Horn
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 215
Likes: 54
From: CA
If the wiring or current supply is undersized, you would definitely see an advantage running a heavier gauge wire directly to the battery via a relay.
For grins, I just traced back the horn wiring and it goes to the Battery Control Module (BCM). Had to look that one up, but it looks like electronic controls for just about everything on the bike (horn, lights, accessory power, alarm, RFID, etc.) To me, that indicates that it probably uses electronic control on the horn and that would be limited to whatever power they designed it for. I suspect this is a FET control switch. The upside is that you're unlikely to damage anything if you do try to draw too much power, but if your new horn draws more current than the BCM was designed to deliver, the horn would sound weaker than if connected directly to the battery.
For grins, I just traced back the horn wiring and it goes to the Battery Control Module (BCM). Had to look that one up, but it looks like electronic controls for just about everything on the bike (horn, lights, accessory power, alarm, RFID, etc.) To me, that indicates that it probably uses electronic control on the horn and that would be limited to whatever power they designed it for. I suspect this is a FET control switch. The upside is that you're unlikely to damage anything if you do try to draw too much power, but if your new horn draws more current than the BCM was designed to deliver, the horn would sound weaker than if connected directly to the battery.
I'm wondering what the loudest horn I can hook up to the factory wiring would be.
Also, is there any disadvantage to mounting the horn to the side of the bike vs. behind the forks? How audible would it be to drivers on the opposite side of the horn while riding on the highway?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
From: TX
If the wiring or current supply is undersized, you would definitely see an advantage running a heavier gauge wire directly to the battery via a relay.
For grins, I just traced back the horn wiring and it goes to the Battery Control Module (BCM). Had to look that one up, but it looks like electronic controls for just about everything on the bike (horn, lights, accessory power, alarm, RFID, etc.) To me, that indicates that it probably uses electronic control on the horn and that would be limited to whatever power they designed it for. I suspect this is a FET control switch. The upside is that you're unlikely to damage anything if you do try to draw too much power, but if your new horn draws more current than the BCM was designed to deliver, the horn would sound weaker than if connected directly to the battery.
For grins, I just traced back the horn wiring and it goes to the Battery Control Module (BCM). Had to look that one up, but it looks like electronic controls for just about everything on the bike (horn, lights, accessory power, alarm, RFID, etc.) To me, that indicates that it probably uses electronic control on the horn and that would be limited to whatever power they designed it for. I suspect this is a FET control switch. The upside is that you're unlikely to damage anything if you do try to draw too much power, but if your new horn draws more current than the BCM was designed to deliver, the horn would sound weaker than if connected directly to the battery.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
You would be a true gentleman and scholar if you stabbed the horn with a multimeter and figured out what it's draw is..
I'm wondering what the loudest horn I can hook up to the factory wiring would be.
Also, is there any disadvantage to mounting the horn to the side of the bike vs. behind the forks? How audible would it be to drivers on the opposite side of the horn while riding on the highway?
I'm wondering what the loudest horn I can hook up to the factory wiring would be.
Also, is there any disadvantage to mounting the horn to the side of the bike vs. behind the forks? How audible would it be to drivers on the opposite side of the horn while riding on the highway?
The Wolo low tone horn says it draws 4 amps at 12 volts => 48 watts. https://wolo-mfg.com/horns/industria...-low-tone.html
Since Harley sells essentially the same thing as their "loud" horn, replacing yours is probably fine as far as current goes.
The wavelength (standard temperature and pressure) at 440Hz is approx 0.77 meters / 2.6 feet. Since your bike is about that tall and twice as long, it would probably block some of the sound if mounted on the side. Mounted on the front, there's not much that big to block the sound, so the horn should give good coverage pretty much everywhere in front of your bike, which is where you'd want other drivers to hear you.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
How did you do the Horn Relpacement
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 84
From: Huntington, NY
I just replaced my horn on my Sport Glide with a Mini Screaming Banshee and it was super easy to remove the old horn.
Just pull the horn forward to "bend" the mount a little to access the nut, remove and install the new one and then bend back into position (if using the existing mount).
Just pull the horn forward to "bend" the mount a little to access the nut, remove and install the new one and then bend back into position (if using the existing mount).
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 138
Likes: 80
From: Wisconsin
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: IN
Original horn on my 19 Deluxe sounded like anemic Yugo. Replaced with older model Harley horn from ebay. Very loud with pleasing car-like tone. Mounted just above oil cooler with large black zip ties.
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