Vanbitz Alarm query

[BritAussie]

Hi - I don’t think it will be connected but the banner leisure battery in our new Knaus Boxstar appears to be fried. We have had a Strikeback Alsrm and Non-Starter fitted to the van And just want to check that it isn’t likely to have caused the issue - ie there is no direct connection involved?

I’m just pre-emoting the dealer suggesting it’s something non-dealer fitted that has cause the issue. I’ll obviously contact Vanbitz tomorrow too. TIA

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I think it is unlikely. Vanbitz alarms are very reliable and of course well fitted

 

[BritAussie]

That’s what I thought - but wanting to be prepared for dealer trying to fob me off - which may not happen I realise. I meant to post this last night and didn’t obviously so will call Vanbitz when they open today.

 

[Lenny HB]

Banner batteries have got a rep for failing doubt its anything to do with the alarm.
The alarm would be connected to the starter battery.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Would the alarm not be connected to the vehicle/cab battery as opposed to the leisure battery?
Just as an example, we had no issues with our Vanbitz Growler/Nonstarter and 2 x Banner AGM batteries for the 2.5 years we used them before changing to a lithium battery.

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[Abacist]

That’s what I thought - but wanting to be prepared for dealer trying to fob me off - which may not happen I realise. I meant to post this last night and didn’t obviously so will call Vanbitz when they open today.

eddievanbitz is a reliable supplier and member on here and many of us use his company. I would suggest its a bit previous of you to start making the suggestions that you are!

 

[eddie]

There is absolutely no physical connection whatsoever ever.

 

[BritAussie]

There is absolutely no physical connection whatsoever ever.

Hi - I’m sorry but Abacist completely musunderstood my query - I DIDNT really think it would be down to the alarm - but wanted some thoughts before speaking with the dealer IN CASE they started to question any work we have had done post delivery. I thought this was a helpful group ?

 

[BritAussie]

eddievanbitz is a reliable supplier and member on here and many of us use his company. I would suggest its a bit previous of you to start making the suggestions that you are!

I wasn’t making any suggestion about Vanbitz at all - just asking for some assistance before speaking to our dealer. Maybe read posts properly before you cast your own aspersions?

 

[eddie]

Hi - I’m sorry but Abacist completely musunderstood my query - I DIDNT really think it would be down to the alarm - but wanted some thoughts before speaking with the dealer IN CASE they started to question any work we have had done post delivery. I thought this was a helpful group ?

No problem. Whatsoever, it's always best to ask

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[Geistguy]

As a complete numpty with all things technical I think that the original question was perfectly sensible and in order. While eddienanbitz reputation is excellent it's not unknown for dealers to dodge faults by blaming other factors so best to go armed with all facts.

 

[DerryW]

eddievanbitz is a reliable supplier and member on here and many of us use his company. I would suggest its a bit previous of you to start making the suggestions that you are!

I couldn’t see where the OP was making any derogatory suggestions. I think he is wanting to cover all bases before reverting to the dealer in question, something completely plausible.

 

[Just smiffy]

If a funster has limited knowledge then any question is a sensible one….
I think the question warrants answers on why do you think the battery is “fried”..?
Fried indicates that the battery has been overcharged and this can only be done by solar or the charger when hooked up.

Any aftermarket appliances will have a drain on the battery but won’t fry it…

 

[Jon B]

Banner batteries have got a rep for failing doubt its anything to do with the alarm.
The alarm would be connected to the starter battery.

I'd agree with this - also had the Banner Hab Battery give up the ghost on our new Knaus Boxstar - Dealer replaced with no quibbles whatsoever under warranty.

Been OK ever since, but we've decided to go down the Lithium route and are booked into VanBitz in the not too distant future for the fit out.

 

[Simon Select]

I am a Knaus dealer so if your dealer isn't being helpful, then let me know and we can look at it for you.
They are known for coming with leisure batteries in poor condition!

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[mapman]

I wasn’t making any suggestion about Vanbitz at all - just asking for some assistance before speaking to our dealer. Maybe read posts properly before you cast your own aspersions?

I think you did the right thing to ask. Last year our vehicle failed to start for the Fiat Professional mechanic mid way through some tyre sensor replacement work. First thing they blamed was the VB non starter, then the Strikeback etc. Took some convincing that it was impossible to be the cause. Later they admitted it was a poor connection …so best be prepared

 

[lorger]

I had an issue with my Knaus just after we had our alarm fitted by vanbitz and like the Op I wondered if it was connected or just bad luck, I contacted Eddie and as we where going to Cornwall for a holiday he suggested we pop in and they would double check. Everything was fine their side which meant when I phoned the dealer I already knew the alarm wasn't the issue. Credit to the dealer also as he just changed the unit that was faulty, like you no harm in asking and both parties were very helpful in my case.

