Anyone wired one of these?

brayboy · #1 02-17-2005, 01:15 AM

Not long ago on the freeway, an 18-wheeler started right into my lane with me 3/4ths of the way beside him. I lay on my horn to no avail, so luckily I had a good preview from behind to know that I had room to move the last (left) lane over & avoid getting clobbered. So I'm looking at a set of Hella horns. My question is can I wire these from my existing horn wiring & do I still need to use the relay provided if I do? This may seem like a pretty stupid question to some of you, but I do some electrical work in the home & auto, I just like to try and do the job correctly in order to not create a future mess. Any advise would be appreciated & thanks in advance for it! Bray [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

hupptoy · #2 02-17-2005, 08:45 AM

I installed the air horns instead of the ones you're looking at, but mine were noticeably quieter without the relay. I did not have to remove any stock connections, so I can go back to stock easily.

You could do a quick test though:
1st run a direct wire from the battery to the Hella horns to see how loud they should be. Then hook them up to the horn switch and see if there is a difference. If they are quieter, then you need the relay.

You should also verify that the rated amp draw of the new horns is less than your horn fuse. If not, then you need the relay.

hupptoy

wisctaco04 · #3 02-17-2005, 09:02 AM

I'm glad your not gonna get one of them that plays Whistlin' Dixie or The Dukes of Hazzard cause then I would have to make fun of you. My wifes Civic has a louder horn than my Tacoma, kinda embarassing. I though about doing a different horn as well but am running out of electrical supply under the hood. Let us know how loud it gets.

haireball · #4 02-17-2005, 09:25 AM

I am thinking you need a relay, b/c the horn works non a negative pull. I am doubtful that you can find a horn that works that way, so you will need a relay to switch it. There is a write up on yotatech about horn installation

Haireball

brayboy · #5 02-18-2005, 12:17 AM

Huppytoy, you make perfect sense when you say this, but I feel like such an idiot to ask the question. I have an Optima Yellow_Top battery so I'm not too worried about draining it down.(No, you didn't know this). But your suggestion of using the relay tells me that I should try this first. I keep doing these electrical mods, but I still feel stupid everytime I attempt to do one. Thanks. Bray [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

brayboy · #6 02-18-2005, 12:25 AM

Haireball, I should have realized that you were right because every electrical switch on our Taco's rely on relay's connected to the negative wire? It's interesting & must be the best configuration considering the reliability of the electrical system of Toy trucks. Good post & thanks! Bray [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]
Have some stars!

hupptoy · #7 02-18-2005, 01:24 AM

The relay really has nothing to do with what battery you have, but it allows the horn to pull more current than the stock horn circuit can handle.

Same reason Toyota uses relays for the headlights and anything with a high amp draw.

It should be very easy to run some (appropriately sized)wire to the hella's from the battery b4 you install them to get a feel for how loud they should be. You could then unplug your stock horn and jumper over to the hella's to see if they are as loud as they were when running straight from the battery. If not, relay!

hupptoy

brayboy · #8 02-18-2005, 01:39 AM

I'll be sure & let you know Wisc! By-the -way, do you know where I could order either the Dukes of Hazard or Whistlin' Dixie, because my 16-year-old cousin that I make-out with everyday really likes these. Man I hope everyone knows this is a joke or I'm going away for life! Anyway, you crack me up! OK, I'm gone before the FBI cracks my file! ZOOOMMM! Bray
P.S. I hope this didn't sound sick, because it was just a joke. [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

brayboy · #9 02-18-2005, 02:23 AM

Thanks, but I'll probably ask this silly question in a different way again. Just keep reminding me so I'll someday quit. Thankyou! [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img] Bray

wisctaco04 · #10 02-18-2005, 09:00 AM

OFF TOPIC>>>>>>>>>>>& gt;>
I just picked up a yellow top as well. Did you do the sideways mount? I got the 34/78 since I wanted the side posts for extra crap. There is a write up in CT tech section but was just curious. Matt