Horns (again)
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Waynesville, OH
Horns (again)
I've got a simple request for somebody with a 12V electrical system in their truck and real, honest-to-goodness, 12V horns. Preferably someone with a 57-60 and the original, cast-aluminum, seashell-style, Sparton-brand horns with the snap-on sheet metal cover over the electrical works. See the pictures below.
I need someone to take the input wire off from one horn, and then measure the resistance (in Ohms) between the horn input connection and the cast (seashell) part of the horn. You'll need good, clean connections to both Ohm meter leads to avoid an error in the reading.
If someone can do this for me, I will be eternally grateful. Well, at least I'll be very grateful for some finite amount of time.
The story of why I need this measurement is way too long and boring to post here. It suffices to say that I now own three, somewhat pricey, sets of 6V horns (I think), instead of the one set of 12V horns that I really need.
I need someone to take the input wire off from one horn, and then measure the resistance (in Ohms) between the horn input connection and the cast (seashell) part of the horn. You'll need good, clean connections to both Ohm meter leads to avoid an error in the reading.
If someone can do this for me, I will be eternally grateful. Well, at least I'll be very grateful for some finite amount of time.
The story of why I need this measurement is way too long and boring to post here. It suffices to say that I now own three, somewhat pricey, sets of 6V horns (I think), instead of the one set of 12V horns that I really need.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: AKRON ohio
George,
I checked my 56 . I removed the horn wire and my readings were 4.2 ohms. After moving the leads around I was able to get a reading of 3.9ohms. this was the lowest resistance reading I measured on the DVOM. I didnt want to clean a ground on the horn so this is assuming the horn ground is OK. I was grounded to the ground stud on the generator. Also I'm not 100% sure mine is 12volt. It look like the ones in your pics.
Kevin
I checked my 56 . I removed the horn wire and my readings were 4.2 ohms. After moving the leads around I was able to get a reading of 3.9ohms. this was the lowest resistance reading I measured on the DVOM. I didnt want to clean a ground on the horn so this is assuming the horn ground is OK. I was grounded to the ground stud on the generator. Also I'm not 100% sure mine is 12volt. It look like the ones in your pics.
Kevin
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From: Waynesville, OH
Thanks very much Kevin. The 6V and 12V apparently look identical from the outside. The 3.9 Ohms sounds high, but I suspect that there is some resistance through the grounds, as you mentioned. I really appreciate you taking the time to measure yours.
As I mentioned, I have several
sets of horns, all of which measure 0.6 to 0.7 Ohms from the input terminal to a good ground on the horn case. The ones I have do work on 12V. They are loud as heck, and draw almost 18 Amps at 12V. The bypass resistor (inside the horn) starts to smoke after a couple of seconds with the horn on. My shop manual says that one 12V horn is supposed to draw about 9.4 Amps. I'm betting a real 12V horn has a resistance of about 1.5 Ohms, which would put the current draw in the right range.
I can buy another set of "12V" horns, but I'm getting a little bored with the "is it really a 12V horn?" game. My wife, on the other hand, is anything but "bored" with the payment cycle for each set.
I'm looking for an accurate number for the resistance so I can ask the next seller to measure theirs before I buy them. If my theory is correct, I'll be well on my way to cornering the 6V horn market. Better get yours before the price goes up!
As I mentioned, I have several
sets of horns, all of which measure 0.6 to 0.7 Ohms from the input terminal to a good ground on the horn case. The ones I have do work on 12V. They are loud as heck, and draw almost 18 Amps at 12V. The bypass resistor (inside the horn) starts to smoke after a couple of seconds with the horn on. My shop manual says that one 12V horn is supposed to draw about 9.4 Amps. I'm betting a real 12V horn has a resistance of about 1.5 Ohms, which would put the current draw in the right range.I can buy another set of "12V" horns, but I'm getting a little bored with the "is it really a 12V horn?" game. My wife, on the other hand, is anything but "bored" with the payment cycle for each set.
I'm looking for an accurate number for the resistance so I can ask the next seller to measure theirs before I buy them. If my theory is correct, I'll be well on my way to cornering the 6V horn market. Better get yours before the price goes up!
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Waynesville, OH
Thanks John. You must have slipped in just before I hit the post button for the post above. That 1.1 Ohms sounds like it's close to what I expected. I suspect you can blow your horns for more than 3 seconds without smelling smoke?
