Hello Everybody,
Just call me T.J., that’s what all of my friends call me. I’m completely new to the forum, but I’m glad to be here.
For about a year (After watching Hornblasters and YouTube) I’ve wanted a set of K3LA’s so I finally bought a set. I only bought the horns, no setup for an install on my truck yet. I decided that yesterday I’d try to sound them just for a check. Here’s where my problem starts…
I have a Craftsman 33 gal. air compressor in my garage that I used for the air supply. It’s rated for 150 psi. max, but I can only regulate it to blow 120 psi. through the 3/8" id. hose. I know it’s not ideal, but I thought it would do just for a quick sound check. I started at 75 psi. but all I got was a squeal. I moved on up to 120 psi. at 10 lb. intervals, but still only a squeal. I thought maybe the bolts were too tight, keeping the diaphragms from vibrating. I took the horns apart, cleaned everything, and torqued the bolts to 10 ft. lbs. With 120 psi. I get a quick toot, nothing major, and then very little sound at all. Since I still don’t know a lot about them, I wanted to put this out for all of you to read and give me some input.
What are your thoughts? What am I doing wrong? What do I need to do?
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I look forward to what I feel is going to be my new obsession.
T.J.
my shop compressor had the same effect on my k5 it would only squeal
how do you have the hose hooked up to the horn?
U need a minimum 1/2 inch airline and fittings from the tank to the horns. Once that is done and it still squeals the horn may need some cleaning inside or parts replaced.
I tried blowing them by just putting the cleaning nozzle (spray nozzle) into the 1/2" fitting that I screwed into the manifold. As I said, they make a short “toot” and then they just squeal no matter what pressure they’re at. I was going to try using a simple ball valve, but all I can find locally (Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc.) are ball valves with very narrow (Probably only 1/8") id. Does anyone know where I could find a 1/2" id. ball valve? Wouldn’t that work just to hear them sound off?
U need 1/2 from the tank to the horns. What your doin now isn’t enough volume. U need a minimum 3/8 I’d hose to get the to sound. Upping the pressure won’t do anything. If u buy a 1/2 ball valve and don’t use bigger lines or fittings the horn still won’t sound. A 1/2 ball valve can be bought with 1/2 inch insides.
If you just want to test the horns you can take them off the manifold and blow one at a time. Use a blowgun with a small cone/tip/nozzle. Butt it up to the orifice and pull the trigger. You don’t even need 100psi.
Your regulator on that compressor is NOT a high volume regulator. Once you get them set up with a good manual or solenoid valve, you will be very happy.