Upgrading alarms

[MarkJ]

My van is based on a 2020 Relay with the factory alarm and immobiliser.

People say you should fit a 'better' alarm and talk about systems that cost £600-£1,000 - but I'm not seeing the value. You usually fit an expensive alarm to a coach built, because the habitation door isn't on the factory alarm and you have outside lockers which contain nickable things. But those aren't problems I have on my PVC.

A tracker, maybe - but what's the benefit of an alarm upgrade? (Unless your insurer insists, I guess. Mine doesn't).

 

[mistericeman]

I don't have a great deal of faith in alarms...
No one seems to pay much attention to them...

Disklok (ideally modified)
Hidden Fuel cut off
Hidden Electrical cut off
Make sure nothing expensive left on show....

Frankly IF they, want it.... They will take it

Best bet is to make the next one along look more attractive.

 

[MarkJ]

No one seems to pay much attention

Yes, but I gather one of the benefits of some of the really expensive ones is that they have an internal siren which is so loud that you physically can't stay inside the vehicle.

I can see the point of that, I suppose - but it's a lot to pay for that.

 

[Squiffy]

My van is based on a 2020 Relay with the factory alarm and immobiliser.

People say you should fit a 'better' alarm and talk about systems that cost £600-£1,000 - but I'm not seeing the value. You usually fit an expensive alarm to a coach built, because the habitation door isn't on the factory alarm and you have outside lockers which contain nickable things. But those aren't problems I have on my PVC.

A tracker, maybe - but what's the benefit of an alarm upgrade? (Unless your insurer insists, I guess. Mine doesn't).

Mark I have always been of the opinion that if someone wants to break into or take your van it doesn't matter what alarm you have fitted it's going to be gone in 60 seconds, along with the expensive alarm you fitted. Phil

 

[Nabsim]

I would have thought a factory alarm in a pvc should be fine. If you want to add other types of security more visible or not then do what makes you happy

 

[MarkJ]

Thanks, guys. After a bit more pondering I think I'll just go down the tracker route.

 

[wildebus]

I guess one question is what are you trying to protect?
Immobiliser to stop being driven away?
Tracker to help it be found after being stolen?
Neither of the above will stop a break-in and all the contents stolen. I think it is a different approach needed for a Motorhome than that of a car where typically the only real value is the car itself.
Number one thing to have is a suitable insurance policy. Anything over that is just a extra bit of protection.

For myself, I fitted what is a domestic house alarm system to my motorhome. Sensors on doors and windows, PIR detectors, keypad entry, siren, etc. Also settable and reportable via a Smartphone App and also via the Amazon Alexa system.

 

[MarkJ]

what are you trying to protect?

In something like this order:

1. deter those who would want to break in
2. sound a significant alarm if doors forced
3. sound a significant alarm if entry is gained and they rummage inside
4. slow down/deter anyone trying to drive it away
5. if they succeed then see where they've taken it

 

[MarkJ]

domestic house alarm system

230V or 12V?

 

[wildebus]

230V or 12V?

Batteries and 5V. Siren/'Brain' has rechargable battery using a USB port to recharge. All other parts are powered by their own batteries.
I posted about it here - https://motorhomebuilder.com/threads/not-a-self-build-but-a-tweaker.67074/page-13#post-878837

You mentioned in a post about be good to have a siren so loud to be painful to stay near ... the Siren with the alarm above is not massively loud but it is certainly noticable and although I've mounted inside it is still audible outside. I would go for another louder one if possible in conjunction with the standard one.