Re: Electrical Gremlin

by Kemerton-bath Fri Apr 05, 2024 4:31 pm

Blimey that website entry for AK makes for grim reading!

Tim

by Smibsh Fri Apr 05, 2024 7:28 pm

BungalowBill wrote:Well I took van to Autosleeper. Very friendly and helpful reception from Karen and staff.
Despite hours spent….. no fault found!!!!!
What did transpire was that Alan Kerr from whom I bought vehicle had fitted a Phantom tracker… having told me the vehicle didn’t have one. Considering they are a big multi- type dealer/agent then I am surprised they didn’t know AS have been fitting trackers on all new vans for years.
They speculated that the tracker was in some way upsetting the electrics and recommended its immediate removal… which I have done. (£1000 down the drain thank you Alan Kerr)
Am about to set off to south of Spain…. So… here’s hoping…

Hi BungalowBill,

Can I ask who removed the tracker? - I'm thinking about removing mine as it is a constant drain on the vehicle battery.

by BungalowBill Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:16 pm

Hi Smbih….Answer is I did. I ascertained from AK where they had hidden it ( behind instrument panel) .From memory..just four screws to access it then pulled off four spade connectors.
To be clear this was a Phantom tracker AK told me I needed , unaware that AS Sergent system has a tracker fitted as standard already!!I’ve still got the standard system installed.
A word of caution if I may …your insurers will surely insist you have an active tracker??

by Peter Brown Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:13 pm

I've had motorhomes for twenty years and the insurers have never asked about a tracker. I have friends who have them and I would never get involved with one.

by IanH Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:25 pm

Ditto, if it disappears, it's insured and not sure I'd want it back after being stolen anyway......

by Big g Sat Apr 06, 2024 10:40 am

Hi everyone
After reading this post it has given me some concerns
I am due to take delivery of a new warwick xl soon and I have asked the supplying dealer to fit a phantom alarm system (not the tracker)
After reading all the replies I am now worried if I will experience the same issues or is it just with the tracker fitted
I am fully aware that AS have the sargent tracker as standard I just wanted the alarm for added security
Thanks
Big g confused3

by Peter Brown Sat Apr 06, 2024 1:36 pm

The battery that the alarm is connected to (usually the vehicle battery) will be fine for two to three weeks without any charge. Longer than that you will need to charge occasionally the best solution being solar if the van is stored outside. This can be achieved by you managing the AS/Sargent solar installation to allow relevant charging when needed by manual intervention, but if you don't want to have to do that then divert the solar harvesting to a dual channel solar controller that will maintain the charge of both batteries. If you can connect the van to an EHU when not using it then the Sargent smart charging will keep both batteries in good condition.

by Big g Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:03 pm

Thanks Peter that has put my mind at rest