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Horn repair

Your old Chris-Craft electrical system can be a challenge. If it runs on "juice" pose your questions and offer your advice here.

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Jim Godlewski
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Horn repair

Post by Jim Godlewski » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:52 am

Is there someone who repairs vintage horns? I would like to send my original horn out since I cannot fix it myself. Thanks.
Jim
1956 17 Sportsman CC-17-2310
1930 Model 100 7152

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drrot
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Post by drrot » Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:49 am

Jim,
Look in Hemmings the old car magazine.
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

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Jim Godlewski
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Post by Jim Godlewski » Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:47 am

Thanks Jim,
I found this guy in there. I'll give him a call.

HORNS and burglar alarms (Corvette and GM) rebuilt to NCRS specs, using new internal parts, rebuilt horns available outright. Dennis Portka, 4326 Beetow Dr, Hamburg, NY 14075, 716-649-0921.
1956 17 Sportsman CC-17-2310
1930 Model 100 7152

ptisdale
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Re: Horn repair

Post by ptisdale » Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:08 pm

Bill Randall, 'the horn guy', just restored two 1957 era electric horns for my Chris Craft Constellation. The work was extensive - requiring rewiring from 6V to 12, and creating new diaphragms (and cleaning and priming / painting and some new bolts and such. His fee was $160 for restoring both horns - which in antique boat work is a bargain. He's legend for doing this kind of work - another one of the last of an era. His phone is 315 336 8841. His address is 7129 Oriskany Road, Rome NY, 13440.
Patrick Tisdale
3023 O Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007

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quitchabitchin
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Re: Horn repair

Post by quitchabitchin » Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:45 pm

+1 on Bill Randall...He repaired my horn several years ago for peanuts.
FLASH1969 Chris Craft Cavalier Ski-230 HP 327Q

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jim g
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Re: Horn repair

Post by jim g » Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:29 pm

Bill Randall does excellent work hes done 10 to 12 horns for me. Including several pairs of the pre war deck horns. You will be happy with his work.

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Tekakwitha
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Re: Horn repair

Post by Tekakwitha » Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:28 pm

Does anyone know if Bill Randall is still repairing horns? I called today and left a message on a standard automated voicemail. Just checking to see if anyone has done any repair with him lately. I've heard great things about Bill's work.

My dual electric horns look good, worked great for year 1, made it the first third of last summer and then stopped working. I tinkered but no luck. I need Bill!

Thanks in advance
Attachments
Boat Horns Small.jpg
Keith W. Bales
Tekakwitha
1966 37' Connie

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tuobanur
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Re: Horn repair

Post by tuobanur » Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:02 pm

Did anyone find out if Mr. Randall was still in business?
Also, do all boat horns require a relay, did not find one on my boat, just the horn?
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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Al Benton
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Re: Horn repair

Post by Al Benton » Tue Feb 17, 2015 2:39 pm

The relay coil is a low current device but its contacts can make and break high current that is required for the horn(s). The horn button operates the relay, thus, only a low current flows through its contacts. The relay snaps the contacts together quickly, thus, eliminating arcing. The button, on the other hand, is manual and can arc. Low current prevents them from burning up when they do arc.

I tried the phone number listed above and no one answered.
Al
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mbigpops
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Re: Horn repair

Post by mbigpops » Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:38 pm

I spoke with Bill yesterday and he is indeed still in business.

I left a voicemail with my number and he called me back within a few hours.

The mystery is solve -ed.

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

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Al Benton
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Re: Horn repair

Post by Al Benton » Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:59 pm

Mark, thanks. I let his phone ring 4 or 5 times and gave up, obviously too soon.
Good to know that he is still repairing (rebuilding) these things.
Al
Member - Executive Team

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Tekakwitha
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Re: Horn repair

Post by Tekakwitha » Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:46 pm

Replying late but for what it's worth the gentlemen has my horns now. I'm confident they are in great hands! Think spring.
Keith W. Bales
Tekakwitha
1966 37' Connie

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Kerry Price
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Re: Horn repair

Post by Kerry Price » Thu Oct 26, 2023 1:25 pm

Tagging on to this old post; I am putting my 1938 CC 19' Sportsman back together after a long restoration and just now taking a closer look at the horn which was not hooked up since purchased so I have no idea if it even works. For sure it is 6V and the boat has been converted to 12V. The (ground ?) wire that comes out of the steering column tube was cut off with a couple of inches of wire just hanging out. There is no relay so I don't really have any idea how to hook this up.

Cosmetically the chrome is overall in pretty good condition but there is a hairline crack on the half-round cover. There is also a convex (domed) shaped screen inset into the horn that is in good shape but a bit rusty.

I was hoping to find someone that restores these horns and came upon this thread. Unfortunately, Bill Randall has passed away.

So, I'm reaching out to CCABC in hopes that someone may have a lead.
1946 20' Custom Runabout: R-20-092
1938 19' Sportsman: 19501
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... oat_id=532

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