I need to replace the horn on my 225, a mini compact horn. Neither the original nor a replacement lasted too long. Can anyone suggest one that lasts more than a few years?
Horn replacement
- Thread starter wlewis
- Start date
This is what I did.
https://www.amazon.com/Schmitt-Ongaro-Marine-Compact-Single/dp/B00DNB7D7Q
To help it last, try to mounted it with the thought of flying salt spray on your mind.
https://www.amazon.com/Schmitt-Ongaro-Marine-Compact-Single/dp/B00DNB7D7Q
To help it last, try to mounted it with the thought of flying salt spray on your mind.
Yeah, I'm not sure any of these inexpensive ones really last any better than another. Maybe shim it to angle a little further downward? The flush-mount ones often use some type of fabric that allows sound to go through, but the ocassional light splash is suppsoedly kept out - but even those don't last forever, either. Maybe take the horn apart and see if you can fit some heavy duty weedblock material? Just thinking outloud... spray silicone into the horn once in a while?
Any thoughts on the brands ....Marinco vs Ongaro?
I need to pick up a dual one and the prices have me scratching my head as they look identical so I don’t get why one is 50% more or so
Marinco Compact Electric Horns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000NI39SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8F4BCKY5DG4MQXXAP6ZK
www.hodgesmarine.com
I need to pick up a dual one and the prices have me scratching my head as they look identical so I don’t get why one is 50% more or so
Marinco Compact Electric Horns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000NI39SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8F4BCKY5DG4MQXXAP6ZK
Schmitt & Ongaro All-Stainless Mini Compact Twin Horn - 12v
ONGARO SS MINI COMPACT TWIN HORN 12VStainless Steel Mini Compact Twin12 VoltDimensions 3L, 8W, 1190H 7.5 x 20.5 x 4.5 cm Max Amp Draw6 Amps Rating 112 db 1 MeterStainless Steel HornsAll Stainless Steel Inside Out304 Stainless Steel in...
www.hodgesmarine.com
Are the internals the same, as well? Check that out to be sure - don't judge a book by it's coverAny thoughts on the brands ....Marinco vs Ongaro?
I need to pick up a dual one and the prices have me scratching my head as they look identical so I don’t get why one is 50% more or so
Marinco Compact Electric Horns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000NI39SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8F4BCKY5DG4MQXXAP6ZK
Schmitt & Ongaro All-Stainless Mini Compact Twin Horn - 12v
ONGARO SS MINI COMPACT TWIN HORN 12VStainless Steel Mini Compact Twin12 VoltDimensions 3L, 8W, 1190H 7.5 x 20.5 x 4.5 cm Max Amp Draw6 Amps Rating 112 db 1 MeterStainless Steel HornsAll Stainless Steel Inside Out304 Stainless Steel in...
Ongaro website states "All Stainless". Marinco states "Stainless Covers". Assume that means some of Ongaro internal parts are stainless?
Yep - Not sure what All means vs Marinco saying bracket, diaphragm and covers.
did notice that Marinco has 1 yr warranty vs Ongaro with 5
did notice that Marinco has 1 yr warranty vs Ongaro with 5
SkunkBoat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2017
- Messages
- 4,234
- Reaction score
- 1,466
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Manasquan Inlet NJ
- Website
- www.youtube.com
- Model
- Express 265
They are like trailer lights...there are NO good ones.
wrxhoon
Well-Known Member
On my last 228 I replaced it with one that has a long trumpet and faced it downwards, never had a problem for 7 years.
Skunkboat, I have LED lights on my trailer, they are LED brand made in Taiwan now 9 years old still working always used in salt water and I never leave the boat in the water, always in and out .
Your trailer lights don't comply the our rules, our indicators must be amber.
Skunkboat, I have LED lights on my trailer, they are LED brand made in Taiwan now 9 years old still working always used in salt water and I never leave the boat in the water, always in and out .
Your trailer lights don't comply the our rules, our indicators must be amber.
The 'some internal parts are stainless' models' should last longer. To an extent, it depends on the quality of the steel. That said, the non stainless diaphragms rust and corrode quickly in salty air
That's the one I just installed, nearly identical to what I had, but much louder probably due to it being new.Any thoughts on the brands ....Marinco vs Ongaro?
