I've been searching all of the threads concerning the mounting of the Stebel Nautilus horn, which I recently received from Murph's. There have been some references to the proper mounting angle/orientation, but my Stebel came with no instructions at all regarding the proper orientation for mounting the horn.
Is there truly a specific direction that this horn must face? I was contemplating making an angle or z-bracket to mount it in the right side upper fairing so that the sound is directed pretty much downward, parallel to the forks. This is rather than mounting it so that it blasts towards the forks (and me!!) as is shown on the Twisted Throttle website, http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/384/1/28/.
On a related subject, it seems all of the Stebel pictures on this site show a much more "naked" horn than what I received from Murph's. It seems to have a shroud that covers much of the horn's mechanism, nothing like the one shown on the T.T. website listed above. Is mine a new and improved Nautilus or something?
Update: Ok, I found on the web that the cylinder must be mounted within 15-degrees of vertical. That blows my installation plan of getting the horns to blow downward. Guess I'll come up with a "Plan B" tomorrow.
I doubt that the mounting angle is very critical...just make sure that it is mounted so that any water which might enter will freely drain out...as a design engineer for Kenworth truck company I have designed several electric horn mounting locations and have learned that if the horn is not oriented so that it will not collect water that there will be high warranty claim rate...I know that you will not be making a warranty claim if the horn fails early, but it is just something to keep in mind...please post pictures of your installation for all of us.
Ok, the plan is to put it under the right side, oriented vertically. I'm wondering if i can trim off some of the curve at the bottom of the two horns so that the sound is directed down more. Either that, or attach a small "deflector" to them to do the same thing.
I wonder whatever happened with the guy that trimmed the OEM horn bracket and mounted the Nautilus in the original horn locatiion. I tried fitting it there and believe it will clear, but my concern was blocking air from the radiator on a hot Texas day.
IIRC, that horn can be "disassembled" carefully, separating the pump from the horn, and this will allow you to add a piece of plastic tubing, to make mounting the 2 pieces in a more adaptive manner....There are two "versions" of the horn out there. The newer one has some extra plastic all around it. You can really see the difference when you look at Jeremy's install pictures vs. Caffeinated's. I really wish this was a "push tab A and slide out of slot B" type disassembly, just in case it needed to be reversed.
I can't find the photos, but Millerized took pics of one he did this to.
Now that you've had your horn mounted in front of your radiator for awhile, what do you think? Any issues with heat due to airflow being blocked, horn damage due to weather or debris, bracket failure due to the weight, or interference with the fender when the shocks are compressed?
I see how it will fit there, but I live in Texas where it gets really hot and I don't want any issues with overheating.
here is an interesting article comparing motorcycle horns
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-horns/motorcycle-horn-comparison.htm
Pardon me for reviving an older thread, but I've run into a problem with my Stebel Nautilus. About the second time I tested the horn, the supplied 10 amp fuse blew. I replaced it and have been able to honk it a few times to demonstrate to friends how it sounded. I wrote it off to a defective fuse.First time I tested the horn, the 10amp blew. Just popped a 15amp fuse in there and have had no problems since. I read somewhere that a 15 was needed, but figured the 10amp supplied was the correct one. Guess not.
Well, this morning on the way to work, a lady on her cell phone decided that she wanted to be in my lane more than her own. I gave the horn a couple of short beeps to get her attention, but when that didn't work, I hit the button again. It honked for about a half second, then nothing. My stock horns did continue to beep, but you all know how ineffective those things are.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or might have a suggestion on what might be going on. The horn is mounted very close to vertical and is wired directly to the battery. The harness permits you to keep your stockers operating so I still have those, but will need to pick up some more fuses. I'd just like to know that when I need a big blast, one will be available.
First time I tested the horn, the 10amp blew. Just popped a 15amp fuse in there and have had no problems since. I read somewhere that a 15 was needed, but figured the 10amp supplied was the correct one. Guess not.