Thread: Train Horns

I was asked about my train horn installation so I thought I'd post the reply for all to see.

I bought the horns from eBay for $551. Enter K3HA in the search box. I bought a 24 L compressed air tank from truck spares in Campbellfield for $110. The various connectors, hose, ball valve came from pirtek, hardware stores, auto pro, and eBay. The tank also connects to a tyre inflator hose. The horns are mounted on the forward roof rack bar with U bolts that pass around the throat of each bell. The ball valve and pressure gauge are mounted next to the hand brake. I have an electric solenoid valve coming, but I have grown to like the mechanical feel of the lever. The temporary hose path is out a partly open rear window but I am about fit a 1/2" BSP through panel connector through the roof. I have already done this with roof mounted antenna and power leads, so I have no compunction about modifying the body work. I use a twin cylinder 150L /min compressor ($55 on eBay). It is controlled with a 150psi pressure cut off and a switch running a 40A relay. The tank is mounted inside the back of the car on the steel framework of the shelving and drawer system. I've had a lot of fun designing and building this project. The only problem is that the horn is so loud there is little chance of (legally) using it around town, and in the bush there is no one to hear it! If I give it a blast as I leave town, my wife can hear it 7 km away! It is unbelievably loud - far louder than the trains that go past every day! It's very tempting to use it on the freeway when people, especially taxis, insist on hogging the right lane at 90 kph. But it's so loud it could kill someone with a dodgy heart, or at least cause many to soil themselves.
Bob

I'd love a set of K5LA's.