I just ordered a kit from HornBlasters. It fits my budget and is a nice way to get in on the fun. I ordered the Shocker 228v kit. It will be going with a 2008 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab. I am mounting the horns behind the front grill and hope to get the rest of the stuff under the bed.
Is there anything you all would recommend that isn’t included in the kit?
I was doing some reading on these forums and a few topics caught my eye.
What is your opinion on having a switch to actually turn the compressor on/off instead of having it come on when the ignition is on? Wouldn’t that be a better method so as to not have the thing fire up on say a short trip to the store? Anyone have pics of this install or a thread with directions how to do it?
I saw some people have a compressor gauge. What is the purpose of that (other than the obvious, to see the pressure in the tank), meaning is there a reason to need to know what the pressure is at? Some sort of monitoring system or something? Anyway to remote mount that gauge inside that cab of the vehicle? Same as before, any pics of this installed already?
I also read something about a cold weather environment causing potential hazards with freezing. I burned out a few pressure washers that way so I am a bit worried. I read about the truckers air line anti-freeze.
if you look at the installs pictures on the front page there is this truck listed Installs » Truck Train Horn Installs » Richard’s 2002 F350 (K5) » If you look at the picture of his compressor, there is a T (whats that for?) and a clear plastic contraption (whats that for?). Are they things I need? Are they a check valve system or something?
if there is anything you think I should add to my set up let me know. If you did something to your set up that was “above and beyond” a basic install let me know. I’m always interested in hearing about (and looking at) other people’s installs.
hope this isn’t too overwhelming of a post but i appreciate any help you can offer.
The bottom of that ‘T’ i’m thinking is a line to a pressure gauge to go into the cab, the main line going out of the T on the right is going to the air tank. I would think a pressure gauge should be off the tank not the compressor line, otherwise you might see a higher reading than what the pressure really is in tank while the compressor is on.
The kit you bought is good. I would have gone for the Shocker 240 kit though … larger air line going to the horns, compressor that is twice as fast at filling the tank (Viair 400C).
But you’ll be happy with what you bought.
I don’t have a pressure gauge in the cab, I usually know what I have from instinct.
The benefit of having a manual shut-off switch for the compressor might be if it is annoying and you don’t want it to be on sometimes when the ignition is on, like if you get pulled over… but otherwise there’s no need
I don’t know about cold weather and the effects on compressors, but at least it won’t overheat very easily if your laying on your horn on a cold day. The specifications for the Viair looks like it can operate down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s not an issue unless moisture is a factor I guess (freezing water)
do you know what type of line is being used to go to the tank? I need to remove the compressor off the top of the tank and mount them apart from each other. The distance is too great to order a stainless hose. Its going to be something like 7’. Maybe more!
yeah, this is a start. Rather than go with something medium priced, I went on the lower side (not the cheapest tho) and if all goes well and i dig it…its time for the good poop !!!
I have a compressor in my shop. On top is a gauge that measures the presure of the air in the tank. There is also a gauge that meausres the pressure of the air coming out of the tank and you can adjust it there to set it for use on different tools that require lower/higher pressure. When it comes to these horns, is it basically the higher the pressure coming out of the tank the louder the horns will be?
When it comes to wiring for a manual shut off switch, do you know the proper mapping for that? I am not sure what type of wire from the fuse box I will need. Is it an accessory wire?
Thats what I was thinking about, the frozen water. Granted a compressor and a pressure washer are different things, but the idea of water freezing and expanding and breaking something is the same. I am planning on putting the compressor in the engine compartment and the tank under the pick-up bed.
what do you do if the drain is on the wrong side of the tank when you have to mount it in a certain spot with a certain orientation? For me, the tank must go on its side and that would make the drain also on the side of the tank. Any solution?
It is a 1/4" DOT approved tubing since your compressor (Viair 280c) has a 1/4" leader (output) hose size. I think that is inner diameter but not positive.
yeah, this is a start. Rather than go with something medium priced, I went on the lower side (not the cheapest tho) and if all goes well and i dig it…its time for the good poop !!!
yep, you can upgrade the compressor, tubes and air valve later.
When it comes to these horns, is it basically the higher the pressure coming out of the tank the louder the horns will be?
They get louder up to something a bit above 150psi, not sure because I don’t run above 150PSI.
From maybe 130psi and higher pressures, the horns start to change to a higher pitch. They sound great all the way from 150psi to 90psi or so (approximating heavily).
When it comes to wiring for a manual shut off switch, do you know the proper mapping for that? I am not sure what type of wire from the fuse box I will need. Is it an accessory wire?
Come to think of it, the manual shut switch is good to use when you leave your vehicle so if there is an air leak, you find yourself with a dead car battery later.
With the kit, you should have an all-in-one weather resistant relay and pressure switch. One of the wires coming out of it is the shut off wire. No power to that wire, no power to the compressor. It doesn’t carry the current for the compressor, it doesn’t take any real power.
You could wire it thru your firewall to a switch in the cab, then back out to your battery terminal…
Thats what I was thinking about, the frozen water. Granted a compressor and a pressure washer are different things, but the idea of water freezing and expanding and breaking something is the same. I am planning on putting the compressor in the engine compartment and the tank under the pick-up bed.
Yep I don’t know, just put the air inlet filter hose in a spot where it hopefully won’t get splashed.
Put a little antifreeze in the tank on a regular basis and you’ll help prevent ice from blocking your air lines. Check the temerature ranges on your power relay, pressure switch, and solenoid valves. That way you’ll know why the compressor doesn’t work when it gets to those temperatures.
I think he was responding to your comment in the first post:
I also read something about a cold weather environment causing potential hazards with freezing. I burned out a few pressure washers that way so I am a bit worried. I read about the truckers air line anti-freeze.