Air Horns 101

Went to the boat yesterday and it had decided that it was time for me to take a class on Air Horns. This was indicated by it throwing my FIAMM "TA/N?" onto the forward deck. Very rude. I believe, not sure, that it is original to the boat. I didn't have time to look behind the console above the lower helm to see what is what but it seems to be air not electric. It is operated by a push-button at the FB helm as well as the lower. Is about 17" in length, trumpet style.

Searching for FIAMM horns and find two models that look like mine. A TA/NR (higher tone) and a TA/NS (lower tone). Mine shows "TA/N with the last letter appearing to be "A" but can't find any references to a TA/NA".

These don't look very sophisticated, just a horn with a small compressor wired to 12v. Doesn't seem to be any driving reason to replace with the same make/model horn. What are the good quality brands/models for replacements these days?

First,


I have two Kahlenberg horns and they sound great.

I have these horns. Very happy with them.

https://www.airhornsoftexas.com/collections/train-air-horns

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81D3QJ+o4qL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

Bought these through Amazon last year. Better than the old single air horn. Look great and very loud.

AnsleyS said:

First,
I have two Kahlenberg horns and they sound great.

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I installed Kahlenberg horn 6 years ago and have been extremely happy with mine.

Ted

Alguires said:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81D3QJ+o4qL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

Bought these through Amazon last year. Better than the old single air horn. Look great and very loud.

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Thanks for the replyies, everyone. The horns in this pic from Amazon, what brand are they?

Looked at the Kahlenberg collection. Obvious quality but I don't see one small enough (compressor/tank) to fit in my overhead console where the old equipment is. Again, I haven't looked at it to get the specifics but it is a small area. Will do so tomorrow.

firstbase said:

Thanks for the replyies, everyone. The horns in this pic from Amazon, what brand are they?



Looked at the Kahlenberg collection. Obvious quality but I don't see one small enough (compressor/tank) to fit in my overhead console where the old equipment is. Again, I haven't looked at it to get the specifics but it is a small area. Will do so tomorrow.

Click to expand...

This is from the Amazon.ca website. Price in CAD. Probably different on the US site.

I use a air horn from a scrapped ship. When I toot everyone listens.

I was a dealer for both of these. Both made beautiful horns.

Buell
https://www.buellairhorns.com/

Kahlenberg
https://www.kahlenberg.com/

I feel your pain
several years ago, when driving my first Motorhome, I encountered rudeness on the freeway that got me blasting the big airhorns on the roof. My first time, and the blast was forgettable. Soon after, I went to the Western Star truck store in Kelowna BC and bought a new pair of proper truck horns. Once installed on the Motorhome, I brought the old Motorhome air horns to the boat, thinking to replace the boat horns and get a bigger bang for my buck. The old Boat horns were air powered, from a small compressor attached directly to the horns by a little air pipe. Big mistake to think a swap would work. That little compressor provided just barely enough air to power one horn, but using that , I lost the two tone from the originals. Then I started looking into making this work. For thousands, I could get it to work, Buell, Kahlenberg, etc, all the great horns out there are pretty $$$pendy. But I already have the horns, why not just add a little compressor. Ha! Think you can get away with cobbling something together and have it work out ?
Might as well just put back the originals.

Sorry if I can't actually help. It just takes enough commitment to spend $$$$

Lepke said:

I use a air horn from a scrapped ship. When I toot everyone listens.

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The original single trumpet air horn on the AT has a small compressor that fits in the overhead but really didn't announce that I was there. I added 2 more trumpets and a Harbor Freight compressor and air tank.
Now when I sound the horn, everyone knows I am near by. Everyone looks for a BIG Hatteras LOL

Now to complete the project, I am searching for a stand alone high pitch 'toot toot' air horn that I can use around the marina. The type that one would expect on a cartoon type tug.
Suggestion are appreciated.

Something like this?

A steam whistle? Have you tried it, with success?
How many psi of air do you need and use?

Dan, I sent you a PM

I have Nathan P2 air chimes and a wimpy electric horn. The air horn gets everybody’s attention. The wife and dog hate the air horn so I’m careful when I use it. So I keep the horn selector switch set to wimpy most of the time.
jp

firstbase said:

Thanks for the replyies, everyone. The horns in this pic from Amazon, what brand are they?

Looked at the Kahlenberg collection. Obvious quality but I don't see one small enough (compressor/tank) to fit in my overhead console where the old equipment is. Again, I haven't looked at it to get the specifics but it is a small area. Will do so tomorrow.

Click to expand...

I chose to run mine off a 13 cuft. scuba tank and adjustable 1st stage regulator. It takes very little volume to drive my horn. A whistle takes a huge volume. The tubing is plastic automotive air line tubing (extremely inexpensive). The 1/4" OD tubing makes it pretty easy to relocate the supply (compressor or tank).



I've refilled the tank twice in 5 years.

Ted

The nav rules have a list of frequency ranges based on the length of the boat. Does anyone actually care about that "rule"?

pjtemplin said:

The nav rules have a list of frequency ranges based on the length of the boat. Does anyone actually care about that "rule"?

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https://www.kahlenberg.com/knowledg...olregs/rules-for-marine-horns-72-colregs.html

The regs are minimum.
The intent of the reg is to ensure a boater is 'seen'.

HTurner said:

https://www.kahlenberg.com/knowledg...olregs/rules-for-marine-horns-72-colregs.html

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Right. Knew that. My question stands: does anyone care? Anyone ever had the Coast Guard actually check, or say "that horn sounds too low for the length of your vessel"? I mean this horn is sold as being for a vessel 20-75m, but only one of the five elements is high enough to be compliant.



https://www.kahlenberg.com/model-f-3-chimetone-air-horn.html

pjtemplin said:

My question stands: does anyone care?

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The answer will be 'yes', when your insurers request proof of the sound signaling system on your boat at the time of the collision in restricted vis...

pjtemplin said:

The nav rules have a list of frequency ranges based on the length of the boat. Does anyone actually care about that "rule"?

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With respect to uninspected recreational vessels I don't know but I doubt it. However I have been called out during an inspection to ensure the whistle (horn) was within regulatory specs. It wasn't labeled, we had the freq measured, it was within specs.

OldDan1943 said:

The regs are minimum.
The intent of the reg is to ensure a boater is 'seen'.

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It's not a minimum, it's a specified range based on vessel length. The Colregs make use of the words "may" and "shall". When a rule states "shall" that means you must comply. When a rule sates "may" you get to decide.

Looking at the colregs use the word shall is used in assigning the technical details.

The frequency is a specified range. The volume of the horn is simply a minimum based on boat size.

rslifkin said:

The frequency is a specified range. The volume of the horn is simply a minimum based on boat size.

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A careful reading of the rules shows that technical requirements for frequency, volume and range are all defined by vessel length.

Portage_Bay said:

A careful reading of the rules shows that technical requirements for frequency, volume and range are all defined by vessel length.

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Correct. But the audible range and volume are only specified as a minimum.

And how many folks here on TF have gotten pulled over or cited for a horn not being the proper frequency or volume?

Not to be confused with NOT having a horn on board.

rslifkin said:

Correct. But the audible range and volume are only specified as a minimum.

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Yes, you are right. Thank you for the correction.

Alaskan Sea-Duction said:

And how many folks here on TF have gotten pulled over or cited for a horn not being the proper frequency or volume?

Not to be confused with NOT having a horn on board.

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I agree as I said up thread.

I wonder what the logic is to require different frequencies for different size vessels? Do lower frequencies carry further for a given decibel level?

Chose four times the minimum volume to get twice the range. Love the tone of dual horns.