Ongaro horn adjustment

[DBBRanger]

My horn stopped working so I followed the instructions from the manufacturer that have been repeated here. I got to the part in the instructions where it says to go back to srep 2 if sanding the contacts doesn't work - ie, loosen the adjustment screw. I had to loosen it a considerable amount before it started working again. Infortunately, by that time I was lost as to where it was set originally. Although the horn is working, it didn't have the rich tone that it once had. I emailed the manufacturer to see what frequency they are set at - apparently not a question they usually get. After much ado, they said the settings are:

370 +/- 20Hz ; 320 +/- 20Hz

I got an android app that shows frequency, but have not been in a position to play with it yet, especially since the horns don't sound too badly now. A quick test showed that it still might not be easy to adjust them since they don't produce a pure tone. I just wanted to put this out there in case others had the need.

 

[captstu]

Amazon has a near identical replacement (except it works) for less than $50. Not worth fixing, it fails again soon. Had this one 2 years:
Pactrade Marine Boat Stainless Steel Single Trumpet Horn 12V 115dB 380HZ Heavy Duty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VMMDQVU/re ... 3AbX5D1JGZ



Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[scross]

After doing the Ongaro horn maintenance today (with boat on trailer) I think Stuarts idea of a replacement for the Ongaros has great merit. Two seasons ago one Ongaro went silent and last year both were down by the end of the season. We used a handheld horn during this period. I think the handheld horn is louder than the two Ongaros.
Took me 4 hours to get both horns working again. Much of that time was learning curve - I'm sure I could do it in an hour now that I understand where each one of the 12 screws, 4 lock washers, 6 nuts and 4 gaskets goes. During the earlier maintenance these nuts and washers were not reinstalled in the correct locations. Most all of these little tiny washers and nuts are not shown in the diagrams provided by RT and Ongaro.
Hint to first timers: there are 2 nuts that needs to be removed and replaced on the very end of machine bolts positioned at the bottom two mounting bracket locations and one more at the very top screw location. The top screw location at the back of the horn includes a bracket for the rear cover to screw into and the nut holds the bracket in place. Remove the nuts before trying to remove the 5 main bolts holding everything together. None of this is in the instructions.
Getting the Ongaro decal off the back cover is a bear! And there is no way to save it during the removal. I used a brown nail file to clean the contacts - worked great! And added WD-40 to the contacts as recommended.
I'd recommend getting new rubber gaskets from Ongaro to replace the old style paper gasket before doing the maintenance. I re-used the old paper ones this time but they weren't in great condition. Get two new decals to cover the rear cover attachment bolt while you are at it.
It was readily apparent that this was at least the second maintenance on the horns in the past 9 years. I would not try to do this again without the boat on the trailer. Not really sure I would do it again anyway - Stuart's replacement horns sounds pretty attractive right now!
Worth noting that in 2016 Ongaro went to the rubber gaskets and drilled a drain hole at the bottom of the round casing to get water out. They claim these changes help reduce the contact corrosion.
PS: Tools and supplies needed include a short length medium Phillips screwdriver, a sharp knife for removal of the Ongaro decal, a 9/32” socket and/or micro box wrench for the nuts, WD-40, goop off for the decal residue and an brown nail file.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Ever since we obtained our R25 in 2014 I've been on a campaign to simplify it by removing anything that's not necessary. I've waited to remove some of the unnecessary items until they fail. The most recent step in that process was removal of the horn. I left the wiring in place and will probably replace it when ready to sell the boat. In the mean time, a handheld meets the CG requirements and is as/more functional than the original. And I'm assured of not having to work on it 🙂

 

[stwendl]

A good replacement would be a loud hailer. I had that on my sailboat along with a vhf that generated the signals required during restricted visibility. You could also speak through it or reverse listen, useful on a quiet sailboat

 

[scross]

Just as a quick follow-up on Ongaro trumpet horn parts: I was told last week that replacement gaskets for our horns are not available from the manufacturer. The company recommended using sheet rubber gasket material and cutting new gaskets to shape. I’ve made custom gaskets like this for the oil cooler on my airplane and it is inexpensive and pretty easy to do. The company did ship me two rear Ongaro decals at no cost.

 

[captstu]

Do you think I could get Ongaro labels for my working fine Amazon knock offs?

 

[scross]

Stuart,
I think the price difference between your horns and the Deluxe Ongaro Dual trumpet horns at Amazon ($178.83) is solely attributable to the rear decals. So, no I don’t think they would send you the decals! 😉

 

[captstu]

Across, I can’t see what, if anything, is better for the extra $150. Mine honk when I push the button, look about the same, and mount with no new holes.

$150/decal?


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796