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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an electric horn and how is it different from an air horn?
An electric horn runs off the vehicle's 12-volt supply and doesn't require an air tank. Most of ours come with their own small on-demand compressor that only makes air while you honk, though the two public address units don't use one at all. A train horn kit stores compressed air in a tank first, which is what gives it the longer, deeper blast. 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's no air tank to mount and no onboard air system to plumb in. Where there is a compressor, it is either built into the horn or a small separate unit joined to it by the length of tubing in the box. Most installs are a matter of mounting the horn securely, 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 up to a 100 watt public address unit with siren.