 

[BritAussie]

If a funster has limited knowledge then any question is a sensible one….
I think the question warrants answers on why do you think the battery is “fried”..?
Fried indicates that the battery has been overcharged and this can only be done by solar or the charger when hooked up.

Any aftermarket appliances will have a drain on the battery but won’t fry it…So

If a funster has limited knowledge then any question is a sensible one….
I think the question warrants answers on why do you think the battery is “fried”..?
Fried indicates that the battery has been overcharged and this can only be done by solar or the charger when hooked up.

Any aftermarket appliances will have a drain on the battery but won’t fry it…

Sorry - been at work all morning - to answer your query we noticed a smell a couple of weekends ago when it was on hook up at home - not rotten egg as such, but an "electrical" smell and we couldn't narrow it down to the van so thought it could have been local. We turned power off anyway just in case. Fast forward to this weekend, the battery had drained a bit so we put hook-up back on and it was fine for a day but the next day smelt the smell again - and this time when investigating tracked it to leisure battery cupboard and the battery was extremely hot. I posted on a FB group and got various replies suggesting Banner batteries are notorious for the problem and also a couple of people with new Knaus vans had reported similar issues. We have used it for a couple of overnight trips and not had the issue - but I guess if the battery was charging up it's not an issue - its when it gets to be fully charged and it doesn't stop charging that could be the issue? As I said it's not a rotten egg smell as such - just definitely an electrical smell.

 

[BritAussie]

I am a Knaus dealer so if your dealer isn't being helpful, then let me know and we can look at it for you.
They are known for coming with leisure batteries in poor condition!

Thanks - I forgot about you guys - you are based in torquay aren't you?? We bought from Webbs of Reading and we live in Dulverton (Exmoor) so really don't want to have to make the journey every time there is a warranty claim - which we had hoped wouldn't happen often! I've been trying to contact Davan at Western Super Mare as when we were looking to buy, spoke to the sales chap there and he suggested that they may do warranty work if you buy from another dealer. It was just that Webbs had the van in stock that made us opt for them, as opposed to waiting for another van to come in elsewhere. I've spoken to Webbs and they will raise a claim with Knauss, but it sounded as though it would be better to check if Davan - or someone else closer to us - would be prepared to do the work. And maybe then even be the ones to submit the claim. If we can get an agreement with a dealer closer to home, we woudl obviously use them for habitation checks, and any other non-warranty work we need done. Do you think that your dealership could help us longterm??

 

[Just smiffy]

Sorry - been at work all morning - to answer your query we noticed a smell a couple of weekends ago when it was on hook up at home - not rotten egg as such, but an "electrical" smell and we couldn't narrow it down to the van so thought it could have been local. We turned power off anyway just in case. Fast forward to this weekend, the battery had drained a bit so we put hook-up back on and it was fine for a day but the next day smelt the smell again - and this time when investigating tracked it to leisure battery cupboard and the battery was extremely hot. I posted on a FB group and got various replies suggesting Banner batteries are notorious for the problem and also a couple of people with new Knaus vans had reported similar issues. We have used it for a couple of overnight trips and not had the issue - but I guess if the battery was charging up it's not an issue - its when it gets to be fully charged and it doesn't stop charging that could be the issue? As I said it's not a rotten egg smell as such - just definitely an electrical smell.

Then it’s definitely the charger at fault or possibly the battery is knackerd… your dealerships responsibility to rectify..

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[Coolcats]

That’s what I thought - but wanting to be prepared for dealer trying to fob me off - which may not happen I realise. I meant to post this last night and didn’t obviously so will call Vanbitz when they open today.

The dealer shouldn’t have any issues with Vanbitz and if they do arrange conference call between both as it is highly unlikely there will be any issues caused by vanbitz.

 

[BritAussie]

I'd agree with this - also had the Banner Hab Battery give up the ghost on our new Knaus Boxstar - Dealer replaced with no quibbles whatsoever under warranty.

Been OK ever since, but we've decided to go down the Lithium route and are booked into VanBitz in the not too distant future for the fit out.

Thanks - it does seem to be a problem with Banner. If we have to go to Reading it might be worth us just replacing the battery ourselves, as the cost of diesel will be ridiculous there and back. Hopefully it is true that we can go to any Knaus dealer and then build a relationship with them if we ever have any other issues - or just go for normal servicing/hab checks, etc. We did look at Lithium batteries last night and when we picked ourselves up off the floor at the cost thought that would be something to do in the future if we keep having issues, as we are still recovering from buying the van early March!!