Nathan Airchime K5LA Train Horn! The Air System Used In My Van For My Train Horn II
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- Because of the success of the other Train Horn Video where I described a little about the air system used in my van to power the set of K5LA and the truck horns, I decided to make a Full High Definition video of the system and also talk about the changes I have made to the train horn.
I have been getting lots of questions on where I got these horns from, how much I paid for these horns...
Q: Where did you get these horns from?
A; I got them from someone who I used to work with up in Long Island NY who used to work for a railroad company. back in 1997.
Q: How much did you pay for the horns?
A: I dropped $250.00 USD for the horns and about a total of $500.00 USD for all the other accessories to make the horn work.
Q: What did the K5LA come off of?
A: I am not totally sure on what locomotive exactly but from what I was told by the person who sold me the horns, it came off of a retired F3 diesel locomotive used by the railroad company he used to work for.
Q: Is it legal?
A: In the state that I live in, yes... This state requires that any vehicle registered in this state must have some sort of sound emitting device to warn of on coming danger. It does not matter on how that sound emitting device works or what it sounds like or what it looks like either. I am aware that there are areas on where these horns are not legal to be used on vehicles. I would check with your state/city/town/local laws about owning such air horn.
Q: Do you use them on the road?
A: HELL PHUCKING YEAH!!!!
Q: How often do you scare people off the road with them
A: I only scare those who drive stupidly or unsafely in front of me as I am driving and use them to let them know that they are acting stupid. I normally don't try to maliciously scare people but I wont lie... once in a while...
Q: Ever blow that horn in a tunnel?
A: I blew these horns in the Lincoln Tunnel and the Mid Town Tunnel in NYC. And let me tell you... THAT WAS FUNNY when I saw people try moving out of my way when I gave the K5 a toot. ( This is one of the times I did scare someone with my horn)
Q: Ever blow these horns in the middle of a city?
A: Yes... I have hit the horn in the middle of NYC, Washington DC, Baltimore, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Clearwater and other cities across the country. And I might add... I love the echos I get from the sound bouncing around the different buildings in the city...lol.
Q: Do you get a lot of people on the road asking you to blow that horn?
A: Almost every time I drive my van, someone pulls up to my side of the vehicle and give me the hand signal to honk the horn or ask me to "Hit The Horn!" I even had Hulk Hogan from the WWE pull up to van and had asked me to blow the horn.
Q: How much air pressure do you use on the horn?
A: I can pressurize the tank up to 125 PSI and like to keep it above 75 PSI. The horn manufacture says I can push as much as 200 PSI into the horn without any problems. Me personally, would not want to go more than 150 PSI just for safety reasons.
Q: How long did it take to set all of that up on your van?
A; The initial setup took me about 3 hours to cut the holes in the roof, create the seals needed when mounting the rack for the horns, running the airlines and building the valve system for the horn.
Q: If you were to do one long blast on the horn, how long of a blast would it be?
A: With 12 Gal. of air pushing through a 5/8 inch line on a fully opened valve, I would estimate about a 15 to 20 second blast.
Q: How loud is that horn?
A: I get this question a lot...lol... This horn is just as loud as any passing train when approaching a RR. crossing. For you audiophiles out there, these horns have been measured having an SPL of about 150 db at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, at about 60% relative humidity. The db does vary from different temperatures and humidity levels.
Q: How far can you hear these horns from?
A: It varies from the different locations. In a rural area or suburban area, these horns can be heard from as far away as 5 miles and even further depending the landscape. I have field tested these horns and I was able to hear them as far away as 2 miles in a mildly urban setting depending on the amount of background noise in the air at the time.
I hope that answers a few questions you all have...
This video was a request from Hornblasters07 to talk about my air system I use for my K5LA Train Horn. I talk about the different valves I use for my horns, the different airlines used for the system and the air tank I use to store the pressurized air.
you sir are a true american, hats off to you sir
Thank you. :)
I generally take my K5LA apart once a year to check the "o" rings, clean out any debris that got into the horns, clean up the diaphragms, re-seat the diaphragms and back plates and tune them individually with an air compressor blow gun before reinstalling each horn back onto the rack manifold. I have gone as long as 3 years without tuning or rebuilding the horns.
