- +Complete tank-fed system (horns, compressor, 1.6 gal tank, valve, button) for $139.99
- +A real air tank gives longer blasts than Farbin's tankless kits
- +Graduated trumpet lengths (165-350 mm) are published
- +100 PSI automatic compressor shut-off is disclosed
- +Ships from Amazon with free 30-day returns
- −Listing says both 178 dB and 150 dB, with no test distance for either
- −"150 PSI" headline, but the compressor stops at 100 PSI
- −No warranty term, weight, dimensions, Hz, amp draw or duty cycle published
- −Owners report early failures, broken fittings and a failed solenoid
- −Owners report short wiring, oversized fittings and missing instructions
- −4.0/5 rating is pooled across nine variants
Methodology
Last reviewed: 10/08/2026. This review aggregates publicly available information from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and verified user reviews. We do not perform hands-on testing. Farbin does not run a standalone consumer website, so the brand’s own Amazon listing (sold by FARBIN, shipped by Amazon) is the primary spec source here, cross-checked against a Walmart listing for the smaller-tank sibling, Farbin’s tankless four-trumpet listing, and HornBlasters’ published decibel benchmark. Owner feedback is summarized from Amazon’s review page and labeled as user reports, not fact.
Quick verdict
The Farbin 4-Trumpet Kit with the 6 L (1.6 gal) tank is the top rung of Farbin’s four-trumpet family: four zinc-alloy trumpets, a 12V compressor, a tank, a solenoid valve and a button for $139.99. The problem is the paperwork. The listing’s headline promises 178 dB and a 150 PSI compressor, yet the same page lists the noise level as 150 dB and says the compressor shuts itself off at 100 PSI. Neither loudness figure comes with a test distance. In our editorial opinion, the 178 dB number is not physically credible for a horn of this size, and the kit should be judged as a budget tank-fed quad horn, not a locomotive-class one. We rate it 3.0/5: a complete, cheap-to-start air system with a real tank, held back by contradictory specs, no published warranty term and owner reports that skew heavily negative on durability.
What it is
This is a universal 12V air-horn kit aimed at pickups, Jeeps, SUVs, vans and boats. Unlike Farbin’s tankless kits, where the compressor feeds the horns directly, this version adds a 6-liter (1.6-gallon) air tank between the compressor and the trumpets. That reservoir is the whole point of the upgrade: a tank stores air so each press of the button gets a longer, steadier blast instead of whatever the compressor can push in real time. If you want the background, our guide on train horn air tank size explains how tank volume relates to blast length.
The four trumpets come in graduated lengths of 165, 230, 300 and 350 mm (roughly 6.5 to 13.8 inches); this listing is the “1.6 gal 12V Blue Air Horn Kit” variant. Farbin lists the material as zinc alloy in the spec table and as “zinc copper aluminum” in the product description. Amazon groups this kit with eight sibling variants, including the tankless kits we covered in our Farbin 150 dB 4-Trumpet review, and every one of them shares the same manufacturer part number, FB-JQLB. For the rest of the lineup, see the Farbin brand hub.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand / part number | Farbin FB-JQLB (shared across the variant family) |
| Amazon ASIN | B0CJ66LWKK |
| Trumpets | 4 (165 mm / 230 mm / 300 mm / 350 mm) |
| Advertised loudness (title, bullets, description) | 178 dB (test distance not disclosed) |
| Loudness in the listing’s spec table | 150 dB (test distance not disclosed) |
| Compressor rating (advertised) | 150 PSI |
| Compressor automatic shut-off | 100 PSI |
| Compressor restart pressure | Not disclosed |
| Air tank | 6 L / 1.6 gal |
| Voltage | 12V |
| Weather rating | IPX4 (per Farbin’s comparison chart) |
| Material | Zinc alloy (spec table); zinc copper aluminum (description) |
| Chord frequencies | Not disclosed |
| Dimensions / weight | Not disclosed |
| Compressor amp draw / duty cycle | Not disclosed |
| Warranty term | Not stated on the listing |
| Price | $139.99 |
| Rating | 4.0/5 from 491 ratings (pooled across variants) |
| Sales rank | #24 in Air Horns on Amazon |
- Headline claim
- 178 dB, 150 PSI
- Same listing, fine print
- 150 dB, 100 PSI shut-off
- Tank
- 6 L / 1.6 gal
- Price
- $139.99
Advertised vs. realistic loudness
There are two problems with the decibel figure, and they stack. First, the listing contradicts itself: the title, the “Super Loud” bullet and the product description all say 178 dB, while the structured “Noise Level” field says 150 dB. Second, no test distance is given for either number, and without a distance a dB figure cannot be compared to anything.
