www.iFourWinns.com

You might be right about a relay - seems like a strange problem. Thanks for the update! Glad to know it'll fit.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Almost certainly due to a voltage drop at the helm wiring; the multitude of connections behind the dash are not wonderful for allowing full battery voltage to reach the switches etc!

Graham

The horns need to be wired in parallel, not in series. (Ducks, and runs for cover.)

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I wired them both ways - in parallel and in series but same result. I will check the voltage at the horns next.

Thanks

Let us know how it goes. My guess is an issue with the Y connections to the individual horns.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Mine's on the way. It was the last one they had. I told him what was going on and he said he'd order a couple more in case anyone else calls.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Jim and/or Sushi,

Did you make up your harnesses with 16ga wire, or does it need to be 14ga? I realize it shouldn't make a whit of difference for the few inches of run involved; I'm just not going to have time to take this apart and start over once I'm done. Did either of you have any problems like FWFord is having with it? Any thoughts before I dig in?

I noted that one of the horns on the new unit has the same molded-in part number as the original single horn.

BTW, the terminals on my original were getting surprisingly oxidized for their age and storage conditions. I recommend people pull their horns and put some dielectric grease or Ox-Guard on them.

Edit: The ground side on mine is 14ga. and the hot is 16ga. I think I'll connect mine with all 14ga.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike:
I did not rewire everything. However, I used 16gauge wire since it draws 12A max (together). Factory ground wire is 14 gauge since it is picking up (common) with both side of docking lights. I also change fuse to 15A. I did not use relay since I do not have any issue yet.

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Same here, except that on my 200H I didn't bump up the fuse - left the stock 5A fuse in place. No issues here either.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. Interesting that the dual unit is rated for such a higher draw than what it is apparently drawing (since Jim is having no issues with the original 5A fuse).

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Yeah, that 5A fuse I'm using is what makes me scratch my head when thinking about the issue FWFord's having.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Just adding to the fray, here's a nice set of current limit tables and voltage drop calculator.

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Got the horn in tonight (by headlights - it's too darned hot to do any work during the day right now). I still need to zip tie the wires to keep them away from the anchor and install the grill, but everything else is in place and connected.

I can't add much to what Jim & Sushi have already posted as far as the install goes. I made my pigtails up using 14ga. Ancor tinned copper marine wire, AMP crimp terminals, a crimper with the right dies, a tiny dab of conductive grease in each terminal to protect them from oxidation, and polyolefin shrink.

The two holes in the hull were ~1/16" too close together for the new mount, so I had to elongate one of them a bit, then re-chamfer both holes. Drill bits cut sideways through that part of the hull pretty easily.

I agree with Sushi that it sounds pretty car-like, but it's still an improvement.

Thanks to everyone who braved this project before I did and offered all the tips, part numbers, etc. Thanks especially to Jim for pursing the whole thing in the first place!

I'll post a pic or two when I can.

Single horn .mp3

Dual horn .mp3

Pigtails:


Ready to install:


Closeup of horn markings:


My hull, ready for the new unit:

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

FYI - I originally went with the stock 5 amp fuse on the horn circuit even after the upgrade. My 15 year old son went a little nuts with the horn this past weekend, and that 5 amp fuse did finally blow. I'm now using a 10 amp fuse, and keeping the son off the horn as much as possible.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Thanks for the update, I guess I'll make that change.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic