How to Install a Train Horn in a Tahoe

Train horns can be fitted onto automobiles for novelty purposes.

Air horns aren’t just limited to trains, barges and other motorized industrial equipment. You can install your own set of air horns and the necessary equipment needed to operate them on your Tahoe or other vehicle with relative ease. With noise levels of over 120 decibels, these horns can be heard over great distances. If you want to get anyone’s attention, you can definitely do it with a train horn.

Things You'll Need

• Power drill
• Combination wrench set
• Teflon tape
• Multimeter

Instructions

Mounting the Train Horn Equipment

1. Mount the air horns in the desired location on your Tahoe. Drill a 3/16-inch hole for each front mount and a 7/16-inch hole for each rear mount. Mount the horns in the location with the supplied mounting hardware.

2. Locate a flat and secure installation area for your air compressor pump. The distance between the pump and the battery should be kept at a minimum to maintain the pump’s performance.

3. Disconnect the ground cable from the battery. Mount the air compressor pump in the chosen area, using the supplied mounting hardware. Remove the orange plug in the compressor’s inlet, and then install the remote air intake assembly.

4. Locate a flat and secure installation area for the air tank. Mount the device using the included mounting hardware.

Installing the Air Hoses and Bushings

1. Select a mounting area between the air compressor and the air tank. Drill a 3/16-inch hole through the mounting area and push the self-anchoring hose bracket through the hole. Route the leader hose through the hose bracket and press the bracket clamp into the locked position.

2. Connect the 1/4-inch diameter leader hose from the air compressor to the 1/4-inch NPT port on the top of the air tank. Wrap Teflon tape around the threading to prevent leaks. Do not move the inline check valve mounted above the swivel fitting when installing this hose.

3. Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the 1/4-inch to 1/8-inch NPT reducer bushing. Thread the reducer bushing onto an available port on the air tank, and then install the pressure switch unit onto the reducer bushing.

4. Install the banjo fitting onto the outlet port of the 1/2-inch air valve. Run a 5/16-inch air hose from each air horn to the banjo fitting. Make sure each line is inserted firmly into their sockets.

5. Connect the air valve inlet port to the air tank, using the 1/2-inch air line and the 1/2-inch straight to 1/2-inch NPT M fittings. Install the drain cock into the bottom 1/4-inch NPT port on the air tank, and install the safety valve on a spare 1/4-inch NPT port on the tank. Install the 1/4-inch NPT plug on the remaining NPT port.

Wiring the Train Horn Equipment

1. Connect a fused 5-amp wire from the battery to the intermittent toggle switch within the vehicle. Wire the switch to the red side of the electric air valve, and then wire the black side of the valve to an available ground.

2. Test the intermittent toggle switch. Press the switch and listen for a quiet click from the electric air valve.

3. Locate the accessory wire on your vehicle with a multimeter. Current runs through the accessory line only when the ignition key is turned to the “On” position. Splice the small red wire from the pressure switch into the accessory line.

4. Find another accessory line capable of handling a 26-amp load. Wire the large red wire from the pressure switch onto the 30-amp inline fuse, and then splice the wire leading from the fuse into the accessory line.

5. Connect the large white wire from the pressure switch to the air compressor, and then connect the large red wire from the air compressor to the pressure switch. Run the black wire from the air compressor to an available ground.

6. Start the vehicle and allow the air compressor to run. The compressor will fill the tank with air and shut down after completing this task. Test the air horns in an open area with few people in close proximity.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not sound the train horn in close proximity to other people’s ears or your own.

• Consult your state’s laws and local regulations governing air horns installed on personal vehicles before starting the installation. Many local jurisdictions have strict rules or noise ordinances on personal air horns, and some do not allow them at all.

References

• “Hornblasters Shocker 240 Locomotive Air Horn System Manual”; Hornblasters; 2010