Horn dying

[wanpo]

Hi,
I replaced the horn on my bike about a week and a bit back (went husky and quiet before completely not working) Hooked up the new one I got from the mechanic, started off nice and loud, and now it's down to about speaking volume. Bike hasn't been out in the rain much and is kept under cover at nights. I don't have multimeter readings on anything yet, just want to bounce ideas around until I find some time to have a play.
Cheers,
Robbie

[CookMySock]

There's an adjustment screw on them. Adjust for maximum mayhem, and retighten locknut.

Steve

[wanpo]

So it must have come loose or some such? I'll have a play tonight.

[EJK]

Or low battery.

[CookMySock]

@EJK, yes that is true.

@wanpo, nah the mechanism either wears or was never adjusted properly to begin with. The horn is a mechanical device.

Steve

[Brian d marge]

Mines starting to die ,,mind you I'm forty odd and its been well abused

Stephen

[wanpo]

I did accidentally leave my lights on one time and it ran completely down (jumpstarting 101)
I'll check the voltage coming from the battery as well

[wanpo]

I did accidentally leave my lights on one time and it ran completely down (jumpstarting 101)
I'll check the voltage coming from the battery as well

[slofox]

Mines starting to die ,,mind you I'm forty odd and its been well abused

Stephen

ONLY 40 odd..? Hell, that's wayyy too early for it to die...now I...errrr never mind...

[firefighter]

Horn dying


They make pills for that

[quickbuck]

I did accidentally leave my lights on one time and it ran completely down (jumpstarting 101)
I'll check the voltage coming from the battery as well

Okay,
Motorcycle Charging Circuit Care 101....
Never use it to charge a flat battery.

Tempting as it is to jump start your bike and leave it/ Ride it for a while to charge up the battery, it actually plays havoc with your Reg/ Rectifier.
They over heat and go pop. Never to release reliable voltage again.

Best solution is to get a battery charger, and recharge your battery.
Yes, you can't ride your bike right away... but then, at least you won't be up for expensive regulator/ Rectifier....

Now, the fact your horn keeps going quiet.... Well, are your lights going dim too??
If so, I guess the damage has been done... Sorry.

[CookMySock]

Never use it to charge a flat battery. [...] it actually plays havoc with your Reg/ Rectifier. They over heat and go pop.What is the theory with that?

Steve

[quickbuck]

What is the theory with that?

Steve

Because you are asking way too much of the poor little component.
The fact that you are pouring loads of current back into the battery for an extended period of time creates a lot of heat.
Regulating voltage, and rectifying current does that.
Hondas have a bad rep for it.... The truth is it is operator error.

With a fully charged battery it can be left just to run the lights and ignition system like it is designed to do....

[wanpo]

I havn't noticed the lights being less dim. But I'll check voltages and what not when I get a chance

[quickbuck]

I havn't noticed the lights being less dim. But I'll check voltages and what not when I get a chance

Umm, the lights would go MORE dim.... if the battery wasn't being charged.
Also they would fail to brighten when you rev the motor if the charging circuit failed....

[paturoa]

What colour are you dying it?

Seriously now, give the connectors / wires a wiggle as you are "sounding your horn", it may be just a stuffed connector or such like.

[Owl]

What colour are you dying it?

Seriously now, give the connectors / wires a wiggle as you are "sounding your horn", it may be just a stuffed connector or such like.

Agreed! I had a new horn installed and it was pathetically quiet. Cleaned the connections, added some Lanocote and it's now mint.

[slofox]

You could always get a Stebel - scare the living shit out of cyclists with it...hehehe :devil2:

[CookMySock]

Because you are asking way too much of the poor little component.
The fact that you are pouring loads of current back into the battery for an extended period of time creates a lot of heat. Regulating voltage, and rectifying current does that. [..] With a fully charged battery it can be left just to run the lights and ignition system like it is designed to do....This would be true for a series regulated system, but motorcycles use a shunt regulated system. Basically, the stator is under a constant load, varying only with engine rpm.

With a flat battery, the diode rectifier set will be under a larger load than usual, but the regulator part will actually be under less load.

It surprises me that there isn't a modern switching regulator available.


Steve

[quickbuck]

This would be true for a series regulated system, but motorcycles use a shunt regulated system. Basically, the stator is under a constant load, varying only with engine rpm.

With a flat battery, the diode rectifier set will be under a larger load than usual, but the regulator part will actually be under less load.

It surprises me that there isn't a modern switching regulator available.


Steve

Well, coupled with the fact they are located out of the airflow, and generally use the frame as a heat soak... which may or may not still be effective....
Not to mention all the grime that they attract, the heat will soon kill off the rectifier.
Conjure has it, after many people saying "left my key on, so I jump started my bike, and now the battery won't charge properly"... Yes, could be the battery... BUT why are there big Caution panels in my hand book to say not to do it????

Okay, we all know better than the huge Japanese motorcycle manufacturer...... NOT!

[CookMySock]

Conjure has it, after many people saying "left my key on, so I jump started my bike, and now the battery won't charge properly"... Yes, could be the battery... BUT why are there big Caution panels in my hand book to say not to do it???? On that basis alone I am tempted to agree with you, but I still struggle with the logic. I have had exactly the same thing happen, as you say.

Steve

[quickbuck]

On that basis alone I am tempted to agree with you, but I still struggle with the logic. I have had exactly the same thing happen, as you say.

Steve

Steve, the only logic there is when it comes to lecky stuff is this:

The system is filled with smoke. Let the smoke leak out of the system, and it no longer works.
This smoke can have an adverse reaction to metal too.... causing lots of sparks and generating even more smoke....

Hope this helps...

[CookMySock]

Steve, the only logic there is when it comes to lecky stuff is this:

The system is filled with smoke. Let the smoke leak out of the system, and it no longer works.
This smoke can have an adverse reaction to metal too.... causing lots of sparks and generating even more smoke....Hehe, you must work for the air force! ;)

Steve

[quickbuck]

Hehe, you must work for the air force! ;)

Steve
Okay, what was your first clue?

Anyhow, remember This? (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/118955-Confused-and-need-help!?p=1129657055#post1129657055)

[wanpo]

>.>
I was kinda jumping at shadows. One of the connectors wasn't fully on. Although I did have a play with the adjustment screw until it made the loudest noise.

One thing I did notice though, is that the bolt goes through the entire device, which meant if I over tightened the bolt connecting it to its perch, it would alter and muffle the horn noise.

All sorted now, although I don't tend to use it much on the road (good to have in case though)

[quickbuck]

>.>
good to have in case though
In case you want to get a WOF at some stage....

Glad to hear you ahve sorted it, and it was a simple fix.

Is your battery charging up okay?

[wanpo]

Yeah no problem with the battery, after that first day and a couple of push starts it's been sweet since (that was over a month back now.)