Hiya Everyone!Newbie here. Been reading the treads and hornblaster info for several months now. Have mentally planned out how I will install the hornblasters Model 540 conductors special in a 2009 Ford 150 Screw. Before I call hornblasters to discuss and order - I’d like to get input from you fine folks on tank size. 1) The 540 comes with a 5 gal tank. How much improvement would I realize if I moved to an 8.5 gal tank? Would I get a longer sustained blast, if so, roughly how much longer? If I added a second compressor to the 8.5 how much faster would it fill over a 5 gal with one compressor?2) How would the 540 work with a 10 gal tank with two compressors - would I get a longer sustained blast over the 8.5? It seems a 10 with 2 compressors would take longer to fill than an 8.5 with 2 compressors - correct? Any idea on the time difference? I have plenty of space for up to a 10 gal and I’d like to maximize my install provided the upgrade yields a somewhat significant outcome over a 5 gal setup. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!!
It’s exciting stuff ordering your first kit, so welcome to the forum.
Unless you’re buying a real train horn like a K5 or a P5, I reckon that 5 gallons will be plenty. There’s heaps of folks here who run 5 gallon setups (incl. myself) with K3 horns or similar and those consume a heck of a lot of air. With Shockers, 5 gallon @150 psi, you’re probably looking at over 10 seconds of sustained honk time (which is plenty of noise to upset people!).
OK… of course you’re going to get more horn time the bigger your tank is… but, consider this:
- The bigger the tank, the more power and time you’ll need to fill it. That also means, more stress on electrical systems, bigger fusing, wiring etc.
The 400C that’s included with the 540 kit is a fast fill compressor, great unit, but it’s also limited by being a 33% duty cycle compressor. If you’re looking at a bigger tank, this type of compressor wouldn’t be advisable. You’ll need to start looking at either dual kits and preferably, 100% duty cycle. The costs can quickly add up.
If you shop around for compressors, they’ll list their fill times as part of their specs.
I’d be surprised if you’re not happy with the 540 kit, plus with 5 gallons on tap you’ll still have an easier upgrade path to a real train horn once you get bitten by the bug. Also keep in mind that you can always add another tank down the track.
If you’re really keen to change the kit, get a dual compressor kit rated at 100% duty cycle. All comes down to budget and where you want to spend your dollars. The biggest, baddest and most expensive out there are the Oasis XD3000 or XD4000, followed by Air Zenith and then Viair.
Thanks DBO - I appreciate those insights.
I’m not necessarily looking to be the loudest in the land - but I do feel the need for an ample tool that makes rush hour drivers think twice before bunny hopping into my lane without looking. My commute is plagued by violators rushing their way into the HOV lane without looking…then driving slower in the HOV lane then they were in the lane they jumped from - idiots driving the wrong way on a one way. The list is long.
It’s true - I have been known to continuously blow the stock electric horn for over 5 minutes while following a bunny hopper. Clearly that won’t be possible with the air horn - but I’m hoping the short shock defense will yield value.
Again, thanks for the reality check.
Welcome to the forum. You won’t be able to continuously blow an air horn for 5 minutes without a fairly large tank but an Oasis XD3000 or XD4000 can fill every 10 gallons from 0 to 150 PSI in 1.75 minutes. They aren’t limited to 5 gallons per compressor. Their limit is their duty cycle - XD3000 can run 40 minutes but then needs 30 minutes to cool down - XD4000 is continuous, even at 200 PSI.
Thanks for the fill time reality on the Oasis - impressive and so is the price!
At this point its looking like I will stick with the stock package - that should get their attention long enough to make the point!!