Train Horn Components Basics

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
train horn kit

From right to left, a train horn, an air tank, and an air compressor

Here are some simple explanations of the three basic components train horn kits come with and why they are essential to getting that mighty rumbling sound:

Horn:

Obviously, the horns are the ultimately what produces the sound. Depending on its size and material from which they are made of, the timbre and tone of the sound produced will differ. Though tonal preference are strictly subjective, the distinct train sounds that we often familiarize ourselves with are produced by Nathan Airchime Model K.

Air Compressor:

The air compressor are the device that determines the volume level of your train horn. The more air the compressor is able to condense, the louder the horn will sound. The measurements of air compression is indicated as PSI (pound per square inch) and higher the PSI, louder your horn will sound. The air pressure will also determine how quickly your air tank will fill up.

Air Tank:

Air tank for train horns store the air compressed by the air compressor. The size of these train horn air tanks determine the overall length at which the horns will sound. The bigger the size of the air tank, longer you are able to sustain the train horns.

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Train Horn Kits: Having Fun Within Prescribed Limits

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
train horns

Be sure to practice proper train horn etiquette at all times.

It’s no surprise that train horn kits are a lot of fun. As a matter of fact, that’s probably why you’ve purchased or are looking to purchase your very own train horns. There’s something about the mighty rumbling and the majestic wane of a powerful train horn that allures us enthusiasts to want immediate access to them.

But to quote Uncle Ben from Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Sure it’s fun to scare your friends and maybe even unsuspecting strangers with the train horns but you have to also realize that these things can seriously damage someone’s hearing.  Local ordinances also have various things to say about the installation and usage of train horns, so one should always be respectful and attentive of others.

If you want to honk your horns worry-free and still enjoy the full sheer force of the train horn kits, try finding a rural space. Connecting with fellow train horn enthusiasts online to exchange information is a good way to find and establish a communal meeting spot too.

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What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
train horns for trains

Train horns typically are set to certain frequency for the distinguishable sound.

Train frequency, the pitch in which the train horns are sounded are strictly of personal preferences. However the classic train horns are assured to be tuned to certain frequency so as to have a distinguishing sound. To the untrained ears, the approximate frequency very well may represent or alert them to the “train horn sound”, but to the purists train horns set to frequency other than 277-494 hz are simply cheap imitations.

Such frequencies are not hard to set but are often the signature sounds of train horn brands such as Nathan. While many other factors such as the material from which the horns are made of and compressor pressure may affect the volume and the slight timbre of the train horn blasts, the tonal qualities of train horn is majorly impacted by the frequency from which the train horn is set to.

So when you are looking to purchase your train horn kit, add the frequency to another set of factors you want to consider. If you need more references in considering the sound of the train horns, you can refer to our sound samples located on each of our train horn kit pages to get a better idea.  Happy blasting!

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Top 5 Things You Do To Your Car You Didn’t Know Were Harmful

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
train horn tips

Want your car to last a long time? Stop doing the following…

Ever wonder how you can keep your car in tip top condition as long as possible? There are surprisingly many things you can do (or not do in this case)

1. Frequent Use of Brakes on a Down Hill

You might think that the sensible thing to do when driving down a hill may be to keep a constant, safe speed. Right? While the answer in it of itself is not problematic, using the brakes to keep your ride from roller coaster-ing down the slope is a sure way to wear out your brake pads. Best thing to do is to alternate between braking and letting your car cruise for a bit.

2. Not Changing the Oil

We’re all guilty of it, for one reason or another we tend to neglect getting that oil change every three months or after every 3,000 miles. The engine oil is what lubricates the internal parts of your motor allowing for smooth operation of the car. Overtime, the oil accumulates various sediments that can damage the engine. It is recommended that you change your oil regularly to assure that your engine lasts as long as you drive your vehicle.

3. Not Using the Parking Brake

Though it seems inconsequential, not using your parking brake can place unnecessary stress on your transmission. This is because when parked without a parking brake, the transmission component called parking pawl is the only device that is keeping the vehicle from moving.  This is more apparent when you park your car on an incline but also the case with most roads which are not flat.

4. Letting Your Gas Tank Reach “E”

While most cars can be driven for quite a few miles (approximately 50 miles more) at the point your gas tank reads at that “Empty” sign, it is best to fill your gas before you even have to worry about filling your tank before your car comes to a complete halt. This is because fuel pump which is cooled by the fuel, begins to deteriorate much quicker due to the heat from lack of gas going through the pump.

