Horn relay for Stebel????

[Brownie]

Dear Techies & Gurus......have just been thru all the old threads on replacement horns....would like to install the Nautilus Compact I bought......do I need a relay???? Doesn't the R1150RT have a horn relay already???? Is it sufficient???

Anybodies pics on mounting would be appreciated also....looks like I gotta fab some kinda steel strip to the original mounting tabs...advice?????


TIA.......................Shepster

[Consultant]

I would use a relay even if your bike already has one. The current draw is quite high. Radio Shack sells one for about $7.00 (275-001) that should work. You can probably find one cheaper at an auto supply store. Just ask for a SPST 12VDC 30 or 40 amp relay. I would also wire the horn directly to the battery using a 20 amp fuse. My Stiebel really works great on my R12GS.

[pawork]

I installed w/o a relay a year ago and have had no problems. Not a bad idea to use a relay, though - stock wire size is not impressive. Results, however, are.

[kitze2]

Hey Brownie...

Here's a link to a thread about mounting a Stebel. I posted a few photos of the installation I did on my 1100rt. I used the stock relay as it was rated correctly. The 1150 my be different.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21706&highlight=Stebel+R1100RT

[AntonLargiader]

The 1150 wiring isn't sufficient for more than short blasts of that horn. New 1150 wiring harnesses are $1400 and the labor is substantial as well.

[WildBlue]

The 1150 wiring isn't sufficient for more than short blasts of that horn. New 1150 wiring harnesses are $1400 and the labor is substantial as well.

I'm not sure I want to know why you know this... :whistle

[R100RS]

The stock relay is fine, the problem is the wiring, like Anton said. It would be a royal pain to upgrade the factory wiring, so most of us just add a new circuit and relay for the upgraded horn and use the stock circuit to trigger the new relay.

I used #10 wire and a 30A Bosch/Tyco micro relay to power my Stebel Nautilus.

[kentuvman]

Hi - I needed the relay for the stebel air horn on my f650 as the horn wouldn't work w/out it.

On my K75 the horn works w/out the relay. I usually don't hit the horn and when I do it's ususally just to get someones attention.

If there is a remote chance the existing relay can't handle the draw of the air horn, I'll go back and put it in.

KT

[cruisin]

Hey Brownie...

Here's a link to a thread about mounting a Stebel. I posted a few photos of the installation I did on my 1100rt. I used the stock relay as it was rated correctly. The 1150 my be different.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21706&highlight=Stebel+R1100RT

Nicely done! I mounted mine in a similar fashion but use the original circuit to activate the new circuit that came with the horn. I ordered mine from Biker Hiway.com and it came with all the wiring, relay and instructions needed for complete install. I had to use a flat piece of metal coming off the OEM horn position to mount mine and it fits very nicely between the forks with about a 1/2" clearance on each side as I rotate the steering. Tried to find pics, but can't seem to locate them right now--sorry.

[Brownie]

Thanks to all for a great "horny" discussion.....I also found a descriptive article on the RT touring site, by "mklsportster" (?),

I will take Anton's advice seriously....I don't usually "toot" the horn...it is most often used to "remind" a wonderful cager they are about to invade "myspace." Second most often use is to thank similar cagers after they have done something realy &%#$%^@ stupid:laugh

Tx again.................SRB