Alarms

[peterc10]

Hi peterc10,

Please don’t quote out of context.

Whoa.............easy tiger. I was just echoing your point

 

[RandallC]

Whoa.............easy tiger. I was just echoing your point

by Chance are you associated with the press/ news industries, which would perhaps explain your perchant for selective text quotes.

 

[Garry - June]

We have Alarm & Tracker as required by Insurers...plus diskloc and clutch/brake pedal lock....but even with all this it wont stop a determined thief....break ins are the biggest concern.....just stop and take a look at your flimsy plastic windows and roof skylights... anyone not concerned about damage would be in through those in 30 seconds flat..

 

[peterc10]

by Chance are you associated with the press/ news industries, which would perhaps explain your perchant for selective text quotes.

Hope you have woken up in a better mood. If this is how you treat someone who was supportive of your post I wonder how nasty you will be to somebody that disagrees.

I select the text I want to answer, as do many others on here. So please don't get so personal.

 

[WESTY66]

We have Alarm & Tracker as required by Insurers...plus diskloc and clutch/brake pedal lock....but even with all this it wont stop a determined thief....break ins are the biggest concern.....just stop and take a look at your flimsy plastic windows and roof skylights... anyone not concerned about damage would be in through those in 30 seconds flat..

I see a lot of insurance firms like their customers having a monitored tracker, which is great if you want to locate where the scumbags are ripping apart your motorhome, one could even go down to said location and ask them to stop it!!
Me, I’d rather have the option of them not taking it in the first place, hence my enthusiasm for the Meta non starter?

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[philmc79]

I have everything, 2 trackers one with the alarm and one that came with the van, "Swift Sargent Electronics" the alarm and tracker came from Phantom in Stockport been around since the stone age lol, got the best deterrent of all as well hydraulic self leveling MH jacked up on the rams, wont stop them getting in but not much to take in the MH, also bought a small flashing light connected to a battery from fleebay they recon it will last 10 years, got one for my mate for his caravan and it made the thieves knick the one next to him, that works well as well.
paid a lot for my MH and what we paid for the alarm and tracker was a drop in the ocean, take my advice just get one and make sure it has a tracker with it.

 

[peterc10]

got the best deterrent of all as well hydraulic self leveling MH jacked up on the rams, wont stop them getting in but not much to take in the MH,

I thought that our levelling system would stop them taking the motorhome too. Until somebody pointed out to me that all they have to do is release the handbrake and the jacks automatically retract. May not be the same with your system, but I think it is the standard setting for E&P jacks in order to make sure you do not try to move away with the jacks still down.

 

[Two on Tour]

I thought that our levelling system would stop them taking the motorhome too. Until somebody pointed out to me that all they have to do is release the handbrake and the jacks automatically retract. May not be the same with your system, but I think it is the standard setting for E&P jacks in order to make sure you do not try to move away with the jacks still down.

You and I know releasing the handbrake will retract the E&P jacks and that's only when the ignition is on, but it's unlikely the perpetual thief would would know that and they are more likely to look at a van up on the jacks and think, WTF do I do with that and move on, plus the fact that certainly with van, it's a pain in the arse to get up and into when it's fully extended on the jacks.

 

[peterc10]

You and I know releasing the handbrake will retract the E&P jacks and that's only when the ignition is on, but it's unlikely the perpetual thief would would know that and they are more likely to look at a van up on the jacks and think, WTF do I do with that and move on, plus the fact that certainly with van, it's a pain in the arse to get up and into when it's fully extended on the jacks.

Good point Paul. I agree it can be a bit too high for us oldies to get up into the van with the jacks down, but I suspect the thieving scum will be a lot younger and sprightlier than us

But, from memory, mine retract when I release the handbrake whether or not the ignition is on. Strange since Mick was fitting them the same time as yours.

 

[Two on Tour]

Good point Paul. I agree it can be a bit too high for us oldies to get up into the van with the jacks down, but I suspect the thieving scum will be a lot younger and sprightlier than us

But, from memory, mine retract when I release the handbrake whether or not the ignition is on. Strange since Mick was fitting them the same time as yours.

Just been and tried ours Peter, and ours requires the ignition to be on to retract with releasing the handbrake, but of course this may not be the case on other vans.

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[Surabaya]

Just left a review for Vanbitz, (Eddie expect a bit of discount in the future) NO seriously was one of the few firms we have delt with vis motorhome who actually seem to get its your pride and joy, cost you half your pension, and offer a decent service. Thanks and well done.

