horn. When it's time to install the horn, I will copy the factory setup.

10-11-2013, 01:05 PM	#7
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,599	Re: Testing Horns Funny this should pop up.....! My horn stopped working today on my '40. Checked all the wiring and still nothing. Bad relay ? How can I make a test with horn in car. It's negative ground. Thx....Mike