Install horn button on steering column

My cj steering wheel does not have a horn button. I would like to install one of those external horn buttons on the column. I need to install some type of separate relay to make it work. Anyone done this and can point me to the relay I need? Thanks!

 

I just did this so I'll try to explain. Also there is an excellent write up in JP Mag. June 07.

A relay is a switch with 2 sides, a low amp side and a high amp side. The low amp side would be connected to a momentary switch like a horn button, a source wire coming from a fused source to terminal 30 then a wire to ground from terminal 87. when you press the switch the circuit is completed causing an internal high amp switch inside the relay to close. You then have a heaver wire from a high amp fused terminal to terminal 86 on the relay. Then another heavy gage wire from terminal 85 to the terminal on the horn. In my case there was a ground wire from the horn to the horn mounting surface to complete the circuit.

This makes for a really loud horn.

The relays are at Pep Boys for $5-6. I just got a Summett catalog today and they have relays with a wiring harness for about the same price.

I hope this makes sense.

 

The relays that I have seen or familiar with have to be inserted in a wiring harness or socket, is there another type to install the horn as I described?

 

You can find a relay set/kit at your local FLAPS or just order one online. They come with not only the relay, but the plug and pigtail wires as well. Any decent 20 or 30amp relay will work. I did this on my 73 CJ5. I installed a new column, and as all new columns are built nowadays, the horn button couldn't handle the full current running through the column. So ordered a relay from Summit that came with the female plug and all the pigtails. Wired it up and viola, great sounding horn.

 

Summit Racing

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+115+328908&D=328908cing

The Pep Boys relay is a replacement relay for a road light instilation kit they sell with wire, wire ends and a rocker switch for $20.

These are universal relays so I just wire them with bulk wire and spade connectors I have on hand.

 

OK, What connects to terminal 30?

 

OK,
Let me correct this information, I have my low side and high sides reversed.

85 and 86 are the low amp side. From a 12 v source connect a wire to a switch like the horn button, from the other side of the horn button connect a wire to 86. from 85 connect a wire to ground.
when you press the horn button this completes the circut between 85 and 86 causing the switch to close on the high amp side.

From a 12 v source connect a wire to 30. from 87 connect a wire to the terminal on the horn. The horn needs to be grounded.

When 85 and 86 are connected this causes 30 and 87 to be connected.
The 12 v source on terminal 30 and 86 can be the same source
.
Also keep in mind switches are non directional so terminals 30 and 87 can be connected in reverse as 85 and 86 can be reversed. You can not mix the high and low side, for instance connecting 85 and 87 will not give the same results.
Again, sorry for the confusing information.

 

12V to horn button
horn button to 86
85 to ground

is that correct?
i have an aftermarket button i want to mount on the column and an aftermarket horn that takes 1 power wire and the horn itself grounds to what it is mounted to.
thanks again fellas

 

google relay wiring diagram

 

i searched for a few hours before i posted here.
everything i found was for either a modern car/motorcycle or it directed me back here.

thanks buddy!