15 replies to this topic

[CharlieDiprose]

Model: Studio 2
Year: 1990
Description of problem: Let me explain...

So I bought myself a dixie horn and has arrived with the following parts:

· 12 voltage compressor
· Set of Five horns
· Plastic Tubing
· Relay
· Some screws and bolts for fitting it in place

The instructions are remarkably complicated, and show a circuit of if you want to join it alongside the existing horn (on one switch) which I don't want. I'd be really grateful if somebody could show me a really simple diagram and what I'll need to buy. I know that I need to link the compressor to the horns (colour coded) but I'm a bit hazy with the wiring (and also what TYPE of wire)...I'm going to have it in the boot, so I'll need to wire through the backseats, etc. which is fine - I just need to know the circuit!

Much obliged,

Charlie

Edited by CharlieDiprose, 16 June 2009 - 08:00 PM.

[tonic2k]

Model: Studio 2
Year: 1990
Description of problem: Let me explain...

So I bought myself a dixie horn and has arrived with the following parts:

· 12 voltage compressor
· Set of Five horns
· Plastic Tubing
· Relay
· Some screws and bolts for fitting it in place

The instructions are remarkably complicated, and show a circuit of if you want to join it alongside the existing horn (on one switch) which I don't want. I'd be really grateful if somebody could show me a really simple diagram and what I'll need to buy. I know that I need to link the compressor to the horns (colour coded) but I'm a bit hazy with the wiring...I'm going to have it in the boot, so I'll need to wire through the backseats, etc. which is fine - I just need to know the circuit!

Much obliged,

Charlie

use a switch mounted in dash then wire as follws into a relay

on one side of switch wire to fuse no 4 on fuse box
other side of switch wire to terminal 86 on relay
terminal 85 to earth
terminal 30 to the battery via an inline fuse
terminal 87 to the start wire for the horns

hope this helps

Edited by tonic2k, 16 June 2009 - 08:09 PM.

[CharlieDiprose]

Model: Studio 2
Year: 1990
Description of problem: Let me explain...

So I bought myself a dixie horn and has arrived with the following parts:

· 12 voltage compressor
· Set of Five horns
· Plastic Tubing
· Relay
· Some screws and bolts for fitting it in place

The instructions are remarkably complicated, and show a circuit of if you want to join it alongside the existing horn (on one switch) which I don't want. I'd be really grateful if somebody could show me a really simple diagram and what I'll need to buy. I know that I need to link the compressor to the horns (colour coded) but I'm a bit hazy with the wiring...I'm going to have it in the boot, so I'll need to wire through the backseats, etc. which is fine - I just need to know the circuit!

Much obliged,

Charlie

use a switch mounted in dash then wire as follws into a relay

on one side of switch wire to fuse no 4 on fuse box
other side of switch wire to terminal 86 on relay
terminal 85 to earth
terminal 30 to the battery via an inline fuse
terminal 87 to the start wire for the horns

hope this helps

Thanks ever so much - But what kind of wire will I need? (Sorry - I'm amateur at electrics)
And also - I hear I need a 20 amp fuse - is this right?
Thanks!

Edited by CharlieDiprose, 16 June 2009 - 08:20 PM.

[tonic2k]

for the control wiring terminals 85 and 86 you can use 1mm wire

for terminals 87 and 30 you need to know the amps needed to run the horns a fuse would prob have come in the box for this so let us know the fuse size but i should say 2.5mm cable would be sufficiant

also as your only operating a relay coming off that fuse will be fine, obviously leave the wires that are on the fuse at the moment there just add yours to them

[stormintrooper]

where did you mount yours?

[CharlieDiprose]

Thanks - It didn't actually come with a fuse =/
But it says I need a 20 amp.
And another thing (sorry about this, I'm just really confused by these awful instructions), it says that I need "10 gauge 4mm squared for 6V and 12 gauge 3mm squared for 12V and 24V".
Shall I ignore this and go with the 1mm and 2.5mm?
Thanks very much again.

