Noisiest non-electrical boat horn on a a budget?

[Starcoaster]

My boat's horn is just a touch quieter than a gently meowing cat. I am fairly sure I could make a louder warning of my presence by simply saying "meep meep" out loud, and today someone got their balls in a knot with me over it, saying that I should have beeped my presence to them, when I had infact done so- still, I see their point, my horn is ineffectively quiet.

 

Anyway, wiring up a new 12v horn is outside of my level of expertise, so what is the best option for a manual/hand operated horn I can use from the stern, for say, under £15? I know a klaxxon is likely the loudest thing you can buy and I'd love one, but they're too expensive. I'd rather not get an airhorn, as I don't want to have to replace the gas cartridges.

Edit to add: Also want a hand operated thing not a blow in thing.

 

I'd like something I can clip to the handrails, but this is not essential- can anyone comment if something like one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141162265484?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

would be loud enough, or recommend an alternative on a budget?

Edited January 17, 2014 by Starcoaster

[Robbo]

I got myself one of these... http://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/xcart/product.php?productid=131&cat=5&page=1

Requires a bit of puff, but nice n loud...

 

I think a £5 air horn are pretty loud tho, and a lot easier to blow.

 

 

What about a rechargeable one? http://www.kylechandlers.co.uk/showpartnumber.asp?PartNumberID=109939

Edited January 17, 2014 by Robbo

[Starcoaster]

Argh I should also have mentioned, not one you have to blow in out of choice! Thanks. (will edit)

[Puddlejumper]

My boat's horn is just a touch quieter than a gently meowing cat. I am fairly sure I could make a louder warning of my presence by simply saying "meep meep" out loud, and today someone got their balls in a knot with me over it, saying that I should have beeped my presence to them, when I had infact done so- still, I see their point, my horn is ineffectively quiet.

 

Anyway, wiring up a new 12v horn is outside of my level of expertise, so what is the best option for a manual/hand operated horn I can use from the stern, for say, under £15? I know a klaxxon is likely the loudest thing you can buy and I'd love one, but they're too expensive. I'd rather not get an airhorn, as I don't want to have to replace the gas cartridges.

 

I'd like something I can clip to the handrails, but this is not essential- can anyone comment if something like one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141162265484?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

would be loud enough, or recommend an alternative on a budget?

Was the someone Blind as well as deaf ?

[alan_fincher]

Under £15 may be pushing it for something load, unless you can find second hand.

 

The full price of the various Acme horns is usually a bit more, but they are loud, (although clearly you have to supply the "huff").

 

Example here, but I think they do loads.

 

Similar to what railway lookout men used to use to warn track workers of approaching trains, I think.

Argh I should also have mentioned, not one you have to blow in out of choice! Thanks. (will edit)

 

Too late!

 

If you don't want....

 

1) Electric

2) Gas canister

3) Blow it yourself

 

I think you are probably into hand wound and plunger types - a lor more than £15, normally.

[Starcoaster]

Was the someone Blind as well as deaf ?

From the point we were aiming at each other from, in a blind spot, yes.

 

I can't get on with blowy horn things!

Edited January 17, 2014 by Starcoaster

[MtB]

That retro hooter will be pretty loud and do the job.

 

But other boaters may find themselves looking around for the child's tricycle, or the clown car from the circus.

 

 

 

MtB

[Robbo]

 

I'd like something I can clip to the handrails, but this is not essential- can anyone comment if something like one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141162265484?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

would be loud enough, or recommend an alternative on a budget?

 

You wouldn't be able to do a long honk for 2 seconds. When using a horn for letting people know your around, a honk isn't good enough - your in a boat not a car you need to do a hooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Taslim]

If it's just the horn bit thats packed & the wires are OK, look to see how the wires are connected to quiet hooter. If it has spade tags it's easy to swap the duff one for a Halfords special. (other motor factors exist) You might even get lucky and find that the terminals just need cleaning up as has just happened with my van.

[by'eck]

How about this:

 

http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/s5je8s04ic/airhorn.mp3

 

Old brass hunting horn from car boot sale cut down and fitted with cheap air horn driver.

