The Ford Barn

Kentf1003 · 08-21-2013, 09:50 AM

Building a 1940 Ford pickup. I ordered a horn relay on line several months ago (don't remember the company now). It has a sticker on it that says 6V, but when I examined it closely there was a 12v stamped into the metal cover. Any chance that it will work correctly on 6v?

Also, the terminals are stamped H, B, and S. I assume they stand for Horn, Battery and Switch? Thanks Barners.

19Fordy · 08-21-2013, 10:21 AM

I am not 100% sure re: your electrical questions, but here's a wiring diagram to help.

deuce_roadster · 08-21-2013, 10:39 AM

Since a relay is simply an electrically activated switch, and 6v wires and connectors are heavier then 12v, I would be concerned that the internal contacts and parts in the relay you have might be too light. It would probably work, but for how long?

Old Henry · 08-21-2013, 11:16 AM

I have used 12 volt relays with 6 volts and they worked fine.

Kube · 08-21-2013, 12:05 PM

Authentic relays are readily available... I have to ask why chance an incorrect relay?

Bruce Lancaster · 08-21-2013, 12:35 PM

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Also original ones are frequently easily cleaned up and put back to work, as with headlight switches and such. You bend back the tabs, and unless you see massive damage in there like burned up winding just polish the contacts, clean everything, and put it back where it lived.

oldrelics · 08-21-2013, 02:40 PM

Where is it supposed to be mounted on 40-41 pickups?

Old Henry · 08-21-2013, 02:44 PM

You can easily test the relay with 6 volts by hooking up the B (battery) terminal to one battery post, the H (horn) terminal to a test light, and touch the S (switch) side to the other battery post. If it clicks and the test light comes on it works.

Fredb_ · 08-21-2013, 05:37 PM

I used a similar relay to get mine working. I ran heavier gauge wire to BAT and HORN terminals (#10 I think) and lighter to switch (#12) It seems to work fine so far.

Kentf1003 · 08-21-2013, 06:13 PM

I took the relay apart to look inside. The coil wire is very small gauge, but I believe most windings are fine wire. The only thing left is heavy connection terminals. The wiring going to it is same size as original.

Yes, I would gladly clean up an original used 6V horn relay but haven't located one. (The NOS ones on ebay are over priced.)

Kentf1003 · 08-21-2013, 10:42 PM

Had to eat my words. Just purchased an NOS one on ebay at a reasonable price. It is for an early 6v Ford. Nice to see that Made in the USA stamp.

08-21-2013, 10:21 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: 1940 horn relay I am not 100% sure re: your electrical questions, but here's a wiring diagram to help.

08-21-2013, 10:39 AM	#3
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 1940 horn relay Since a relay is simply an electrically activated switch, and 6v wires and connectors are heavier then 12v, I would be concerned that the internal contacts and parts in the relay you have might be too light. It would probably work, but for how long?

08-21-2013, 11:16 AM	#4
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: 1940 horn relay I have used 12 volt relays with 6 volts and they worked fine. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

08-21-2013, 12:05 PM	#5
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,007	Re: 1940 horn relay Authentic relays are readily available... I have to ask why chance an incorrect relay? __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

08-21-2013, 12:35 PM	#6
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: 1940 horn relay Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Also original ones are frequently easily cleaned up and put back to work, as with headlight switches and such. You bend back the tabs, and unless you see massive damage in there like burned up winding just polish the contacts, clean everything, and put it back where it lived.

08-21-2013, 02:40 PM	#7
oldrelics Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 571	Re: 1940 horn relay Where is it supposed to be mounted on 40-41 pickups?

08-21-2013, 02:44 PM	#8
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: 1940 horn relay You can easily test the relay with 6 volts by hooking up the B (battery) terminal to one battery post, the H (horn) terminal to a test light, and touch the S (switch) side to the other battery post. If it clicks and the test light comes on it works. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

08-21-2013, 05:37 PM	#9
Fredb_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 640	Re: 1940 horn relay I used a similar relay to get mine working. I ran heavier gauge wire to BAT and HORN terminals (#10 I think) and lighter to switch (#12) It seems to work fine so far.

08-21-2013, 06:13 PM	#10
Kentf1003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 138	Re: 1940 horn relay I took the relay apart to look inside. The coil wire is very small gauge, but I believe most windings are fine wire. The only thing left is heavy connection terminals. The wiring going to it is same size as original. Yes, I would gladly clean up an original used 6V horn relay but haven't located one. (The NOS ones on ebay are over priced.)

08-21-2013, 10:42 PM	#11
Kentf1003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 138	Re: 1940 horn relay Had to eat my words. Just purchased an NOS one on ebay at a reasonable price. It is for an early 6v Ford. Nice to see that Made in the USA stamp.