Oh incidentally did i mention your guys are underpaid and you charge too much!

Agree whole heartedly that only exceptional firms care about our vans almost as much as we do. Posted a reply in January making exact same point about the customer service I recieved from AutoWatch alarm systems. I had the canbus fitted at Rhino Installs at Preston. They also seem an exceptional motorhome / camper installer. Would also agree that VanBitz are excellent, around 20 years ago had a strikeback alarm fitted to my previous van. Trouble was, so complicated I rarely used it, so much so that the backup supply died and so could'nt alarm for 15 years without a long trip back to Somerset... a Florida 1994 model !
So, just to mention that Rhino Installs do a conscientious days work too....

 

[Wh05apk]

Just been and tried ours Peter, and ours requires the ignition to be on to retract with releasing the handbrake, but of course this may not be the case on other vans.

If you had up on the jacks, would you not normally leave the handbrake off to prevent seizing if all wheels were off the ground?

 

[Two on Tour]

If you had up on the jacks, would you not normally leave the handbrake off to prevent seizing if all wheels were off the ground?

The reasons why I leave our handbrake on when our van is up on the jacks, is, I would more than likely forget that the handbrake was off and then when I turned the ignition on to operate the jacks via the remote as I normally do, the van would immediately start to lower and it does fairly quickly, then as we park our van on quite a slope, no handbrake, a slope and a garage doors 3 feet away, well, that could well end in a disaster, plus letting the jacks down by releasing the handbrake which is a no no, can and does confuse the system and then the system has to be reset and yes I know I could leave a note on the steering wheel to warn me. To date we have not had the brake seizing on, nor has it hesitated in releasing at any time.

 

[Dave Horton]

Peace of mind! Call Eddie @ VanBitz!

 

[Minxy]

We considered a Vanbitz alarm but wouldn't want the extra sounders - if it went off for some reason with our dogs alone inside I don't think they'd be happy!

We've had Autowatch alarms on a few MHs/PVCs and have been more than happy with them so that's what we had put on our current Carthago. It had 6 sensors included in the price and a Thatcham 2 to 1 upgrade for the immobiliser so meets the requirements for insurance. We can isolate the interior sensors too so can have the exterior protected when we're in it/overnight etc.

We also prefer to have one that many places can deal with if we have an issue, rather than a single supplier/fitter.

This previous thread might give you some info about alarms:

Alarm advice please

I have booked in to Van Bitz to get an alarm fitted to our new Burstner. Question is....Growler or Strikeback? The Growler is obviously a mega system and not to be trifled with but do I really need it? Strikeback is a few hundred £ cheaper. But is it worth not investing the extra money. Could...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[peterc10]

We considered a Vanbitz alarm but wouldn't want the extra sounders - if it went off for some reason with our dogs alone inside I don't think they'd be happy!

You can switch the internal sirens off if you want. We do that when we set the alarm at night. Others do it when they leave their dogs in the motorhome while they are out.

 

[Minxy]

You can switch the internal sirens off if you want. We do that when we set the alarm at night. Others do it when they leave their dogs in the motorhome while they are out.

Yes I know but if we didn't/forgot it would be a hell of a racket and I don't think our dogs would be happy.

 

[eddie]

We considered a Vanbitz alarm but wouldn't want the extra sounders - if it went off for some reason with our dogs alone inside I don't think they'd be happy!

We've had Autowatch alarms on a few MHs/PVCs and have been more than happy with them so that's what we had put on our current Carthago. It had 6 sensors included in the price and a Thatcham 2 to 1 upgrade for the immobiliser so meets the requirements for insurance. We can isolate the interior sensors too so can have the exterior protected when we're in it/overnight etc.

We also prefer to have one that many places can deal with if we have an issue, rather than a single supplier/fitter.

This previous thread might give you some info about alarms:

Alarm advice please

I have booked in to Van Bitz to get an alarm fitted to our new Burstner. Question is....Growler or Strikeback? The Growler is obviously a mega system and not to be trifled with but do I really need it? Strikeback is a few hundred £ cheaper. But is it worth not investing the extra money. Could...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

When the alarm is set in dog mode the internal sounders are automatically disabled.

Anytime you want to actually know anything about my systems, please feel free to ask me ?

 

[Minxy]

When the alarm is set in dog mode the internal sounders are automatically disabled.