I need to pick up a dual one and the prices have me scratching my head as they look identical so I don’t get why one is 50% more or so
Marinco Compact Electric Horns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000NI39SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8F4BCKY5DG4MQXXAP6ZK
Schmitt & Ongaro All-Stainless Mini Compact Twin Horn - 12v
ONGARO SS MINI COMPACT TWIN HORN 12VStainless Steel Mini Compact Twin12 VoltDimensions 3L, 8W, 1190H 7.5 x 20.5 x 4.5 cm Max Amp Draw6 Amps Rating 112 db 1 MeterStainless Steel HornsAll Stainless Steel Inside Out304 Stainless Steel in...
Try hitting the horn with a rubber mallet before buying a new horn. After replacing mine a few times over the years, I found that the horn will usually work again after a few whacks.
PNW_Drifter
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2019
- Messages
- 407
- Reaction score
- 158
- Points
- 43
- Location
- Seattle, Washington USA
- Model
- Seafarer
Doc Stressor
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2009
- Messages
- 1,177
- Reaction score
- 288
- Points
- 83
- Location
- Homosassa, FL
- Model
- Seafarer
I've given up on the Ongaros. They last about 2 years.
But it's worth a shot to try and repair Ongaro horns. The 2 most common problems are that the tensioners get loose and the horn gets so out of tune that they stop making noise or the contacts become corroded and/or fused. If you take the cover off of the horn you can sometimes adjust the tensioner screws and clean the contacts. But this only works for a little while.
I boat in an area where the river is crowed with inexperienced boater during the summer scallop season. So I use a hand held horn similar to the one posted by PNW_Drifter. I keep it on the dash when I'm in the river and it has saved my cookies a couple of times. They are much louder and more reliable than the installed horns. And they are easier to grab in an emergency relative to looking for the horn button and hoping that the horn still works. So my nice shiny Ongaro horn is just kept as a deck ornament
But it's worth a shot to try and repair Ongaro horns. The 2 most common problems are that the tensioners get loose and the horn gets so out of tune that they stop making noise or the contacts become corroded and/or fused. If you take the cover off of the horn you can sometimes adjust the tensioner screws and clean the contacts. But this only works for a little while.
I boat in an area where the river is crowed with inexperienced boater during the summer scallop season. So I use a hand held horn similar to the one posted by PNW_Drifter. I keep it on the dash when I'm in the river and it has saved my cookies a couple of times. They are much louder and more reliable than the installed horns. And they are easier to grab in an emergency relative to looking for the horn button and hoping that the horn still works. So my nice shiny Ongaro horn is just kept as a deck ornament
Went ahead and ordered a new Ongaro. They make two different ones, one with higher stainless content. I ordered the better one. Before installing, I'll try the remedies suggested. Thanks for all the feedback.
SkunkBoat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2017
- Messages
- 4,234
- Reaction score
- 1,466
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Manasquan Inlet NJ
- Website
- www.youtube.com
- Model
- Express 265
The design of these horns dates back to 1910. .....stolen from wikipedia..."driven by a flat circular steel diaphragm that has an electromagnetacting on it in one direction and a spring pulling in the opposite direction. The diaphragm is attached to contact points that repeatedly interrupt the current to that electromagnet causing the diaphragm to spring back the other way, which completes the circuit again. This arrangement opens and closes the circuit hundreds of times per second, which creates a loud noise like a buzzer or electric bell, which sound enters a horn to be amplified. There is usually a screw to adjust the distance/tension of the electrical contacts for best operation."
Now , they COULD make an electronic horn that does not use contacts but generates a signal instead. That technology has only been dirt cheap for 50 years.
I have a Hailer in my VHF. It connects to a (so far) reliable loudspeaker. Has a great horn function but I have to go thru 5 steps in a push button menu to use it.
You think they would put a "Horn" button on the mic... that would be genius!!!!
Now , they COULD make an electronic horn that does not use contacts but generates a signal instead. That technology has only been dirt cheap for 50 years.
I have a Hailer in my VHF. It connects to a (so far) reliable loudspeaker. Has a great horn function but I have to go thru 5 steps in a push button menu to use it.
You think they would put a "Horn" button on the mic... that would be genius!!!!