I've seen you driving around Clearwater a couple times, nice to get to see the setup
Thank you for the comment.. :) See you around town... :)
I live around Tampa. I guess you live in Clearwater area somewhere. I have horns on my pickup. Do the cops ever mess with you with your horns out in the open like that. I have mine on my toolbox in the bed of the truck so they're in plain open just like yours just kind of wondering if the cops are going to mess with me. But I don't really blow them that much
Hello there Josh1991k5la....
Thank you for watching my video here and I hope you enjoyed the info I put into this video. I can go for 1 good solid year without having to take them apart and tune them. BUT if you live in an area where dust and debris can get into the horn often, then you might want to clean them and reassemble them about once every 4 to 6 months to keep the diaphragms in good shape. You have to also take into consideration that weather will affect the tuning of the horns.
Great horn
Great setup! Thanks for sharing the video!
The train horn that you have sounds just like the nkp 426
Nice set up 👍
Thank you... It is no longer set up whereas I sold the van that it was installed in. I am however working on a new project and setting up the airhorns on another van.
That's a badass setup!
Yes... That is normal for it to be hard to open the valve by it self. Once it is installed in line with the air supply lines and well secured so it does not move around, it is for the most part easy to pull the handle and operate the valve.
Awesome... That horn will SCREAM for sure with that valve... Just make sure that you use a large air tank(15 gal. or larger) and dont go over 150 psi for safety reasons... You could damage the "o" rings in the valve or blow out the diaphragms of the horn when you go over 150 psi...The great thing with that valve is you can feather it to quill the horns or pull the valve wide open and slam the horns with the sudden air pressure to get that quick horn blast. Have fun with it. I do with my K5LA.
really cool setup, I have a K5LLA with 200psi 30 gallon and 3/4 hose all the way
Hello there and thank you for viewing my video... Pretty much all of the plumbing except the Graham White Valve was bought from Home Depot including the air line from the valve to the air horn.
Still thank you for the comment and the suggestion.. I do appreciate it. :)
SKIP TO 4:20 TO HEAR THE TRAIN HORN .YOUR WELCOME!
You need to add the bell to dude. That Cool
Nice! The best system I have ever seen.
Thank you for the compliment. Sadly this van is going to be retiring soon. I am probably going to make one more video with my train horn on the van and retire the van shortly after that.
Oh, whats the plans after that? Selling it?
Awesome!
Thanks!
It has a very strong spring inside the valve assembly to allow to close the valve rapidly after it has been pulled open and to ensure a good seal when the valve is not being used. Enjoy the valve and what ever horn system you have. Also thank you for watching my video... Spread the word please.. :)
im using it with a K3LA cant wait!
I really want to set up a train horn on my car when I get older, but I don't even know how to install a freaking TV LOL
It is not a simple task to let you know. This setup of mine, featured in my video took me over 6 hours to get all the pipework and air tanks in place and then hooked up to the horn. Then having to tune the horn so it sounds right. This would be something that a good handyman would be able to tackle.
Awesome video, djluna96! I learned a lot about these setups. Thank you!
I do know the springs are good..but I have a way smaller line from the valve to the horn than what I should have on there... NOW.. it has been a long time(9 years) that I have taken the horn apart so I am hoping that the springs are still good...@Thewoog34
Alright that's not bad at all. Thanks for responding.
Hello there mhtube01. I am sorry that I took so long to respond. Been very busy here with work. It is not all that difficult but being that there are 5 trumpets on the setup, it takes about 2 hours to clean them, and tune them properly. There are a numerous places where you can order out parts for the K5LA.
Good work !!!
Nice job dude!
I got it from Ebay. It is called a "Graham White 353-100 Valve"
Nice video.
I did flip the handle around to allow for the installation of the valve in the configuration I have..
I would like to have more of a permanent installation of the air system I use...But there are times I need to do a quick removal and the system I have only takes me about 3 min to get the air system out... Further more, where I live, there is a lot of salt air and the corrosion factor is much higher here than in other places...Keeping the air system in my van has prolonged the air tank and valves. The horn is placed exactly where I want it to show it off and get the max volume.
I've watched this video and it helped me alot. I used the same air tank you did and I got a $10 12v bicycle compressor and hooked it up and works great. Got everything for around $100
I use a high pressure hose that is rated for 300 PSI and you can get such hose from Home Depot or Lowes.
