Wireless alarms - any issues?

[HumBea]

Hi. We're getting a motorhome next year, and are currently spending our waiting time investigating motorhome security. The nearest alarm/tracker fitter to us seems to use the Autowatch 695 system, which I believe uses wireless sensors on the habitation/garage doors. My question is, how "safe" are wireless systems? I believe a jammer can be bought off ebay for pittance: are alarms clever enough to recognise when they are being jammed and go off anyway?

Apologies if this is a daft question - I'm reading/watching lots about security at the moment, but finding the electronics side of it a bit confusing!

Thanks

 

[ROCHESB]

We have previously had two motorhomes with Autowatch 695RLC alarms fitted, our current one has a VanBitz Strikeback & NonStarter installed.

We were happy enough with the Autowatch alarms until things started to go wrong.....

Both the alarms (fitted by different installers) were supplied with wireless door contact switches for the habitation and locker doors & I presume used the FIAT cab door courtesy light circuit to protect the cab doors. We had several false alarms with both installations, trouble shooting the false alarms was a chore as the first one was when we discovered the installer had gone out of business, the second one the installer came out, claimed to have adjusted the sensitivity of the internal sensors & beat a hasty retreat. After this failed to fix the problem I managed to get support directly from Autowatch who said the most likely cause was the bonnet switch. It turned out over time the bonnet switch was gradually compressing the bonnet sound insulation to the point where contact was made. I fitted some extra packing which cured the problem.

We have had one problem with the Strikeback alarm shortly after installation, a quick phone call to VanBitz identified the problem and it took me a few minutes to fix it myself.

 

[DaveKerry]

Phantom use wireless sensors but claim to be Thatcham approved??

I think the best thing to do is to phone your intended insurance company and ask if they will insure with that alarm. Vanbitz know what they are talking about and are definitely worth looking at.
Dave

 

[Minxy]

We have previously had two motorhomes with Autowatch 695RLC alarms fitted, our current one has a VanBitz Strikeback & NonStarter installed.

We were happy enough with the Autowatch alarms until things started to go wrong.....

Both the alarms (fitted by different installers) were supplied with wireless door contact switches for the habitation and locker doors & I presume used the FIAT cab door courtesy light circuit to protect the cab doors. We had several false alarms with both installations, trouble shooting the false alarms was a chore as the first one was when we discovered the installer had gone out of business, the second one the installer came out, claimed to have adjusted the sensitivity of the internal sensors & beat a hasty retreat.

Was it the fault of the alarm though or the installations?

After this failed to fix the problem I managed to get support directly from Autowatch who said the most likely cause was the bonnet switch. It turned out over time the bonnet switch was gradually compressing the bonnet sound insulation to the point where contact was made. I fitted some extra packing which cured the problem.

This is the most common fault I think for many alarms, not just on MHs, we've had the same thing ourselves and as you say it is easy to sort.

We have had one problem with the Strikeback alarm shortly after installation, a quick phone call to VanBitz identified the problem and it took me a few minutes to fix it myself.

What was the fault?

 

[ROCHESB]

Was it the fault of the alarm though or the installations?


This is the most common fault I think for many alarms, not just on MHs, we've had the same thing ourselves and as you say it is easy to sort.


What was the fault?

Autowatch faults were both due to installation errors in my opinion, poor wiring and badly installed switch. I had no issue with the Autowatch product, just bad installer experience. Finding a good reliable installer who is going to be around is always a bit of a gamble.

I went with the Strikeback alarm because of the reputation that VanBitz has built up over the years even though it meant a 600 mile round trip to have it installed. We just slotted it into a few days away in the van.

The Strikeback problem was the siren sounded even after I had disabled the alarm with the fob & I couldn't silence it. VanBitz diagnosis was spot on and peace was restored after I was able to sort it out.

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[Stans Van]

Hi. We're getting a motorhome next year, and are currently spending our waiting time investigating motorhome security. The nearest alarm/tracker fitter to us seems to use the Autowatch 695 system, which I believe uses wireless sensors on the habitation/garage doors. My question is, how "safe" are wireless systems? I believe a jammer can be bought off ebay for pittance: are alarms clever enough to recognise when they are being jammed and go off anyway?

Apologies if this is a daft question - I'm reading/watching lots about security at the moment, but finding the electronics side of it a bit confusing!

Thanks

Contact Vanbitz asap

 

[heliart]

My Dethleffs came new (factory fitted) alarm with wireless sensors. Parked at home I had a few anti jamming problems. I fixed this myself as the dealer had not one single club what I was talking about. I also have a Vanbitz. I guess next problem in a few years will be when the sensor batteries need changing - again, dealer will have not one clue.
Oh well, just as well I'm a smart ass. God help anyone who bought a new Dethleffs/Hymer expecting it to just work out of the box, never had such poor dealer after sales support.

Good luck.

 

[Dutch 68]

Just for information, I just bought a MH based on a MAN truck chassis, which is 24volts, eddievanbitz could not help unfortunately, , the strike back growler is not designed to work on 24 volts and Vanbitz doesn’t touch 24 volts vehicles as I understand, so this means that a lot of the more expensive MH from Morelo, Concorde , the older N and B ‘s , vario’s and American RV based on truck or coach chassis with 24 volt can not be fitted with a strike back growler, such a shame, I would have thought that in the development of these alarms, provisions would have been made

 

[eddie]

Just for information, I just bought a MH based on a MAN truck chassis, which is 24volts, eddievanbitz could not help unfortunately, , the strike back growler is not designed to work on 24 volts and Vanbitz doesn’t touch 24 volts vehicles as I understand, so this means that a lot of the more expensive MH from Morelo, Concorde , the older N and B ‘s , vario’s and American RV based on truck or coach chassis with 24 volt can not be fitted with a strike back growler, such a shame, I would have thought that in the development of these alarms, provisions would have been made

To be fair, what we told you was at the time your vehicle was converted we would have been able to assist

Our 2022 equipment is so different to our units twenty years ago

As a motorhome security specialist we cater for the majority of our customers, lorry based conversions are few and far between.

Having to have a Thatcham compliant alarm system for a 24v conversion is simply not financially viable

RV’s are 12 volt