Alarm/Tracker Keeps Going Off

[DerryW]

Good Morning all.

We have a Titanium/Gemini alarm and tracker fitted to our MoHo, for the last couple of months it has been going off randomly for no apparent reason. The monitoring station (Outsmart the Thief Ltd) suggested I change the batteries in all the devices including the fob. I did this yesterday, and low and behold the alarm went off in the middle of last night. Can anyone suggest what might be causing this.

Items I have checked: -

1. Replaced batteries in all alarm contacts, fob and Passive infra red sensor..
2. Placed mice traps in van for over a month (never caught anything)
3. Isolated the external motion sensor lights on the house and garage which are aimed at the MoHo (the thinking behind this was) "is the sudden bright light when someone walks by and triggers the light shinning through the MoHo window, tricking the passive sensor.
4. The leisure battery is reading 12.7v
5. The main vehicle battery is reading 13.5v
6. Read previous post on this subject on the forum, but to no avail

Any other suggestions to stop this would be greatly received, not only by me, but our poor neighbours I'm sure, whilst they're very understanding, I'm sure it must be getting on their nerves.

Thanks Derry

 

[Riverbankannie]

When ours did this randomly, it was the under bonnet sensor which was supposed to press against the soft felt like flexible under bonnet cover. Over time it had made a small dent so didn’t contact properly.
We removed the cover and glued a piece of firm stuff under the contact area before replacing the cover. Had no problems since - touch wood !

 

[icantremember]

We have a similar problem occasionally with our alarm .. I'm fairly sure is caused by hibernating Lace Wing insects as we find them all over in the motorhome.

 

[Lorryman100]

If connected, disconnect the ehu lead. For some reason my alarm goes of randomly when set with the ehu connected.

 

[Lenny HB]

When ours did this randomly, it was the under bonnet sensor which was supposed to press against the soft felt like flexible under bonnet cover. Over time it had made a small dent so didn’t contact properly.
We removed the cover and glued a piece of firm stuff under the contact area before replacing the cover. Had no problems since - touch wood !

We had our Autowatch one going off last year, even went off once when driving that was embarrassing. When I was fiddling under the bonnet a couple of months ago I found the alarm switch was loose, just the nut loose, not suprising with some of the roads we have been down. Tightened it and I remembered your post, I didn't really think that was the problem

Result not gone off since.

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[DerryW]

Thanks all responders so far. I will check the items mentioned above, but please continue to respond.

Thanks - Derry

 

[Two on Tour]

We have had both the hab door contact and the bonnet switch fail which allowed the alarm to be set and then go into alarm after it's settling down period, but as your is going off randomly, it might well be the cab heater air vents being open along with the heater controls set to fresh air rather than recirculating and a gust of wind coming through the vents triggering the ultrasonic sensors that are usually fitted at the top of the windscreen/door post sensing movement caused by the wind gust.

We had this happen a couple of times and now turn the heater controls to recirculating when we leave the van.

 

[eddie]

There is a diagnostic function on most modern alarms that will tell you which circuit triggered the system, bike protection circuit, tilt sensor on bonnet, cab doors, caravan doors etc making fault finding so much easier

Do you have this information in your paperwork?

 

[Polobonnie100]

My Phantom tracker used to go if it was a really cold night, until they installed a new device for free.

 

[DerryW]

There is a diagnostic function on most modern alarms that will tell you which circuit triggered the system, bike protection circuit, tilt sensor on bonnet, cab doors, caravan doors etc making fault finding so much easier

Do you have this information in your paperwork?

@eddievanbitz It does state in the blurb that there is a diagnostic function, however it doesn't say where or how to interrogate. Are you able to share any further details on this function please.

Thanks - Derry

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[Langtoftlad]

Why not call Carl at OTT, he's rumoured to be very helpful.

 

[eddie]

@eddievanbitz It does state in the blurb that there is a diagnostic function, however it doesn't say where or how to interrogate. Are you able to share any further details on this function please.

Thanks - Derry

No sorry, but you could give Carl a ring as Langtoftlad suggested.

 

[Simon Select]

Easy solution. Ring Vanbitz and get a growler lol.
I have the same problem with loads of different makes on my Motorhome forecourt and it drives me mad all day!

 

[27 TUG]

Hi you could have a mouse getting in any sh t in drawers cupboards set a trap with peanut butter on it try that

 

[DerryW]

Thanks to all who responded. I spoke with Carl at OTT this morning, very helpful and knowledgeable chap. hopefully all now sorted.

Once again,many thanks for all the helpful and varied suggestions.
Derry

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[27 TUG]

So what was the problem

 

[skylinersi]

When ours did this randomly, it was the under bonnet sensor which was supposed to press against the soft felt like flexible under bonnet cover. Over time it had made a small dent so didn’t contact properly.
We removed the cover and glued a piece of firm stuff under the contact area before replacing the cover. Had no problems since - touch wood !

same here!

 

[skylinersi]

Thanks to all who responded. I spoke with Carl at OTT this morning, very helpful and knowledgeable chap. hopefully all now sorted.

Once again,many thanks for all the helpful and varied suggestions.
Derry

so, what was the problem........??

 

[DerryW]

Sorry, yes of course. By a series of elimination faulty alarm contact on the hab door.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

I know it's now sorted, but for the sake of anyone else reading the thread: try putting the alarm in 'pet setting mode', so that the motion detectors are disabled.

That way you will know if it is just a case of something moving within the van or the motion detectors being too sensitive and reacting to wind, passing traffic, etc. or if one of the door/bonnet sensors or the unit itself is faulty.

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[Charlie9038]

I had the same issue with my pvc, seems to be a problem with the sliding door contacts, if it goes off again, and the alarm is on the can system might need to take back to fiat for a mod. On mine there were contacts which go open circuit due to the weight of the door. Hopefully you manage to get it sorted, it drove me nuts so we now have a coachbuilt with a van bitz growler fitted.