I was including used horns, and for that reason I said upwards of $350...but my point being expensive $$$

 

i have never seen a set of used nathans for less than $1000

 

Very true for the most part.

A Nathan K5LA will set you back about $1600. A K3LA over $1000. A Nathan P5 should be about the same as a K3LA, and a Nathan P3 can be purchased for around $850.

 

That's unfortunately true, and to run one of those sets will run you even more for the setup behind it to be able to properly air them up. My plans are to get a 4.5 gallon 300 psi thin tank with a 200psi compressor and I will probably start with a lower end horn set because the compressor tank and lines alone should set me back well into the 800$ range

 

mine weren't cheap!

 

Am I missing something. Reading this, you spent 800-900 for pump and compressor, 1000 for the horns, probably 2000 total.
You can't use them because they're illegal so you can't use unless you check around you first, then blow the horn. Heart attack anyone?
So if you need to warn/scare someone while driving quickly/safely, you need to use your regular horn. Wow.
Reminds me of that tree falling in the forest commercial when no one hears the noise. You have all this noise but can't use it?
I have to admit, it does sound pretty darn nice but Personally, I can think of other ways to spent 2k.
Figure out the cost per second to enjoy. Cool but not cheap.

 

There are ways to do it cheaper, I got a good deal. You can use them but in the previous post just don't be a douch and I'll tell you it's worth it to ME. A lot of fun for ME. But thats just ME.

 

Were you in awe when the trains blew their horns when you were a little kid?

 

Haha. Yep you know it. Never made it to train school but this is kinda not really close, but now I'm that guy in the rig blowing the horn for the kids and watching them jump up and down is just fun. Here is a pic of my new 389 Peterbilt. This one has the 5 trumpet air chime on it.

 

Nice truck.

 

I haven't spent any money yet. But in order to run Nathan's you need a certain size tank and certain cfm capable compressor. I am planning on running a capable setup in the thought that one day I'll upgrade but the primary use of the air tank won't be for train horns it will be to have on board air for air tools and the likes.

So instead of buying multiple sets of things I buy them once with an end goal in mind...at some point I would like to run Nathan's, so I should get a certain setup so if and when I do, I just hook it up and go.

 

This is what I did, My friend had a totaled Peterbilt semi at his yard ( you can probably google a local semi wrecking yard) I pulled the old tank down and along with the 2 mounting U-bolts that go around the tank and bolt to the 2 brackets that bolt to the frame. I sanded down and rattle caned the tank and brackets. I then drilled 4 holes in the frame and mounted the brackets then the tank, all this was free. The brackets that bolt to the frame are too long so I cut them to a shorter length. I know at International you can buy a tank with the mounted brackets welded to the tank for around 60 bucks. Next I bought the blue nylon air line hoses from Peterbilt they weren't cheap but I didn't need much cause I already had most of the line for my semi. But you can buy the plastic ones from international for a lot cheaper along with the fittings. I had most of the reusable air brake fittings as I went with the (I believe the 3/4 inch line the most standard air brake line) The bigger the air line the more air your pushing through and the louder the horn will be. Can't hurt to go down to international or Peterbilt or any semi truck dealer and price it out at the parts counter. My tank has 4 NPT ports, 1 drain at the bottom, 1 T at the top for running an air line to the bed for air tools and off the other side of the T to the engine bay. The front port is my air inlet, the port at the rear of the tank goes the valve in the cab then to the horn. As for the horn look around on Craigslist or Fleabay.

Here are some night shots I just took. Sorry the horn isn't on at the moment.
1st pic shows the bracket still need to cut the extra length of the U-bolt


The 2nd and 3rd pic is the tank.

 

For the air compressor, I have a cheap piece of crap that I didn't even bother hooking up but plan on buying the ExtremeFlow belt drive from Riffraff. I rather go of the belt for the more volume of air it pushes out. But most people will say that it robs horse power, which it does only when it's on and tell me to go with the electric ones. But I got my mind set.

For the time being I just use the shops air and connect it to the male nipple with the valve to keep the air from coming back out of the tank.

 

Yes you are missing something (atleast for some of us)

I've invested about $400 between my two compressors, 5 gal tank, air filter/water separator, pressure switch and assorted fittings. With that set up I can run air tools out of my truck, air up tires, and adjust my airbags from inside my cab. For me, it was only another $90 for my train horn, and $40 for the 1/2" solenoid for a horn that is hellish loud. I'm sure the tone of the Nathans and other "real horns" sound much better, but in terms of decibels I bet mine is right up there. So for me to invest $550+ dollars on a complete OBA system and add a sweet train horn, it's absolutely worth it!

And once again, don't use the horn like a Dbag, and you shouldn't have any issues with "the man"

 

Makes a lot more sense now.
Half of the price as discussed with many more advantages.
Thanks for enlightening.