Steering wheel horn button question.
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Joined: May 2013
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Steering wheel horn button question.
Hey guys, my electric horns on my 89 Ford F250HD are going out. Anyway, my friend gave me a set of these:
Wolo Challenger DD Model 808 | Northern Auto Parts
I would like to mount these under the hood and use the existing horn switch that is in the steering wheel. I took the horn and compressor up to a place here in Nashville, TN called "Cowboy's Custom Autoworks" that does odd work like this and asked them how much they would charge to install them. I can't remeber the exact price but it was in the $130 range. They told me if I wanted to use the steering wheel as the button, they would have to replace the existing electronics in the wheel because supposedly, the direct drive compressor takes more power and would burn anything in the wheel out. Is this true or are the just looking for a reason to charge more? Is their price reasonable? If not, can anyone from the Nashville area recommend a better place? Also, if it is possible that this could be a DIY project, does anyone have any good mounting suggestions for under the hood with the 351W? I can't seem to find room for the horns.
Thanks!
Wolo Challenger DD Model 808 | Northern Auto Parts
I would like to mount these under the hood and use the existing horn switch that is in the steering wheel. I took the horn and compressor up to a place here in Nashville, TN called "Cowboy's Custom Autoworks" that does odd work like this and asked them how much they would charge to install them. I can't remeber the exact price but it was in the $130 range. They told me if I wanted to use the steering wheel as the button, they would have to replace the existing electronics in the wheel because supposedly, the direct drive compressor takes more power and would burn anything in the wheel out. Is this true or are the just looking for a reason to charge more? Is their price reasonable? If not, can anyone from the Nashville area recommend a better place? Also, if it is possible that this could be a DIY project, does anyone have any good mounting suggestions for under the hood with the 351W? I can't seem to find room for the horns.
Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
What electronics? There are none in the horn circuit. All they'd have to do is add a relay. If they do it right they'll add a relay and provide a new, protected circuit to feed your compressor thru it. Or if you're ditching the factory horn altogether, you might be able to use the existing horn relay. Not sure what the current rating is on it, but it's possible it could handle the load of that compressor.
If they're serious about doing good work, they'll use rosin core (NOT acid core) solder on any wire splices they make, and heat shrink them.
You can do it yourself, not hard at all. To give you an idea of mounting, I have 4 horns mounted behind my transfer case, the longest measuring 19.5" from power chamber to throat.
I have an OBS truck with an airbag steering wheel which has 2 horn buttons. From the factory they both operate the factory horn, but I rewired it so one button is for the factory horn relay, the other is for the air horn relay (which operates a solenoid-actuated air valve).
If they're serious about doing good work, they'll use rosin core (NOT acid core) solder on any wire splices they make, and heat shrink them.
You can do it yourself, not hard at all. To give you an idea of mounting, I have 4 horns mounted behind my transfer case, the longest measuring 19.5" from power chamber to throat.
I have an OBS truck with an airbag steering wheel which has 2 horn buttons. From the factory they both operate the factory horn, but I rewired it so one button is for the factory horn relay, the other is for the air horn relay (which operates a solenoid-actuated air valve).
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New User
Joined: May 2013
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What electronics? There are none in the horn circuit. All they'd have to do is add a relay. If they do it right they'll add a relay and provide a new, protected circuit to feed your compressor thru it. Or if you're ditching the factory horn altogether, you might be able to use the existing horn relay. Not sure what the current rating is on it, but it's possible it could handle the load of that compressor.
If they're serious about doing good work, they'll use rosin core (NOT acid core) solder on any wire splices they make, and heat shrink them.
You can do it yourself, not hard at all. To give you an idea of mounting, I have 4 horns mounted behind my transfer case, the longest measuring 19.5" from power chamber to throat.
I have an OBS truck with an airbag steering wheel which has 2 horn buttons. From the factory they both operate the factory horn, but I rewired it so one button is for the factory horn relay, the other is for the air horn relay (which operates a solenoid-actuated air valve).
If they're serious about doing good work, they'll use rosin core (NOT acid core) solder on any wire splices they make, and heat shrink them.
You can do it yourself, not hard at all. To give you an idea of mounting, I have 4 horns mounted behind my transfer case, the longest measuring 19.5" from power chamber to throat.
I have an OBS truck with an airbag steering wheel which has 2 horn buttons. From the factory they both operate the factory horn, but I rewired it so one button is for the factory horn relay, the other is for the air horn relay (which operates a solenoid-actuated air valve).
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Carthage, MO
They're either feeding you a line or incompetent. Find the factory horn, and the wire that's connected to it. That's the wire you'll use to activate the relay, and then the horn compressor will run on a separate line directly from the battery. If you need a diagram, I could get you one later tonight.
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New User
Joined: May 2013
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They're either feeding you a line or incompetent. Find the factory horn, and the wire that's connected to it. That's the wire you'll use to activate the relay, and then the horn compressor will run on a separate line directly from the battery. If you need a diagram, I could get you one later tonight.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Carthage, MO
What's in the blue box is the relay. You should be able to get a relay and pigtail harness at an auto store for around $5. You can mount it anywhere that's convenient and out of the way. I'm not sure what kind of amperage these things pull but you should probably use at least 14ga wire from the battery through to the compressor; larger wouldn't hurt anything.
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New User
Joined: May 2013
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What's in the blue box is the relay. You should be able to get a relay and pigtail harness at an auto store for around $5. You can mount it anywhere that's convenient and out of the way. I'm not sure what kind of amperage these things pull but you should probably use at least 14ga wire from the battery through to the compressor; larger wouldn't hurt anything.
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