12V Electric Car Horn The Part You Hope Not to Need

The horn is the least noticeable part on a vehicle, and the one that matters most in a critical moment. Press the button and it sounds, and the car ahead, the pedestrian at the crossing, the machine behind all know you are there. That is the job of the horn.

Why does this horn need power? It is an electromagnetic horn, not an air horn that relies on a compressor. Once powered, an internal magnet drives the bugle body to vibrate and make the sound, so it works straight off the machine's 12 volt supply with nothing added. The 12 V marking on the horn is the voltage it takes; wire it into a 12 volt circuit and it is ready.

How does it sound? It is a single tone horn. One press gives one clear, piercing note, more direct and easier to hear than a two tone ding dong, well suited for warning use on cars, trucks, boats and three wheelers.

How is it fitted? The horn comes with a mounting bracket and two bolt holes. Screw it to a solid part of the body, away from a spot that shakes too much, and the tone stays steady. The back is a brass terminal; run one lead to positive and one to ground, and it sounds.

As for color, this horn comes in red and white. The body is chrome plated metal and the center cap is painted red or white, the same structure apart from the color, so pick whichever you prefer.