Sunday, February 9, 2014

Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1

Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1This is essentially identical to the Carrand Old Timer Horn, but at a more reasonable price. Both the Wolo 330 and the Carrand are made in China. I have both, and apart from the painted-on chrome of the Carrand Old Timer Horn, the construction, electric motor, and materials are the same. My Wolo 330 sounds a lot raspier than my Carand. The sound that comes out of the Wolo 330 can be described as "oooorh," and definitely not "ahoogah." I think this is because the electric motor is either too powerful, or it's actually rated to run on 6 volts instead. Quality control varies, because I've measured impedance on several units, and they measured anywhere from 0.7 ohms to 2 ohms! I lowered the voltage and current by putting a 1.75 or a 2 ohm resistor in series at the positive (+) end, and backed off the adjustment bolt at the back of the horn until I got the classic "ahoogah" sound. Don't do this yourself; have your mechanic install it for you.

kkrome's review is dead on. After purchasing the ooga I was definitely disappointed with the high pitched sound. I stated searching for others with this problem and found kkrome's review here on Amazon. I check Amazon a lot as I am a 'Prime' member. He was spot on! Do what he says and you'll be pleased.

I remembered about calculating current / wattage so did a search engine check to make sure of the formula's. Using my laptop, I calculated my needs with simple arithmetic using the 'knowns' and solving for the unknown, much easier than it sounds. I used kkrome's 2.0 ohm suggestion and factored it in which helped me come up with the amount of wattage my resistor needed. I went to Radio shack and for 1.99, I got a two pack of 1.0 ohm resistors. The highest wattage they had was only had 1.0 ohm / 10 watt (wattage is the amount of heat it can give off). I calculated that I needed more wattage but that was all they had in stock.

Not to be deterred, I got to thinking that since I am not hooking mine up to be a full time horn for actual emergencies, as in, NOT hooked up to my steering wheel's horn, (This means using a separate dedicated button to press for the ooga). My ooga is only for amusement, so my horn would never be used long and continuously which would mean that the 1.0 ohm / 10 watt would not overheat and fail. If it does, so what? It's only 1 dollar. (got a two pack remember?)

In less than 5 minutes, I cut the 12 volt hot wire going directly to the back of the ooga and soldered in the 1.0 ohm/10 watt resistor. I tried my horn and could tell the resistor was doing its job so I then adjusted the horn. With a tiny tweak of the adjustment screw on the back, it came to life with a more authentic sound. It has the low growling sound and actually sounds "AH-OOO-GAH". I stopped with just putting in only one 1.0 ohm and did not use kkrome's 1.75 to 2.0 ohm resistor suggestion. So before you go to putting in the full 2.0 ohm's, start with just 1.0 ohm and move up in ohms if needed.

I mounted my horn on the left hand side near the fire wall in front of the driver, well away from splashes and such. I am driving a Dodge 1 ton.

If you're looking at this ooga, then you must be a tinkerer unless you were going to pay someone to put it in to begin with. This is an easy project. FWIW, Do yourself a favor, put it somewhere on top so you can get to it easily. My location doesn't require me to get greasy because it's all right there.

I gave this horn 3 stars because you must do some tinkering to get it to sound right.

Buy Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1 Now

I do agree with Kkrome's very interesting review that the sound you most often get from this horn jumps up to pitch too fast. I found, with a little practice, that a relatively quick push worked better, didn't seem to get underway quite as easily. Of course the antique horns did the proper "ah-OOOO-gah" every time. I've had these put on two cars. (I'm no mechanic! I have Ziebart's guys do it.) The last time, it was put dead center behind the grill (in front of the radiator. My LAND is it loud when it is prominently placed like that. If you're wanting to use is as more of a "friendly greeting," I'd have it put off to the side or farther back. These aren't the most durable horns in the world. I had one on my 2005 (Toyota Avalon people are VERY surprised to hear that sound coming from that car!), and after a year or two, the relay failed and needed to be replaced. Later, I had to replace the entire horn. I traded to a newer Avalon (left the horns on the other car) and got another in 2010. That one lasted all of 14 months before it rusted up and failed. I suspect its prominent location may have contributed to that, and would suggest placeing it where it's less exposed to moisture. In search of a more authentic sound, I replaced the failed one with a FIAMM ooga horn. That's been in only a couple of weeks, but for the record, the Wolo one sounds better. (Time will tell if it lasts any longer.) If the FIAMM lasts, great. If it conks out, I'll either check out another brand, or go back to Wolo.

Read Best Reviews of Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1 Here

I had a aoohgaa horn about 25 years ago, i thought this one would be simular but the sound produced is a more high pitched and not giving the same effect. This horn is about half the size of the original horn i had and i would say 1/4 the sound quality.

Want Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1 Discount?

My husband recently installed this in his car and loves it. It was a fairly simple installation and works just as promised.

Save 55% Off

No comments:

Post a Comment