Anytime you want to actually know anything about my systems, please feel free to ask me ?

No problem Eddie, I already knew that but if it ever gets forgotten we'd end up with very angry dogs and I really do NOT want to be on the end of Tazzy's scowling face if I can help it!

I know your alarm system is the bees-knees but we're quite happy with the one we have; people have to make their own minds up what they want from a system.

 

[peterc10]

I know your alarm system is the bees-knees .

Puppy's privates actually .........................

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[eddie]

No problem Eddie, I already knew that but if it ever gets forgotten we'd end up with very angry dogs and I really do NOT want to be on the end of Tazzy's scowling face if I can help it!

I know your alarm system is the bees-knees but we're quite happy with the one we have; people have to make their own minds up what they want from a system.

But not even you could forget was the point I’m making

Glad your happy with what you have, but please try not to discuss points about my system that are wrong

Thanks

 

[Baden87]

Nice one Minsky guy ,that’s what the snorkel and flippers are for in the welcome pack

 

[Minxy]

But not even you could forget was the point I’m making

Glad your happy with what you have, but please try not to discuss points about my system that are wrong

Thanks

In what way was I wrong? I never said that your sensors can't be turned off ... and unfortunately you are not able to tell if I'll forget something or not (or more likely my husband) ... unless you're Mystic Meg!

 

[Minxy]

Nice one Minsky guy ,that’s what the snorkel and flippers are for in the welcome pack

Its Minxy Girl and I'm female ... ... not sure what the snorkel/flippers reference is for.

 

[eddie]

In what way was I wrong? I never said that your sensors can't be turned off ... and unfortunately you are not able to tell if I'll forget something or not (or more likely my husband) ... unless you're Mystic Meg!

The internal sounders (as you call them) are turned off automatically with the hyperfrequency unit (internal movement sensors) so even the dumbest people can use it

So no worries then if you struggle with forgetting simple things ??

But thank you as always for your opinion.

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[PeteH]

I have been on both side of this, Having had different systems fitted to the last 4 M-H`s.

The first R-V, had a Centurion system, the second a Strikeback, With the old “Devils Wail”, that could wake the dead!, (and did regularly before we solved an issue, Thanks, Eddie). The last 2 had/have the Dealer fitted Sigma (S). (Both O/E from Brownhills, I believe?). The first two both had Glass windows and break alarms BTW, Which I prefer, to plastic windows if I’m honest.

I also have a Self installed, monitored, Tracker. (Which I suspect Eddie would struggle to find, but he likes a challenge?).

I am aware that with time all can be defeated. The object of the deal is to make any potential thief/vandal move on. Hence the fact that all my systems have been “advertised”, currently with A4 placards in strategic windows.

Ultimate security, In my case, is served by the fact that the M-H is parked at the side of the bungalow, behind gates and covered by up to 3 Camera’s triggering and uploading to the monitored “cloud” based security system, we installed when we where going to the USA for months on end. The least secure time/place where when we marshalled concerts and in the venue’s, when you would be hard pushed to hear any alarm!.

You have to match your need to your usage, (and insurance requirements) IMV. For example I would be looking at ripping out the Sigma, for (say) another Strikeback, with monitoring IF like many I was forced to store other than at home.

 

[ElddisNotElvis]

Us too, We bought a new to us A class from Simon Howards Motorhomes over the Xmas period and the first thing we did was have the Outsmart the Thief Alarm ripped out and a nice new Growler and non starter put in the van......Peace of mind......Lovely???

I am interested why you “ripped out” the Outsmart the Thief, I thought it was supposed to be a decent system that even cuts the engine out if the wiring or OBD is targeted?

 

[WESTY66]

I am interested why you “ripped out” the Outsmart the Thief, I thought it was supposed to be a decent system that even cuts the engine out if the wiring or OBD is targeted?

Simply because I had the growler and non starter in my old bus (Elddis Encore) and was familiar with it and really CBA learning a new system. Nothing more nothing less, I wanted the same dedicated Motorhome system As before. Happy with my decision??

 

[Minxy]

The internal sounders (as you call them) are turned off automatically with the hyperfrequency unit (internal movement sensors) so even the dumbest people can use it

So no worries then if you struggle with forgetting simple things ??

But thank you as always for your opinion.

... but if you forget to turn of the internal movement sensors???

 

[WESTY66]

... but if you forget to turn of the internal movement sensors???

Operator error Mel

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