Weak horn?

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Ok, for some reason I can't edit my last post on the horn install but I need to correct a factual error. The horn "kit" I installed included both the high and low tone (most do) and the factory spec sheet quoted 7 amps. I incorrectly stated that was twice the amperage of the factory horns (3.5 amps each on marking). The replacements I used Horn is this: http://a.co/d/1F5sEyP are exactly the same current draw at 3.5 amps each (7 total). So they were direct replacements for the factory units. They are spec'd as a pair. I measured the draw from the fuse position at 6.2 amps. Standing at the horns with my meter with my kids honking the horn was not going to happen.... Anyway, just wanted to correct my error above so someone doesn't think these horns would draw more than the wiring was designed to handle. Sorry for the error! Best Wishes, Cash
 
Thank you for the clarification. I ordered and received this horn set and am waiting for the wire connector to arrive. I was a bit concerned about the power draw and had intended to do some off-line testing before installing them.
 
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Vezz66 said:
Ordered these. They sound appropriate for the Clarity.

http://www.piaa.com/store/p/392-Automotive-Superior-Bass-Horn-330/400Hz.aspx

From Amazon.
Click to expand...

So all went well apart from a thunderstorm in the middle of the replacement and I left the driver’s window open...

Things to know:
To pop the four front clips I pulled up the grill cover and worked from underneath
The rubber duct can be pulled off without removing any clip
For those making your own adapter the ground pin is blue (in the photo)

Sound links to OneDrive

Original sound from 10 feet https://1drv.ms/u/s!AuBcYvPIgKRRgYcwAuRRKUGLHtqgbg

Replacement https://1drv.ms/u/s!AuBcYvPIgKRRgYcvvOqzLsdp1RXu-A
 
jorgie393 said:
PeteWagner: Thanks for the 2-pin vs 1-pin comment. I have to order something from College Hill Honda, so I took a small gamble and ordered their 2-pin "Honda horn adapter" harness (https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/0S18.html). I'll let the forum know if it fits.
Click to expand...

Adapter above works!

I just installed the PIAA Superior Bass horns mentioned in this thread. Sound good! Three things I learned:

-I tested these horns: 3.7A each, polarity of current doesn’t seem to matter.
-I didn’t need to remove the air intake hose. Was flexible enough to twist the cover out of the way.
-The front edge of the cover is held by 4 snap in clips (near outside edges) that are part of the cover, and 6 or so “christmas tree” fasteners that the front of the cover sort of slides under. Though you can *remove* the cover by sliding it out from these christmas tree fasteners (and working on the inner 2 of the 4 clips by reaching under), which leaves the christmas tree fasteners in the frame, is much easier to *reinstall* the cover by pulling the christmas tree fasteners out of the frame and putting them into the slots on the cover. Then the entire front of the cover—clips and christmas tree alike—-snaps in with a push.

-and the obligatory complication: with the proper adapters and not disconnecting the air intake, this would have been a 5-10 minute job....except that I dropped one horn bolt, which fell right into a hole in the bottom canopy of course, and required some creative magnet work to get it out. This was by far the longest part of the job :-:(

P.S. Of the two original horns, lower tone goes on the left as you are standing at the hood. I put the new horns in this way as well, as I think the security alerts use only one horn and it might as well be the proper one.
 
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Ditto on that adapter. It mates perfectly to the OEM connector making for a very clean install and no alteration of the factory wiring.
I’m using it to hook up a relay for an air horn that pulls more than the 10 A circuit can handle.
Thanks for finding it.
 
Vezz66 said:
College Hills does not ship to Canada, might order them through a US family member.
Click to expand...

Vezz66, College Hills lists this horn adapter as for the “2016-18 Civic” and “2017-18 CRV”. Could see if others who do ship to Canada (or within) have it under those specifications.
 
Vezz66 said:
College Hills does not ship to Canada, might order them through a US family member.
Click to expand...

Hi Vezz66
Stupid new horns cost $23 Cnd incl ship and tax.. my 'kludge' wiring didn't work. Had American friend order the College Hills adapters and will mail to me - cost $27 USD= $35 Cnd......
Not so happy..... Thanks jorgie for tip on Civic and CRV but too late now.
 
