Hadley "Bully" air horn
(about $300-$325) from Napa.
One thing I found out about the compressor is that it MUST be hooked up
directly to a high amperage power block, preferably direct to the battery or to the
power block under the hood on the drivers side. A reader burned up 2 compressors
that were wired directly to an Ignition power source. This happened because the compressor was running on too little voltage.
If you want the compressor to be activated only when the ignition is on wire the ignition to a relay and power the compressor from a high amperage source such as a power block or dirctly to the battery through a fuse.
You can mount the horns in the wheel wells or transversely down by the front bumper if you don't have a winch.
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Alpex Big Blast
The Alpex horns look to be the same as the FIAMM horns. The compressor looks the same. I installed the Alpex Big Blast Horns and the Hadley Bully system on my 04 H1 and thought I'd share with you all in case you want more sound under that horn button.
System 1- Italian Alpex Big Blast model, single air input, powered by 1 Alpex compressor (no air tank), installed on driver side wheel well. Its a good measure louder than the factory horn with slightly lower tone (2 tones). The 04s already have a good horn (double electric FIAMM) but the Alpex is over 3dB louder with a more deep tone. Blipping the horn produces a very unique sound as with many air horns.
System 2- Alpex Big Blast 2 separate air inputs powered by 2 Alpex compressors (same type as in System 1), on Battery side wheel well. This system is louder than System 1 by at least 12dB, my goodness, its quite loud indeed. To get an idea about the dB estimate, every 3dB increase is perceptible by the ear. System 2 is quite uncomfortable to listen to when near the truck, not in it but standing outside.
System 3- Hadley Bully Big Blast chrome model with Hadley 850 compressor and 300psi limit tank, this one was most difficult to install, the horn and tank resides behind the winch in front of the diff. Compressor is strapped to the CTIS compressor, this system is traditional and sounds much lower in tone than the Alpex. Because of the traditional setup, it "Toots" very controllable and "wails" like there is no tomorrow. It hurts your ear if standing nearby.
I have switches under the hood to switch either of the 3 systems in or out, this offers some control from noise law infringement.
Get this! When I switch Systems 1 and 2 in simultaneously, I better be in the truck with windows up. When I run System 3 in line with system 1 and 2 (1,2,3 together!) I better just wear hearing protection and make sure that I am in the open and away from pedestrians.
So how does the Bully sound with the Alpex? Very harmonious!
The factory horn is also switchable in line with the new systems, but because its electric, it comes on first and has the highest tones which clash with the air horn sounds, so that is not preferable to me.
Installation notes: Hose clamps for heavy parts like the Bully horn and compressor and tank, spade connectors, auto wire stripping tools, dielectric grease on all connections, Solder main power connections, velcro, cable ties
Cost: Bully= $250, Alpex $80 each, install tools and supplies $100. Total= $510
Time: Bully (lots of air fittings, hard to find space for all components)= 9 hours total (split between 4 evenings), Alpex Single compressor (4 hours), Alpex dual compressor (5 hours), total time for all systems= 18 hours wow!
If I had to choose one, I'd choose the Bully as it is closest to the big rig and train horns.
Alpex Photos
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If anyone is interested we have armoring customers who wanted something even louder than this (for security reasons, not for typical traffic reasons) and we came up with a low cost solution that is measured at 192db at 1 meter. It can be heard clearly for over a mile and is driven by 240 watts. It is way louder than a train horn.
I think it's a bit too much for recreational fun. We developed this product for use as a deterrent to kidnapping in Colombia. It will damage your hearing a close distances. Technically, it is a 6" X 9" weatherproof speaker that is tested to 200 watts, coupled with a 6" X 9" X 2" 240 watt amplifier mounted under the passenger seat, and a voice/siren driver that has 4 channels. Typically two handle voice recordings, and two carry prerecorded sounds (industrial horn or air horn and siren). Two switches or buttons activate each of the voice messages interspersed with the air horn or siren sound. Not complicated and very, very effective in eliminating assaults on the road. Sort of the same principal of what we did in Vietnam with the huge speakers on the Hughy's blasting rock n roll before an attack. Scared the shit out of the enemy. |
Steve's siren speaker is mounted
on the driver's front fender, next to the washer fluid tank.
Franco's Air horn. 
