How does the horn button work?

[Robert K.]

IMG_1038.jpgIMG_1036.jpgIMG_1037.jpg

I don't see how the pressing the horn ring completes an electrical circuit. How does the current flow through the horn assembly? More specifically, did I break the circuit by painting the steering wheel hub?

[Chris S.]

Re: How does the horn button work?

Look at the 53 54 Chevy horn diagram
It is the same
http://www.ecklersearlychevy.com/che...1950-1954.html

There is a specific way the center metal peice installs
It installs with "dome" up
Dont tighten the screws down all the way or the horn will honk all the time and scare the pee out of you when you connect the battery.

Your missing the plastic round screw hole spacers

http://www.classicchevy.com/assets/pdf/classicchevy/53-134.pdf

[Domenic T.]

Re: How does the horn button work?

Bob,

The button completes the circuit by giving the relay groung.

That happens when the ring makes contact with ground while the horn is depressed.

DOM

[Chris S.]

Re: How does the horn button work?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]41337[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]41338[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]41339[/ATTACH]

I don't see how the pressing the horn ring completes an electrical circuit. How does the current flow through the horn assembly? More specifically, did I break the circuit by painting the steering wheel hub?

You will need to remove the paint on the inside of the hub.......

[Robert K.]

Re: How does the horn button work?

The classicchevy reference was very helpfull. For clarification, I believe that the horn ring itself is electrially insulated by the horn ring insulator an the three insulating screw barrels and does not actually itself complete an electrical circuit.

Referencing Photo #20a does the Corvette use a split ring bearing seat?

Referencing Photo #22b does the upper horn contact float, maintaining continuous electrial continuity with the Bellville washer?

And this is where it falls apart for me, Photo #23 - "When the horn ring is pushed it will cause the Bellville washer to ground to the steering wheel center hub causing the horns to blow......make sure the center of the steering wheel where the Bellville washer will make contact is bare metal free of rust and paint." - Isn't the outside diameter of the Bellville spring always in contact with the steering wheel hub or does something cause it to float above the wheel? I guess I could understand if the upper horn contact was fixed in the insulator housing and contact was made with the Bellville washer when depressing the horn ring caused the spring to bend in just the right way, but that seems as though you would have to hit just the right spot on the horn ring to make contact. It would be a lot simpler if the Bellville spring floated above the wheel hub, but I don't see how that would work. I guess if the OD of the spring were insulated and the ID contacted bare metal when the horn ring insulator deformed the spring, that would work. Or if the ID of the deformed spring contacted the steering shaft flat washer. What am I missing?

[Chris S.]

Re: How does the horn button work?

Correct
the plastic is what seperates the horn from the column
basic - the shaft is ground and the brass around the bearing is hot
when pushed to one side the metal peice (install concave) pushes down and makes contact

I will try to find a better diagram