2nd Gen JCW Most liked posts in thread: Installing Hella Supertone Horns on the R56

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  1. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #16 Crashton, Dec 22, 2013
    You are most welcome. The check cleared the bank OK. :D
     
  2. 05r50

    05r50 Well-Known Member

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    #17 05r50, Dec 24, 2013
    I'm gonna need one of those brackets. The air horns just aren't getting any attention these days.

    I have been cut off several times lately. Hit the horn and they just keep coming over.

    Time for some more umph in my horn.
     
  3. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #18 Metalman, Dec 24, 2013
    I didn't want to cut and splice the OEM horn wiring harness.... So through diligent "Realoem" searching.... I located the matching OEM plug for the horn connection... My plan is to drive a separate remote fused relay with the OEM horn circuit and power the Hella's with a higher amperage circuit....

    Looking at the stock wiring, there is no way the Hella's will get the power they require without this upgrade...:D

    The Hella horns are rated at 72 watts which works out to 6 amps at 12 volts....

    To be continued....
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #22 Nathan, Jan 4, 2014
    Squirrel!!
     
  5. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

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    #25 vetsvette, Mar 9, 2014
    The horn fuse in the R56 is rated at 20A, so shouldn't you be able to get by without the relay? Two 6A horns should not be a problem. I'm thinking of just replacing the stock horns with the Hellas. If I can find the stock horns.... if they will mount in the stock locations.....haven't looked yet.
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #26 Metalman, Mar 9, 2014
    Others have stayed with the stock horn connections and spliced the oem wiring....
    I elected to use the stock connection to trigger the Hella relay and I also didn't want to cut and splice the oem horn plug so I can revert back to stock.... Once you see the size of the stock wiring you may question this as well..... I was nervous and upgraded to a heavier gauge wiring at the horn with a OEM plug...

    I'll say this.... The Hella horns put the stock to shame..... No way are they both consuming the same amperage....
     
  7. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

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    #27 vetsvette, Mar 9, 2014
    Not having looked at my horns yet, am I right in assuming they have a proprietary connector? As far as the wire gauge and circuitry, I checked the Hella website to make sure, and the Supertones are rated at 72W. (72W/12VD=6A) On a circuit rated for 20A the stock wiring is adequate for two 6A horns. If/when I replace them, I don't plan on going back to stock so changing connectors won't be an issue for me. Now, where the heck are the horns located and will I be able to access them without ramps or a lift? :confused5: :biggrin5:
     
  8. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #29 Minidave, Mar 9, 2014
    I think they can get by with smaller gauge wire because the time the circuit is energized is very short, relatively speaking.......you don't hit the horn and hold it for 5 minutes. You need the 20 fuse for the inrush current.....
     
  9. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

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    #30 vetsvette, Mar 9, 2014
    Thanks Metalman. Appreciate the info. You wouldn't have another of those nifty brackets lying around would you? :) Excellent work on those by the way.
     
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