KymcoForum.com
General => Technical | How To => Topic started by: Iahawk on December 26, 2020, 12:45:15 AM
-
I have a Denali Soundbomb Mini horn on my motorcycle...huge upgrade to the OEM horn. It draws 5 amps and was a simple 2 wire plug and play on my bike. Much louder and deeper than the original.
Would the same thing be possible on my scooter? Can a basic scoot support a 5 amp draw horn without blowing anything? I wouldn't mind upgrading my horn (can you tell I'm looking for bike or scooter projects for the winter?) if it's possible.
link to horn: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-soundbomb-mini-horn?sku_id=1079940 (https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-soundbomb-mini-horn?sku_id=1079940)
Thanks, and I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday.
-
I think it would require a relay with wires run from the battery using the horn button to activate the relay. That's the way my air horn is set up on my Xicting 500.
Just looked and my air horn draws 25 amps so have to use a relay. Don't know if you could get by without a relay since it's only 5 amps.
-
Easier to replace a relay than a switch. Switches are brand/model specific, relays are not so much.
-
so the consensus is that a 5 amp draw horn would likely melt something on the scoot? The simple solution is to install a relay if installing a larger amp draw horn? Hmmm...wiring things in is a challenge for me...I'll have to thinks some more about this one. Thanks for the replies.
-
if you want a louder horn, get a 6v horn if/when it burns out, get another, they are cheap, and loud, when attached to 12v
-
so the consensus is that a 5 amp draw horn would likely melt something on the scoot? The simple solution is to install a relay if installing a larger amp draw horn? Hmmm...wiring things in is a challenge for me...I'll have to thinks some more about this one. Thanks for the replies.
The horn switch is pretty wimpy. Like brake switches are wimpy. So even for 5 amps a relay is a good idea. I will post one of my non-tech schematics in a photo if you say the word...
-
First thing I do with a new scooter is install a loud pair of horns. Ebay has cheap four contact 12 volt auto relays and loud horns. You can either run a fused (ebay) wire (14 gauge)from the battery or connect into the starter solenoid hot wire connection from the battery. Use the wires from the original horn to trigger the relay. Google will give you diagrams explaining how to wire the relay. A loud horn is something you probably will never need...until you do.
-
The horn switch is pretty wimpy. Like brake switches are wimpy. So even for 5 amps a relay is a good idea. I will post one of my non-tech schematics in a photo if you say the word...
Karl, yes, that would be great
-
First thing I do with a new scooter is install a loud pair of horns. Ebay has cheap four contact 12 volt auto relays and loud horns. You can either run a fused (ebay) wire (14 gauge)from the battery or connect into the starter solenoid hot wire connection from the battery. Use the wires from the original horn to trigger the relay. Google will give you diagrams explaining how to wire the relay. A loud horn is something you probably will never need...until you do.
Thanks, Stuo
-
oh, c'mon, Stig...the answer is yes!...sure it's possible, but it will also require wiring in a relay.. which will require some studying on my part...and the purchase of some extra stuff...and some wiring...oh, boy...
-
Here is your diagram. That optional wire to the outlet is handy to charge the battery without having to remove the seat and tub. Use the leads that are removed from the outlet to power stuff like TPMS, GPS, etc. Terminals are all 1/4" and available at Oreilly's, Auto Zone, etc. They have the "piggy back" adapters you will need if you wire the outlet.
The fuse size minimum should be 10 amps for that 5 amp horn. Max fuse of 20 amps and the wire. Use 20 amps if you run a small compressor.
Make sure you got all the screws and nuts removed before you pull that nose off! (Voice of experience!)
Now WHY does this ROTATE the picture 90 degrees??!
Oops! Forgot the ground wire on the horn!
-
thanks, Karl, diagram and info saved!
-
Thank You Karl from me too...
-
Nice job Karl!
Let's look at making this a DIY sticky, Ok?
Stig
-
Since I do not like stuff falling off/quiting on trips when in the middle of no- where In addition to replay, mounting has to be strong/non vibrating----
Best to work on your alertness/riding technique----of course loud clothes so you are seen....and treat the cars and other traffic like they are trying to kill you.
-
Nice job Karl!
