I have read a lot about people mounting their horns facing sideways, backwards, or down to prevent debris and water, snow, mud, etc. from clogging the horns. My original Omega AH-500 5-trumpet set was mounted sideways for this reason. They are mounted under the driver seat with the diaphrams in the c-channel frame and the horns facing the passenger. The trumpets end just inches from the drive shaft.
Been over 2 years now and I have NEVER washed the underside of the truck or the horns. I have been through mud, snow, high grass, etc. Went under to do some wiring recently and the horns were still pretty clean. I guess my truck is up high enough and this location is far enough away from the wheel spatter that they stay pretty dry and clean. I was going to remove them and replace them with a Shocker XL kit this weekend but then I started wondering if I really need to mount them facing sideways. I prefer to mount them facing forwards since I do notice that the sound doesn’t carry forward very well when on the highway or at far distances. The sound is mostly focused to the side of the road which doesn’t help much.
So I did more reading and some people say it doesn’t matter, just face them forward and don’t worry about it. Real trains have their horns forward and exposed all the time and they still work. So what is the real deal? Do I really need to worry about the mounting direction? They won’t be visible so I am not worried about looks. I just want the sound to carry as far as possible, preferably in the forward direction or at least equal in all directions. Anything I can do to distribute the sound in this manner?
I had mine mounted facing forward for over 2 years never had one problem with them. The shockers are also plastic and stainless steel if they get dirty take a hose and wash them out water isn’t going to hurt them.
I have read a number of other posts recently where people put 2, 3, or even 4 sets of train horns on their vehicle at the same time. What in the world for? A real train is loud enough with only 1 set of 3 or 5 bells. I can’t imagine running 2 or more sets!
Well… ok… I am now thinking of keeping my Omega AH-500 set and adding the Shocker XL set which arrives tomorrow. I have 7 gallons of air at 150 PSI and dual 400Cs so there should be enough air. My only question in that scenario is do you connect both horn sets to the same solenoid, or use two solenoids to sound them separatey? My Omega solenoid is only good up to 120 PSI so I can’t use it and the Shocker kit only comes with 1 valve. I might like to sound both at once occasionally but I can’t imagine doing it all the time… Decisions, decisions…
Another thought too is that having the openings of the trumpets close to anything muffles the sound. For the Shockers we recommend 5in in front of each bell is possible.
Having the horns underneath the vehicle as opposed to on top of a high roof like a train also makes the sound not carry quite as far. Having multiple sets helps out if you want to go extreme =)
[QUOTE=wileecoyote;28250]OK, thanks. Front facing it will be.
Damn. 2 sets of Shocker XLs?
I have read a number of other posts recently where people put 2, 3, or even 4 sets of train horns on their vehicle at the same time. What in the world for? A real train is loud enough with only 1 set of 3 or 5 bells. I can’t imagine running 2 or more sets!
Well… ok… I am now thinking of keeping my Omega AH-500 set and adding the Shocker XL set which arrives tomorrow. I have 7 gallons of air at 150 PSI and dual 400Cs so there should be enough air. My only question in that scenario is do you connect both horn sets to the same solenoid, or use two solenoids to sound them separatey? My Omega solenoid is only good up to 120 PSI so I can’t use it and the Shocker kit only comes with 1 valve. I might like to sound both at once occasionally but I can’t imagine doing it all the time… Decisions, decisions…[/QUOTE
