Hey there. I am new to train horns and on-board-air and I’m going to have a TON of questions. I have recently started working in the Tyson’s Corner area of Northern Virginia and for those of you not familiar with that crowded area of America, I think these train horns are made specifically for the pretentious A$$hole$ that suffocate that area. When I realized that I just couldn’t yell profanities loud enough at these other “drivers” I thought to look for another solution…looks like that’s train horns.
I have been considering an on-board-air setup for airing up my tires (a silver Tacoma…) and that just makes sense to have train horns also. Of course I want to do it on the cheap, but know nothing about air systems so, unfortunately, my best bet might be a kit…but them I’m torn between a Hornblaster kit with a biggish tank and bigger compressor, or a Viair set up with Hornblaster horns…or try to piece something together myself…?
I have a lot to learn, but can’t stop imagining the possible mounting options and the respect I will demand with some big ol train horns!
I would say you would want 5 or more gallons of air to work with, and some of the hornblasters shocker horns. thats the best bang for the buck. as for looking for the best price, just check around. Its probably easier to buy a complete than piece one together from scratch, but who knows. it may save you some $
Welcome! Hornblaster’s has good kits at good prices and great customer service! Shop around but I think you’ll be back.
Check out the XD3000 air compressor when you’re ready to upgrade and want to fill the tires & tanks a lot faster. Everyone seems to upgrade sooner or later.
Thanks a lot to everyone for the welcomes and the information. Based on the 5 gallon suggestion it looks like the “Conductor’s Special Model 540 Train Horn Kit” might be a good bet for me. Which leads me to more questions…:
I’d really like a longer/slimmer tank for mounting purposes, could I request a different tank in the kit?
It includes the 400C compressor which Viair includes in their “heavy duty” OBA setup, which seems good, but it says 33% duty cycle, I’m not sure what that means…?
Does the distance between the components have a big effect on the responsiveness/performance of the the system?
HB should be able to put a custom setup together for you, so yeah I’m sure u can get whatever tank you’d like.
There are some threads around here discussing duty cycle. Check in the Viair section.
As for the distance the main factor in responsiveness is to mount your solenoid valve as close to the horns as possible. That will reduce the delay in the air reaching the horns.
Btw I’ve heard the 540 kit is a great set of horns!