Let's look at making this a DIY sticky, Ok?
Stig
OK, but let me put the horn ground in a new pitchur .....
-
Here is the corrected diagram:
-
Karl, just to be clear...can you tell me what wire attaches to each of the 4 pins on the relay?
From the drawing it looks like 2 wires from original horn and a power wire coming in to the relay and 1 going out to the new horn. Let's make this 'wiring a relay for dummies'! (which isn't far from the truth)
-
Karl, just to be clear...can you tell me what wire attaches to each of the 4 pins on the relay?
From the drawing it looks like 2 wires from original horn and a power wire coming in to the relay and 1 going out to the new horn. Let's make this 'wiring a relay for dummies'! (which isn't far from the truth)
Be happy as a clam to do! The two wires that went to the wimpy horn go to 85 & 86. The 30 & 87 are the new switch for the new manly horn.
-
I assume the Relay is a 4 pin “Normally Open” relay.
You can use this diagram on any scooter, car, or whatever when you use a 4 Pin “Normally Open” relay:
1. Disconnect the wire which has positive (+) power at the old horn when you press the horn button, and connect that wire to 86 on the 4 pin Relay.
2. Connect 85 on the Relay to the scooter frame or (-) on the Battery.
(85 and 86 is the “switch part” on a “Normally Open” 4 pin Relay).
3. 30 on the Relay gets linked directly to the battery - with a Fuse in between.
(You can use a fuse slightly higher than 5 Amps for the new horn).
4. 87 on the Relay needs to be linked directly to the Positive (+) terminal on the new horn.
(The horn should also have a Negative (-) connection, which can be earthed on the scooter Frame, or the Negative (-) on the Battery.
If you wire the horn up this way the new horn will work when you press the existing horn Button, and the horn will get Positive (+) power feed directly from the Battery - without overloading the existing scooter Fuses or scooter Wires. The horn Button will not be overloaded either - because the new horn will pull Power directly from the Battery.
By doing the wiring this way the old horn will get bypassed though. If you want to use the old horn at the same time as well you can actually install a 5 pin relay - but I think the horn Button, an existing fuse and even some existing wiring might not last.
-
Since I do not like stuff falling off/quiting on trips when in the middle of no- where In addition to replay, mounting has to be strong/non vibrating----Need for loud horn may indicate sex problem.
Best to work on your alertness/riding technique----of course loud clothes so you are seen....and treat the cars and other traffic like they are trying to kill you.
for the most part, I use my horn once a year..... to pass state safety inspection, other than that, maybe a quick beep beep to a friend that I see in his yard, as I pass by, never in traffic, I don't get it, what does laying on the horn do? as a warning device, it is never in time. I might give a quick toot, to someone who is daydreaming at a traffic light
because I generally only use the horn once a year, and ride year round in crappy winter conditions, by safety inspection, my horn is seized, and I have to buy a new one. One year, all they had on the shelf, was a 6v horn. And guess what, it hasn't seized or burnt out, in over 10 years, it is slightly louder but not obnoxious, and higher pitched than a 12v horn, perfect for a road runner style beep-beep to your friends
-
Scooter horns.....
I usually give the coffee shop fellows a beep when I ride past leaving for home....and my Reflex buddy who lives on the outgoing edge of town - (rarely see him at the coffee shop since start of covid)
Of the 4 scooters and 8 years - doubt I'm averaging a beep once a year otherwise....maybe the odd squirrel or two?
Stig
-
Karl and Scooterfan, thank you, that's exactly the kind of basic, make it simple info I need. I think I can do this!
RandyO and Stig, I'm probably with you guys..maybe hit the horn once or twice a season...but as Stuo said, you only really need the horn when you need the horn.
I do honk at cows in the fields when I'm out on my motorcycle on 2 lane highways....just to see if I can get a reaction...doesn't seem to phase them...
-
Hey! When I honk my horn at some MORON, I wanna see brown stuff onna pavement and NO MORON!
-
Here is your diagram.
Excellent - how do we read the image? It's VERY tiny!
-
JJJoseph - click on the name of the file right below the pic to download the pic...then you will see it in full size.
-
Then it turns it 90 degrees! I wish i could do pictures like Stig!
