K5LA vs kahlenberg T-3A

Main Train Horns
#1

Hey all. I am looking at getting a new setup for my vehicle. Ive had hornblasters shockers for the past 6 years. I am looking for something louder and better.

I was looking at the nathan k5la. But I also LOVE the sound of the kahlenberg T-3A’s

I LOVE the sound of the kahlenberg T-3A in this video…

Start it at 16 seconds in to hear the sound of the T3

https://youtu.be/-LdEJuVdjcs

My question is, is this feasible to install under a 2018 chevy silverado without taking out the spare tire. What pressure does this horn run best at. And is 5 gal tank worth anything for this horn? My shockers had a 15 second blast time. What will my blast time be for the T-3s

Are these t-3 easy to get? I see the K5la all over ebay.

#2

The T-3 is a ship horn. It needs 52 CFM @ 100 PSI minimum. Oh, and it’s huge so your only option to mount it is up high like in the video.

My K3LA was squeezed into a spot near my fuel tank and frame rail, and points down. I don’t see how you could get that much brass under any light duty truck.

-Kris

#3

Thanks for the reply. I know its a ship horn. I just LOVE the sound of it. It doesn’t look MUCH bigger then like a k5la. But I dont know the dimensions.

What compressor would push 52 CFM @ 100 PSI… is this set up possible at all for a vehicle? Other then making everything on the roof or in the bed of the truck?

How much blast would i have on a 5 gal tank?

Thanks

#4

A compressor without a tank pushing 52 CFM @ 100 PSI would be industrial use.

I’d recommend an Oasis or Extreme Outback’s engine driven compressor, and at least a 10 gallon tank. Tank pressure could be as high as 175 PSI (rated, of course) and then just get a pressure regulator to bring it down to 80 - 100 PSI.

You’d get a incredibly long honk time (10 gallons @ 175 PSI = 22 gallons @ 90 PSI) and wouldn’t damage the horn.

-Kris

#5

Would it be possible, just to fill a 5 gal tank with just a normal vivar 444 compressor or something similar? I’m not looking at mega long blast times. My blasts are normally shorter then 3-5 secs anyway.

#6

You could, but I can guarantee you that once you hit the button you’re going to want more air :slight_smile:

-Kris

#7

The Kahlenberg Chimetone horns have a very sweet sound. I love my D-1 horns.

On mine (smaller) I get lots of toots before the compressor kicks back on. Mine has a 15 gallon tank, plus another gallon with the 1" plumbing through the boat.

#8

So they want like 3400 for the K-3. So I am looking at the D-2. That sound is still nice, but still doesnt beat the K-3… Is there anyway to tune the D-2 to sound like the k-3?

Also, which is louder? The K5LA or D-2

Thanks

#9

So, if I went with the D2’s… which are more in the price range. would a 8-10 gal tank be good enough for these horns?

#10

Should be plenty once you regulate it down to 90 PSI.

-Kris

#11

Do you lose much when you regulate it down to 90 PSI, Kris?

#12

For those horns, no.

That’s their preferred operating pressure otherwise you risk damaging the internals just like you would with blasting a K3 or K5 at 200 psi when it should be more like 120-150.

If you check out some of the videos from Big Mike Socal on Youtube (this one is a good example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjyUfV3W5zk) he plays with the pressure and you can hear the difference.

-Kris