air horn solenoid

[bigbill]

my boat came with 8v71ti's with an engine mounted compressor, when it was repowered they didnt put a compressor back for the horn. a friend gave me a 12 volt pump and tank....everything works fine except the little compressor never shuts off. i have been using it like this and shutting the breaker for the compressor off when not in use... i just decided to find out why. it seems the compressor pumps up to 150 psi and the electric solenoid valve is only rated at 100 psi so it is bypassing when it gets to 100 psi. anybody know where to get a higher psi valve, i dont see one in the parts section of sams. all of the ones that i have found have 1 line coming in from the bottom and one out of the side. mine has both coming out from the side across from each other. i would prefer as close to direct replacement as possible since it is all plumbed in copper

 

[SEVEN]

I’m not sure if this will help, but I rebuilt my compressor with these parts. It may give you a lead on what you need. And the compressor only goes to 125 PSI before it cuts off, Which is plenty of power to blow those horns if you’re still using the ones that were installed from the factory.

 

[bigbill]

since i had nothing to lose i pulled the valve apart. pretty simple, a plunger with a rubber needle and seat similar to a carb. spring loaded. when you push the horn button it energises the solenoid and an electric magnet pulls it open . well it seems the spring is what regulates how much pressure it will hold till it bypasses... nothing to lose so i stretched the spring a little and tried it out today.....holds 150psi with no bypass and the horn works fantastic. how long will it last????? no one knows