STRIKEBACK T

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ARMING AND DISARMING THE SYSTEM

A high security pocket-sized transmitter, which is built into a key fob, turns the system on or off at the press of a button. The keys are 'ANTI SCAN' and 'ANTI GRAB' making it impossible for a thief to use a grabber to turn your system off. There are over 72 million billion code combinations. The transmitter never uses the same code twice making it very secure indeed due to the 32 bit resonator transmitting at 433.92 MHz. All replacement radio keys are programmed by JMB Additions to ensure total security and customer service. In the event of loss or theft of a radio key fob, the owner of the motorcaravan can lock out the lost/stolen key allowing single radio key operation to stop a thief from using it. JMB Additions can supply a replacement radio key which is unique to your motorhome and will allow the user to lock in the existing and new radio key permanently, therefore deleting the lost/stolen key.

SILENT ARM/DISARM SIGNAL

To arm the system is extremely simple. A brief press on the radio key fob will arm or disarm the motorcaravan. The motorcaravan lights will flash to confirm (the arm and disarm flashes are different for ease of recognition). An audible tone will be heard when you arm the system if the alarm detects any abnormalities (see automatic autotest).

SAFETY CIRCUIT

A safety feature is built in to prevent accidental operation of the system whilst driving.

BONNET SENSOR (if applicable)

The system will be triggered if the bonnet is forced or opened as an encapsulated tilt switch is fitted. This should not be confused with the much less reliable and cheaper pin switches used in car alarm installations which are, in our opinion, totally unsuitable for prolonged reliable use in the engine area on motorcaravans. They tend to go rusty so the owner sprays them with oil which causes road dirt to clog up the switch and you either get false alarms, or the switch becomes inoperable leaving the bonnet vulnerable to attack.

NIGHT-TIME FACILITY/PET MODE

The system allows you to sleep in your motorhome with the alarm turned on. The system shuts down the internal sensor when arming the system in the sleep mode. Getting up in the middle of the night to get a drink or to use the loo will not affect the alarm but, a thief trying to break in or force a locker or to steal the bikes or trailer protected with the external security loop, would. This mode maintains perimeter protection giving you peace of mind and added safety. This is particularly reassuring when you are forced to make unplanned overnight stops in service areas for example. This facility is also useful if you intend to leave a pet in the motorcaravan but wish to have the alarm on. A simple extended press of the radio key fob when you arm the system will initiate this mode. To make it doubly easy, there is a visual signal to confirm correct operation of the night facility. This is extinguished after thirty seconds (saves keeping you awake at night!). Strikeback T has twin LED's so even when the blinds and curtains are drawn, the external flashing warning light makes it doubly clear to leave your van alone, helping to keep you safe.

SELF-POWERED SIREN

The system will monitor its own power source and, if a thief were to interrupt the power source, (eg disconnect the battery) the alarm will sound using its own permanently charged built-in ni-cad battery. If the thief tries to reconnect the battery to silence the siren, the system will automatically re-arm and, if necessary, trigger again. Even if a thief was brazen enough to try to ignore the sirens briefly thinking he can make it into the vehicle, find the ECU and rip out all the wiring or disconnect the ECU's power supply, the siren would switch to its own internal supply, thus gaining you valuable time but wasting the thiefs.

CARAVAN AND LOCKER DOOR PROTECTION

The caravan and locker doors can be protected by small discreet contact switches. These should not be confused with pin switches which, when added to a door that was not designed to accept them, tend to be unsuitable as they break very easily, are unreliable and look most unattractive. The contact switches we use will trigger the alarm immediately if the doors are forced or opened whilst the alarm is activated (the switches can also be installed on other doors where necessary gas locker or generator cupboard doors for example).

EXTERNAL PROTECTION CIRCUIT (BIKE/MOTORBIKE COVER)

External accessories can be protected. Bicycles on or off a rack (or the rack itself!) for example. We mount at the rear of the motorhome, usually behind the rear skirt, a small resin bonded socket. We also supply a resin-bonded plug that comes with two fly leads. On the ends of the fly leads are a male and female connector. When you wish to protect external accessories simply plug the supplied security loop into the socket and connect the two leads around the item you wish to protect. If the loop is broken or the plug pulled out, the alarm will trigger (if armed). When you do not wish to use the loop simply remove the plug and loop and disable the circuit from the system normally by way of a small dashboard mounted switch. Many of our customers have expanded on this simple but effective security idea and use their security loop system to protect sail boards and surfboards on the roof, back boxes, 'A' frames and small towed cars etc.

ARMED STATUS LIGHT (LED)

A motorcaravan is a very vulnerable vehicle. Highly visible flashing LED's (red flashing lights in people talk) deter thieves, warning them that the vehicle is protected and armed. With STRIKEBACK T the lights have a dual function. When normally armed the lights will flash at a slow steady rate and extinguish when the system is disarmed. If the alarm has been triggered in your absence, the LED's will continue to flash a coded flash after you disarm the alarm. The flash code will determine which motorcaravan alarm zone has been triggered. This has the benefit of giving you peace of mind that 'everything was OK while we were out' and if not, what was tampered with (see diagnostic report). The internal LED is extremely bright, flashing in excess of 3400 Mcd. This means little to most of you until you consider that most car alarms are around 200 Mcd virtually useless during the day.

EXTERNAL WARNING LIGHT (LED)

To ensure that at night (when your windscreen may be covered by screens) any potential thief knows that your motorcaravan is alarmed, a second LED is mounted externally either in a lighting unit or in the bodywork using a flush mounted waterproof LED. The position of the external LED will be determined by ourselves, for maximum effect.

