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Car Horn - 12V (pair)

Your project can demand attention with these super loud car horns. Yes, they're actual car horns and they're every bit as loud as you remember them being when you pulled out in front of that angry driver this morning. They're also pretty power-hungry, you're going to need to source a good couple of amps to drive these to maximum loudness. We managed to toast a zero-ohm link that we were using as a jumper wire within a few seconds running two of these horns. On the plus side, we were able to drive two of these to startling loudness with one of our 11.1V Li-Poly batteries.

Obviously we can't stop you from doing any of the irresponsible things that you're thinking of doing right now, and we wouldn't want to, but do keep in mind that getting up-close and personal with a car horn can be a hearing-changing experience.

Note: These are sold as a pair.

  • Rated Voltage: 12V
  • Rated Current: 8A
  • Sound Level: 95 - 110db

Car Horn - 12V (pair) Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: DIY

Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.

1 DIY

Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments

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  • I know there are discontinued, but does anybody know where I can pickup a set of these?

    I would prefer the exact same model, or something that has the same sound / loudness.

  • Noobulus / about 13 years ago / 16

    Am I the only one to think earplugs should be listed below as a related product?

    • Sofia / about 13 years ago / 1

      LOL, I was actually thinking on using these as part of a home security system.

  • CF / about 13 years ago / 9

    Zero ohm link wasn't so zero ohm was it?! We now resume our search for a room temperature superconductor.

  • SlyVixsky / about 13 years ago / 7

    reminds me of that alarm clock kipkay built once before http://kipkay.com/uncategorized/worlds-loudest-alarm-clock/

  • Smudger / about 13 years ago / 4

    5 bucks for these? Heck yea!

  • ctdahle / about 13 years ago / 4

    Ah, C'mon, No audio link?

  • Member #383217 / about 12 years ago / 3

    I added one of these, with a push button, to the Power Wheels Jeep we gave my nephew for Christmas and he absolutely loves it. His parents… not so much, though I did add a toggle switch for them to disable it.

    Of course I still have one left over. So far the only other thing I've done is rig a desk chair so that this activates when people lean back (which worked brilliantly), but I'm sure I'll think of other things as time goes on.

  • EPO / about 12 years ago / 3

    are these horns 8A each or 8A for the pair?

    • Member #345357 / about 11 years ago / 1

      They are 8A each, if you're wanting to control them with an IC you'd be wanting a Beefcake Relay Kit, as shown in the product video.

      • Member #498861 / about 10 years ago / 1

        A standard MOSFET works fine... And costs almost 10x less. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10213

  • Member #82765 / about 12 years ago / 3

    So why haven't these horns come back in stock yet?...

  • nThanksForAllTheFish / about 13 years ago / 3

    Could you do a teardown of one of these please.

  • If these are light enough, I could fasten one to a Quadcopter.... are you thinking what I'm thinking? >:D

  • Member #26158 / about 12 years ago / 2

    Can you tune them?

  • D_C / about 12 years ago / 2

    These have been out of stock for quite a while now. Any idea when they will be available again?

  • NeoGeek / about 13 years ago / 2

    I have a cat problem. She has decided to claim a new spot as her new litter box. I think these horns will help me persuade her (and a few PIR motion sensors) that I am in fact, in the correct position to say that her "new" spot is now a bad idea.

  • Member #102178 / about 13 years ago / 2

    Just made the "Oh Fudge" box and made a quick tutorial on how. You can see it at http://www.hobbytownfresno.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=173. Hope you like.

    • Member #566533 / about 10 years ago / 1

      http://www.hobbytownfresno.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=173

      Dead link. Updated one?

  • war_spigot / about 13 years ago / 2

    Looks like Robert got started on a wishlist: http://sprkfn.com/w38693

    But got distracted, apparently(need some ADD meds Robert?).

  • Are the horns waterproof?

    • No. You'll need to protect them somehow if you want to use them in harsher climates.

  • Member #403458 / about 10 years ago / 1

    I just picked these up today. I haven't used them yet, but just thought I would let everyone know that they no longer come with the brackets and mounting nuts. Not a big deal, but thought others might like to know.

  • Member #530248 / about 11 years ago / 1

    could any of you help me with this, I'm trying to play a prank on one of my friends on april fools day and I was wondering if these remote switches could be used to control just 1 horn per remote switch? Thanks!!!

  • LED addict / about 11 years ago / 1

    How much do these weigh? I'm thinking about an RC car...

    • Kamiquasi / about 11 years ago / 1

      Somebody can probably look up some exact values, but at least the JSON data states that packed_weight is 1.2800lbs. So around half that, each? (I'm making the major assumption that these values are somewhat correct and used for their shipping estimate purposes).

      • (I’m making the major assumption that these values are somewhat correct and used for their shipping estimate purposes)

        Both of these things are true, but I should emphasize somewhat and estimate. packed_weight (theoretically) includes packaging material.

      • LED addict / about 11 years ago / 1

        Alright thanks. If I build it, I want the car to be as fast as possible, so weight is an issue.