Had to use my horn in righteous self-defense twice this week and let's just say my stock "voice" wasn't heard. Almost crapped my pants. So gotta do this upgrade. Can anyone tell me if I need one or two of the College Hills adapters for a two trumpet replacement set (like the PIAA Superior Bass horns)?
 
ralfalfa said:
Had to use my horn in righteous self-defense twice this week and let's just say my stock "voice" wasn't heard. Almost crapped my pants. So gotta do this upgrade. Can anyone tell me if I need one or two of the College Hills adapters for a two trumpet replacement set (like the PIAA Superior Bass horns)?
Click to expand...


Short answer: Two.

Long answer: I was surprised to discover that what we call “the horn” is actually two horns of different tones. So the replacement sets like Superior Bass and probably all replacement have two horn units, again of different tones. So you need one connector per each of these, for a total of two.

It’s actually a very short, quick, and easy job… Unless you drop the horn bolt like I did (see above).
 
I noticed if I honk while the car is in motion and music on, it lowers the volume. Is that a feature? or a coincidence? Sorry for being slightly off topic.
 
Just did the horn replacement today after having all the parts for months (priorities, ya know?). Used the PIAA 85115 "superior bass" horns ordered from Amazon and the OS18 College Hill Honda adapters (you need two). Using the instructions and photos from the folks earlier in this discussion it went near perfect, and my Clarity now has a much more insistent voice on the road.

Only thing I'd add to the various instructions already listed is that there are six clips on the front edge of the grille cover and none of them are visible initially. Two are molded-in clips on the bottom of the little wings of the grille cover that extend over the tops of the headlights, and those need to be squeezed and pushed upwards (there's room for fingers). The other four plastic clips at the front of the grille cover are hidden under the flexible rubber gasket and are "slider" clips, not compression clips; there are slots in both the grill cover and the grille molding itself that are open toward the rear of the car. Once you've pinched and lifted those clips on the wings, you can carefully slide the grille cover toward the rear of the car and the clips should release themselves. You've got to lift it a bit to keep the hood release from catching, and go slow so the clips don't go flying, but there's no center pin to pull up like on the body clips on the rear edge of the grill cover.

honk honk!
 
ralfalfa said:
Just did the horn replacement today after having all the parts for months (priorities, ya know?). Used the PIAA 85115 "superior bass" horns ordered from Amazon and the OS18 College Hill Honda adapters (you need two). Using the instructions and photos from the folks earlier in this discussion it went near perfect, and my Clarity now has a much more insistent voice on the road.

Only thing I'd add to the various instructions already listed is that there are six clips on the front edge of the grille cover and none of them are visible initially. Two are molded-in clips on the bottom of the little wings of the grille cover that extend over the tops of the headlights, and those need to be squeezed and pushed upwards (there's room for fingers). The other four plastic clips at the front of the grille cover are hidden under the flexible rubber gasket and are "slider" clips, not compression clips; there are slots in both the grill cover and the grille molding itself that are open toward the rear of the car. Once you've pinched and lifted those clips on the wings, you can carefully slide the grille cover toward the rear of the car and the clips should release themselves. You've got to lift it a bit to keep the hood release from catching, and go slow so the clips don't go flying, but there's no center pin to pull up like on the body clips on the rear edge of the grill cover.

honk honk!
Click to expand...
I guess horn usage varies quite a bit across the country. It seems like horns are used quite often in NYC. Here in Redding CA it is quite rare, perhaps once in 2 months, to hear a horn. People here are very patient and not generally in a hurry. Traffic is very light. If we do hear a horn sometimes it's possible to determine that they are from out of town just passing through.
 
Teamchang said:
Had another thought. The clarity cabin soundproofing is good compared to my last vehicle so maybe what I hear is reduced because the cabin is so quiet.

So I opened my windows and tried the horn again.

Nope, it is really weak. I need to find a fix for this. I wonder if a dealer will swap it out for me.
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Not disputing the strength of the horn (I haven't tested). However, that's a really poor test you did.

Car horn should be directed at vehicle(s) in front of you. Most of the sound should be going forward, not into an open driver's window.
 
Would this 2 pins adapter works? Significantly cheaper, but long shipping time.

Can't copy the url, but price range from $1.69 to $2.8
 

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