Nuisance alarm
Our factory fitted Tracker Monitor alarm system on our 2022 Bailey Cabrera Unicorn 5 caravan frequently would sound for no apparent reason. Tracker Network came out to check it and declared there to be nothing wrong with it. The engineer said that it could have been triggered by a keyfob setting code match with another outfit that has the same unit but also said that this is a very rare occurrence. There is not way of reducing the PIR sensitivity. Later, it occurred to me that the PIR sensor might be picking movement through some of the windows that we hadn’t closed the blinds on when we were out. One of these is the living area skylight roof which the sensor is right next to it (and right in front of the caravan door on the other side). So we started closing all the other blinds (apart from the front ones) before going out and, since then, no more nuisance alarm incidents have occurred. In talking to Tracker Monitor recently about something else, I mentioned this workaround to them. They suggested that the PIR sensor should be replaced, which has just been done. However, interestingly, the engineer reported a similar possible PIR related issue that happened recently. He found that he could not set the alarm until he was outside the line of sight of the PIR sensor - he could not set it standing outside the caravan door with the sensor visible to him.
So, I’m posting this to let anyone who has this problem know and suggesting a possible workaround that might help them. It would also be interesting to know if this has happened to other people which might indicate a possible sensitivity issue with this PIR sensor (or with a certain batch of them).
In the meantime, we're still going to shut all the blinds to avoid this happening and for the extra security and privacy this gives.
Comments
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I have same issue on my 2021 Coachman VIP 575. 5 false alarms yesterday with PIR triggering an alert, but strangely not activating the alarm itself.
I spoke with Phantom this morning, and due to Coachman’s ill considered installation, they have placed the PIR in direct line with the front roof skylight, and as it was bright sunshine, and the hottest day this year, the sensor kept activating.
Phantom suggest moving the sensor up high, and in a position to capture any intruder, as they come through the door, but out of any direct sunlight.
At present, the sensor is positioned on the right hand side of the front floor cupboard, almost at floor level. You can actually enter, and exit the van, without triggering the alarm - what use is that!
Once Coachman are back from their annual 2 week shutdown, I will contact them to discuss its relocation.
In the meantime, Phantom say this is a regular issue with Coachman caravans that have their sensors fitted in such a location.
Fortunately, the sensor is held in place with a self adhesive pad, but why anyone would put it there in the first place is only something the design team at Coachman can answer!0 -
Heat over the last few days has certainly affected our alarm - but it's not a Tracker - it's a Haegil that I fitted myself just after we got the van five years ago. I can probably count on the fingers of one hand, the number of false activations there have been in that period, but over the last three or four days, it's been going off, repeatedly for no apparent reason. Rather than a PIR, it has an infra-red sensor, so I suppose it may be more susceptible to high temperatures.
Interestingly, today is much cooler - and it's behaved itself.
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