My roadster no is horny :(

My roadster has no horn :( I need a Ahooga horn but I am picky about anything I add to this roadster. So I don't want a brand new, cheapo looking horn. I prefer to buy an older one. They usually are 6 volt. Will a 6 volt horn work with a 12 volt system? Some told me it will and some said no...

WHAT DID MODEL B HORNS LOOK LIKE?

Do I want to get the black steel ones or the ones that have silver metal with black metal (see photo #2 below)? I suspect the silver/black ones are more recent? But not sure... Any guidance appreciated.

In short, what do the really old horns look like? (how can I tell a really OLD one from a semi old one)

Below are a few exemple of horns I found on ebay, which would be the best addition to my hiboy?

all black metal - looks pretty old but in good condition
http://i21.ebayimg.com/03/i/08/15/c2/56_2.JPG

black with silver metal - seems newer ?
http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/i/08/20/10/67_2.JPG

this one is advertise as a model A horn (is that true?)
http://i19.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/1a/ba/a1_1.JPG

Is one is OLD for sure! Model D (what year was model D?) horn
http://i16.ebayimg.com/05/i/08/1d/9b/0a_1.JPG

Any input appreciated.

About the only info I can give is that I had one like the black and silver horn. It is an aftermarket, but sounded very good. I had it on my 34 ford tudor. Unless you plan on mounting it in plain view (tacky IMHO) this one would be a good choice. I mounted mine under the body on the chassis. It was plenty loud enough! Besides, it was just for effect, I dont think they are allowed to be used as a primary horn.

.....well Hotrod Gal, I've got good news & I've got bad news. The good news is if you go to www.macsautoparts.com they have new reproduction '32 Ford horns. If I knew how to attach links I would, but I don't so just follow the links for '32 Ford horns..... Anyway, oh yeah the bad news, they go for $275 dollars & the bracket is $14..... Ah, but they DO have a picture so you can see what a '32 horn looks like & yes they are the 'Ah Wo Ga' ones..... Bill

You could try finding an old Klaxon horn. They were the choice of hot rodders 'back in the day'. Klaxon made a lot of different styles but I think the one you want was actually designed for motorcycle use. Kind of cool looking and easy to mount. Should work fine off 12v. See E-Bay Item number: 260024575736
http://i10.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/21/d2/6c_1.JPG

Volkswagon horns work well on the thin fender cars.

Here's a pic of one on my 32.
Note that it's on a double strap standoff, apparently a stock item.
The standoff comes in the box with the horn on some brands and on others, no standoff.

The V-Dub horns are made in Germany - probably hard to find new nowadays - and Mexico.
They seem to be equal in quality and sound.

I have one of each and if I remember right, the German horn is the one that came with the standoff.

The horn sounds very close to the famous Plymouth Road Runner horn, but is not quite as loud.

If you use one of these, don't mount it without the standoff.
Especially if you mount it to the hood framework.
It sounds terrible without the standoff, but once the standoff is installed it has that cool beep-beep sound.

Far as the Ahoogah horns go, I had an old one that I was going to use on my 31 on 32 rails roadster.
It worked ok, but failed a while back.
It was a 6 volt horn on 12 volts.

I thought I could get away with it since I've used 6V Shoebox horns on 12V many times and other than a change in pitch, no problems.

Many of the re-pro Ahoogah horns you find nowadays are part or all plastic.

hOW ABOUT USING A VOLTAGE REDUCER if I use a 6 volt horn?

Oh, forgot to mention the horn will be mounted under the frame. But just because it will be "out of sight" does not mean it should not be a cool addition, so I still want it to be old and cool.

Yeah, don't use a 6V horn on a 12V system. You get double the current and the horn will burn up pretty quick (after you put a large enough fuse on it!)

Yes you could use a voltage divider (reducer). Some of them are clunky; shop around some for your best selection. Make sure you are using a relay with the horn as they tend to be fairly snappy with the current draw. Modern fuse blocks usually have one built in standard for the horn.

Regards, Kitz

Kitz is right.
Especially on a motor driven horn like the Ahoogah's.

For the little VW horns, they're 12V and don't draw enough current to warrant the addition of a horn relay.

I've been thinking of using double VW horns on my 31, makes em a little louder.

I still want an Ahoogah horn though and like you it'll be frame mounted.
Maybe at the rear of the car so you can reply to those friendly souls who honk their horn at you the millisecond the light turns green.

Then again, maybe a diesel air horn would be good there....

As long as we are talking horns, I got a original horn out of a 1949 F-1 pickup. I fed 12 volts into it and it made the most God awful sound ever. I have yet to try it with 6 volts. Can these horns be "rebuilt/restored?" I only see one screw on the very back, and taking it out does nothing. Are they a sealed unit?
Thanks,
CHAZ

the diesel airhorns are a good addition to "wake" people upw ho are being bone-heads

Years ago I had an El Cameno and had an air tank and big truck air horns. They were plumbed to a switch on floor and when pressed they could really get your attention. I kept the tank filled to about 100 lbs. and they were "fun" to play with and folks would freak. :D
Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HiboyGal

hOW ABOUT USING A VOLTAGE REDUCER if I use a 6 volt horn?

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that will work, there are several types of 12-6V reducers tho, there are 1's normally used for radio's and gauges and then there are ceramic 1's that are considered hi amp, used on heater motors. with the reproduction Aooga and Awooga horns, they maintain the same size and overall look as originals just are chrome and black, Harbor Freights Awooga's are Red and black, you could paint ither of these with some gloss black paint, get a reproduction decal from Macs that lists it as a Model B horn ( '32 Ford ) and nobody would ever know except you.