What size air line are you guys running on your Nathan k series horns. I have half inch and happy with that, but I’ve been hearing to run 3/4. Is there really a noticeable difference?? Help?
Do you have 1/2" ID hose or 1/2" OD tubing? Big difference.
If you’re talking 1/2" tubing (3/8" ID) then yes, people have been upgrading to the 3/4" tubing (9/16" ID) with good results.
I have 1/2 ID nylon hose. But I want to upgrade to 3/4 ID nylon hose.
How do I get a 3/4 hose into my 1/2 inlet into my k3s? Just reducers or what?
What kind of fittings are you using? What ever they are, you need to convert to 1/2" NPT.
If you already have 1/2" ID on a K3, you might not hear any improvement.
Right now I have a barbed fitting with hose ran to it. But I’m switching to nylon push fittings. How do I tell what type fitting I have?
You answered my question about the fittings.
You have ID hose because you’re using barbed fittings. If you go to 3/4" TUBING for push-to-connect fittings it is measured by the OD. The ID is only 9/16" - not much bigger than what you have now. Plus, your current 1/2" ID is not a restriction for a K3.
So if you’re expecting a gain don’t do it.
If you have other reasons for changing out the airline and fittings, go for it.
Anyway, they make 3/4" PTC x 1/2" NPT fittings. They will thread right into your K3.
What if I went to a 3/4 barbed fitting with the same type hose but 3/4? And thanks a lot for all the information. Really big help. Appreciate it.
If you had nothing, and buying all new, and wanted “the best”, I would say get the 3/4" DOT tubing. Or if you had 1/2" DOT tubing, which is considered a minimum, it would be worth an upgrade to 1/2" ID. You already have 1/2" ID and there isn’t much (if any) restriction left. That means going bigger doesn’t matter. If the horn is already getting all the air it needs at 1/2" ID, then 3/4 tubing, 5/8 hose, 3/4 hose doesn’t matter.
If you feel you have a restriction, what are your other components? 1/2" valve? What is the port size on your tank?
1/2 valve and I believe the biggest port is half inch. Idk if there is much restriction.
So you’re good on all 1/2" NPT.
I tent to go overboard on things. I originally had my K5 hooked up with 5/8" hose and barbed fittings. My new setup is all 1/2" ID. That’s for a K5.
If you have any restriction, it’s probably the inside diameter of the barb itself. You could measure it with some calipers and try to find out the ID of the PTC fittings that you’re looking at.
So there wasn’t a huge sound difference between the hose sizes?
And I’m sure there isn’t too big of a difference on the barbs. I’ll just stick to my setup now. I appreciate all the information. Really shedded some light. What size tank do you run too? I have a 2.5 or 3 gallon tank. But I fill tires up too so I think I might need to upgrade sizes.
Yeah, I wouldn’t think much gain above 1/2" ID for a K3. Unless those fittings are hella small.
My tank is 14 gallons, but I’m not up and running yet. My original setup was about 9 gallons.
Damn. That’s a lot of tank. Haha I don’t have enough room for that much under my dakota. Haha my tank is already in the bed of my truck haha
And BTW - the I.D. of my 5/8" barbs was .465".