another horn quesyiom\n

[Captain Ron]

I just tried to install a new Ongaro trumpet horn on our '87 weekender. The horn works as I applied 12 v directely to the horn (good loud sound). I checked the end wires before connecting the horn and I had 12.6 v. So I connected the horn and only get a slight tick/tap sound out of the horn. I checked the voltage at the horn and only get 6.2 v on the line with the horn connected. I undid the horn wires and get about 12.6 v. Hook the hoon up again and get 6.2v and no good sound when the button is pushed. Am I missing something?:smt013

 

[Captain Ron]

I don't know. I did nothing to the switch, I think it's stock. There are 2 wires at the switch, one goes to the reset breaker just above the push button switch. How do I check whether I'm pushing power or connecting the ground?

 

[Captain Ron]

Thanks, I don't exactly remember the wire colors. I think the bottom wire on the switch is red and the top switch wire that goes to the breaker is red with a gray stripe. We are going for a cruise tomorrow, I'll take the time and check. I'll get back to you. Thanks.

 

[K-9]

I just tried to install a new Ongaro trumpet horn on our '87 weekender. The horn works as I applied 12 v directely to the horn (good loud sound). I checked the end wires before connecting the horn and I had 12.6 v. So I connected the horn and only get a slight tick/tap sound out of the horn. I checked the voltage at the horn and only get 6.2 v on the line with the horn connected. I undid the horn wires and get about 12.6 v. Hook the hoon up again and get 6.2v and no good sound when the button is pushed. Am I missing something?:smt013

bad switch...new horn button.

 

[Captain Ron]

Thanks for the insight. The horn now works.:smt038 And all is good. We took some time off from working on the boat and went for a cruise on the CT river yesterday. Lite winds, sunny, and she ran real well. Thanks again. Oh, and I like the horn good sound.

 

[IronMan]

The switch - is the power lead going through the switch, or is the power lead unbroken to the horn, and the ground going through the switch. (or in other words, when you press the horn switch, you should be connecting the ground or are you trying to force the power through the switch)

The hot (power) wire should generally be the switched wire. Switching both wires by using a double pole switch would be acceptable as well. Switching the ground wire only is bad practice and should be avoided.

Except in applications where the switch is controlling multiple devices, each having their own ground wire, the ground wire will carry just as much current as the power wire. No matter which wire goes through the switch, the same amount of power will still be forced through the switch. The ground wire, the hot wire and the switch must be chosen to adequately carry the full current of the device on the circuit. The wire size chosen for the application will be based on the total length of the run, in other words, the entire length of the hot wire + the total length of the ground wire.