5. Shifting Gears Before Coming To A Complete Halt

The gears in your transmission gets worn out when you change from reverse to drive without coming to a complete halt. Drive shafts, which are devices that allow for you to distribute power to the wheels can suffer from poor performance as well. To avoid worn out transmission take time to properly change gears especially when going from reverse to drive or vice versa.

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Simple Ways To Check If Your Tires Need To Be Replaced

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
flat tire

Ever had a flat tire you needed to fix?

It is estimated that 400 fatal accidents occur due to improper tire maintenance. Here are some simple tests you can perform yourself to assure that the tires you currently have will get you to where you need to go safely.

Observe the Tread Pattern

All tires carry what are referred to as the “tread wear bars” which are small ridges that form on the surface of the tires. One of the common indicators that your tires need to be replaced is when your the tread wear bars begin to even out with the tire surface.

The Penny Test

Take a penny, place it upside down so that Lincoln is facing you and place it on the ridge.

  • -If you can see the Lincoln’s head, tires should be replaced immediately.
  • -If you can partially see the lush full headed set of hair of honest Abe, you should start thinking about replacing the tires.
  • -If you can see Lincoln’s forehead, keep driving. You’re all good to go.

Tire Tread Depth Gauge

Tire tread depth gauge is a relatively cheap measuring device available in most auto supply store. You can use the gauge to measure the treat to get a more accurate reading.

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Big Bang Train Air Horns: the Baddest of Train Horns Kits

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
authentic and loud big bang train air horns are the best.

Big Bang Train Air Horns: The Best Train Horn Kit Available

If “good enough” is unacceptable for you and you’re looking for the ultimate in authenticity in your train horns, we recommend the Big Bang Train Air Horns. As the name indicates, this train horn kit produces the most powerful sound available on the market.

The train horn kit features Nathan AirChime K5LA which has long been the traditional air horns used by locomotives. In addition the kit also boasts a 5 gallon tank for the lengthy and sustained rumble that allows you to have fun for hours. When combined with the ViAir 400C Compressor, the exuberant force of sound wave can literally shatter glass!

Durable, loud, and always fun, the Big Bang Train Air Horns were designed for those who just has to have it all; the authentic frequency, loud rumble, and long sustained tone combine to make this air horn kit unbeatable. All necessary components are included for hassle free installation and allows you to enjoy the train horns immediately.

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Where to Install Train Horns on Your Car or Truck

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson

One of the important things to consider with train horns kit is its placement. While you can certainly place them anywhere hypothetically, here are several things to consider in order for you to get the best performance out of the train horns:

Plan Then Install

Though this might be more of a common sense than a practical advice, you should not be deciding on the location of your train horns as you begin the installation process. Because there are several components involved with installing the complete train horns kit, you should always plan out where trains horns, air compressors and other accessories go.

OEM Train Horns aren't suitable for everyday use - and they aren't as loud as aftermarket units either.

Boat horns are heavy and not extremely loud, compared to aftermarket train horns.

Visible or Invisible

Decide first if you want to install the horns on the topside to boost the visibility and the aesthetic or to install them on the bottom to avoid unnecessary attention. While the topside mounting can offer your train horns protection from road debris and worry about heat sources and moving parts, it may not be worth it to get hassled by the law enforcement.

Consider the space

The conventional installment place for train horns are usually underneath the cab behind the bumper. This is because the particular location offers ample room and mounting locations. Placing the train horns beneath the bed of the truck would work just as well because of the same reasons. Train horns should ultimately be granted with ample space  in front and facing downwards so that the sound would not be muffled.

Tanks and Compressors

The train horns’ air tank should be placed somewhere that is accessible, protected, and secure. If you are installing train horns on to your truck then the common placement for them are in the bed of your truck inside a tool box. Obviously you are not limited to placing them there but especially with compressor that requires clean and dry air, you should find a location that would be easy to maintain and away from anything that might cause it damage.

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Car Novelty Items – Trains Horns

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson
Trains Horns are a novelty item, but boy are they fun!

Hanging stuff from your Tow Hook is one thing, Train Horns is another!

Novelty Mods

Tired of driving a ride that just kinds of blends in with the rest of the vehicles at car shows? We’ve got few suggestions if you’re  looking to give your ride that unique edge to stand out above the rest.

