Hi, my fire department installed what they thought was a train horn but was only an airhorn. Now they are finally after two compressor blown hoselines and a year of me telling them it could be louder they are listening. So here it is I talked them into a K5LA not like it took to much persuading after a few videos of the horn in action. So I need help building the system that will work under continuous use. What size tank? What compressor will work and not burn up like our existing ones? What size psi switch and airlines? How much am I look at? Any and all help would be appreciated thanks Mike.
What kind of vehicle are you putting it on?
Kris
A 2005 seagrave that is a firetruck.
^ I don’t see you having a problem finding room lol. as with the other questions,
5 gallons minimum with a K5, the more the better, depending on how much you use it and how long of blasts
I would shoot for 150psi and below pressure switch… I think actual trains run them at 135psi, and use 1/2" id Lines… air brake lines work well as hoses and can take the pressure well
As with compressors, It all depends on how many gallons you are running and how much you want to spend. Both Viair and Oasis make excellent compressors, you just have to find the right one that fits your budget.
Space is no problem for sure lol. Well we do like to make noise if you have ever heard a firetruck coming to an intersection. So would it be better to have a 10 gallon tank and if so would I need two compressors? This time we are looking to do it right so there is no budget they tried that before and it did not satisfy them.
Hey Mike, Im a Fire fighter to and I would love if I could covince my department to put a train horn on one of our trucks. Heres my suggestion, I love my K5la but it would be kinda dangerous to put it on a engine. The K5la eats up alot of air, and if you were to clear an intersection or two with a real long horn blast (which we love doing) you could possibly bring the air psi to a low level and it could effect the air brakes, not good. I would get a P5 myself, they are maintence free, dont use alot of air consumption, are still very loud, and the new casts have a very strident sound that scream get out the way.
Why cant you use the existing air system on the Seagrave to blow the train horn? All engines and rescuses that have air brakes use an engine driven compressor that pumps out alot of air, so no need for more electric compressors. They dont go above 130 to 140 anyways so you wouldnt even have to worry about a pressure switch because that is already preset. All you would have to do is locate the air tanks and see if there are any 1/2 ports that are not being used, or if one is used, use a run tee or branch tee to hook up the air line. Speaking of airline, use 1/2 airline for the train horn. Any questions let me know. Josh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5VmByFGoc
Here is a video of a heavy rescue with a new cast P5. Go to 3:58, 4:50, and 5:35 you can hear them blowing it.
I here what you are saying so I have been exploring the K3la also. What are your thoughts on the K3LA vs P5. We originally installed a maximus kit it had one compressor i think a 3 gallon tank and an “train” air horn. The first compressor burned up so we put two in then they both burned up. Then we hooked it directly to the brake line and actually was louder. Only problem was we were worried if that would dangerous.
All-in-all you would say it is safe to run the horns right off of the air brake system?
I still would go with the P5, less air consumption with any P horn over any K horn. Yes it is alot safer to run the horns off the exsisting air brake system because the engine driven compressor on any air brake equipped veichle is gonna pump alot more air and faster than any other kind of compressor. Where were you thinking of mounting the horns?
OK I am now interested in the P5 just need to find one they dont seem to many out there for sale. I thought the brakes ran off of a 100 psi system I may be wrong. We probally put it on the roof of the cab where the other one is located.
Theres alot out there, you just have to look around. Are you looking to buy a new P5 or a used one and restore it? I know Tommy Aker always has one come his way, and Tommy is a great guy to deal with. Air brakes go up to about 130 to 140 psi on most veichles so that is right in the operating range for the P5. Are you gonna use a electric valve to blow the horns? Is there another train horn on the roof of the seagrave already?
Ok thanks. I would go either way restore or new does not matter. That would be great if you could point me in Tommy’s direction or vise versa. We are using an electric valve now so I guess that would be the same direction we would go with the P5 unless you could suggest better. Yes we would be replacing our existing so called train horn. When I first brought this to the companies attention they asked for three prices and they went with the cheap one adverised “Train Horn” when in reality they bought an air horn. They got what they paid for and a year later convinced them again into purchasing a real one.
Ok cool I would go with a used P5 because there gonna be cheaper, would you paint it up or even get it chromed? Using a electric valve is the best and easiest way to go on a fire engine. Make sure you get a good 1/2 in. electric valve and 1/2 in airline to connect it all together. Tommys email is taaker@infionline.net or call him at 843-455-0090 (eastern time).
I dont think a 10 gallon tank would be enough…if you think of how many intersections you go through and how much you honk, and how long you honk, your going to drain a tank quick. I work on a busy street where the firefighters go through alot and on average they have like a 10 second blast through each intsections…sometimes longer when people dont move! The last thing you want is to be going through a intersection and not have a horn at full power. It could be a safety issue for the public if they dont hear you, they might not see you. I would do at least a 20 maybe 40 gallon tank and a Oasis XD4000 or 2. You said theres not budget so go big! I have 2 sets of shockers and i think they are pretty close if not louded than what our city fire trucks have, im running mine at 200psi. hope this helps
I wouldnt even worry about a oasis compressor or air tanks. An engine already has more than enough air in its several tanks because of the air brake system and the engine driven compressor the truck already has puts out more air than the oasis xd4000 will. A nathan P5 dosent use alot of air (and is louder than the shockers) and the truck would be able to keep up with the demand of air because of the air system thats already in place.
hmmmm, sound good.
Thanks carramerod appreciate the advice. That was the original route I thought I would have had to go. I will be going with Jconey1412 on this one and if our air system does not hold up to the test then we will try another way but I believe jconey1412 is right about the air brake system. Thanks jconey1412 for assistance and the chief says lets buy new so looks like we are going to buy directly from nathan (micro precision).
Your welcome man. Let me know how the install goes with hooking into the air brake system. Thats cool the chief approves and wants new!! Im gonna need pics of the install when your all finished up 
Let me know how everything goes