@djluna96 I found out the problem...these are meant to be ran with a 1/4 inch airline and at 120 psi. Buy a pressure regulator (viair sells 1/4 inch pressure regulators for cheap) and try them. If you run them with a thicker air line and a higher pressure they lose their stuttertone sound.
wish I still had my aerostar now
I have to do it manually from a gas station or from my workshop air compressor. I use typical automobile mechanic shop quick connects to fill my 12 gal. air tank I have in my van.
Great set up. Have you ever thought of trying a steam whistle with you air set up ? I bet it would be wicked.
It's funny that you brought that question up because I have looked for steam whistles. Unfortunately I have not found one that I liked
So as long as I have and existing 3 gallon air tank and a compressor all I will need is the Nathan horns and the oversized air hose to recreate what u have?
can you do a video of the K5LA tuning...? They sound great!
At the current time, I have to manually fill the air tank. I do not have compressor in the van....
You should use air brake hose it's a lot thinner and u can use em for both horns
Hello there x94xPJCx. I got the truck valve from a parts store specializing in truck parts up in Long Island NY.
hey bro, great setup. how much PSI needed to run through the NATHAN? will a typical tractor air line supply enough air?
Joe Albergo need at least 60 psi to get pretty much the full effect out of these horns. I use up to 125 psi in my air system. as far as the airlines needed, something with at least 3/8 inch internal diameter is what is recommended and can withstand at least 200 psi to resist the lines from bursting.
thanks.
Where did you get that valve for the truck horn?
ive seen a couple but none that looked that robust.
Hey Luna, what did you say? My older version of Nathan P3's arrived today! Testing them at 175 PSI veeeerrrryyyy_ quickly, turning a 3/8" 1/4 valve on a quick connect, almost blowing my eardrums completely out, not having ear protection.
Maybe the horn did not clean the wax out of your ears.. LOL Thank you for the great comment. :)
Great video! I would LOVE to own one of those K5LA's I love the sound of them. When you rebuilt them and re-tuned them, how tough of a job was it and how easy are they to get parts for?
i just got a graham white valve an it seems to be kinda hard to pull. its not hooked up yet but me tryin to pull on it while its in my hand is kinda hard? is that normal?
What size is the fitting on the k5
Where u get the spring handle for the k5
Those don't sound like grover stuttertones. Perhaps the springs in the power chambers are broken?
How do you fill up your tank?
Where did you get the horn lever?
Where is your compressor? And where did you get the horns?
I have to manually presurize the tank because I dont have a compressor onboard. And the horn came off a retired F3 Diesel Locomotive from NY.
Use the first gen k5la its sounds so better to know what a first gen k5la sounds like watch videos about the csx p903
Question about the GW valve. Did you flip the handle around for you application. like the one i have the IN and OUT are reversed compared to yours.
@DigitalLonestarX4600 I am not entirely familiar with all the laws regarding having such horn on a vehicle in all the states.. but I do know that it is legal to have in the State that I live in now...(Florida)
isnt it risky haven the air lines in the cab with you? cause thats what i wanna do is have the valve but i keep haven people tell me its really risky. i wanna get the real train horn sound cant get that with just the button.
Hello Dv can i ask your something ! I have also K5La train horn I just buy last week there in Us ‘but my problem is nothing to thesame to your horn ‘ they cannot ‘ here loudest horn like your horn can help me ‘ what can i do this please thank you Dv’ Luna ‘
The key is large diameter air line supply... It is not so much the air pressure but more about the volume of air going to those airhorns.
Where did you get your quarter turn valves... can't find any that look that good
Hey! Nice video again! Like your setup. But I don't think it's safe for you to have the air tank at this place in case of accident 0_0 lol
The most I can pressurize the tank to is 125 PSI.
What PSI are you applying to the horns? I Have P-5 and South Shore Interurban 1926 Westinghouse horns that operate via solenoid/or Graham White valve like you show.
Thanks
Dan
how long will it sound that good after you rebuild it an tune it?
Where did you get your K5LA? Btw, great video and set up!
What is the valve called that is mounted from the roof?
How did you get that graham white 353 valve with a black handle?
I found it on Ebay. I also know that this valve did come with a grey handle but this one was in black... I did not have much of a choice.
