So, after reading lots of threads concerning how long people could honk, I decided I was going to open mine up and see how long it would go before the sound started dying. I made sure the tank was full, then shut off the compressors, so that they would not start filling when the pressure dropped. After about 17 seconds, the sound started to fade, so I flipped the switch to close the valve. It didn’t close. It just kept honking until it became a squeak and a high pitch tone. Once the sound stopped, I turned on the compressors, and the horns started squeaking again. Finally, after about 5 minutes, I assume that the ice melted on the valve, and the valve closed. It’s never happened before, but I also have never blown the horns that long before.
Thats common with valves that are not ment to be used in our applications. Asco doesn’t seem to make a valve thats made for applications as ours. Since they are also Ind. valves they don’t have that amount of volume going thru them that you will. Most IND. valves are also used in environments that very controlled and have zero moisture in the lines. I have tested alot of valves, very few will not freeze up. Mostly the ones with big diameter diaphragms will not freeze up. I will say every smc I have seen freezes up.
Are you sure all moisture was out of the tank as well.
Why do you have a 3/8 valve and not a 1/2?
Since switching to my current brand I can blow 150 to 0 psi, 17 gallons of air, thru 1 k5 at 30 degrees and have zero freezing issues. The freezing issue has been a pet peeve of mine for 4 years now. One winter night with my evo that had a k3 on it, I gave the horns a little toot to wake someone up at a green light. Well the horns stayed on till the tank emptied. The cop sitting in a parking next to the light had no sense of humor, or understanding why I blew my horns for so long. Nor did he care. To this day he hates me and looks for a reason to bust my a55.
The airflow is fine with the 3/8" valve. There was no moisture in the tank, but the tank had not been completely drained of air since it was filled back in January. I got that size valve because I planned on doing two horns and figured that two 1/2" valves would drain the tank way too fast. We’ll see.
The horns can only blow so much air at a time. once you get to a point no more air can go through because the horn causes restriction. so go big or go home. my SMC’s have never frozen. but i do have an old one that froze all the time and it is a 1/2 inch
I don’t normally blow them for 20 seconds anyway, so I am not worried. Thanks guys.