Hydraulics/Air Ride

I’m sure you’ve seen the lowriders that bounce to the booming bass sound and the driving beat, some of these vehicles can even hop and jump. The source behind the impressive and captivating performance of these vehicles are the hydraulics systems and air ride suspension systems that they are equipped with. Initially they were designed as a tool to help adjust the height of the vehicles when lowriders were driving less than preferable road conditions. Hydraulics kit replaces the conventional steel springs in the OEM suspension and by allowing a certain surge of power to the hydraulics, allows for the vehicle to hop.

In the recent times, air ride systems have come to become a popular alternative to the hydraulics. The air ride suspension system utilizes air bags rather than the standard springs and shocks. Powered by an air compressor and an air tank, the compressed air in this case propels the lowrider to hop much the way a vehicle with a hydraulics system would.

Neon Lights

When it comes to customized aesthetics, installing neon lights give one of a kind appearance to your ride. With varieties of color options and styles available, neons can be installed practically anywhere on your vehicle and can be mixed and matched to compose a sleek style that can glow and shimmer magnificently. Modding your car with neon lights can be an simple and affordable yet eye catching.

Train Horns

If you’re ride has the impeccable looks and supreme performance power there is always more you can do to your vehicle.  Train horns are, as the name suggests, custom horns that can produce massively loud train sound. This is a fun novelty item that you can either choose to show off, or conceal them beneath your ride for that surprise element. Whether you’re at a car show or just hanging out with your friends, nothing demands the attention of others like the mighty roar of a train horn kit.

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Installing your Air Tank for an Air Horns Setup.

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson

For novice car enthusiasts, installing a train horn to your ride usually takes about two to three hours. But due to the relative complexity in the process, it is always wise to allow yourself extra time. To make your installation process efficient and productive we’ve assembled few choice tips that would help you along the way:

Mounting your air tank in the bed of your truck is the easiest way to mount your tank.

It might not look the prettiest but mounting your air tank in the bed is the quickest install.

1. Air Tank Tool box in the bed of your truck is an ideal spot. Another thing to keep in mind when installing the air tank is to keep the compressor elevated higher than the air tank as to reduce the potential of moisture getting into the compressor. If you live in a humid area, be sure to drain the air tank periodically.

2. Compressor You want to place both your air compressor and air tank in a location that is free of dust and debris, as well as a place that is not moist. Air compressor also tends to conduct decent amount of heat, so be sure any flammable materials are kept far and away from it. Obviously don’t touch the compressor after its been used unless you’ve allowed it enough time to cool down. Should you choose to install the compressor outside the tool box, make sure the device is drip and spray proof.

3. Valve Try to place the valve as close as possible to the horns. The closer the valve to the horns, the sharper and clearer the sound you are able to produce from the horns. If you live in an area where temperature tends to drop, you can install the valve in the engine to keep the oxygen from liquefying.

4. Tubing Make sure to have drained all the compressed air from the air tank when removing the spare plug. The tubing should be run from the horns and to cut equal lengths of tubing, failing to do this will allow for one horn to sound before the others. Make sure the tubings are connected and properly mounted.

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Safety First! Wear ear protection when you are testing your train horns.

Posted on November 8, 2011 by bryson

Train horns can make an absurdly incessant noise, and while it is definitely fun to use them in certain occasions, proper precautions should always be applied with these devices so that you can enjoy them without harming yours or anyone else’s hearing.

Don't worry, you'll still hear it, even with ear plugs

Better safe than sorry – Wear ear plugs at all times when testing your train horn install.

How Loud Are the Train Horns?
While measuring the loudness of the train horn can be affected by many factors, (where the train horns are installed, location from which the sound is measured, etc) the train horns we offer at trainhorns.net have been measured to produce a blast that is as loud as 150 db. To put things into perspective:

  • Sound Source of 85db, can cause hearing loss
  • Sound Source of 90 db over eight hours of exposure can damage your ears
  • Sound Source of 140 db causes immediate damage and pain

So when installing or using the train horns, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, and considerate of others. If you are testing the train horns during your installation always be certain to use ear muffs.

Are They Street Legal?
Train horns, as the name indicates, was originally intended for a train and most trains still utilize the horns. These train horns were and are used to alert and warn those who are nearby of a presence of a train. Installation of train horns therefore are not street legal in most states. Be sure to check the local ordinances so that you are not in for a surprise when you sound the train horns while goofing off with your friends.

(Common) Sense and Sensibility
Despite the glaring issues with the train horns and somewhat of a negative rap that these horns have received, there are plenty of responsible drivers who can utilize them in a respectable manner. Always be aware of your surrounding when utilizing these bad boys, consider others (especially law enforcement officials), and use proper precautions by using ear muffs when working with the train horns for maximum enjoyment.

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