wiring up an air horn

[peter-reebok]

Have started commuting on the bike, and want a better way to warn stray motorists of my presence.
Bought a Stebel Nautilus compact air horn (130 db).
Mounted it today, and had some drama with the wiring.
Looking for assistance

In the past, I have wired up air horns for cars, and that is easy, just follow the diagrams. But I have always added an additional switch.

This time, I want to retain the horn switch, and wire it in with a relay.
The two wires connected to the existing horn are Black with blue trace - from the switch, and Orange with green trace - has 12 v power constantly.
In the past, the wire from the switch has been HOT, ie has 12 v power.
This time, the switch obviously switches the earth.
I have measured with a multimeter, and it never gets 12 v, 0.2v at best. When pressed, it has continuity with earth. (ie opens the circuit.)

So, how do I connect these?
If the wire from the sitch doesn't get power, I can't use it to trigger the relay.
Do I connect the 12v (orange with green) to the trigger (terminal 86) and the switch wire to earth on the relay (terminal 85?)
The other two terminals remain the same? ie 30 for 12v power in from the battery, and 87 to the air horn.

Any help gratefully received.

[AJE777]

If you are using a relay you will hook so that the existing switch controls power to coil the relay and hook up the power to the new horn to the normally open contacts of the relay.

Connect the orange with green trace to one end of the relay coil and the other end to black with blue trace. Some relay coils have polarity marks on them ensure these are correct.

Next hook a the power for your new horn to one end of the contact you are using to control the horn and the other side of that contact to the horn. I dont know if the Stebel horn grounds through the case when you mount it or if you need a ground wire. Either way ake sure its grounded and that should do it.

[peter-reebok]

Thanks for the reply, Gratefully received, and assured me I was on the right track, drawing out the circuit gave ne hope.
I googled the problem, and found a site that had my problem, and a solution.
1 minute later, horns work as planned.

Now, rubbish drivers will be able to hear my wrath!

[AJE777]

Take some pics and post them. I would like to see how it turned out.

[raycogxxx]

I love my Stebel-be sure and use relay-but I see you already figured it out-got to love Google.

[rscwboy]

I was planning on adding a set of them also but had a different idea. I always ride with the highs on unless going on base (military) so i have no need for the yellow flasher button so I am thinking about using it for the control switch and being an electrician Im sure I can find a way to wire it all in to make it work.

[peter-reebok]

here are the pics - small and unobtrusive - but loud!

[raycogxxx]

I mounted mine below the pair valve:

[AJE777]

Thanks for the pics

[XoZe]

did you guys fabricate a bracket for it? I just got mine today & it doesn't have much to mount it with.

[peter-reebok]

My bracket is a simple 16G Aluminium Strip, bent to suit, and suitably bolted on.

There will never be a simple 'kit' as every mount would be different.
Have to make yr own. Takes about 10 minutes if you clean the bracket up, and make it purty.

[XoZe]

OK new problem....I just noticed that the instructions on the horn specify that the relay is a 20amp...the kit came with a 30amp relay that would click, but no current would run through it...I opened it up and it was old and used, pretty worn out & rusty. So I bought a new one..this one clicked a couple of times, then just went out all together....am I missing something here?! Anyone else have the same problem blowing the relay?

[peter-reebok]

Has to be the wiring.
Check with a test lamp or similar to make sure you get the right wires.
Also check the groundwire, as it sounds like a short circuit condition.

relays should not blow.

And check out the post count - what sort of number is that to be giving out electrical advice!

[XoZe]

I did use a test lamp and all seems OK, with the exception of the power going out of the relay. nothing at all (key open, and horn switch depressed). power going into relay is good, ground is good as well. No idea why there is no current flowing through the relay. I'll have to mess with it again tomorrow.

[peter-reebok]

Either
1. dud relay
2. wires connected to relay incorrectly.


Note the Zooki horn switch is a switched earth, not switched power!

[XoZe]

Originally Posted by peter-reebok

Either
1. dud relay
2. wires connected to relay incorrectly.


Note the Zooki horn switch is a switched earth, not switched power!

not sure...I had it grounded to the battery & that is where it was failing. I moved the ground over to the frame & that seemed to take care of the problem. Doesn't make much sense to me, but at least got it working.

Edit: And down again. the only thing I can think of now is that I am moving/pinching/disconnecting/grounding something when I put the seat back on. I tested it with the bike disassembled and it honked a couple of times. I took it for a ride an hour ago, & no sound. .

[DocStark]

Originally Posted by rscwboy

I was planning on adding a set of them also but had a different idea. I always ride with the highs on unless going on base (military) so i have no need for the yellow flasher button so I am thinking about using it for the control switch and being an electrician Im sure I can find a way to wire it all in to make it work.

i keep em on low beam, but i put a black band on the yellow flasher button so i can keep it pressed, cause it enables both the low and high to both be on...that alone makes it easier for me to see and to be seen at night, and most people dont even notice the differance, but i sure can.