6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

I'm sure that you've been through this before but I'm new. My 6 volt horn had a small resistor of unknown size. It got toasted so my ohm meter just shows that it is open. I bought a resistor with heat sink from Snyder's for $27. It goes in the ground side of the horn. The horn motor barely turns with this installed. It sounds like a cow that's near death. W
ithout a resistor, the horn spins fast and is loud and almost sounds like it should. It leaves the "GA" out of ah ou ga. Do I leave it on 12 volts and hope the motor doesn't fry or is there a better fix?

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Try adjusting your horn. There is a little screw in the back that makes a click when turned slightly in or out. Turn it one click and try the horn again. If not right try a click in the other direction. If that is not right try two clicks. Repeat until it sounds the way you like it. Then try adjusting it again with the engine running and the battery being charged.

Make sure the horn armature is bright copper and that the bearings are oiled.

You can rewire the horn for 12 volts but the resistor is a lot simpler.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

As said, adjust in small increments and make sure the armature is clean. I use a small scotch brite pad with a little wd40. Be sure to oil the felt pads in the front and rear. I bought a 12 volt horn from A and L. The major suppliers carry A and L horns now.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Agree with Tom, rewind the field coils for 12V.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

dont remember size maybe 100 watt has adjust ring to adjust volts i installed n
maybe 10 years ago adjusted it for sound i wanted its mounted inside frame havent touched since installed

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Call Snyder's and tell them the problem. They're very good to work with. There is too much resistance in the circuit - could be bad connection. Be sure the bullets are pushed all the way into the sockets; new ones tend to be very tight. Don't run the horn on 12V, it will never sound right.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

When I converted to12v I rewound the horn field coils as per Tom Endys instructions. Horn never sounded better.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

I have been running a 6V A&L Sparton Horn on 12V since 2016 and the horn's motor is fine. Adding a resistor is not the way to tune the horn's sound. Rewind the field coils is the right way.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Just add a 12 volt horn..........

swap you my 12 volt for your 6 volt. lol

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Easy peasy!

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

I just rewound the horn field coils as per Tom Endys instructions. Horn works great. I somehow got the magnetic polarity wrong on one side but I just had to switch the wires around from the brush to the connector on one side. I greased the cam and cam follower which were dry. The lack of grease caused some wear. I had to dress the follower with my Dremel grinder.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Now MARK IT. When something is modified from original, unless its obvious, it should always be marked as such.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Good idea to mark the horn. It is obvious to any electrical engineer but maybe not so to Joe Mechanic.

Re: 6 volt Spartan horn on 12 volt system
 

Saw some on a club members table in Hershey years ago. Model A's, but labeled 12v. So I asked the question. Why 12V? Said they did not sound good on 6V.