Amp draw for PIAA dual sport horns

Lee B. · Feb 20, 2009

There is a lot of info on this forum re: the draw of Magnam Blasters and other after-market horns. I was still curious about these specific horns and whether an installation w/o a relay would cause me problems down the line. I was not able to find that sort of information on the PIAA dual sport horns, PN 85110. It may be out there but my searching didn't turn up anything definitive about the draw of these particular horns.

So, I did a google search for the PIAA company. They have nothing on their site that told me the draw for each or both horns but they do have a customer service line. I sent an e-mail to their customer service desk and asked them for the amps drawn by each horn on the PN 85110 horns. The answer surprised me so I questioned it again and got confirmation that I was understanding correctly. The answer is 5.5 amps for both, not each, horn. At first I thought the answer was 5.5 for each for a total of 11. 11 would be 5 more than the combined stock horns that total 6, according to the stuff on here I've read.

Looks like I'll be swapping out my stock horns this weekend.

rok312 · Feb 20, 2009

Interesting. I have the same question, and sent an email inquiry as well. This is the response I got, which just don't seem right:

about 1 amp per horn.

Thanks

Alan Avery

PIAA Customer Service

503-489-6666

1-800-525-7422

[email protected]

1 amp per horn. Reeeeeally?

The 5.5 for "both horns" seems more reasonable...but still 'questionable'

JamesK · Feb 20, 2009

I would be suspicious of both of these numbers, it is only logical that if these horns produce a sufficiently loud sound they should draw an appropriately larger amperage. I would still advise either buying or making a relay based circuit to run the any aftermarket horns, since they will run better/louder and you don't need to worry about eventually burning out the horn button switch. There are many sources for a relay kit, but Jim at www.easternbeaver.com makes some really nice kits, with a slimline (made in Japan) relay and all the trimmings... I have/am using many of his kits and have been extremely pleased with the build quality and components.

Patriot · Feb 20, 2009

JamesK said:
I would be suspicious of both of these numbers, it is only logical that if these horns produce a sufficiently loud sound they should draw an appropriately larger amperage. I would still advise either buying or making a relay based circuit to run the any aftermarket horns, since they will run better/louder and you don't need to worry about eventually burning out the horn button switch. There are many sources for a relay kit, but Jim at www.easternbeaver.com makes some really nice kits, with a slimline (made in Japan) relay and all the trimmings... I have/am using many of his kits and have been extremely pleased with the build quality and components.

+1

just ordered a single horn harness for my stiebel air horn

charismaticmegafauna · Feb 20, 2009

JamesK said:
I would be suspicious of both of these numbers, it is only logical that if these horns produce a sufficiently loud sound they should draw an appropriately larger amperage.

What about a superior design? -- as opposed to just "more horn"?

JamesK said:
I would still advise either buying or making a relay based circuit to run the any aftermarket horns, since they will run better/louder and you don't need to worry about eventually burning out the horn button switch.

The horns will use whatever amps they need -- regardless of any relays.... :blink:

No current (usually) goes through the horn button -- the button just pushes a metal strap (that's attatched to the horn wire) to ground. Not to say that the wire (usually smaller?) won't get hot somewhere....

Although, only briefly/intermittently -- unless, your horn stays 'on' for a long time...

Lee B. · Feb 20, 2009

rok312 said:
Interesting. I have the same question, and sent an email inquiry as well. This is the response I got, which just don't seem right:

about 1 amp per horn.

Thanks

Alan Avery

PIAA Customer Service

503-489-6666

1-800-525-7422

[email protected]

1 amp per horn. Reeeeeally?

The 5.5 for "both horns" seems more reasonable...but still 'questionable'

oh, man that cracks me up. I wonder who Alan Avery is? He is the one that replied to MY e=mail!! I suspected Alan was questionable when he told me that both horns were 5.5, 2.25 (yes, 2.25, not 2.75) per horn.

think he is just making this stuff up?

Hey, I really don't want to get into the wild posts on to relay or not to relay. I've read all that before.

I may send old Alan another couple of e-mails and then just take the average response and consider that as the answer :yahoo:

djon · Nov 11, 2011

I have the PIAA Sports Horn Model #85110 and did not want to put them on until after my ground circuit recall was done. Seeing this thread it peaked my interest and since was absolutely nothing on electrical spec's for the horns except for the (12V use only) on the front of the box so I decided to test them.

I hard wired a test circuit with a spare battery running 12.5 volts, 14 gauge wire with 2 different meters. Horns brand new from box.

Fluke 73: 400Hz horn 3.3 Amps, 500hz horn 2.8 Amps

Actron CP7677: 400Hz horn 3.2 Amps, 500Hz horn 2.7 Amps

So it looks like total current draw is around 5 Amps.

azitlies · Nov 11, 2011

djon said:
I have the PIAA Sports Horn Model #85110 and did not want to put them on until after my ground circuit recall was done. Seeing this thread it peaked my interest and since was absolutely nothing on electrical spec's for the horns except for the (12V use only) on the front of the box so I decided to test them.

I hard wired a test circuit with a spare battery running 12.5 volts, 14 gauge wire with 2 different meters. Horns brand new from box.

Fluke 73: 400Hz horn 3.3 Amps, 500hz horn 2.8 Amps

Actron CP7677: 400Hz horn 3.2 Amps, 500Hz horn 2.7 Amps

So it looks like total current draw is around 5 Amps.

Hey thanks for doing that djon. Have these in the 500 / 600 version and they've been great for about 8 months or so. Glad to see the low draw confirmed. Wired up a couple of Stebels before and it's not a big deal... but it's nice not to have to mess with doing that, and these are loud enough for me, most of the time you're going to be heard. So I'm a happy camper

Eric L · Nov 12, 2011

I am using stock wiring with them for a year without any issues.

deanw · Nov 17, 2011

Eric L said:
I am using stock wiring with them for a year without any issues.

I know I'm a lazy heathen for admitting this... Magnum Blasters, seven years, stock wiring.
Tones selected to emulate mid-70s GM sedan- A Caddy, or maybe the old Buick deuce and a quarter. I wanted encroaching drivers to think "Oh God I'm gonna DIE if I don't get back in my own lane", not "meh, it's an econobox, he'll give way." So far, I've never been disappointed with the reaction.

Amp draw for PIAA dual sport horns

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