Tutorial: Replacing the factory horn

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by SmartAzz

Looks like the same horn Aerostich is selling Ear Cannon Air Horn :: Horns :: A to B Utilities :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear (and they told me it works well in cars too; I like the company, good people with good products).

That's where I bought mine from; one for my motorcycle, another to go on my Cabrio as soon as it warms up enough to pull the panels without breaking 'em (it's around 9°F today), probably when I get home again in April.

[The Rigger]

Hook up wires...Brown is NEGATIVE, Blue is POSITIVE.

Just for my own edification: Does anyone know whether these two wires are output from a suitable factory horn relay, or if they're coming straight off the horn button? I'd be kind of shy about hooking a Stebel horn directly up to the horn button without the safety of a relay inline...


EDIT: Disregard; asked and answered. I should finish reading the thread before getting inquisitive...

[S-P-D]

best horn to use is an electric one we have in UK by PIAA - there is a sport version where the two horns are discordant, really gets attention

[Ozzie]

I remember driving down the highway one day years ago on the passing lane running fairly fast. All of a sudden I hear what to me is a FREIGHT TRAIN about to ram right into me. My soul bailed out of my body. I was looking around feverishly to see what that noise was... nothing.... about 10 seconds later....BLAHHHHHHHH!!!!, The Freight Train again, I see that I'm being tailgated by a DONK ( to those who don't know what a donk is... It's a style that started here where you take an older US car, i.e 72-89 Delta 88, Cutlas, Caprice, Impala, etcc. and place 26" and up Rims on it!), Looks like a 4x4.... This Car had some array of air horns that PERFECTLY replicated a Train. I moved lanes and as he passed I could see at least 3 Large Air Horns..Chrome Plated under the rear of his car, these things must each have been 2 feet long and about 8" in diameter!!!
...Now if they only looked good installed on my smart!!!!

Ozzie

[deaconpark]

OK I got the Griot's Garage Italian Air Horn back in July and installed it with minimal difficulty and it has been working well since then. However, over the past month I have noticed that it is really sounding wimpy and I am wondering if it got water or some other moisture in it but I mounted it the same way the stock horn was mounted. Is it possible to get water in it and ruin the horn that way?
Russ

[Big Panda]

I'm going with a Ram truck 'dual horn' setup. I can't wait!!!

Now I just have to find the time to do it AND mow the yard, watch my Cubs, landscape, wash cars, mow the yard, fix the gutters, paint a wooden bench, mow the yard, watch my Cubs, finish painting inside the house, get ready for the 'smart Goes to the Indy 500' meet, watch my Cubs and mow the yard some more.

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by deaconpark

OK I got the Griot's Garage Italian Air Horn back in July and installed it with minimal difficulty and it has been working well since then. However, over the past month I have noticed that it is really sounding wimpy and I am wondering if it got water or some other moisture in it but I mounted it the same way the stock horn was mounted. Is it possible to get water in it and ruin the horn that way?
Russ

I pulled this quote from another forum:

Per the manufacturer, this horn should be mounted so that the cylinder is vertical (with the horn facing down). There should be no more than a 15 degree variance from the vertical position. If it is not mounted per these specifications, then the horn may cease to function after a period of time.

Sounds like what may be happening with your horn. I went to great lengths to make sure mine was perfectly vertical, including making my own bracket and cutting into the wheel well liner to make room for the horn. YMMV.

[Ozzie]

Just installed the Factory Low Freq. Horn on the passenger side.. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!, I haven't heard any of the other horns described here, But my Smart now sounds like a standard Mercedes Sedan. It bolts just like the Standard horn but on the passenger side. The Low freq horn cost about 65 bucks at the dealer and comes with a splitter cable, so the standard connecting cable on your Hi freq. horn connects into the two blade connectors on the and then the splitter cable connects to your standard horn, and it's run across the front to the Low horn. Sorry no pictures, was working alone and running out of daylight. But there is a great tutorial on Kane's site ( evilution ) on 451 Horn upgrade. Also installed two 12 volt power ports on each of the side rear panels behind the Seats and still infront of the cargo cover. Fused at the battery and powered all the time.
Ozzie

[rolly]

Now that my Smart has this awesome loud two-note sound, I find it difficult to give that (polite) little reminder beep to the guy infront of me who isn't quite awake when the light turns green and he/she is still sipping morning coffee...

[brett2658]

Just got my new horn going to install thursday at work cannot wait. I went with the italian air horn. Ready to blast the next tahoe that tries to run me in the ditch!!!!!