I have had my K3LA setup now for about 4 years. Recently took it out of my Ram which was sold and put in a Cadillac SRX. My issue is, my horns sound like they are “in pain” and not sounding as they usually do.
Currently I have 2 Viair 480C’s pumping into a 10 gallon tank on independent hoses. My output is a single 1/2" line to a 1/2" solenoid which then feeds a 3-port manifold and then branches to individual horns on a 3/8" line.
This hasnt always been my setup, i just upgraded a bit but the horns are still the same so then I thought that it was an issue with horn internals. I took then down, cleaned them up. I put brand new diaphragms in all of the bells that I got from HB. I have changed to new lines in the entire system and also changed my solenoid.
Still the same crap happening. I can regulate my pressure anywhere from 90psi up to 200psi being pushed out to the horns. No matter what pressure, they sound like they are just some of the regular so called “air horns” around town.
Any input on what any of you think is wrong, or can be wrong, or can be upgraded or changed would be most helpful.
Hmmm… what did the nozzles look like when you replaced the diaphragm. If the nozzles are beat up then a new set of diaphragms will not fix things.
Also, have you tried to isolate each bell to see where the trouble might be? Would be good to know if it’s only a single chime with trouble or if all them are suffering.
I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing. The nozzle is traditionally the ring of metal inside the chamber where the diaphragm seals against the front of the housing. You will see nozzle wear on the diaphragm disc itself (i.e. The circular wear pattern on the surface of the disc, but also more critically on the nozzle ring itself. If it has pitting or damage you will not get proper pressure buildup inside the chamber. When you have the horn assembled, check that you’ve got an air tight seal (i.e it shouldn’t be possible to just blow low pressure air through the horn).
In your pic, if you travel outwards from the central hole the nozzle is that first ridge line which sits proud of the assembly. This is what the diaphragm disc sits/seals against. The photo looks a bit blurred, but it looks like you could have some minor wear on it. The pressure test I talked about would be the first thing I’d try. Just hook a short tube to the horn and try to blow through it (just using your lungs). If you can do that, you’ve got issues and may need to get the nozzle machined.
I will be taking them down again tomorrow morning and take my time to see whats going on with them and test them individually. Hopefully I will find something that would say why they sound the way they do. I will post an update once I am done.
You honestly should just take them apart and put them back together, when i refurbished my horns i tested then individually before i put them back together, good thing i did because my #3 didnt sound. I simply took it apart, put back together and now it works
I decided to blow each one by it self. All sounded fine besides the 4a Bell. It sounded like something was stuck in the air way. I dismantled it and there was nothing wrong with it.
I then put it back together. I eliminated the multi port manifold i have and ran three separate solenoids, one to each bell and now Ive got some real music blasting now.
I inspected the manifold to see if there were any issues but its in great condition.
I think sometimes the diaphragm doesn’t seat right. If it gets cocked in there, it won’t sit on the nozzle correctly. Like McCK5LA said - just taking it apart and putting back together can fix it.
Maybe the reason it sounds bad is you have a mealy-mouthed Nathan instead of an awesome Leslie.
Just Kidding. I actually think the Nathan (and in 3 chime, the M3) sound WAY prettier than a Leslie. In general my feeling is that the Nathans are more musical sounding than the Leslies. I hope you get it working right…