Wheel clamps for a cavaran

Wheel clamp or chains – a 4 inch right angle grinder will have it off in no time.
My insurance company said they wouldn’t accept my $200 hardened steel wheel chains and high security padlocks (totaling $400) and only required a cheap $5 padlock with a soft steel $20 clamp covering the towball hitch.
Want a couple of chains and locks at a bargain price?

Hi Michael – please explain.
With this device, what is the point of being able to track it for 5 metres.
Surely you would want to track it 100’s of kilometres away?

Dennis, mate, maaaate,

I think he meant you could track it to wherever the thief took it - to an accuracy of 5 metres.

Unless I've missed a little joke with no smileys, in which case disregard my serious answer.

Cheers

Thanks Frank.
No joke - just understood it as it was writ.
Anyway Michael if you are still on channel - could you list the name of the device - I'd be most intersted to have a look at it.

Hi Dennis, and Yes Frank, i meant track anywhere in Australia to within 5 metres. Dennis, i wouldn't joke about the theft or trying to deter theft of peoples hard earned possesions. The unit is on Ebay, there are many but the one that stands out is about $50. I will get the item number or a link for you. Michael

Thanks for the reply Michael

Dennis, Its a TK 102B GPS Tracker. Available on Ebay. the B model has extra memory inside and you can buy with a charging lead so you would need a small 12v battery in the van to keep it active. A seller called centcoin, he has what you need. Just check what Sim will work, they say 2g but they also say later ones would be ok. Next G would be best i think so just check with the seller or do some research on Google, plenty info there.. Michael

Thanks again

Hi

Be careful before you purchase gadgets like this.....it looks exactly like the one I purchased and yes they work...around town....damn useless for picking up a signal inside the caravan or vehicle out side of a strong signal area

Look for one that has either a small external antennae or the ability to plug in an external antennae.......then you will be most likely satisified........at least then if you need to track your item you have a chance of having the system work for you

cheers

Hi Grahame
best idea I have heard of on here in a long time.

Simple mercury switch and a small timer relay and its all STOP.
Keyswitch over ride for travel and simply lock it up when parked.

Ten out of Ten

Total cost about $40 and labour to fit. (free labour for any handyman)

As jeremy clarkson would say....Brilliant.


thankz
Geoff

I like it but if a crook was willing and able to grind through a chain and/or padlock they might be just as willing to snip the electrical wires to the brakes?

for a more modern approach that avoids the use of a mercury switch why not a "fridge switch" connected to a relay. It would do the same thing.

frank

very interesting topic and two good solutions.........

my query is related to either the mecury or fridge switch suggestions

Fist I need to understand how the caravan electric brake system works.

I assume that the amount of "force" the brakes are applied is regulated by the variation in voltage supplied from the electronic brake controller when used in towing etc

.........if that is correct and the solutions offered apply the full 12+ volts to the brakes when motion is detected......and lets assume for say a period of 15mins.......does that maximum voltage for that sustained length of time cause any harm to the electo magnets in the caravan braking system?

or does the brake controller work different to varying voltage?

thanks

hi Bungarra

well firstly the fridge switchis aplunger type of switch and would require some sort of pushing force to operate.
The mercury switch is a glass tube partly filled with mercury. when movement is detected either forward or reverse ihe mercury sloshes in the tube and maked an electrical contact with the two probes instaled into the glass.
The use of a timer relay could set the time to be way less than 15mins. Set up correctly the brakes would be applied as soon as movement was detected and the timer could keep it applied for maybe another 5 to 10 seconds after movement had ceased.
Repeat the movement and the same situation applies. Brakes on. then off.
This would mean the brakes would not have the full voltage applied for more than a very short period of time.
In response to you question re the brake controller, the majority installed these days utilise proportional braking in relation to the de-exceleration of the car. this is triggered via an input from the brake light circuit.
ther are some controllers that just apply a voltage as well. And its not proportional.
If you wish to know a little more or require a circuit diagrame or a completed unit, I think I could have them made for a very reasonable price. And fitting /wiring instructions supplied for the DIY pereson.
And as mentioned in my previous post ther would be a keyswitch to disable the system when moving.
To make it failsafe the key would only be removable when parked.
Hope this all makes some sense.

Geoff

Meant to say that the full voltage applied for say 5 - 15 secs would be ok on the brake solenoids. They get alot more when some people use the brakes for hill descents.

Geoff

The fridge switch I was referring to is the one that senses movement and turns on and stays n while there is movement then switches off after a few minutes of inactivity.

I believe it utilises some sort of trembler mechanism to sense movement. It is that action that tells your caravan fridge it is ok to run on 12volt. Hence the name fridge switch. made in Australia by RV electronics.

When in the on position 12 volt would be applied to the brakes until it switch off releasing the brakes until it detected movement again and would then put the brakes full on. I think someone trying to tow your van away would get sick of that pretty quick.

frank

Hi Frank
I must apologize for the misunderstanding in relation to the word fridge switch.
I come from an electrical and electronic security background and the term fridge switch in our trade/industry relates to a small push-on switch similar to those used on some cupboards to turn on/off lights etc.
I have looked at the RV Electronics web site and agree that for the price they show its not worth the effort to travel and source the components to make up a movement braking sensor.
Thanks for the explanation and pointing me in the right direction.

This device will be the bees knees to make the breaking system as required.
As a further addition to the system, how about a security alarm siren that would operate when the tow brake alarm is activated.
And a word worth thinking about is not to arm the system while you are aboard, especially if the siren is fitted.
Imagine at night the embarrassment of the alarm going off.

The old saying.........
If the van is rockin, dont bother knockin.

Geoff