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What is the car alarm system?
A car alarm system is an electronic device that has the role of protecting the vehicle by optical or acoustic warning when an unwanted event such as a hit, theft attempt, forced opening of the door or trunk occurs.
How does the alarm work?
The alarm system consists of the following electronic elements: the control panel, the remote controls that arm or disarm the alarm system, a siren, and the contacts located in different parts of the car (at the base of the hood, on the door, in the trunk). They have the role of detecting any approach or forced attempt to open the doors or other methods of intrusion.
Car alarms can also be equipped with functions such as shock sensors, which detect bumps in the body or in tires and perimeter sensors that perceive the movement of a body within the range of up to 1.5 meters. There are also alarm systems with different functions such as the automatic closing of the windows after the car is locked, central locking or outside engine start.
Car alarms work by making a loud sound, generally by a siren, horn, a recorded voice or even a combination of them in case of knocks or when trying to open the doors, hood, trunk or even when the engine will be started.
To prevent these unpleasant situations, it is necessary to install sensors that will detect any movement or attempted theft such as:
- volumetric sensors that monitor the movement inside the passenger compartment. They are more sensitive and because of this, they often lead to false alarms;
- current sensors that trigger the alarm when the power consumption is sensed;
- shock sensors that have the effect of sensing the blows applied to the car during the armed state of the alarm. There are two blow intensity thresholds, the easiest being signaled by the issuing of several beeps, and the strongest will trigger the alarm. There are two types of shock sensors with two zones: those that have a common setting for the two zones, and those that have separate settings on the two zones, these can be adjusted independently of each other;
- radar or perimeter sensors that are based on motion detection using microwaves, sensing if there is movement, while the alarm is armed, inside the car and even on a small radius outside the car. If the detection area is extended from the setting. It may have one or two separate detection zones.
Types of car alarms
Here are some examples of car alarms that can be installed on a vehicle:
- pager alarms
- engine start function alarms
- shock alarms
- alarms with perimeter sensors
- alarms with volumetric sensors.
Many car owners prefer pager alarms systems and alarms that can start the engine from outside the car. These are part of the advanced car alarms category that not only protects the vehicle but also deals with its monitoring by displaying on the pager screen some icons that indicate the operation status of the car.
For pager car alarms, the conventional remote control is replaced with a pager. It can be with an LCD or LED display. The communication between the pager and the central unit is done bidirectionally (through the pager you can control the central unit, which in turn sends information about the state of the machine to the pager).
This information is materialized through the dedicated icons that appear on the display depending on the status of the related sensors.
In addition to the pager, the alarm can also be equipped with additional remote control that will only allow the transmission of commands to the central unit. Pager car alarms have a system that will announce, over a radius of 500 – 1,500 m, what happens to the car.
Car alarms with engine start allow the car to be started remotely by pressing a single button. They are used when the outside temperature is low, providing a heated interior for the driver when entering the car, or at a high temperature, possibly in summer, when starting the engine before stepping inside allows cooling through the air. conditioned.
The operating time is 10-30 minutes if you forgot the car on. However, the car remains locked and armed, and if anyone tries to enter, the alarm will sound.
How to choose a car alarm and why?
Choosing a car alarm system generally depends on the budget allocated but also on the preferences of each one related to the functions that the alarm should have. When choosing an alarm system you must take into account the car you own, the functions that can be applied to your vehicle, the level of protection you want, the alarm mark, the sensitivity of the sensors, the durability of the alarm , by the false alarm system (some alarms have sensors that, when a false alarm is activated, it can isolate the area on which it is triggered) or by the person installing it, if the product has not been mounted by a specialist.
Car alarm with central locking is extremely useful for car protection.
Any standard alarm has the same functions, but there are also some differences: the alarm jump code (each time it is activated, the alarm will receive another code that cannot be copied), the operation without false alarms during bad weather (rain, storm, snow), operation in crowded places (with vibrations affecting the shock sensor), durability over time.
Car alarms can also be responsible for your comfort. Here are some criteria that differentiate the functionality of efficient alarm systems: how to close and open the doors, locating or searching the parking lot (at the push of the button, the alarm emits 2-3 sound and light signals), passive arming (at a certain time from closing the door, the alarm will be automatically on), closing and opening the doors when the car is stopped at traffic light, opening the trunk from the remote control, emitting light or acoustic signals when reversing.
In the case of alarms with the engine start function, it should be kept in mind that when the car has a manual gearbox, the alarm should have an option for such a gearbox. Likewise, if the car is equipped with a diesel engine or if the engine has a turbocharger. The range of action of the remote control and the promptness with which it communicates with the central unit must be considered.
For better safety, when buying a car alarm, it is best to do it from specialized companies and not from any store, so avoid unpleasant cases where certain components are missing or defective, or the product purchased to be fake.
Regardless of what car alarms you use, it is good that they can provide you safety so that you are free of any inconvenience caused by the disappearance of objects or the deterioration of the car.
How to install an alarm system in your car?
The installation must be performed professionally to not affect the manufacturer’s warranty, so in an authorized service. The shading of the alarm wiring is made with the special flame retardant tape and identical to that of the car’s installation.
Here are some important tips about mounting the alarm:
- The alarm is an independent assembly that uses only the supply voltage from the car.
- No wire is cut from the original car installation.
- The ornaments from the electrical installation area are dismantled.
- The wires necessary for the alarm operation are identified.
- Alarm wires and nuances are woven and wired.
- Connect the alarm wires to the machine installation.
- Position and secure the shock sensor to a place most accessible for adjustment.
- Mount the indicator light preferably without car holes in a place as visible from the outside of the car.
- Install the RESET button in a hidden and accessible place to the user.
- Attach the boiler with collars under the board.
- Adjust the alarm sensors as the user wants.
- The ornaments that have been disassembled are replaced.
- Each alarm function is tested.
- The functionality of all onboard devices and controls is checked.
- The dismantling of the auto components is done with special tools so as not to leave traces.