[tgr8st]

Hey guys,

So I went ahead and mounted my train horns today since I had some free time :clap:, now I need to mount the compressor and the tank. I've run into a bit of a problem because I am not very good with all the electrical stuff.

I want the system off two switches. One switch turns on the compressor and the second switch will sound the horns. I don't want it connected to my stock horn setup.

Here is what the setup looks like right now:

The compressor has two jumper clips (red/black) coming off of it. I figure I will need to cut those off and put different connectors. The red one would be connected straight to the battery, but with a switch in the middle to turn the power on and off. The black will be connected to the tank. From the tank, the other spade terminal will be grounded.

The tank has a pressure switch on the end where the power and the ground will come off of it. This switch will turn the tank off once its full?

As for the horn wiring: one will be to the battery, with a switch in the middle. While the other is grounded.

I understand this is long and probably confusing. So thank you for any help you can give.

 

[Pb]

Do you have a solenoid valve? You'll need one. When you activate the switch it will energize the solenoid, which then opens up the valve, and lets air flow through to the horns.

Do you want 2 separate switches, or do you want a single switch that can do the job of both? A DPDT or SPDT, 3 position on/off/on switch would do the job.

 

[tgr8st]

Do you have a solenoid valve? You'll need one. When you activate the switch it will energize the solenoid, which then opens up the valve, and lets air flow through to the horns.

Do you want 2 separate switches, or do you want a single switch that can do the job of both? A DPDT or SPDT, 3 position on/off/on switch would do the job.

The solenoid valve is already on the horns. So the power coming off just the horns will control that.

Like I said, I'm not too good with wiring (yet), so I thought I would just run two separate switches. Is there a way to run one switch that will do what I want?

Also, I think I need to put a fuse on the power wiring going from the compressor to thank battery. How do I go about finding a good fuse that will fir the wiring?

Thanks again

 

[Pb]

You're going to need a relay, fuse, and probably some 10 guage power wire. You could go to a car stereo shop and buy an amp kit that's made for a small amp. It should have the fuse holder and all the wire you'd need. Then you'll need to buy a Bosch style relay too. A 10 gauge power goes to the relay from the battery, then your switch in the cab will activate the relay. The ground terminal on the relay should get connected to the pressure switch on the tank. Once the pressure switch senses that the pressure is low inside the tank then the pressure switch closes the circuit to ground, which then activates the relay, which then connects the main power wire to your compressor, which makes the compressor start pumping. Once the pressure gets high then the pressure switch will disconnect and then the relay will turn off, and the compressor will stop pumping. Comprende?

I think we've made a couple diagrams here on how to wire this stuff. I'll try to find the diagrams if you can't find them. Search for "Train Horns".

 

[Sony]

Okay this is how it will need to be wired. You're going to need another relay of the NO (Normally Open) variety which can be easily found at AutoZone or some place similar. You wont be able to find a 12vDC switch rated for the amount of power that compressor is rated to draw.

You will have to cut the red lead and that end will connect to the pressure switch on the battery. Then the other lead on the relay will connect to the NO contacts on the relay that I told you about above. Then the other lead will connect from the NO contacts to the battery. Then you take the switch and connect it to a 12v power source and take the other lead from the switch and connect it to the switching side of the relay then connect the other contact on the switching side to ground. It's hard to explain...

Basically it goes,

Positive Battery Terminal ---> Relay (NO) Contacts ---> Pressure Switch ---> Compressor ---> Ground

and

Switched Positive Power Source ---> Compressor Activation Switch ---> Switching Side of the Relay ---> Ground

then the Horns get hooked up easily like this

Switched Positive Power Source ---> Horn Activation Switch ---> Horn Solenoids ---> Ground

Using a switched Power Source makes sure the compressor doesn't turn on when the vehicle is turned off and therefore wont drain your battery!

 

[Patsully1]

Where did you mount the horn? The only place mine would fit is under the bed replacing the spare tire. I'm still not sure if i want to give up my spare. Let me know

 

[tgr8st]

Where did you mount the horn? The only place mine would fit is under the bed replacing the spare tire. I'm still not sure if i want to give up my spare. Let me know

I put on a dumped exhaust pipe, so where the stock muffler was, is where i mounted the horns.

 

[Pb]

Where did you mount the horn? The only place mine would fit is under the bed replacing the spare tire. I'm still not sure if i want to give up my spare. Let me know

It depends how long your horns are. I mounted mine behind the front bumper, aiming down at the ground.

Here's how I did mine. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174621&highlight=train+horns

 

[Patsully1]

my horn is a set of three. Its pretty F$^#ing big. My brother got it from hornblasters.com Theres no way it would fit in the front.

 

[92pickmeup]

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235970

 

[tgr8st]

Has anyone tried to tap into the power outlet in the bed?

I was thinking about tapping the compressor power into the bed power lines, that way all the wiring is already done. The compressor itself has on on/off switch so if I ever wanted to run something from the outlet, I'd just turn the compressor off.

Will this work? And pictures of which wires I would have to tap?

 

[Sony]

Has anyone tried to tap into the power outlet in the bed?

I was thinking about tapping the compressor power into the bed power lines, that way all the wiring is already done. The compressor itself has on on/off switch so if I ever wanted to run something from the outlet, I'd just turn the compressor off.

Will this work? And pictures of which wires I would have to tap?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bed outlet is 120vAC....your pump runs on 12vDC...not to mention the draw of the compressor is over 400 watts...

I'm sorry bro but if you don't understand simple electrical wiring like this then you shouldn't be wiring your own compressor...please please please go take a basic electricians course before you try and attempt this...for your own safety. I can understand not knowing how to wire a relay...but not understanding the difference between AC and DC and Household Voltages vs. Car Voltages is a BIG problem...

 

[tgr8st]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bed outlet is 120vAC....your pump runs on 12vDC...not to mention the draw of the compressor is over 400 watts...

I'm sorry bro but if you don't understand simple electrical wiring like this then you shouldn't be wiring your own compressor...please please please go take a basic electricians course before you try and attempt this...for your own safety. I can understand not knowing how to wire a relay...but not understanding the difference between AC and DC and Household Voltages vs. Car Voltages is a BIG problem...

haha, that never even crossed my mind. I just thought of it while sitting here eating a bowl of cereal. I guess thats why I posted it here asking :clap:

 

[Thorne]

I ran two switches for my set up. one to turn on and off the compressor, and the other to switch from regular horn, both off, and train horn. I easily tapped into my regular horn to do it. I can tell you that if i had a switch instead of using the steering wheel, i would be searching for it when some idiot cut me off, but when it is the same as the regular horn. just push and smile. It was simple, just ran some wires to the horn then back to the cab.

also i plugged into the trailer hitch wiring so that the truck needs to be on for the compressor to fire up.(after you flip the switch in the cab)

 

[1zgm11]

Wow! this stuff is way over my head. I wonder if it would be best for me to just have some expert install my train horn.

 

[painter steve]

you guys into train horns check these videos out.
http://www.hornblasters.com/video.php
A friend had a set in his Pontiac grand prix. It is the funniest thing to watch people react to a car with train horns blasting next to them.