Horn rebuild?

[CaptainRoberts]

1985, 45C has an air pump (it sounds like) at the helm that operates when horn button is pushed, but no sound from the horns. Rumored there's a rebuild kit, but not sure where to look for that kit.

Getting to the backside of the screws that hold the horn on to the side of the deck was apparently done early in assembly, so rebuilding the diaphragms would likely be easier than replacing the horns.

Suppose checking under the helm to see if that is indeed an air pump and if it's pumping air is where I'll start.

Any input appreciated. (sorry for the giant pics)

 

[jim rosenthal]

If it's one of those little Fiamm compressors, almost any air horn compressor will work. Post a photo of the compressor, which should be inside the bridge console. I may be able to help you out.

 

[Captain Crispy]

Spray a LITTLE WD40 or PB Blaster into the compressor andv let it sit for a fw hours.

 

[CaptainRoberts]

Tested the compressor, plenty of air flow. Pulled the air line and had my thumb over the pump port.
Pressure was strong enough I couldn't stop the air flow with my thumb. That should be plenty I think.

This is what the compressor looks like; (pic is sideways)

 

[jim rosenthal]

The horn diaphragms may be sticking; you can try loosening the nut that holds the trumpet into the housing and moving the horn in and out in small steps. I think the diaphragm housings can be disassembled and cleaned as well. These look like the Fiamm/Raritan ones on my boat, but Raritan no longer sells them.

 

[SEVEN]

Hope this helps

 

[davidwigler]

Is that a 32 volt pump? Does it work without a tank? If so I need one of those.

 

[CaptainRoberts]

The horn diaphragms may be sticking; you can try loosening the nut that holds the trumpet into the housing and moving the horn in and out in small steps. I think the diaphragm housings can be disassembled and cleaned as well. These look like the Fiamm/Raritan ones on my boat, but Raritan no longer sells them.

I'll give that a try, if the horn depth is adjustable and the diaphragm is intact, that may indeed work.

 

[CaptainRoberts]

Hope this helps

I can't read the attachment

Is that a 32 volt pump? Does it work without a tank? If so I need one of those.

Not that I'm aware of, appears 12v wired via relay. If there's a 12v-32v converter hidden somewhere it's possible, but I have to put a meter on it to check.

 

[worldsaway]

I had to just replace the horns on my 45. The company that made the original ones are no longer in business. My compressor was fine but the horns themselves were shot. The membrane inside was pretty much gone and the exterior was even starting to come apart. Those original horns were not stainless.

I got some replacement ones from Sams. They are a bit smaller than the originals so they won't mount in the same holes as the old ones.

 

[tonytrakovich]

Had the same problem with my original horns. Diaphragms were fine but the springs on the diaphrams were rotted away. Mine were Grover horns. They no longer had the parts.

 

[CaptainRoberts]

The horn diaphragms may be sticking; you can try loosening the nut that holds the trumpet into the housing and moving the horn in and out in small steps. I think the diaphragm housings can be disassembled and cleaned as well. These look like the Fiamm/Raritan ones on my boat, but Raritan no longer sells them.

This was it! I finally had some time to get this addressed and was able to get the horns working, by simply tuning the trumpets. The diaphragms had perhaps stretched.

I tightened until I felt contact with the diaphragm and heard sound, then loosened until no sound, then re tightened until I heard sound again. Hoping this keeps minimal pressure on the diaphragms.

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Tim Powell]

http://www.buellairhorns.com/

go here and look around here is where the origional hornes came from

 

[Tim Powell]

https://www.buellairhorns.com/ go look around here Buell are the origional Hat Hornes

 

[SEVEN]

Cheap replacement

 

[jim rosenthal]

Buells or Kahlenbergs are awesome. They are LOUD- like freight train loud. Not SS United States loud, but hardly anything else is.

 

[SEVEN]

If I'm not mistaken Buells will rebuild and rechrome your trumpets for about 250.00. That price was given to me about 6 months ago so double check with them.