[tonic2k]

Thanks - It didn't actually come with a fuse =/
But it says I need a 20 amp.
And another thing (sorry about this, I'm just really confused by these awful instructions), it says that I need "10 gauge 4mm squared for 6V and 12 gauge 3mm squared for 12V and 24V".
Shall I ignore this and go with the 1mm and 2.5mm?
Thanks very much again.

you are running the 12v system so they say 3mm cable, im an electricain and have never herd of 3mm cable , as you are using a 20A fuse i would use 1mm for the control from fusebox to switch to relay then for the others , terminal 30 and 87 i would use 4mm if they recomment 3mm

halfords will have the cable if you shop there

Edited by tonic2k, 16 June 2009 - 08:33 PM.

[Dan]

As an electrician you should of course know that cable is specifically designed for each application and that domestic cable (as in 2.5mm) is not suitable for use in a car. Automotive cable is available in 3mm gauge (only thinwall is available in 4mm to my knowledge and you won't find Thinwall at Halfords, they will sell 3mm and 4.5mm), it is stranded to protect it against vibration and the insulation is far more abrasion resistant and flexible than that used for domestic cable. It's more like flex than cable but the insulation compound is application specific and domestic flex isn't up to it.

Always use automotive cable in a car.

3mm will be fine for the horns, Halfords will probably sell it as 27.5 amp cable rather than by the gauge. Yes use a 20 amp fuse if you are using a blade fuse, if using a glass cartridge fuse I'd probably go for a 35 amp. You might get away with a 25 amp but it'll probably fail fairly frequently. The startup current drawn by these little compressors is fairly high so you need a fuse with a fairly substantial continuous rating.

[lrostoke]

3mm sq is approx 27amp cable

Halfords sell it, doesn't say length but can just make out 2.5 meters in the picture

http://www.halfords....yId_165562#dtab


Or you could order it on line although the postage may kill the saving .

http://www.vehicle-w...andardcable.php

You can order to length and spec on line.

[stormintrooper]

i know im hijacking but....

any sugestions on where to mount these?

[tonic2k]

As an electrician you should of course know that cable is specifically designed for each application and that domestic cable (as in 2.5mm) is not suitable for use in a car. Automotive cable is available in 3mm gauge (only thinwall is available in 4mm to my knowledge and you won't find Thinwall at Halfords, they will sell 3mm and 4.5mm), it is stranded to protect it against vibration and the insulation is far more abrasion resistant and flexible than that used for domestic cable. It's more like flex than cable but the insulation compound is application specific and domestic flex isn't up to it.

Always use automotive cable in a car.

3mm will be fine for the horns, Halfords will probably sell it as 27.5 amp cable rather than by the gauge. Yes use a 20 amp fuse if you are using a blade fuse, if using a glass cartridge fuse I'd probably go for a 35 amp. You might get away with a 25 amp but it'll probably fail fairly frequently. The startup current drawn by these little compressors is fairly high so you need a fuse with a fairly substantial continuous rating.

i stand corrected didnt know about the 3mm. and i didnt mean use 2.5 Twin and cpc or domestic flex i ment 2.5 tri rated which is used for industrial control panels so would be fine for a car,

also i believe you are right about them selling it in amp rated instead of size, i dont buy it from there as i have heavy duty stuff at work

apologies for the confusion

[Dan]

Fair enough.

I'd agree with lrostoke that it's usually best to buy from an auto electrical specialist such as Vehicle Wiring Products. They will also be able to sell you wire of the correct colour.

As for where to mount them, under the boot floor is always good.

[stormintrooper]

under the boot floor...i assume with nozzles pointing towards the rear so that they dnt fill with water
i have no idea on how they mount (am only planning to buy one as it stands) any ideas?

[gonzoavfc]

stormintrooper saw this in the MPI section if its any help.

Edited by gonzoavfc, 17 June 2009 - 12:14 AM.

[stormintrooper]

haha nice but i err.... have a free air sub hangin from my parcel shelf...yes there is a hole..and two more either side for speakers

NO i did not do this it was the previous owner lol

anyway...when i get one il make my own topic about this, sorry CharlieDiprose hope you get sorted