Leslie supertyfon RS3L Train Horn Advice

So, I'm goofin' around on flea-bay and I ended up buying a set of Leslie supertyfon RS3L Train Horns; Bells 25, 44, 31.

Not well planned out, so hopefully you can educate me.........

How much air does a horn like this take to be effective?

What is a good pressure?

What's the rough dimensions?

Wow man.
Talk about a spontaneous purchase.
Not sure on the dimentions, but as far as the air flow, 120 Psi +. Wouldn't go much past 150 for it to sound right. Congrats on the new toys though. Can't wait for updates on install and test vids.

I think the Leslie's are a 90 to 120 PSI horn, I'm not 100% but definately find out.



Kris

I did a little research and found the Leslies are rated for 40 - 140 psi, with a range of 3 - 3 1/2 miles @ 100 psi.

Diesel Sniper - from your profile, it looks like you are running a 5 gallon tank with your K5's. Is that a good volume for typical horn use? I'm assuming the Leslie has about the same volume needs (49 scfm) as the K5's, though I really don't have a feel for that.

I was looking at HB's 12 gallon tank, but wasn't sure how big of compressor (s) I would need and if it would be too much over kill for my application.

I don't hink you can ever have too many compressors or air. LOL The five gallon is good for about 25sec. full (200psi) to empty. I am looking for a 20 gallon myself. If I could make a regomendation check HERE. I know it says 12, but I called and it is a 20 gallon for $126.00. GOOD LUCK.

5 gallons would suffice, 10 would be better. I have rebuild parts if needed. Also you should try to stay away from an electric valve. Graham white or a ball valve is optimal. Electric valves tend to destroy the diaphragms in them. 150 psi is fine.

Diaphrams for a leslie run about 50-60 a piece.

If it works dont take it apart, leslie's can be a nightmare. Again if it works dont take the back caps off unless you know what your doing.

Great advice Curtis. Got any 20 gallon tanks? lol

Curt S. wrote:

5 gallons would suffice, 10 would be better. I have rebuild parts if needed. Also you should try to stay away from an electric valve. Graham white or a ball valve is optimal. Electric valves tend to destroy the diaphragms in them. 150 psi is fine.

Diaphrams for a leslie run about 50-60 a piece.

If it works dont take it apart, leslie's can be a nightmare. Again if it works dont take the back caps off unless you know what your doing.

I would love the control of the manual metering valves, but I really don't want to run air lines inside the cab. Also I'm pretty tapped out on mounting space so I don't even know where I could put a manual valve.

Do most people steer clear of the solenoid valves for fear of damaging their horn's diaphragms?

Any electrical options that provide the benefits of the manual metering valves?

Curt S. wrote:

5 gallons would suffice, 10 would be better. I have rebuild parts if needed. Also you should try to stay away from an electric valve. Graham white or a ball valve is optimal. Electric valves tend to destroy the diaphragms in them. 150 psi is fine.

Diaphrams for a leslie run about 50-60 a piece.

If it works dont take it apart, leslie's can be a nightmare. Again if it works dont take the back caps off unless you know what your doing.

What does "5 gallons would suffice" mean? I had it in my head that I have to have 10 gallons or more. Life would certainly be easier (and cheaper) if I only need 5 gallons.

So, would 5 gallons allow for a good full blast or just limited toots?

A 5 gallon tank might get you 3 or 4 seconds with the Leslie, and that's a maybe. Better to get the bigger tank from the start so that you'll be happier from the start versus buying a bigger tank later.

And make sure you have a good compressor(s). Same reason as above.



Kris

ON MY TRUCK I HAVE 2 - 2O GALLON AIR TANKS AND A 5 GALLON SPARE TANK UNDERNEATH MY SEAT THAT A VIAIR 400 FILLS..

KEEP IN MIND..I CAN REALLY PLAY WITH ANY K SERIES HORNS ON MY SETUP RIG NOW..

BUT WHEN I PUT MY NATHAN M5, IT WILL DRAIN MY TANKS QUICKER THEN SHIT.

MY LESLIE S3L I CAN USUALLY GET 5---14L RULE----HONKS...AND THEN IT STARTS TO GET QUIET....BUT THATS FROM 150PSI TO 50-60 PSI...

GO BIG OR GO HOME...

DONT TRY TO HONK A LESLIE WITH A 3 GALLON OR 5 GALLONS OF AIR...IT WOULD NOT EVEN BE ENOUGH TO PRELOAD THE DIAPHRAGMS.

So far, I have an 11 gallon tank . Once I get further into the install, I may decide to go bigger. Living in MN, I will most likely wait until spring to install anything.

I'm pretty sure I will be going with dual 400c compressors.

Right now I am toying with the idea of an electric metering scheme for the air. Essentially I am thinking of using 4 solenoids (1/2" or 3/8") all tied together in parallel. I need to find the valves and research the pressure drop across the valves to determine the size. I was also pondering adding restriction to 1 or 2 of them to allow "finer" throttling. If I even go this direction, I plan on controlling them with a stepped pushbutton switch; i.e. from a hoist pendant. That way I can step the solenoids in or go straight for the whole show.

May all be a BS idea, but it sounds like something fun to play with.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN USING 4 SOLENOIDS IN A PARALLEL.. ?

TO DO WHAT..

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS JUST GIVE ME CALL..

315-200-7434

My thought is if I progressively restrict the air flow through each valve I can increase the air flow as I energize each solenoid. For example, start off with a 3/8" valve energized, then energize a 1/4", then another 3/8", and finally a 1/2". By placing them in parallel, it should make their flow rates cummulative. So, for easy math, if they all had a 3/16" orifice the total opening with all 4 energized should be 3/4". But by stepping them in the total orifice would go from 3/16" to 3/8" to 9/16" to 3/4".

What do you think? Might work or just silly?

THINK ABOUT THE COST....

AIRLINE.
FITTINGS.
SOLENOIDS
CHECK VALVES.

SO IT WOULD LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS.. EXCUSE THE DRAWINGS.. WHY NOT JUST USE A GRAHAM WHITE VALVE

Here's what I'm thinking about.

[img][/img]

yeah pretty much what i drawed up....
the only thing....is that you have to put check valves....so that the air pressure dosent go back into one of the other solenoids..

and even if you did put all of those together...they would all sound the same...and to turn them on...it would have to be within a milla second....or really fast...thinking of all the wiring you are going to have to do...

Guys. Insteas of carrying on a conversation here. Why not try the CHAT ROOM at the bottom of the home page.

CAUSE INSTEAD OF CHATTING EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND THEN PUT IN THERE OPINION, INSTEAD OF JUST KEEPING IT PRIVATE......

Wiring - no problem - a hot to the switch; four wires between the switch and valves; and then daisy chain the negative side of the valves together and then to chassis ground.

I don't think I will need any checks as the tank side of each valve will always be the high side, so as each valve opens the air will flow to the horns (lowest pressure).

um this my be WAY OLD but nice
supertyfon sir hope its all working
nicely for you hell you are the
SANTA FE lol.peace