Author: jeffhills

Part 3 of 3

So you bought yourself an air horn kit for your ride.  Congratulations!!  There are many different applications that an air horn and a VIAIR on board air system can be install in. We cannot possible cover them all.  Below are some suggestions and things to think about BEFORE you install your new air horn kit.  Assured Automotive Company has been in the auto industry since 1994.  The sales staff and technicians got together to give you some suggestions.

Now you have your Assured Performance Air Horn location decided along with were you are mounting your VIAIR air components.  You now need to put it all together. We will just focus on the VIAIR under body style kits.  These are kits were the compressor is not part of the air tank assembly.

1. Connect the compressor stainless steel leader line to tank port.  Keep in mind you will want to use teflon tape or plumbers dope on all threads you are screwing into the tank. You will not want to use the port on lowest part of tank.  You will need that port for the tank drain petcock.  When screwing the compressor leader line into the tank pay special attention to not cross the threads.  DO NOT over tighten the leader line, see warning label on leader line.  If compressor is not located close enough to the tank to use the leader hose, use the “T” fitting and use 1/4 inch line included with the kit.
2. Thread the VIAIR pressure Switch/Relay that is included in the kit into a tank port.  Wire the relay.  White wire to compressor positive wire.  Run the red wire with the inline fuse from battery to the red wire on relay labeled “battery”.  Pull fuse from inline fuse holder before connecting to battery terminal.  Run another wire from an ignition source inside the vehicle, like the radio circuit, to the switch panel included with kit.  Then run a wire from switch panel to the relay lead marked “trigger”.  Ground the black wire on relay and compressor.  Your system is now wired up.
3. Run the 1/4″ air line included with the kit to the air horn solenoid.  Avoid kinking the air line. Avoid shape bends.  If your horn included a barbed fitting on the solenoid, remove the fitting and replace it with the compression fitting included with the kit.  Connect the air line to the solenoid.  Insert a compression fitting in one of the tank ports and connect the air line.  Included in the kit is a pressure safety valve for the tank.  It is a good idea to use this valve.  Thread the included safety valve in a vacant tank port.  On the most bottom tank port thread the included drain petcock into it.
4. The Train Horn kits that Assured Automotive Company sells include air solenoids or electric air valves.  These valves is what allows the air from the air system to enter the horn manifold, thus sounding the horn.  When the solenoid receives 12-24 VDC it opens and allows the pressurized air to pass thru to the horn manifold.  You can use your existing horn switch(steering wheel) or you can incorporate a separate momentary switch.  With Assured Performance Air Horn Solenoids a relay is not required, amperage draw is only 3 amps.  Wire one of the solenoid wires to a 12v positive source.  Ground the other wire.  It doesn’t matter which wire you use for the positive.
5. You are now ready to air up.  Double check all your wiring and air line connections.  When everything checks out, insert fuse into the inline fuse holder.  Start your vehicle, Switch the panel switch to ”on”.  Compressor will begin to fill the tank.  Depending on compressor size and tank size this could take anywhere from 1 minute to 5 minutes to fill to 150psi.  Being sure everyone within 100 feet of vehicle has ear protection, you can now test the horn.
6. Last step.  With a spray bottle of 1 part dish soap and 5 parts water, spray all the air fitting on the system checking for leaks. Fix leaks by either tightening fittings or using extra teflon tape or plumbers dope.
7. ENJOY!!

The staff at Assured Automotive Company would be more than happy to assist you with any install or mounting questions you may have.  We are sure you will enjoy your NEW Assured Performance Air Horn for years to come.

Joe of Memphis Tennessee sent us some photos explaining his install on of the BEHEMOTH Train Air Horn – VIAIR 20005 Kit from Assured Automotive Company on his 1989 Ford F150. Joe purchased this kit in December, and had it installed in no time!!

The pictures below show the mounting of the “BEHEMOTH” Triple Trumpet Air Horn.  Joe mounted the trumpets on the passenger side of his F150 in front of the rear wheels, outside of the frame rail.

Joe aimed the trumpets at a downward angle to help ensure proper drainage of contaminants that get into the trumpets, preventing trouble down the road. As you can see from the second picture, the horn cannot be seen when looking at the truck from the side.

The next step was wiring the horns.  Joe wanted to use his OE horn switch(steering wheel) to activate the air valve on the BEHEMOTH air horns. He also did not want to loose the ability of use his original horn if needed.  He installed a 3 way switch on his dash(see photo below) were he can flip the switch from street OE horn to BEHEMOTH Air Horn. The air valve (solenoid) on the BEHEMOTH Air Horn can be used on a 12v-24v dc electrical system. The solenoid has 2 wires, one is ground and one is positive coming from your switch. It does NOT matter which wire you use for ground/positive.

Now Joe has the horn mounted, it is time to install the VIAIR 20005 air source.  Joe decided to mount the VIAIR 20005 Compressor Tank Combo behind the rear seat of his F150.

The compressor can be loud when running, so this might not be the choice mounting spot for everyone.  Joe installed a piece a 3/4″ aluminum square tubing about 18 inches long. He bolted the VIAIR 20005 unit to that, then secured the tubing to the interior floor board with self tapping screws.

Joe ran the wiring and the air line for the unit through an existing hole in the floor board.  Joe wired the system using a relay so the compressor will only turn on when his truck ignition is in the on position.  He also used a 20 amp inline and wired directly to a battery 12v terminal.

Great job with the install Joe!!!

It looks AWESOME!!!

All of us at Assured Automotive Company appreciate your info and photos