FIAMM.....This Thread Says "No Relay Needed"....Opinions?

[jeffmiller]

This was taken from the Calsci ST pages......is this right or wrong?

"FIAMM Freeway Blaster horns installation. One high tone and one low tone rated at 132 dB each. $15 each at Autozone or Pep Boys. Good for changing little old ladies' hair color from blue to white, or doing the solo part of Gershwin's American in Paris. The upper horn is mounted to the stem included in the kit, and then hose clamped to the fairing support. The lower horn is mounted to the stem included in the kit and then attached at the OEM mounting location, but outboard of the original location so that the fairing fits. The horns are connected in parallel, no relay, just the OEM horn switch. Idea and pictures by Scott Roeder. "

[texxter]

I also have an aftermarket horn, the Steibel compact, and I installed it with a relay, came with it. I think this is the safe way to install an air horn. A bit more work, but you'll get the most performance out of it and the peace of mind.

[dond]

They will work fairly well w/o a relay but the firST time you honk while the brakelights are on you get to replace the fuse.

Do it right........Once.

[George Radominski]

I recommend using relay to minimize chances of replacing the Honda horn switch. If I remember correctly the left switch assembly is over $100 bucks. I believe that Honda designed this switch for their horn switching current which is likely less than ½ of the 2 Hwy Fiamm horns (based on Honda 16 or 18 gauge wires). The inductive horn’s load could cause quick switch failure; relay is an inexpensive insurance. I also agree with previous comments that without higher gauge wires (12/14 – I used 14 on my Fiamm Air Horns) you will not get full voltage at your horns.
George.

[Kennedy]

Have to agree with the other fellows here. If you are going to draw that much more current through an existing wire / switch you will be looking for trouble

[bcst1300]

They will work fairly well w/o a relay but the firST time you honk while the brakelights are on you get to replace the fuse.

Do it right........Once.

I have these horns installed without relays or new fuses on my 03. They are damn loud. Is a relay and larger wire a good idea? Probably, but I have been trouble free for 2 years without a relay. If you do install a relay use two wires for power 1 supply and 1 return. #14 is large enough for a %3 voltage drop. Total load is about 10 amps.

[Blrfl]

I have a pair of Fiamms on my bike, and I can only describe the 1300's stock horn wiring using one word: cheesy. I don't think I'd have even wired the stock horn with it.

Adding a second fuse block isn't a lot of work, and adding more farkles becomes a lot easier once you've done it.

--Mark

[Rolling Thunder]

I swapped stock for Freeway Blasters and used a relay - just in case. You will get plenty of pros & cons on this particular topic. It may be overkill but I chose the relay and ground back to battery. All works well for me and it wasn't that hard to install.

[wjbertrand]

Wrong. Use a relay for two reasons: First, it will allow you to run a new circuit from the battery using larger gauge wire (12ga) so that the horns develop their full volume. Secondly this will avoid possible fuse popping in the OEM circuit or eventual burning of the OEM horn switch contacts. Use the leads that originally connected to the OEM horn to switch the relay. They should plug directly onto it.

This was taken from the Calsci ST pages......is this right or wrong?

"FIAMM Freeway Blaster horns installation. One high tone and one low tone rated at 132 dB each. $15 each at Autozone or Pep Boys. Good for changing little old ladies' hair color from blue to white, or doing the solo part of Gershwin's American in Paris. The upper horn is mounted to the stem included in the kit, and then hose clamped to the fairing support. The lower horn is mounted to the stem included in the kit and then attached at the OEM mounting location, but outboard of the original location so that the fairing fits. The horns are connected in parallel, no relay, just the OEM horn switch. Idea and pictures by Scott Roeder. "