horn current

[alantf]

Anyone know what the current draw of the horn is? I've got another horn, but don't know if a relay will be needed if I swap it. (I want to compare the readings of the Suzuki horn versus the new one) I've searched, but it doesn't seem like anyone has posted the current draw. My meter only reads up to 2A, so I don't want to bugger it up if the current is higher than that. If it's over 2A I'll have to get a higher reading meter.

[mrlmd1]

Do you know how much the other new horn draws?
The Stebel and other air horn knockoffs draw 15-20 amps so if it's something like one of those, you need a relay. Use the horn wires to power the relay, then the relay to the new horn. If it's just a regular horn, you may be OK if it doesn't blow the fuse.

[alantf]

No, it's just a nondescript that someone's given me. Not an air horn, but it's really loud. No problem with the wiring/relay (retired electrician) just wanting to compare current. Don't want to overload the switch, & trying to avoid having to get hold of a relay (not an easy thing to find, over here). If no one can come up with a figure, I'll have to find the resistance of the horn, and divide it into the voltage, to get a rough current figure. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Alantf, good idea to add a relay. You don't want to be turning the horn button or wiring into a crispy critter. If you get one of the typical little cube shaped relays the GZ comes with an ideal place to install it. At the rear of the frame backbone. It is tubular and a relay just snugs right in with the terminals sticking out. Found this out accidently when installing heated grips on Lynda's GZ.

[alantf]

You don't want to be turning the horn button or wiring into a crispy critter.

That's why I want to compare current. Can't get the relays locally at a sensible price, so I want to make sure that I need one before ordering over the internet. No idea what the existing current draw is, so I need to know if the new one will take significantly more current.

[Water Warrior 2]

What is the local price for a relay?

[alantf]

€60 ($90?) :cry:

The full story of the new horn :- A few years ago a friend, who is slightly deaf, couldn't hear the buzzer on her door entry system, & asked if I could do anything about it. The entry system is 12V ac. I couldn't find any 12V ac buzzers, but I managed to get a small (but VERY loud) 12V dc horn. It was so loud that I had to make a baffle so as to not wake up the neighbours! I went to the electronics shop & bought four blocking diodes, & made a little bridge rectifier, so that the dc horn would fire off the ac system. Works well, with no problems. Now she's moving house, so when she moves I'm going to remove it & fit it on the bike. Dunno what the current draw is, so when I remove it I'm going to have to use the V/IR method to find out. :)

[blaine]

€60 ($90?) :cry:

FOR A RELAY????? :retard: O_o :jawdrop:

[Water Warrior 2]

€60 ($90?) :cry:
F**K, you've got to be kidding me. That is just beyond all reason. Even some of the cheapest lighting kits come with a relay for a lot less. Alan, PM me your address and I'll mail you one in exchange for a nice mild cigar.

[alantf]

Does your customs allow the import of tobacco? :) When I was in England, someone sent me a pack of cigars, & the whole parcel "mysteriously" vanished. never received it. :cry:

[Water Warrior 2]

Does your customs allow the import of tobacco? :) When I was in England, someone sent me a pack of cigars, & the whole parcel "mysteriously" vanished. never received it. :cry:
Actually I have no idea. Give it a shot and we will find out. Even if a cigar never gets here due to a mysterious event I can't see anyone having to pay an insane price for a cheap over the counter relay. Just label the cigar as a gift if asked what it is and cross your fingers. We can hope Canada Customs is up to their usual standards of variable diligence.

[mrlmd1]

The horn is only on for a second or two, so, hopefully, depending on the draw, it shouldn't melt anything. How many amps can the regular horn wires and switch carry and what size fuse protects the horn with everything else on that circuit? You have to look at that too.

[bpdchief]

Hella's Supertone horn, part number 003399051, 116db is listed as 78 watts, which at 12v is only a 6.5 amp draw. Sorry can't find anything on stock GZ horn. The search continues

[5th_bike]

[...] I'm going to have to use the V/IR method to find out. :)
Way to go (as I=V/R) and for comparison with the stock horn, you can measure that one in place, no need to unplug anything.