Dixie Horns

[HJ60_HEATHUS]

I just installed some dixie horns today all went well, but the compressor seems a bit slow, making the song sound drag out.

I was wondering if i did anything wrong. It's wired using a standard horn relay (that came with it), and the power from the battery is running with a 20 amp fuse. The leaflet that comes with it says to use a 30 amp, but I don't have one. (can't get one at 5.45 on a sunday)

Just to check, I by passed the fuse and ran it straight to the battery. The horns seem a bit quicker, but at the same time still seem a bit slow.

Any advice... or are they meant to be this slow. They sound cool never the less.


BTW, I have my flame suit on, incase any of you feel like rippin on me for having dixie horns

[Trusa]

Unsure about the dixie horns speed, but a 20 amp fuse will not limit the speed at which the horn plays. If the current drawn is higher than 20A the fuse will blow. Maybe others who have used these horns can tell you if it's typical or not.

Good luck.

Ben

*edited while sober

[+dj_hansen+]

Dixie horns are Dukes of Hazzard tone yer>?


Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome

[chimpboy]

Unless the fuse is actually blowing it's not doing anything to slow the horns down.

I am not sure how the horn's speed is determined but I wouldn't have thought that it would be that sensitive to battery voltage or anything anyway.

Are you sure there's no speed adjustment, like some kind of tensioning screw or something somewhere on the horn? Or maybe there is a regulator that ensures perfectly constant pressure from the compressor and this needs to be set right?

Jason

[Toy80Diesel]

Maybe you need the engine running to up the voltage?
I would definetly go the 30 amp fuse and check the relay is up to the task. You could up it to a 50amp relay, the bigger terminal type.

check the vane/blower section spins freely, also check the oil. Air horns have a little filler nozzle for oil.

Oh and they hate mud so point the trumpets somewhere they wont cop too much of a shower, usually downwards is the best for getting rid of the water/mud that could choke them up.

Is it a five trumpet job?

[HJ60_HEATHUS]

WEll just to update, though i havent' exactly solved the problem.

I pulled down the compressor (as i love taking things apart anyway) . The motor works great, as does the rotor for the compressor. At the top of the compressor, there is a disc with holes cut out that spins with the motor,(though it is geared down), and opens and closes the seperate air outlets for the horn.

there are four springs under the disc that pushes it up against the top plate where the air hoses attach. This is where i believe the problem is. the plate is pressed hard against the top causing enough friction to labor the motor. (with this plate removed, and only the rotary valve and motor in place, it spins like a champ)

Loosening the top plate will relieve the pressure and the motor will spin faster. the only problem is, too loose and it causes an air leak.

I think i might fiddle with the springs abit and see if i can loosen it up.

Voltage to the motor doesn't seem to be an issue. with the motor off, it's 12.8 volts, with it running (and when the glow plugs click off), it's 13.5.

btw, i lubed the compressor with some sae 30 oil (as it was handy). I'm not sure if this would have been the optimal choice.

edit: got a mate to record the horns on his phone. apart from the atrocious audio fidelity, you can make out how slow they are, but never the less some what cool

My horns (actually a quicktime vid) http://mr-t.gotdns.com/maestro/windale/dixie.3gp
what they should sound like http://mr-t.gotdns.com/maestro/windale/dixie_horn.wav

[Gruntahunta]

Try graphite powder on the friction problem, it is dry and doesn't attract dirt and grime. Dribble it into the intake of compressor while it is blowing. Worked on mine.
I have La Cuccaracha! ...............Pete!

[bushy555]

Had similiar problem from my Dixie's --- being slow.
My prob was the wiring size. Re-ran some heavy duty sucker stuff, problem went away.

[HJ60_HEATHUS]

Had similiar problem from my Dixie's --- being slow.
My prob was the wiring size. Re-ran some heavy duty sucker stuff, problem went away.

That's a good point. I actually went down and checked, i think the stuff i'm using is 10 amp wire. I think i'll rewire it at some point. I'd have never thought of that either, thanks!

I did end up putting the graphite powder in, and the horns now run at a decent rate, but could probably be faster. I also created a thicker gasket for the top cover, to release some spring tension. This actually helped considerably.