        • Kamiquasi / about 11 years ago / 1

          I think you could probably get rid of the decorative grille to save some more weight, but these horns are always going to be relatively heavy. Of course they're also rather louder than what you could achieve with a basic speaker :)

          • LED addict / about 11 years ago / 1

            Yeah. I'm planning on getting a pair at some point anyway, so I'll weigh them then and post exact values. Unfortunately, as I make a parts list, the cost of my proposed car is getting so high I'll probably never make it. :/

  • Member #382389 / about 11 years ago / 1

    hay all

    i put a set of these in my 1/5th scale baja sc...here is a vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwfd2dVYYSo

  • Lil Dutchie / about 12 years ago / 1

    I'm thinking one hidden in a garbage can....

  • I bought these to make the classic "Oh Fudge!" Prank. Well, I can honestly say that these are MUCH louder than I expected them to be.

    I also didn't want to spend $28 on a ADXL345 Accelerometer, when the MMA8452Q is a much cheaper alternative. The only down side to the MMA8452Q, is the lack of a Arduino Library for it.

    So, I decided to offer the Arduino Code I used to make the "Oh Fudge!" using a MMA8452Q.

    Here it is: http://pastebin.com/JKPSFxAe

    I hope that helps all you "Oh Fudge!" Makers!

  • Sparkfun - I'm going nuts trying to get these to work! Could somebody provide a nice tutorial/good schematics???

    I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that the horns are a massive inductive load, but I don't understand why that prevents a SparkFun li-poly battery + 5x 2.7v 5F supercaps, from driving it.

    I've tried using the 20A SPDT relay, but the tutorial is for a different relay, and I think the datasheet is - for lack of a better word - crap.

    Of course you're gonna immediately think "BEEFCAKE KIT!!", but I'd appreciate something more fun :)

  • Member #18207 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Here is how I used this cool car horn on my robot named PatrolBot Mark II. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YosLQDAnps

  • Arthurlecaron / about 12 years ago / 1

    if you need a bit of inspiration with this produce watch that :-) ... https://vimeo.com/21070054

  • Member #371577 / about 12 years ago / 1

    do want! can't wait for these to come in....so many opportunities to troll

  • Neb / about 12 years ago / 1

    When will these be back? anyone, anyone, bueller?

    • At this moment we do not have a solid expected date. Very sorry for the wait!

    • We are hoping to have these back in stock soon in the next few weeks, but this is still just a guess. Sorry for the delay!

      • Photoguy / about 12 years ago / 2

        So... what other products (in stock) would produce an insanely loud sound? My project demands loud sudden sound now! ;)

        • You could always add an amplifier to your project, with any of the mp3 boards. That should allow you to get some instant, loud sounds...or at least loud enough to play a successful prank ;)

      • Neb / about 12 years ago / 1

        Will do, thanks for the response

  • richardw2121 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Any news on the stock levels guys?

  • Member #164122 / about 12 years ago / 1

    I'm still waiting for these to get back in stock, a week and a half later. Any status updates?

  • Dr. DFTBA / about 13 years ago / 1

    Can you choose what pitch these sound at?

  • Jed Savage / about 13 years ago / 1

    Has anyone put together an �Oh Fugde!� shopping list yet?

  • zcshiner / about 13 years ago / 1

    Has anyone been able to successfully drive even a single horn with 12v worth of AA batteries? Can AA's not supply enough current to get the horn started? I have tested it to work with a 12v led acid battery...

    • Yes, I've tried this - they're too weak.

      HOWEVER - 8xC batteries & 8xD batteries work very nicely, and I prefer them to the lithium batteries that are seen in the product video (PRT-10470)

  • floppypond / about 13 years ago / 1

    Is it possible to limit the current supplied to these (say, around an amp or two) in order to get a reasonable volume? I need some starting horns, but I don't want to deafen my athletes.

  • MostThingsWeb / about 13 years ago / 1

    Any way we could have an "Oh Fugde!" shopping list? I'm guessing these, a beefcake relay breakout, accelerometer, Arduino, and LiPo battery. Anything else?

  • scharkalvin / about 13 years ago / 1

    I've got something better in the noise department but it requires a large can of compressed air to run it and would also need a solenoid valve to control it. It's an Air Horn off a NYC IRT subway car! A friend of mine was working for the TA when they were scrapping some old subway equipment and he got hold of a few of them. I swapped him some other stuff for one of them. It actually came in handy one night when a next door neighbor's party got too loud!

    • LOL -- any idea where I can get one of [Air Horn/subway]???

      Also: Be careful about quieting parties with it. Certain parties might actually like it ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6NoOFuvyq0

      edit: changed ambiguous "these" → Air horn/subway

  • war_spigot / about 13 years ago / 1

    I also wonder if these could be used with a MOSFET and PWM for volume control? Definitely going to have a dead man's switch, though.

    • Aurelio / about 13 years ago / 1

      I already tried to do this, short answer is that a mosfet would burn up driving a high inductive load like this. But you can add a "flywheel" diode to overcome this. The diode has to be able to pass as much current as the horn demands. Then PWM will vary volume, but not very smoothly. Might still do so smoothly enough for your purposes.

  • war_spigot / about 13 years ago * / 1

    Does this having something to do with why we should watch this Friday's(actually today as I'm typing this) video?

    I want to buy these cause there so cheap, but I don't want to blow my ears out when I accidentally drop the lead from my 12V battery pack and have it fall perfects into place as my head is beside it.

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Loud

Nice Horns........they wont work for my application because they are too big.....but for the money they are awesome and a good value!