For scale, HornBlasters reports that the loudest horn it has ever metered, a Nathan K5 locomotive horn, read 149.4 dB at 3 feet. Decibels are logarithmic: every 10 dB step is ten times the sound intensity. A true 178 dB would be about 28.6 dB above that benchmark, or roughly 700 times the acoustic intensity of a real five-chime locomotive horn, coming from four zinc trumpets the longest of which is 350 mm. In our editorial judgment that is not a measurement but a marketing number. Even the 150 dB figure would put this kit level with a locomotive horn, which is also unlikely. Our advertised vs. real dB guide and how to measure train horn dB explain why budget kits usually meter far below their box claims. Owner opinions on volume are mixed, too.
The PSI contradiction
The same pattern repeats with pressure. The title and a bullet header both say “150 PSI Air Compressor,” but the text beneath that header says the compressor “will automatically stop pumping when the internal air pressure reaches 100 PSI.” So the realistic working ceiling of the system as shipped is 100 PSI. That matters because horn output depends on the pressure behind it, and 100 PSI is lower than the 120 to 150 PSI that many tank kits cycle up to. Farbin does not say at what pressure the compressor kicks back on.
What’s in the box
According to the listing’s “Included Components” field and product description:
- Four trumpet air horns (165 / 230 / 300 / 350 mm)
- Air horn solenoid valve
- 12V air compressor
- 6 L (1.6 gal) air tank
- Horn button
- Hose and fuse (per the “Easy Installation” bullet)
- Screws and other mounting hardware
The listing also promises “clear instructions,” but some owners say they received no installation instructions at all. A relay, a pressure gauge and a separate pressure switch are not listed, so plan on buying a relay and a wiring kit if you don’t already have them.
Pros
- Complete tank-fed air system (horns, compressor, 1.6 gal tank, valve, button) for $139.99
- A real reservoir gives longer, steadier blasts than Farbin’s tankless kits
- Graduated trumpet lengths are published, unlike many budget listings
- Automatic 100 PSI compressor shut-off is disclosed
- IPX4 weather rating listed in Farbin’s own comparison chart
- Ships from Amazon with free 30-day returns
Cons
- Says 178 dB and 150 dB on the same page, with no test distance for either
- ”150 PSI” headline, but the compressor stops at 100 PSI
- No warranty term, weight, dimensions, chord frequencies, amp draw or duty cycle published
- Owners report early failures, a broken air fitting and a failed solenoid
- Wiring complaints (short wire runs, oversized fittings) and missing instructions in owner reports
- The 4.0/5 rating is pooled across nine variants, so it says little about this kit
What owners report
Owner reviews on Amazon raise durability most often, with reports of units failing within two to three weeks, an air fitting breaking, a solenoid failing after two months, and one claim that the kit melted 12-gauge wire. Compressor complaints include one owner who says it never reached 150 PSI and others who say it stopped pumping, and wiring comments are negative. Keep in mind that the reviews shown on this listing come from several variants, including tankless and 0.8-gallon kits, so not every complaint applies to the 6 L version.
Alternatives
- Vevor 4-Trumpet Kit with 1.6 gal (6 L) tank and 150 PSI compressor: same tank volume for less money ($125.99 on Vevor’s product page), with stainless-steel trumpets and a disclosed 95/125 PSI pressure switch. It still has no dB test distance and doesn’t include wiring.
- Farbin 150 dB 4-Trumpet Air Horn Kit (tankless): the same trumpet family with the compressor built in and no tank, for about a third of the price. Choose it if a short blast is fine and you want the simplest install.
- HornBlasters Rhino Black 3 Liter Kit: a big step up in price ($399.99) for a brand that publishes pressures, amperage, fill rates and a 2-year kit warranty. It’s the pick if documentation and support matter more than trumpet count.
Also see Farbin’s smaller kits: the Dual Trumpet 150 dB and the 18-Inch Single Trumpet.