Dvj Luna ok just wondering because I would love my GW valve to have a black handle
Why not just use the Horn Blasters big electric air solenoid and mount everything underneath your vehicle? It would be a heck of a lot cleaner and still be very loud. Don't get me wrong, I like the horn, just not all of the stuff in the cab.
im only gonna use 140 psi to it. i have another question? what type of airline are you using. i know it calls for 1/2 inch but is it rubber. people tellin me i cant use rubber for what im tryin to do cause it could blow the airline easy what is yours?
how much psi did you use to blow? i have a 125psi rated tank but i only use it to like 110-115
with the graham white valve, do you have to use a lot of force to pull the handle? The one i have either has a really hard spring or something else becuase i have to use quite a bit of force to get the whole valve open
No... I do not need a lot of pulling force with my valve... I can not give you an exact answer on what it suppose to be as far as the needed pulling force. So I used a fish scale to see how much it takes to pull my valve and it came up just over 3 pounds to just crack open the valve and about 10 pounds to fully pull open the valve. Now this is by no means a true scientific exact specification whereas I don't have the proper weights and measurements equipment to get a correct reading. I hope this is helpful.
Dvj Luna It is. Thank you very much for the response!
Dvj Luna
I see you have many air hose accessories/connectors from the tank to the K5LA. I myself have one but I really need some help on finding those same air hose connectors. Would you mind telling me where you bought yours?
i would never buy a k5 from hornblasters. i can get 2 k5s from the amount that theyre asking for, plus they take the diffuser rings out which makes no sense
Nick Silcox well can u pls tell me where can i get a K5LA for a better price?
Carlos Santos eBay would be a good start
Craigslist would be second offer up would be third
Those don't sound anything like stuttertones. They sound like ordinary truck horns.
are these things street legal
Do you know the company who actually makes those Train horns literally?
Hi there
I'm looking for a set of K5 CSX 30109 like the one you have in your video if you could send me details as to where I could get a set
kind regards
Neil
Hello there Neil...
You can order your K5LA from this website www.hornblasters.com and do a search for the K5LA in the site. Here is the direct link to purchasing such air horn.
www.hornblasters.com/products/details.php?i=nathan-airchime-k5-k5la-train-horn
Please understand that I am not legally responsible for any traffic violations you may be cited for the use of such air horn. Please refer to the local laws of your location on the legalities of owning and using of such horn. It is the consumer's responsibility to comply with local noise ordinances and D.O.T. sound level laws.
When you get the horn, shoot a video so we all can enjoy the sound and beauty of such fine piece of railroad technology. Thank you for the message and comment.
I know you said this was purchased from someone you worked with, but where would you say is the best place to get a K5 if you know.
Just want you to know.. these horns were not given to me... I purchased them from someone who I worked with in the past. You can find these horns from a website called Horn Blasters. www.hornblasters.com. Here is the direct link to that website that sells them. www.hornblasters.com/products/details.php?i=nathan-airchime-k5-k5la-train-horn
Dvj Luna
Thanks and sorry about the miscommunication. Edited the comment.
This passes inspection?
I my state where I live, this is not an issue.
@956rangoflex I got the Graham White valve from Ebay.
Anyone know if it's league in CA to have a k5?
From what I understand about the laws in CA.... You are allowed to own such a horn... BUT can't use it on the roads... It can be used for off road purpose only. I would still research the local laws of where you are located in CA to be ABSOLUTLY sure about the legalities. NOW I do know that there is a person on RUclips who has a K3 and has mounted it on his van. He also lives in CA. But I am sure that what he demonstrated on RUclips is not totally legal.
Thanks for the quick response. May I ask how you came into possession of the valve handle?
I found it through E-bay. It is called the "Graham White 353 1/2 inch Valve". That is a good start to look for such valve and if you cant find one there, I would then try HornBlasters.com. I know they sell it there and it normally goes for about $170.00, give or take a few dollars.
nnnnice
I skipped to 4:22
pikachu!
I LIKE THE IDEA OF A NATHAN K5LA TRAIN HORN ON A DODGE WHY DON T YOU MAYBE PUT A NATHAN K5LA TRAIN HORN ON YOUR DODGE TOO IF YOU ARE A DODGE OWNER THAT IS
I dont own any Dodge vehicles.