-
Just an explanation about something which might cause confusion:
Chrossbolt referred to terminals 30 and 87 on the 4 pin relay as the switch part of the relay - while I referred to terminals 30 and 87 as the “switch part” of the relay.
Chrossbolt is technical correct - terminals 30 and 87 on a “normally open” relay has a little plate which flicks over to make direct contact between the two terminals once the electric circuit gets completed between terminals 85 and 86.
The reason why I prefer to refer to terminals 85 and 86 as the “switch part”of the relay - the little plate between terminals 30 and 87 will never complete an electric circuit unless the circuit between terminals 85 and 86 gets completed in advance. Therefore terminals 85 and 86 actually need to become part of of the horn Button (some kind of a switch in this case) to complete the “switch circuit” in order to generate a direct link between 30 and 87.
Long story but Crossbolt is technical correct - he referred to the little plate between 30 and 87 which flicks over like a switch when the circuit between 85 and 86 gets completed.
Right or wrong - I prefer to refer to refer to 85 and 86 as the “switch part” ( in brackets), because the link between 30 and 87 will never be completed unless a button or switch get pressed - and 85 and 86 in not part of that “switch circuit”. Fact is - that little plate between 30 and 87 becomes the direct link between the Battery and the Horn when the switch circuit (which includes 85 and 86) gets activated.
Hopefully this is not causing more confusion.
-
very useful. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this item!
-
Hey! When I honk my horn at some MORON, I wanna see brown stuff onna pavement and NO MORON!
I very seldom use my horn. Probably the most for people texting at a stop light when it turns green. The air horn definitely gets there attention. On my ride the 23rd was going through Lindsborg and wearing my thick gauntlet gloves. I accidentally hit the horn button when canceling the turn indicator, got people's attention on both sides of the street. Agree that all you need is a quick honk not laying on the horn.
-
FWIW, When digging into this excellent winter project, I found that my Kymco has only a 7-amp glass fuse to protect itself, so a relay is essential when adding a horn!
-
I wish i could do pictures like Stig!
It's possible to do in-line pictures like Stig, but he deletes them immediately. No explanation.
Stig, tell us what's the problem with in-line photos!
-
It's possible to do in-line pictures like Stig, but he deletes them immediately. No explanation.
Stig, tell us what's the problem with in-line photos!
Two points: What's an "in-line" picture? Not familiar with that term.
WHO deletes your pictures immediately?
It's not the admin., or this moderator.
To insert photos into your posts on the forum I suggest finding a free photo hosting site on the web that is easy and compatible with forums.
Use it, or your PC, to properly size, crop, color edit, etc. your photo to an appropriately sized picture for a forum. I add pictures to my posts on 4 different scooter forums.
I know what works with my cameras, my PC, and my host - for posting on 4 different scooter forums. I would not presume to know what will work best for you.
Some forum systems will "refuse" massive photos, others will fix them for you. We've had some massive pix get in here.
Stig
-
Stig, I think he's referring to the way you are able to embed your full sized photos in the body of your messages. The rest of us can only attach a thumbnail photo that needs to be clicked on in order to open up a full sized pic.
Another forum I'm on gives you the option of embedding your pic in the message OR attaching thumbnails. I don't believe our Kymco forum gives us that option.
-
Stig, I think he's referring to the way you are able to embed your full sized photos in the body of your messages. The rest of us can only attach a thumbnail photo that needs to be clicked on in order to open up a full sized pic.
Another forum I'm on gives you the option of embedding your pic in the message OR attaching thumbnails. I don't believe our Kymco forum gives us that option.
Ah, now I understand. Always wondered why folks post "click" pix, rather than full sized. I don't use an "option" from our forum.....just grab and post my image into my posts from the host.
And, again - I'm not deleting anyone's photos. I like scooter photos - would rather see a scooter than read 6 paragraphs!
Thanx for the explanation!
Stig
-
Using the excellent information here, I added an aftermarket car horn to my existing Kymco (Sento 100) horn. Now it sounds like a 1960s Cadillac! The biggest challenge was modifying the front body panel so I could get at the electrics easily. The rest was straightforward wiring and moving bits around to clear the bodywork.