where to start to fix my trumpet horns

[Ethan's Tank]

My dual trumpet horns works whenever it feels like it. The previous owner mounted it right at knee level, so if my knee bangs up on it or if my dog hangs out at the helm, the button gets pressed.

Anyways, sometimes it sounds great and especially when I need it most, it just flutters a deformed sounds barely heard. I noticed it more frequently when the batteries were low, but this past weekend when a big 40' was flying through the no-wake zone, it didn't work properly even with fully charged batteries

I have never installed one of these but I hate to trash it ifs its just a part I need to replace. I do not currently know what the brand is (until I get back to the boat this weekend). But its similar to a marinco trumpet horn

https://smile.amazon.com/AFI-10106-...4665&sr=8-3&keywords=marine+dual+trumpet+horn

From my understanding, there could be:
A bad air compressor
Old diaphram

Is there anything else I should be looking at? where is the compressor normally installed? My 350 has the big hardtop, so I'm wondering if its in there or somewhere under the helm...

 

[ASH]

Check for cob webs....Sometimes a careful disassemble/cleaning can produce great results on the horns......


It is really easy to pull the air hose off the horn and have someone hit the switch and you can feel for air flow.....If it seems "normal" for the size line you have I would start with a cleaning!!!! Good Luck

 

[HUMPH]

You refer to a compressor but are they air horns or 12v electric horns? If they are electric, replacing them is cheap and easy. The link you shared are for high end horns. You can find equivalent horns for 1/3 that price.

 

[fwebster]

I little known fact about the air horns is that the compressor needs to be oiled regularly. If it isn't seized up, you should be able to oil it and get the compressor free again. Open the following link, then click on Technical data and read installation instructions....."mounting compressor, #4.

http://www.marinco.com/en/10102

 

[Brett H]

In addition to oiling of the compressor as suggested by Frank, an air tank needs to be periodically drained of condensate. Varying air horn performance can indicate a mixture of water and air in the line between the tank and the horn.

 

[Ethan's Tank]

You refer to a compressor but are they air horns or 12v electric horns? If they are electric, replacing them is cheap and easy. The link you shared are for high end horns. You can find equivalent horns for 1/3 that price.

The boat I bought is 2nd hand, but the original owner decked it out, I'm almost sure its the marinco. He had a $30k FLIR thermal unit mounted on the hardtop.

Not sure how to check to see if air or 12v. I just figured it needed the 12v to activate the air compressor

 

[bmac]

I had a similar problem last year. I thought it might be the electric solenoid valve that controls the air flow from the tank to the horn, so I replaced it. Same problem. They guy on the boat next to me heard the sorry sounds from my horn as I was testing the new valve and he suggested I spray WD40 into the horns to lubricate the reeds. I did...problem fixed. Your mileage may vary...

 

[sandydlc]

I little known fact about the air horns is that the compressor needs to be oiled regularly. If it isn't seized up, you should be able to oil it and get the compressor free again. Open the following link, then click on Technical data and read installation instructions....."mounting compressor, #4.

http://www.marinco.com/en/10102

Great suggestion! I'm going to give this a try over the weekend. Our horn has been sounding a bit anemic.

 

[Ethan's Tank]

I had a similar problem last year. I thought it might be the electric solenoid valve that controls the air flow from the tank to the horn, so I replaced it. Same problem. They guy on the boat next to me heard the sorry sounds from my horn as I was testing the new valve and he suggested I spray WD40 into the horns to lubricate the reeds. I did...problem fixed. Your mileage may vary...

I saw that on youtube last night, I guess its one of those required maintenance I never learned about...Thanks for the tip, I'm going to try it out tomorrow night!

 

[Ethan's Tank]

I sprayed WD40 in the trumpets, it didn't do anything, but I finally found the air compressor (marinco part #20147) hidden in the hardtop, I put some light machine oil and now everything is operational! Thanks for the help everyone

 

[sandydlc]

Just got the word from Sea Ray customer service this morning that my air compressor is in the starboard forward bilge area. We also confirmed (during Colors at Roche Harbor this weekend) that our horn is not functional. Fun project for this weekend!

 

[Ethan's Tank]

Just got the word from Sea Ray customer service this morning that my air compressor is in the starboard forward bilge area. We also confirmed (during Colors at Roche Harbor this weekend) that our horn is not functional. Fun project for this weekend!

Are you talking about the stock car horn that comes with the boat? My compressor was installed in the hidden compartment in the hardtop. Previous owner put in a Marinco trumpet horn

 

[sandydlc]

Are you talking about the stock car horn that comes with the boat? My compressor was installed in the hidden compartment in the hardtop. Previous owner put in a Marinco trumpet horn

We do have the trumpet horn (located in the starboard side of the anchor locker) and I'm hopeful that the location is as Sea Ray has told me. If it's in the hardtop, I have no idea where to start looking.

 

[Ethan's Tank]

We do have the trumpet horn (located in the starboard side of the anchor locker) and I'm hopeful that the location is as Sea Ray has told me. If it's in the hardtop, I have no idea where to start looking.

Here are my pics, I accessed the area where the horns were mounted, found the air tubes, there was a 3-way T, followed the single hose back to the compressor

 

[sandydlc]

Here are my pics, I accessed the area where the horns were mounted, found the air tubes, there was a 3-way T, followed the single hose back to the compressor

This is really helpful. Thank you!!

 

[alnav]

Just got the word from Sea Ray customer service this morning that my air compressor is in the starboard forward bilge area. We also confirmed (during Colors at Roche Harbor this weekend) that our horn is not functional. Fun project for this weekend!

Sandy, did they tell you what model of compressor you are supposed to have? I have a manual for the Kahlenberg that has a couple of drawings if you end up needing that.

 

[sandydlc]

Sandy, did they tell you what model of compressor you are supposed to have? I have a manual for the Kahlenberg that has a couple of drawings if you end up needing that.

No they were very brief this morning. I'm guessing they are pretty busy on Monday mornings after we all get back with our laundry list of boat projects. I'll be out at the boat on Thursday. I'll check to see if the compressor matches the Marinco photos that others have posted. Hoping I can get this fixed without hurting myself again. I have so many scratches on my arms from digging around the engine room.

 

[RandSNH]

Trying to find the compressor on my 320 trumpet horn.. Horns are on the arch and not sure where the compressor would be located..think it may have gone bad...horn had a very weak squeek and now nothing...any ideas?

 

[Ethan's Tank]

Trying to find the compressor on my 320 trumpet horn.. Horns are on the arch and not sure where the compressor would be located..think it may have gone bad...horn had a very weak squeek and now nothing...any ideas?

I found mine by looking under any access door where the trumpets are mounted. There you will find the 12v wires AND clear air hose, about 3/8". Follow the hoses. Look towards the direction it's going and look for the next access door, whether in the arches or some kick panel around the cockpit. Open that access panel and search for those hoses. The hoses plug up to the compressor, mine was a small canister similar to a soda can size. Happy hunting

 

[sandydlc]

Quick update on my horns. I found my air compressor and re-oiled it. It was inside one of the access panels inside the closet on the starboard side of the master stateroom. Confused? Yeah - me too! I had to call Sea Ray twice to get accurate information.

The bad news is that the horn still doesn't work. My next step is to remove the trumpet horns and see if the reeds are damaged or corroded. I already tried spraying them with WD40 but they're at an awkward angle so I may not have done a good job on my first try. I'll post here when I make any progress.