How to Wire a Horn
Horns are used on boats, automobiles and motorcycles as safety devices that help avoid accidents. By emitting a loud piecing sound, they bring attention to you from the other vehicles and pedestrians on the road. Most horns work with a push button switch that returns to the off position when released. These horns use 12-volt wiring, the same as the vehicles they are installed on. Connecting a horn is a simple process once you know where to fasten the wires.
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Things You'll Need
- Insulated wire (red and black)
- Wire strippers
- Butt connectors
- Screwdriver
- Fuse holder
- 4-amp fuse
- Electrical tape
- Cable ties
Instructions
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1
Strip 3/8-inch of insulation off the red and black insulated wire. Connect the red wire to the hot red wire on the horn with a butt connector. These work by inserting one wire in each end and compressing with pliers.
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2
Connect the black wire to the black ground wire on the horn with a butt connector.
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3
Run the red wire to the vehicle's battery and cut to length. Strip 3/8-inch of insulation off the end and connect to the fuse holder with a butt connector.
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4
Loosen the positive terminal on the battery and slide the fuse holder's wire underneath. Tighten down the terminal.
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5
Run the black wire to the push button switch and cut and strip. Loosen the two terminals on the back of the switch with a screwdriver. Insert the black wire under one of the terminals and tighten it down.
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6
Strip 3/8-inch of insulation off the end of the black wire. Insert wire into the other terminal on the push button switch and tighten it down.
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7
Run the black wire to a good grounding location on the vehicle. This is typically under a bolt or screw fastened to bare metal. Loosen the screw, slide the black wire underneath and tighten it down.
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8
Wrap all of the connections in electrical tape. Secure the loose wires with cable ties and insert the 4-amp fuse into the fuse holder.
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References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