INTERNATIONAL WARNING STICKERS

When used in conjunction with a good security system, warning stickers can provide a good first line of defence along with a visible LED warning light as a deterrent. However, a professional thief can spot a dummy LED and has a good knowledge of which stickers are genuine and those that are available in every High Street car accessory shop. Also, it must be considered that a sticker on a motorcaravan stating 'car alarm installed' also sends another message to the thief. When your system is installed we provide stickers stating: WARNING! THIS MOTORCARAVAN IS
COMPLETELY PROTECTED BY A SOPHISTICATED SECURITY SYSTEM. The stickers aslo have a warning in German French Italian and Spanish.

INTERNAL MOVEMENT SENSOR

A covert interior movement sensor sets up a 'radio wrap' inside the motorhome. Once set, the alarm is instantly triggered if internal movement is detected. This sensor is designed to be covert so we can normally install it behind the dashboard (where possible). Motorhomes up to forty feet in length can be protected internally using a single sensor. This sensor should not be confused with Ultrasonic sensors that are designed primarily for cars. Once the system is armed, this invisible sensor will see the full length of the motorhome. One of the biggest causes of false alarms in car derived systems is the unsuitability of ultrasonic movement sensors. They operate on a totally different system and will see insects moving and heat sources causing air movement (blown air heating and electric fan heaters for example!)

The sensors can be switched off to allow a pet to be left in the motorcaravan, or to allow you to sleep in it with the security system on without the nuisance of triggering the system if you get up in the night. Most modern installations permit us to hide the sensor completely. This also makes it impossible for a potential thief to break in, disable the sensors and work without the alarm triggering. Many times we see car alarms fitted to motorhomes where the ultrasonic sensors have been fitted to the pillars either side of the windscreen and normally just a few inches away from the cab curtains. These of course will partially block the sensors when open, and make them useless when drawn, thus leaving the interior of the van with no protection at all!

DTI APPROVAL AND EUROPEAN DIRECTIVES

The remote controls operate on frequencies approved for use in all EU member states and all EFTA-/EAA states the main control unit meets any current legislation. The radio key conforms at the essential requirement of the directive R&TTE (1999/5/EC Directive). This may seem unimportant but it is illegal now to operate radio equipment in Europe that does not meet and is not marked to this standard.

AUTOMATIC RESET

If triggered, the system will operate on a 25 second cycle. At the end of 25 seconds the system will shut down for 3-5 seconds as it carries out a system check. If the condition that triggered the alarm has stopped, the alarm will automatically re-arm itself to deter further interference. If however, the thief is still violating one of the protected zones, the system will start up again. Whilst the system is carrying out its 3-5 second system check the engine immobilisation is still active. Local authorities and police forces throughout the country now have the legal right to enter and silence alarms that are causing a nuisance. The auto-reset and false alarm control facility will prevent any inconvenience or expense that this could cause.

FALSE ALARM CONTROL FACILITY

Whilst every care is taken in the installation of the system, and the components used are made to a very high standard, sensor malfunction and/or user error is possible, albeit however remote. The system will recognise a repeated false alarm situation. This need not necessarily be a malfunction. We have known cases in the past where a pet has been left in the motorcaravan and the owner has forgotten to set the alarm in the correct mode. Without the control facility, the alarm would detect the pet every time it moved around the van and the alarm could be sounding on and off for several hours. The owner then returns to the vehicle and finds a distraught pet and camp warden and annoyed, hassled neighbours. The control facility would prevent this happening because, after a pre-set number of incorrect triggers, it would shut down the offending sensor but still maintain protection for the rest of the motorcaravan.

AUTOMATIC AUTO TEST

When you arm the system automatically a protection zone self-test is carried out. If any irregularity is found by the system, you will hear four distinct audible warnings one second after you see the normal arming flash. This will ensure that not only is the system functioning correctly, but also that the motorcaravan owner has not left any doors or lockers open.

OWNER SYSTEM TEST

Every time you arm the system a function test is carried out automatically. However, you can test the system yourself if you wish, quickly and without noise. Once the system is armed, simply open any of the protected doors or lockers and the vehicle lights will flash recognition. Movement within the protected zone in the motorhome will also cause the lights to flash. At the end of the last test the system will revert back to its normal arming sequence and set as usual 25 seconds after the last test.

HIGH SECURITY OVERRIDE

The siren has it's own internal battery back-up in case of unauthorised disconnection or tampering. However, the system is coded and will only react to the vehicle battery being disconnected or the siren being disconnected when the alarm is armed. This means that servicing and maintenance is hassle free.

DIAGNOSTIC REPORT

If the alarm is triggered in your absence, the LED will change its flash code. The alarm will divide the motorhome into four alarm zones: the following is an example of how they zones may be split

1. internal sensors
2. cab doors
3. locker and caravan doors, bonnet & loop
4. ignition

To ensure that you are aware of an alarm condition, the system will continue to flash the diagnostic codes until you are aware of them and deliberately re-set the diagnostic process.

INSTALLATION AND RELATED MATTERS

The installation of the system usually takes one full working day (or half a day with two fitters working). If a week day installation is not convenient, make a weekend of it and enjoy beautiful Seaford leaving your motorcaravan with us for the day.

Once the installation and testing is complete we never leave you in the lurch as a full explanation is given and we demonstrate the system to you. The electronic control unit (the really expensive bit!) carries a lifetime warranty and, of course, all parts and labour are fully guaranteed for a minimum of twenty-four months from the date of installation. If you wish, you may extend your warranty for a third year.

To endeavour to make choosing the right system for the job easier, we have compiled Easy Options One, Two and Three.