Compiling Parts, need advice.

Installation Help & Advice Horn Kits
1

ear2ear: I pm’d this same question to you, but thought I’d go ahead and post it in the general forum and get a wider range of input.
To the members: I’m a newby…what am I missing?

I really am a novice at all this, I do more mechanicing, but just found that this site exists and is going to make things easier/cheaper on me than I originally thought.

I already have the KL5A’s and the Air Zeinith Dual OB2 kit. I’m just compiling the supplies and nothing is hooked up yet. In fact I haven’t even open the boxes to the two 5 gal tanks.

My idea is to essentially have 2 independantly operating systems; one compressor per 5 gal tank. the compressors will be mounted on the outside of my tool boxes, underneath the siderails, so basically concealing them. I will have to run a line…guessing 3’ or so to the tanks that will be mounted underneath the truck on the frame rail. Also going to run a quick connect line to the front and to the rear for tire filling (and other) purposes. I want to be able to throw a switch in the cab to switch between OEM horn at the horn button to KL5A’s at the horn button (those questions will come later I suppose). I have air assist bags in the back of the truck so I’ll want my onboard air to operate those as well. First queston: I’d like an electronic dual gauge to monitor the pressure in both bags, I don’t know if such a thing exists or if I’d have to go with the Viair dual needle and run air lines into the cab?

any way, i digress…I’m going to find a way to get a bracket welded for the KL5A’s that will have them tucked up inside the front passanger corner underneath my bed. F350 Long bed here. The best way I could determine they would fit and be completely concealed is to have the output side of the horns facing the inside quarterpanel of the truck bed. I really don’t care about making them face downward to be louder, I mean loud is loud right?

Second question: If I make this system independantly operating, can I make both systems tie into the KL5A’s at the same time with a valve switch between using the original short riser manifold? It has the center manifold, which seems like I could plug, and unplug the 2 side manifolds and send air to them that way. It seems for mounting purposes, not using the center manifold will make things easier any way. The other way I can imagine is to bring both systems together to a T and then into one valve switch and then into the horns.

for extra components:
what pressure relief valve do I need for this system with max at 200psi?
what pressure switch, the dual ob2 kit came with one 200psi, if i do dual systems, I’ll need two pressure switchs correct?
do i need plugs for the tank? as i said, i haven’t even cracked the boxes yet.
not intrested in a manual valve, i like running electronics, much easier…any recommends for valve switches for the kl5a, as well as the air bags as they have smaller lines running to them?

Ok, that’s all I can come up with now, what else am I missing?
Thanks!
Bryan

2

I love this concept for my airbags even though it is mechanical and not electrical, but it wouldn’t work because its too high PSI. would need something like 0-100(150).

http://www.gbinstruments.com/mechanical-gauges/dual-air-pressure.html

I like the Air Zenith compressors, but I’m 100% not interested in their digital gauges, I want analog.

3

maybe this dual gauge set up with dual needles. One gauge to monitor my 2 airbags, one gauge to monitor my 2 air tanks. Plus it comes with most, if not all the connections i would need for the air bag part of my install.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-25802/?rtype=10

4

Welcome to the forum. I know a little about air compressors, these other guys can help with the rest.

I would think if AZ sent 1 pressure switch with 2 compressors then it should be sufficient for both.

If you’re going to 200 PSI in the tank then consider getting a safety valve rated for 210 but if you live in California stick with 200 (it’s an OSHA thing mostly commercial).

The K5LA doesn’t need 200 psi to be loud and that much pressure can distort their sound and it can damage or wear out the diaphragms faster.

5

My main question is why do you want 2 seperate systems? Do you need to keep 2 different pressures? Or do you need to keep something isolated? If you run 1 system at 150 or 200psi it would be a lot simpler.

The airbags will be operated with solenoid valves correct? Contolled by either pushbuttons or automatic sensors?

6

I have read here that I only need 150 for the horns and I’d like to push around that to them, do I need a different pressure switch? or does the valve that I’ll use for the horns regulate it down to the desirable level?

As I mentioned, I’m a novice at all this. In my head it seemed like it would be simpler to have 2 systems because I figured if something failed it would be easier to troubleshoot.

So if I set it up, one compressor per tank, with a hose between them, making it one system, then it is a safe guess that I can run one line to the horns, or could I still tie into it twice as I mentioned in my OP?

7

If you want to run the horns at 150psi you can get a 150psi pressure switch - or keep 200psi in the tanks and use a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure. The solenoid valve for the horns does not regulate the pressure.

It’s simpler to run run system with 1 pressure switch. You really only need 1 airline and 1 valve to the horns. If you want to use the 2 smaller side ports on the Nathan manifold, maybe use a tee to split the airline after the valve.

8

If I went this route, would it perform any differently for me than if I just went straight into one of them? I’ve read here that the bottom port is the best to use because it makes them the loudest. I mean come on, I bought the loudest train horns on earth, i really dont care if i loose a dB or two by changing up the mounting or something else…haha :smiley:

9

The center port on the bottom is bigger. That’s why people say it’s louder.
I never tried a side port, but if you’re not worried about the utmost airflow, just use one sideport.

10

so what size is the bottom port? the other reason to use the side port(s) is to try to cram the horns in a smaller location, this will help save some room.

11

bottom main port is 1/2" NPT