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Microwave sensor for alarm.

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:34 pm
by munecito
Hello.

I fitted one of those to my softtop sierra but I couldn't adjust the sensitivity properly.

If I move just a little bit to minus the thingy doesn't work at all. If I move it a little bit to plus it just activates whenever a people walk around the car.

My neighbours want to kill me.

It is a steelmate brand bought in Jaycar.

If that a shit brand??

Where can I get one that works properly??

Any help would be really appreciated as summer is coming and the top is staying at the garage.

Will

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:16 pm
by mitch86
autowatch

BlueLine

$499

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:47 pm
by munecito
$499 just for the sensor??? or Is it a whole alarm???

I just need a good quality sensor tho. Happy with my current alarm.

Will

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:38 am
by chimpboy
If you can't get any help from Jaycar, another good place to try is Radio Parts eg. http://www.radioparts.com.au/ProdView.a ... t=01262512

I think they are Melbourne only but I am sure they can deliver.

As well as the sensitivity of the MW detector consider its location; it needs to be blocked by the car body:
Microwave Sensors: Ideal location is in the center of the car, under center console (as long as not obstructed by metal objects). Microwaves will go through fabric, plastic, wood and glass, but not metal. Start by setting at maximum sensitivity and get away from the car (shut all doors and roll up windows). Start walking towards the car. If the alarm goes off before you even get to the car, then make it less sensitive. It will take a lot of tries to get sensor set in the "perfect" position. Once you limited the field to the inside of the car, double check by running your arms across the roof, sides, etc.
Good luck.

Jason

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:48 am
by munecito
Exactly what I did. But the actual sensor wasn't good. I set the thing and It worked a treat, but when I covered with the plastic carpet it didn't work at all. I had to actually touch the unit to activate the alarm.

Then I moved the sensitivity to the maximun and it catched every person that walked around the car. I readjjusted just a little bit and it didn't work at all, not even touching it.

I went back to jaycar and got my money back. But I still need something to use as a deterrent.

I have two speakers in the back of my car and their boxes are attached to the body, but the boxes are just plywood or something like that, and they can be easyly broken. But if there is an alarm, it could be enough to keep the low lifes away, or maybe to make them think it twice.

Will

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:17 pm
by murcod
www.dynamco.com.au make Cyclops brand and make microwave motion detectors. I've got one in my Feroza and it works well with the top off. Just be warned the sensitivity does vary with temperature and it is very hard to set them so they will always trigger when a person crosses point "X". Also things made of metal (eg trucks, roller doors) will also set them off from a large distance.

You're probably best getting a two stage type and a compatible alarm- that way you can set the warn away (single beep) to trip outside the vehicle perimeter and the second "full alarm" stage if someone is inside.

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:26 pm
by munecito
Not sure if I want to change my car alarm. It is one of those fancy obnes that calls you when it goes off and let you decide what do you want to do by pressing the phone keypad.

It also allows you to hear what is happening inside the car. It actually came with a shock sensor, but I want to replace it with the microwave. Not really sure if it supports dual zone microwave sensors.

Will

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:49 pm
by murcod
Is the shock sensor dual stage- or does the alarm have an output that is +ve or -ve only when it's armed? If so, you can fit a dual stage microwave.

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 12:06 pm
by munecito
Shock sensor is single stage. So I guess the microwave needs to be single stage as well.


Will

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:45 pm
by mitch86
hey yeah 499 was for hole allarm i used to have it in my magna and i wrote it off. but when i ripped the stereo out before the wrecked it i cut the sensors off it.

u can have em if u want lol