Electrical: 6 volt horns on 12 v?

[t walgamuth]

Hello, will my six volt studie horns work on 12 volts? Putting finishing touches on the 39 CE.

[jclary]

They should work fine as long as you don't "lay" on them. If you do parades, make sure to let the beauty of the vehicle speak for itself. Years ago, I had a member show up at my house who had burned his horns up in a parade. I installed two working horns and asked thirty dollars for the pair. I believe he resented the price until the day he died. Bless his heart, I rescued the poor fella several times from problems with that car. He was the inspiration of my first thoughts on the conclusion that there are some people that would be better off choosing a different hobby.

A six volt starter and horns will survive 12 volts as long as you don't over tax them. Either device can be burned out due to overload with six or twelve volts. As long as you are aware of this, you should be OK. At least, it should allow you time to pick up correct voltage spares without desperation.

[Flat Ernie]

I use all my old 6V horns on 12V. They are louder and "angrier" usually. I'll echo the above sentiment and add in the advice to use a good relay as well. 12V relays typically won't handle the current well and often stick. 6V horns on 12V will pull twice the current they would on 6V...and horns pull a fair bit of current.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks guys! I thought so but wanted a second (and third) opinion. I seldom use the horns much though occasionally will really lay one on when someone does a really stupid thing.

[studegary]

When I drove the LIE, and other similar roads, on a regular basis, I installed a six volt horn in the left front fender of a 12 volt car. People would pull over and then look for the truck that wasn't there. I did have to recondition the relay a couple of times. I agree that they shouldn't be used for a long blast.

[Skip Lackie]

When I drove the LIE, and other similar roads, on a regular basis, I installed a six volt horn in the left front fender of a 12 volt car. People would pull over and then look for the truck that wasn't there. I did have to recondition the relay a couple of times. I agree that they shouldn't be used for a long blast.

For the non-New Yorkers: LIE = Long Island Expressway, notorious for bad traffic.

[52-fan]

For the non-New Yorkers: LIE = Long Island Expressway, notorious for bad traffic.

Thanks for the explanation.
I didn't get any with the car, but I now have 6 volt horns to go on my 52 when I put the replacement radiator air shield in place. The horns are nice and loud on 12 volts.

[Commander Eddie]

When I was young, one of our buddies put an air horn in his 1952 Desoto. He thought it was funny to turn off his engine and coast up behind a bicyclist and then lay on the air horn. These days, he would probably get shot for doing that. I believe his Desoto was 6 volt. The horn was really loud.

[mbhdesign]

My dad's Porsche 356 had air horns from a Maserati (installed by a previous owner) but they were 12V horns in a 6V car.

Laying on the horn in that car would produce a whimperingly sad "hee haw" tone that was more embarrassing than useful.

[GrumpyOne]

I use all my old 6V horns on 12V. They are louder and "angrier" usually. I'll echo the above sentiment and add in the advice to use a good relay as well. 12V relays typically won't handle the current well and often stick. 6V horns on 12V will pull twice the current they would on 6V...and horns pull a fair bit of current.

I have a pair of 6V Cadillac horns on the '55 Prez sedan and yes... They are loud. I seldom use a horn but when I do I want the message to be received loud 'n clear..

[sals54]

I've never considered loud horns to be angry. I've made it a habit of installing old horns on all my newer cars. My wifes Honda Pilot has horns from a 1972 Olds Delta 88. She's not an avid horn user, but on occasion has had to "notify" a stupid driver of her presence. She says that even 3/4 ton trucks obey instantly when they hear that commanding sound. So, to me, its all about safety, not angry.

[Flat Ernie]

I've never considered loud horns to be angry. ... So, to me, its all about safety, not angry.

You misunderstood my comment, and it's understandable why. I guess many of us do 'stand on the horn' when we get frustrated and angry with fellow drivers. However, that's not what I meant when I said they sounded louder and angrier. A 6V horn on 12V is stressed, physically. It is like a speaker that is over-driven when you turn the amp up to '11'. The distortion gives it, what to me sounds, not just loud, but angry...

...which is often appropriate when we're venting our frustrations with fellow drivers. However, as you say, it's about safety - and it's all about being heard. If the over-driven 6V horn sounds more 'urgent', it may 'help' our fellow drivers to get out of the way sooner, or take notice sooner, or pay attention to whatever it is we're trying to draw their attention to.