95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

What's a good live wire under the hood when the engine is on?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 10:57 AM
  #1  
4RUNR's Avatar
Thread Starter
Guest
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: North Pole
What's a good live wire under the hood when the engine is on?

I want to rig up the dual air horn/compressor setup so that the steering wheel activates the horns when the engine is running (or accessory in on position) and activate the stock horns when the engine is off.

Reasoning behind it being that the compressors drain 40amps each.

#1. If the car is left with the alarm on I'm worried about draining the battery if it's triggered over and over

#2. Compressors have lag, and the pulsating that the alarm puts out barely makes any noise. It just spools up the compressors.

So that's the situation
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 04:23 PM
  #2  
4RUNR's Avatar
Thread Starter
Guest
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: North Pole
Just measured stock horn if anyone is interested. 2.8A@12.5v each.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2003 | 04:09 AM
  #3  
ravencr's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,697
Likes: 0
From: Deep Gap, NC
The Power Lead on the battery!

Chris
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2003 | 04:52 AM
  #4  
4RUNR's Avatar
Thread Starter
Guest
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: North Pole
My battery stays charged with the engine off
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2003 | 04:59 AM
  #5  
ravencr's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,697
Likes: 0
From: Deep Gap, NC
Mine does, because I have a small solar panel sitting on top of my dash. It actually works really well!

Chris
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2003 | 08:26 AM
  #6  
SteveS's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach
Here is what I did. I was no longer using the power plug relay, and that gave me a switched wire. I extended this wire out of the fuse box and have used it to pick the relays I've added around the truck. Not sure if this will work for you, but I try not to splice into wires used by other devices.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2003 | 02:10 PM
  #7  
4RUNR's Avatar
Thread Starter
Guest
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: North Pole
Another revelation: the current coming off the stock horn wire is not enough to drive an air horn!

Just ran a 40amp relay straight from the battery and to the compressor. There is no delay now and it's 'twice' as loud! If the alarm is triggered it is actually beeping and not only making the compressor spin up.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
voiddweller
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
19
May 2, 2016 09:10 PM
TheManOutside
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
0
Jun 18, 2015 03:32 PM
2wdtundra
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
0
Jun 18, 2015 05:19 AM
XtremeOff-Road
Off Road Trip Planning, Expeditions, Trips, & Events
16
Jun 27, 2002 07:32 PM
Corey
Maintenance & Repair Archives
16
Jun 25, 2002 11:13 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:59 AM.