…lets get this out of the way…everybody take in a deep breath and say, " another noob asking the same questions…spend some time on the forum and read the posts…"!!
I have and then some. But some questions get answered and some pretty vague, and some not at all. As a previous poster ( noob ) stated, " I have a bad habit of impulse buying and regretting it at times". I have done hrs and hrs of searching the web and every manufacturer claims their stuff is best.
I have seen kits from the $300’s to $2500.
For now I am ruling out the " authintic " horns…just not in the budget.
I also was leaning heavily towards the Conductors Special 540. But after reading soooooo many comments and reviews…I thought I would do some more digging.
So hears the scoop, If any of you could take a few and answer these questions, It would be very much appriciated.
Thought about custom building my own kit, but after putting together a materials list and then having to build it, looks like a pre assymbled kit is the best way to go.
Loudness
A. 120db-180db
Compressor
A. size
input cfh rating…rapid fill, 150 psi…200psi…?
B. 1/2 duty vs 100% duty…?
C. Quietness
D. Durability
Tank Size
A. 2 , 2.5 , 3 , 5 gal.
B. Material
Tubing size
A. 1/4"
B. 1/2"
Horns ( Trumpet )
A. size
B. Pitch
C. Material
ABS
Steel
Brass
Number of horns.
As far as loudness ( db rating ) I guess ratings are subject for debate…depending on where and how it was measured. From what I have read the 150-175 db is the optimal…?
The compressors…hmmm…so many oppinions…mostly again from what ive read, you want a large compressor to, 1. fill quickly 2. not work to hard to do that fill 3. some what quiet. Also having a tank mounted compressor vs stand alone?
Tubing size, I saw on a couple web pages that this is pretty important, both stated you want 1/2" for louder horns cfh flow…?
Horn material…ABS…steel…brass…? rust proof diaphrams…? I live in a cold environment during winter so a concern with the ABS ( plastic ) when cold and cracking under use…?
And I assume that the size and number of horns is just a matter of preference in sound…?
Welcome to the forums. It’s good that you’ve been reading. Since you’re not looking for a real trainhorn and you’re already looking at the 540 kit, watch some videos on Youtube to make sure you like the tone of the shockers. They are seriously loud, it’s a good kit with a good compressor.
You’re asking a lot of questions that are already figured out in the kit. As long as you don’t get the 228 kit, you’ll have the 1/2" airline, bigger tank, seperate compressor which usually means a little better durability.
Forget db ratings of the horns. And it’s not a big deal but you will hear the compressor buzzing in you trunk/bed.
There’s not much you can do to damage the horns regardless of temperature. Run them over with your truck? Just call hornblasters. There could be a whole discussion about the material a horn is made of. Mostly from a collector’s standpoint and how it can affect the tone.
I agree with ear2ear 100%. If you buy the 540 kit, you’ll be wearing a grin like a split water melon. They are a seriously good set of horns and if you want something that sounds like a train horn then I doubt you’ll find better since it’s the best of the Shocker kits. Everything you need in one proven bundle. You can’t ask for more than that.
Don’t get fooled into the BS and hype that some retailers carry on about in terms of db. For a start, the limit for sound pressure level at 1 atmosphere is just over 190 db. No air horn gets anywhere near that. Anything you see on eBay or otherwise that claims to reach 150+ decibels is full of it.
Whilst on the topic of loudness, I can appreciate the desire to get the loudest out there. No problem with that, but just keep in mind the potential risk for litigation with a train horn kit. If you’ve done some reading on the site, you may have come across the saga that Hornblasters and Microprecision (maker of the Airchime) have had to deal with.
Even though the Shockers are not a ‘real’ train horn, they are essentially in the same league, insanely loud, and are quite capable of landing you in hot water at the press of a button. Although you won’t find any here, you’d be surprised how many people you’ll come across that will fail to see the ‘need’ or ‘humour’ in a horn such as this. Anyway… enough said.
The main reason people will either buy or upgrade over a set of Shockers is not so much because of volume, but because of pitch & sound. That genuine train sound only comes with big cast metal bells unfortunately.
As ear2ear suggested, listen to the sound of the Shockers on Youtube or download the samples and if you’re happy with that, then you won’t be disappointed with the quality or volume of the kit either.
Welcome to the forum. I’d say ear2ear & DBO answered your questions well.
I do have a biased input regarding durability and possible future upgades. Our compressors may be out of your budget but they deliver 5+ times the performance and have 5 times the life expectancy of any smaller 12V or 24V brands. They’re fast enough to operate small air tools with little to no wait time giving you more versatility, especially making repairs to your vehicle.