Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Classic49]

I am renovating the wiring on a 1934 pre-series Morris Eight which has a pair of wind horns mounted on the front. There is a button on an "accessory" arm on the steering column which creates an earth connection when pushed. However, the horns are already earthed by virtue of being fixed to the body.

Advice requested please on how best to wire these up.

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Hi, Your Morris uses the same "accessory arm" as my Jowett Bradford, I believe. As you say the horn push works by completing the earth circuit (in my case with varying results) are you sure that the horns use the casing as an earth return. If they do I can only suggest that you mount them on insulators and use the earth return from the horn push to complete the circuit. It might be possible to power them through a relay using the earth return to actuate the relay. Whether the response would be quick enough, only experiment would show..
Good luck!

[peter scott]

I think powering via a horn relay would the safest approach and would also save your push button from the very heavy current that these horns draw.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Classic49]

Thanks guys. Some useful ideas. I think replacing the existing wiring is probably the best way forward to also accommodate the supply to the centre fog light.

[MVPeters]

[Classic49]

Thanks everyone for the suggestion of the relay - a very sensible idea. Have fitted one with a built in 30A fuse.

The only problem is that, on a 6 volt system, the current drawn by the pair of windhorns was enough to blow the 25A auxiliary fuse in the CFR2 Cut Out. Plan to up to a 30/35A fuse and do some adjustment to reduce the current drain.

[MVPeters]

I think you can safely move the main power to the relay direct to the battery.
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Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'