I just bought what was advertised as a 1958 Spartan boat horn for my 58 Cavalier. It's NOS and has never been installed. Pretty much in mint condition. Although it was advertised as a 12 volt horn, when I took the cover off to see how the wires connect, there was a small label that says 6 volts that fell out.
I've read a lot of posts online saying there is no problem connecting a 6 volt horn into a 12 volt system as long as you don't lay on the horn button and burn it out. They say the horn will be a little louder than it was meant to be.
I also read that you can buy a voltage reducer.
A few questions:
Should I just hook it up as is without the reducer?
If I use a reducer, I assume I wire it into the hot wire to the horn?
I don't know if the Cavaliers even had the horn on the outside of the bow as an option. If so, does anyone know where it would be installed?
Lastly, is there a positive and negative terminal on horns? The terminals on this one are not marked.
Thanks in advance,
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6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
Moderators: Don Ayers, Al Benton, Don Vogt
Re: 6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
I originally sent my 6 volt horn out for conversion to 12 volts but the restorer sent it back to me still at 6 volts. He also sent me a 1 ohm 25 watt resistor to put in line with the positive wire from the horn relay. I tried this setup and the voltage drop across the resistor was too great and the horn would not blow. I added another identical resistor in parallel and got a good result and yes the horn is loud.
I may have more details in my archives somewhere if needed.
Mark
I may have more details in my archives somewhere if needed.
Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"
Re: 6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
Thanks Mark
- DennyDowning
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Re: 6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
Don't forget the relay....
May be even more important going from 6V to 12V.
May be even more important going from 6V to 12V.
Re: 6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
Do you have a source for the relay Denny?
Re: 6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
Do you have no relay now or the original relay ?
The resistor solution allowed me to use the original 6v horn and relay.
Mark
The resistor solution allowed me to use the original 6v horn and relay.
Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"
Re: 6 volt horn conversion to a 12 volt system
It's always been a 12 volt system Mark, but the horn I bought on ebay turned out to be 6 volt. It's a really nice horn so I don't want to send it back........
Yes I have a relay, but it's a 12 volt relay.
Yes I have a relay, but it's a 12 volt relay.
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