totally typical for a VW Bus or vanagon horn ..
yes..
relay, that's what you want for sure ..
so the only current flowing in the horn contact ring is the current to
energize the relay ..
which is very little.

and let the load contacts of the relay carry the higher current the new
horns need.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Maglott" <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2011 6:41 PM
Subject: Horn upgrade

> Well, I got my horn button fixed so that I can beep while going
> straight.  Then thought I would get a louder horn than the old stock
> one that is a little anemic.  I got a dual hi-lo horn kit and set
> about installing.  Hooked them up, but no beep.  After a lot of
> troubleshooting, it seems that they take enough extra current that my
> system can't get them honking.  When I fixed the horn contact ring in
> the steering wheel, I bent the finger that touches the rotating
> ring.  there is not a lot left of that finger to make contact.  I
> wonder if I'm losing too much current there?  I measured the current
> draw of the new horns, and it is about 5-6 amps each.  The old horn
> is about the same.  Even one of the new horns will not honk on the
> system.  It makes a little clink sound, but that's it.  Maybe they
> have a high "starting current?"  Looks like  from Bentley that the
> horn circuit is the only thing on a 20amp fuse, so I should be fine
> there.  I was thinking about using a relay but am open to any suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Edward