Triumphrat

TattooedRedHead · 06-25-2007

I have a little project chopper I'm working on and I'm replacing the stock horn with a Stebel Nautilus, Compact Air Horn.

My current horn runs off a 26volt ( very odd voltage if you ask me ) current and I'm wondering how do i downgrade the voltage to 12V to make the stebel work without blowing a fuse.

Your electrical knowledge is appreciated.

--Kory

TechmanBD · 06-25-2007

Check out radio shack for a voltage regulator part number 7812. And get the heat sink for it. Also this is rated for 1 Amp. You would have to see what the horn pulls.

Radio Shack 7812 Click Here

vinnyf · 06-25-2007

26 volts - that's got to be interesting.
Sorry, but a 7812 regulator ain't gonna cut it with a Stebel - that horn draws around 8 - 10 amps, likely plus a startup surge. The 7812 is good for about 1 amp. First, you're going to need a relay to operate the Stebel, because most any stock horn switch won't handle that current, at least not for long. You could probably drop the voltage with a BIG resistor, but you'd be better served if you could pick up a second Nautilus and wire the two in series.
Alternatively, since you're probably running your 26 volt system from 2 12 volt batteries in series, you could run the Stebel from a relay connected to just one of the batteries.

Diego · 06-25-2007

> Sorry, but a 7812 regulator ain't gonna cut it with a Stebel - that horn draws around 8 - 10 amps, likely plus a startup surge. The 7812 is good for about 1 amp.

Very true. There would be ways to boost the current capacity of a 7812 with additional pass transistors, but the result would be wasteful and physically bulky. A switching-mode regulator circuit could be built up that'd be considerably smaller, but that's still more complication than you're probably looking for.

I think Vinny's probably got the best solution...a relay to power the horn from just one battery of the system.

Now the $64 question, Kory--why does the chopper have a 26 volt system to begin with? Inquiring minds want to know...

Mojoinco · 06-26-2007

You sure you have 26 v? I'd guess an old enough chopper could have a had a base voltage of 6 volts, but I'd upgrade to 12 for the sake of smaller wiring and much easier component choices.

The Nautilus comes with a relay. You have to study the little cardboard in the container (it's on the inside). I believe that if you go to the Stebel site (some of it is in Italian) they do make 24v horns (maybe not this model). that is close enough to 26 v.

Great horn though. Even deer will look at you.

TattooedRedHead · 06-27-2007

[img=http://aycu16.webshots.com/image/21735/2004092252973419020_rs.jpg]

[img=http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/21168/2004095521175666695_rs.jpg]

[img=http://aycu17.webshots.com/image/20816/2004069403653839892_rs.jpg]

[img=http://aycu12.webshots.com/image/20651/2004071054445640321_rs.jpg]

O----K... I retested it and it is a 12V horn... I guess i was on the wrong setting on my multimeter... can anyone explain the difference in the two different "V's" on my multimeter by using the images above?

Also shown is the horn itself and the connecting wires.

TattooedRedHead · 06-27-2007

P.S.- Heres my bike:

Its a Johnny Pag Spyder 250 and I purchased it for a whopping $4400 brand new out the door all expenses paid. Its only 250CC, an around town type bike, but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun and a great project bike.

As you see from the images above the first project was replacing the FUGLY mirrors! I installed Kuryakyn turn signal mirrors which eliminated the stock turn signals on the forks.

Next project is the license plate bracket ( buying a kuryakyn side mount licence plate frame ) , followed by grips, tail lights and horn.

I would like to have the bike entirely repainted also, I'm thinking an emerald green color, I like the way it will make the chrome pop out more! Heres a photoshop of the purposed color scheme.

License plate frame is here.

Some of you know that I've owned two triumphs within ONE year and have been in two accidents in that time totaling both bikes, both were not-at-fault accidents and have been paid off through having fully covered insurance. I'm very lucky to have no major injuries despite the severity of both accidents!

Your comments / suggestions / modification ideas are welcome!

--Kory

[ This message was edited by: TattooedRedHead on 2007-06-27 18:10 ]

TechmanBD · 06-27-2007

The V with the squigly line represents AC Voltage, and the V with the straight lines is for Vdc. Vdc is what you need to read the voltage you are looking at. The 20 and 200 is the range. the 20 represents it will read up to 20Vdc and the 200 will read up to 200Vdc. The lower the range the more accurate reading you will get with lower voltage. But obviously, if say you have the setting at 20 and your voltage is 24, you won't read anything.

Get some teardrop mirrors to replace your "fugly mirrors".

TattooedRedHead · 06-27-2007

look again... i stated that ive already replaced the mirrors... the first pic has square mirrors the rest have oval with turn signals in them

Mecchanica · 07-01-2007

Seems like a lot of money for a 250.