Skip to content
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an electric horn and how is it different from an air horn?
An electric horn runs straight off the vehicle's 12V supply with no compressor, tank, or air line. That makes it by far the simplest install in the catalog: power, ground, and a switch. An air horn needs a compressor and a tank to build pressure first. Electric horns trade the deep pneumatic tone for a much smaller footprint and a much easier fit.
Is there such a thing as an electric train horn?
Yes, in the sense of an electrically driven horn voiced to imitate the multi-note locomotive chord. It is not the same device as a pneumatic train horn, which uses compressed air through trumpets. If you want the authentic pneumatic sound you want an air or train horn kit. If you want a big upgrade over the factory horn with a simple 12V install, an electric horn is the practical choice.
How hard is an electric horn to install?
It is the easiest install we sell. There is no tank to mount, no compressor to locate, and no air line to route. Most installs are a matter of mounting the horn where it is protected from road spray, running power through a relay, grounding it cleanly, and wiring the switch. A clean ground is the single most common cause of a weak-sounding electric horn.
What does a public address unit do?
A public address unit adds a microphone and, on most models, siren tones alongside the horn output, so the same speaker can be used to talk or to signal. These are common on work trucks and utility vehicles. Options in this collection range from a compact electric horn at $19.81 to a 100 watt public address unit with siren.