air compressor or dual air horns - looking for advice

[Hatteras58]

I'm having some problems with a worn out engine-powered air compressor and considering replacing it with a 110V compressor. I use the air primarily for the horns (dual classic Buell's). For those of you who have already made this conversion, I would appreciate any suggestions as to what size compressor I need to purchase? I would probably remove the original air tank in the port engine room and mount an electric tank-compressor unit in that space.

Southern Comfort
1977 Hatteras 58 YF
Portsmouth, VA

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I have a 3 gallon 110v compressor in the ER. I ran a 1/4" air hose to flybridge and added an 8 gallon tank and check valve there (close to horns). Compressor gives 140 psi. So far, dual train horns can blow 1 min. w/o loss of noise. Just haven't blown long enough to know actual limit--way long enough as it is! Very pleased with this set-up. Robert

 

[Glory]

"I'm having some problems with a worn out engine-powered air compressor"

Air compressors often pass 20,000 hours on a truck, in a much higher duty cycle than horn service.

You didn't indicate you checked out the compressor and it's components, air filter, governor, lines, drier, cooler and tank. Some items are easy to check, the governor (D2) could be preventing the build up of air, simply unbolting it from the compressor is the test to determine if that is the case. The air filter bolted to side on the compressor may be restricted, or worse, an air tank not drained may have a lot of water reducing the air space, cooler, if equipped, may be restricted. The air drier, a less likely option in your application, may be clogged.

If you do elect to go electric, remove the compressor and plug the oil supply line. In normal operation a compressor will deliver about 3 cc of oil an hour past the rings to lube the poppet valves. A damaged may deliver much more..

A block off plate would replace the compressor if you remove it.

 

[Tim Powell]

"I'm having some problems with a worn out engine-powered air compressor"

Air compressors often pass 20,000 hours on a truck, in a much higher duty cycle than horn service.

You didn't indicate you checked out the compressor and it's components, air filter, governor, lines, drier, cooler and tank. Some items are easy to check, the governor (D2) could be preventing the build up of air, simply unbolting it from the compressor is the test to determine if that is the case. The air filter bolted to side on the compressor may be restricted, or worse, an air tank not drained may have a lot of water reducing the air space, cooler, if equipped, may be restricted. The air drier, a less likely option in your application, may be clogged.

If you do elect to go electric, remove the compressor and plug the oil supply line. In normal operation a compressor will deliver about 3 cc of oil an hour past the rings to lube the poppet valves. A damaged may deliver much more..

A block off plate would replace the compressor if you remove it.

I took all that out of my 52c and replaced it with a simple 24v compressor I hav e duel buell horns they blow well and loud.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=12+volt+air+horn+compressor

 

[Hatteras58]

Thanks very much for the feedback! More options than I imagined.

Southern Comfort

 

[krush]

Think of all the fuel burnt over the years pumping that compressor. I'm surprised people still have them on their motor.

 

[Tim Powell]

Think of all the fuel burnt over the years pumping that compressor. I'm surprised people still have them on their motor.

Talking with the guys at Sams during a BS lunch chat. They said for the exact reason you just mention and the few hp it took to pull it the compressors were remote mounted on the sport fish. In time there was no compressors just remote electric ones.
Good thinking Krush.

 

[Fanfare]

The DD engine compressors are super reliable, plus you already have it as well as the air tanks and connections. I don't think they have much drag once they get the air tank full. If it was a big drag the over-the-road truckers would have dumped them long ago.

I lost my compressor when I re-engined to 6V-92TA Detroits. The compressor wouldn't fit. I kept my original dual Buell horns (love that sound!) and added a 12v compressor mounted on its own air tank. This was fine for the Bahamas but not good enough for our trip to Nova Scotia because this unit could not handle the fog signal of a 30 second blast every two minutes. So I added a second similar size air tank. No joy--the little compressor could not recharge in 90 seconds. I then bought a Sears 110v air compressor with a 1 1/2 hp (I think) motor which barely did the job of filling both tanks. I had no room for it in the usual spots, so put it upside down on the engine room overhead hatch. This worked OK for us, good because we picked the foggiest May and June on record. Almost no visibility between Norfolk and Halifax. Glad I also put in an electric timer with the horn switch!

The drawback is that the Sears puts a lot of noise and vibration in the salon. Since we steer from the flybridge it is not a problem, only noticeable in thunderstorms when we come down below to escape the lightning.

The electric compressor is fine for the south where I only need an occasional toot. I have to remember to turn it off when docked because it will automatically come on every few hours as the horn system leaks down. It's quieter than the Sears but still will wake you up.

I would repair your old compressor. Look how long it's lasted!

 

[hoop1013]

I happen to have a brand new in the box Kahlenberg 24v compressor "kit" which includes a 1 gallon air tank and 1/4 air line and a couple fittings. This is a model #449 Kahlenberg kit that was purchased ($405.99) for a 60' sportfish which was sold before this setup was installed. Owner went to a different boat and I got stuck with a compressor kit.

I will ship to you for $250.00. More photos with measurements available via email if interested.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

You learn to turn off the compressor when it wakes you up from a dead sleep a time or two. Takes me a few seconds to figure out that it's not someone cranking my Detroits. It's a Sears and sounds like my generator from the dock. I'm thinking over the road truckers will not object to engine driven comps as long as they still use air brakes.

 

[DCMY #92]

I installed a Sears shop compressor many years ago. It worked well, but took up too much room and required the gen-set to run if I was to have the horns available. After a similar compressor motor caught fire on the dock, I removed it and replaced it with the 12V high-performance compressor in the photo. This compressor is what low-riders use to make the car jump. It is as noisy as the Sears, but pumps the tank up much faster. I've also attached the invoice FYI. If I were you I would jump on the Kahlenberg compressor offered in the previous post.

 

[krush]

I just got my delivery of a xmas tool purchase and this 12vdc compressor is pretty badass for $121. It's sold on amazon too. It pumps fast and looks to be simlar to ones shown, but better price: (I got the mv-90 ultimate) http://www.tooldiscounter.com/catalog/SUP.htm