[Starcoaster]

 

You wouldn't be able to do a long honk for 2 seconds. When using a horn for letting people know your around, a honk isn't good enough - your in a boat not a car you need to do a hooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Crap. You're totally right.

[Grace and Favour]

Starry - - depending upon how often you need to use it - - a canister air horn would probably be the most cost efficient and effective

 

Fleabay

Edited January 17, 2014 by Grace & Favour

[Scholar Gypsy]

Starry - - depending upon how often you need to use it - - a canister air horn would probably be the most cost efficient and effective

 

Fleabay

 

I have one of these and they are very loud - just to add that you pump them up with a bicycle pump (100 PSI max).

[Alan Saunders]

As well a cleaning the terminals you may find that there is a screw that adjusts the contacts.

[Starcoaster]

Argh i don't get any of this stuff, like how to find/change the current horn, what a terminal or spade tag looks like, etc.

I think it will be easier just to get something mechanical/non electrical I can work on an ad-hoc basis.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Starcoaster

[blackrose]

Argh i don't get any of this stuff, like how to find/change the current horn, what a terminal or spade tag looks like, etc.

I think it will be easier just to get something mechanical/non electrical I can work on an ad-hoc basis.

 

In the short term yes, just buy yourself a handheld horn - always useful as back up. But if you have a boat (or are living aboard?) then at some point you will need to learn about 12v electrics - it's no good getting frustrated and saying that you don't get it...

 

On the other hand if you're not interested then there are plenty of marine electricians and others around who can do it for you at a price, but since money seems to be an issue why not learn to do it yourself?

Edited January 18, 2014 by blackrose

[DaveC]

Before buying another horn have a check to see if your current one is chock full of spiders webs! Mine was.

 

I also bought a plunger type horn for a little over a fiver from a local motorist shop. It's VERY loud and handy when I am out in the dingy (which is powered by an electric outboard so people need to be warned that I am there).

 

 

Dave

[Phil Ambrose]

Google vehiclewiringproducts they have horns from £8-78 should be loud enough at 112dB

Phil

[Captain Fizz]

Starry, I will add it to the list.

[bizzard]

As Alan Saunders said. If its a car type horn and making a low strangled sort of noise there is often an adjusting screw on the back. this screw is is usually just a grub screw sometimes with a locknut to suit an ordinary flat bladed screwdriver, a little tweak on this screw one way or other whilst someone keeps the horn button pressed in to tweak it for maximum loudness can make a surprising difference.

[bargemast]

Is nobody close enough to Starry to give her a helping hand, and maybe just show her how to connect another electric horn ?

 

Peter.

[Barry]

Regarding another horn

 

Starry I have, in my garage, a 12V mega decibel horn that I bought for my bike. I took it off again because it touched the front mudguard when the suspension compressed and scratched the paint

 

So its almost new, though several years old if you see what I mean

 

Its yours if you want it

[David Schweizer]

The original horn on our boat was pathetic, so I bought a pair of Audi 100 horns from a breakers yard for fiver, and connected them to the existing wires. We can certainly be heard now.

 

Just one word of advice, loud horns do use a lot of power to activate them, so the cables need to be quite substantial to overcome voltage drop.

Edited January 18, 2014 by David Schweizer

[OldGoat]

There's nothing like an impossible request to get (helpful) peeps replying.

 

The nearest device to warn folks of your presence and that which nearly (28p) falls within you price range is here:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brass-hand-bell-Bronze-table-school-pub-reception-wedding-/271367072431?pt=UK_Antiques_DecorativeAntiques_Collectables_EH&hash=item3f2ebceaaf#ht_62wt_1096

 

It's a handbell. On civilised waters, you're allowed to uses a bell, whistle, or horn.

 

Off topic because blow,blow, Ye Winter Winds are not allowed, may I suggest either an acme polis' whistle or siren. Suggested because The Management is not blessed with a lot of puff - but she manages either of these without difficulty. A Bosun's Whistle requires even less volume of air - but is tricky to learn.

 

 

[raymondh]

How about a

EcoBlast Refillable Signal Air Horn

£14 delivered

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EcoBlast-Signal-Air-Horn-/301071250384?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item46193eb3d0

Ray