R31CB HORN

[bill46]

We have been having trouble with the horn on our recently purchased 2014 R31CB since survey.
Survey January 2nd lower worked CB not. 70s
Seagate replaced horn. OK on re-inspection Feb 5. cold day in 50s
Lower OK on delivery Feb. 10. cold bent mast & horn going home. very cold 40s
Installed replacement Feb 19., worked OK both initially.
March lower usually ok, upper usually just click
By end of month both just click, but sometimes when under 65 degrees lower works.

Finally decided to seriously troubleshoot system. Everything checks normal.
Battery voltage 13.15, drops to 12.95 at either switch.
Found at horn yellow neg. is 3 Volts, positive 10 volts to ground behind DC switches. both sides dropping equally 3 volts.
Checked connections everywhere I can find. Do not know where upper and lower join before entering mast.

Tried old bent horn on bench, 6.5 amps for each one, 13A total.
New one OK with 7AH battery at horn on boat.
Tested new on bench 6.5 Amps each, 13 both.
Reinstalled, just click. cut wire to second, one works fine.

Any ideas?
Seems wire runs are too long for wire gauge used with excessive drop.

Or are horns drawing too much current?
FIAMM spec. is 12A max. I measure 13 @ 12.6 V. Westmarine catalog lists 3 with 8-10 A.

Any Ideas? Did Fiamm change horn?
for now I will cruise with only one.

Is anyone else having problems?

Bill46 on Radio Active

 

[John&Patty]

HI Bill. Our Horns failed to work during a Coast Guard inspection today from either the command bridge or the lower helm station on our new 2016 Ranger 31. Lucky we had our portable air horn as a backup. The outside temperature was about 75 degrees F. This could be a serious problem due to the seasonal fog we have in north puget sound this time of the year. Will contact the factory Monday. Thanks for your posting.

John Willis
SeaFox ll

 

[bill46]

Hi John and Patty
What did factory say about your horn?
We are still using one since two will not work.
Bill

 

[John&Patty]

Checked out the horns on our 31 CB the next day in cooler weather at about 58 deg F and both worked fine. Each time we venture out on SeaFox, we now routinely test the horn system. Talked to Ronnie at the factory and he was not aware of any systemic horn failure on the 31CB tugs. It may heat up next week up here in Puget Sound and will try to test the horn with a warmer cabin and bridge.