Install / compatibility notes
- 12V only. The kit is listed for 12V systems. Farbin sells separate 12/24V horn-only variants for trucks with 24V electrics.
- Plan the tank location first. A 1.6-gallon tank needs a protected spot: under the bed, on a frame rail, or inside a toolbox. Our guide on how to install a train horn covers the usual mounting options.
- Use a relay and heavier wire. Farbin does not publish the compressor’s current draw, and owners report short wire runs and one melted 12-gauge wire. Fuse close to the battery and size the wire generously.
- Watch compressor run time. No duty cycle is published. Budget compressors overheat if they run continuously, so read compressor duty cycle explained and thermal overload before you lean on the horn.
- Buy extra fittings. Several owners say they needed additional quick-connect fittings for their routing, and one says the supplied fitting was too large for the hose.
- Check local law. Using an air horn on public roads is restricted in many states. See are train horns legal on cars.
Sources
- Amazon: FARBIN Train Horn, 4 Trumpet Horns with 6L Air Tank, 12V 178dB, 150 PSI 1.6 gal (ASIN B0CJ66LWKK): Farbin’s own listing and the source for all specs, part number, trumpet lengths, materials, 178 dB vs 150 dB figures, 150 PSI rating and 100 PSI shut-off, included items, the IPX4 comparison chart, the $139.99 price, the 4.0/5 rating from 491 ratings, sales rank, seller and returns, the variant list, Farbin’s 2014 brand story, and owner reviews
- Walmart: FARBIN 178dB 4-Trumpet Train Horn Kit, 0.8 gal 12V black (item 6180850452): cross-check that the smaller-tank sibling carries the same 178 dB and 150 PSI headline
- Amazon: FARBIN 4-Trumpet Car Horn, tankless (ASIN B0DJGY6DNQ): tankless sibling sharing the FB-JQLB part number, used for the alternative comparison
- Amazon: FARBIN brand store: confirms Farbin sells through an Amazon storefront rather than a standalone consumer site
- HornBlasters: Why fake decibel ratings mislead buyers: the 149.4 dB at 3 ft Nathan K5 benchmark and why a dB rating needs a stated test distance
- VEVOR: 4-Trumpet Train Horn Kit, 1.6 Gal/6L tank, 150 PSI compressor product page: alternative’s $125.99 price, stainless trumpets, 95/125 PSI switch and excluded wiring
- HornBlasters: Rhino Black 3 Liter Train Horn Kit: alternative’s $399.99 price, published pressures, amperage, fill rates and 2-year kit warranty
Train Horn Hub aggregates publicly available data. We do not test products in-house. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
A complete tank-fed four-trumpet kit at a budget price, worth it for a buyer who wants longer blasts than a tankless horn and is comfortable adding a relay and better wiring. Ignore the 178 dB and 150 PSI headlines: the listing itself admits 150 dB and a 100 PSI shut-off, and owner durability reports are poor.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
- Is the Farbin 4-trumpet 6L kit really 178 dB?
- Almost certainly not. 178 dB is Farbin's advertised headline with no test distance, and the same listing's spec table says 150 dB. HornBlasters reports 149.4 dB at 3 feet for a Nathan K5 locomotive horn, the loudest it has metered, so a true 178 dB from four short zinc trumpets is not credible. Expect it to be much louder than a factory horn but well below either figure.
- Does the compressor actually reach 150 PSI?
- Not as shipped. The listing calls it a 150 PSI compressor, but the same text says it automatically stops pumping at 100 PSI, so 100 PSI is the realistic working ceiling. One Amazon reviewer reports it never reached 150 PSI.
- What comes in the box?
- Per the listing: four trumpets (165, 230, 300 and 350 mm), a solenoid valve, a 12V compressor, a 6 L / 1.6 gal air tank, a horn button, hose, a fuse and mounting hardware. A relay, pressure gauge and separate pressure switch are not listed.
- What warranty does Farbin offer on this kit?
- The listing doesn't state a warranty term. It links to a generic warranty page and covers the kit under Amazon's free 30-day refund or replacement because the item ships from Amazon.
- Is it worth the extra money over Farbin's tankless 4-trumpet kit?
- Only if you want longer blasts. The 1.6-gallon tank stores air, so each blast lasts longer than with a tankless kit, but you pay about three times as much ($139.99), take on a harder install, and get the same contradictory dB claims and durability complaints.
