Is it just me or do k5’s sound better on a train vs. on a truck? Like for example the horns on this video clip sound better than any k5’s I have ever heard on a truck.Whats so different?
For starters, the horn is up and unobstructed on top of the cab. Secondly, they use steel air line with 1/2 ID line AFAIK. Thirdly, they aren’t using near the PSI most people use on their trucks. Hope this helps.
manual valve sounds nice to 
unlimited supply of air and no restriction…
Check out this vid… its on a truck and sounds soooooo good!
Yup Toms K5 sounds nice. Even better in person.
Makes since…So if less psi makes the horns sound better,then why is everybody pushing 150psi-200psi ?
more ps usually means more blow time… and since we dont have an endless supply tank, more pressure = more fun…
Louder!
I have a manual from Nathan Airchime that says under “installation” to use “not less than 5/8” ID copper tubing".
^^^that’s why I said As Far As I Know, I wasn’t positive. Railroads have never listened to what the horn manufacturers say to use anyways.
Well I finally got the last remaining piece I needed,a nicely restored set of K5LA…So along with the horns, I have a 8.5gal tank,1/2" extreme valve,2 444c’s,HB 200psi pressure switch/dual relay,235psi blowoff,200psi gauge,and all the little odds and ends I need for the install.I will be investing in a regulator as soon as I can but the 1/2" regs aint cheap.Only thing Im concerned about is weather I will be happy with the 1/2" air line.These horns have just been bead blasted and rebuilt,so I will be pulling them apart and doing a paint job that you guys will be proud of, before installation.If anybody has any suggestions or advice to add please throw them out to me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCsqXPbn5WQ
Heres my truck with my K5LA on top…06z71silvy took this video a few months ago…but the horn is so much clearer voiceing and louder on the top, thats why a trains horn sounds so good.
I know this Ed K. from another forum and his unlimited supply of air comes from a couple of Oasis compressors!!!
I also think his horns sound just as good if not better than anyone else.
i think they sound better at night too. less background noise. thats just what i’ve kind of noticed
Ed K is wealth of knowledge and His buddy Elwood is too, Look at some of their vids and look at all the custom horns tuned horns they have came up with.
Well, that’s true, they may not run what the manufacture recommends…
That is an awesome sounding horn. Although… I think part of the reason that it sounds so good, is because the very high quality recording.
Yep, mounted on top, good quality recording at night, manual valve, reasonable pressure, and a location that has a nice echo really helps. Some of these guys do some serious tuning to their horns too.
I love listening to those videos.
If you haven’t done so already, read through my install and others on the forum. I got some pointers on how to paint mine by reading up on others past paint jobs and I tried to include those pointers in my photo diary.