Van Bitz Strikeback Growler User manual

INSTRUCTIONS
for
STRIKEBACK
MOTORHOME
SECURITY
SYSTEM
installed by Van Bitz
for
A Class motorhomes
09/14

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THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THE
STRIKEBACK MOTORCARAVAN
ALARM SYSTEM. YOUR SYSTEM IS
DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE OPTIMUM
PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES. IN ORDER FOR
YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONS OF
YOUR ALARM AND TO ENSURE MAXIMUM
PROTECTION, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO
READ THESE USER OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS.

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CONTENTS
Page
1. TURNING THE SYSTEM ON . . . . . 4
1a. TURNING ON - FAULT DETECTED . . . . 4
2. PROTECTION WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ARMED . 5
3. TURNING THE SYSTEM OFF . . . . . 5
3a TURNING THE SYSTEM OFF - ATTACK RECORDED 5
4. OPERATION OF THE 'SLEEP' MODE . . . 6
5. EXTERNAL ACCESSORY PROTECTION . . 6
6. GAS DETECTOR . . . . . . . 6
7. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE . . . . . 7
8. EMERGENCY OVERRIDE. . . . . 8
9. PANIC FACILITY. . . . . . . 8
10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS . . . 9
11. GENERAL . . . . . . . . 10
12. WARRANTY & INDEMNITY CONDITIONS . . 11

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1. TURNING THE SYSTEM ON
Before using the system for the first time
You will given two radio keys and a red “Code
Card”. Take a second to familiarise yourself with
the radio keys.
You will see that there are two buttons in a fig-
ure of eight configuration. The top (button “A”)
is the smaller and has a raised knobbly surface
and the lower larger section (button “B”) is
smooth. When either button is pressed a red LED is illuminated. The radio key is
weatherproof, but try not to immerse it in water!
On the reverse of the radio key there is a small pozi drive screw. Removing this
allows the rear cover to be opened and the two CR1220 lithium batteries changed.
The average life of the batteries is 3 years.
Two flashes of the lights
Exit the vehicle ensuring that all lockers and doors are closed. Press button “A” on
the remote control, and then release. Your motorcaravan will acknowledge the signal
by TWO flashes of the lights. The system LED will start to flash quickly. After approx-
imately 5 seconds another flash of the lights will occur.
Your alarm is now armed. It will take an additional 25 seconds to stabilise and
become "active". Once the system arming time has elapsed, the red dashboard
warning light extinguishes very briefly and then starts to flash slowly. The alarm is
now fully armed and will respond immediately if any of the protected zones are
violated.
1a. TURNING ON - FAULT DETECTED
Two flashes of the lights & TWO beeps a few seconds after flash
If you hear two additional beeps within a few seconds of arming, the system has
detected a fault. Normally this will be an external locker or door open, or the external
accessory "loop" is incorrectly configured (see accessory protection loop - section 5).
If you do nothing, after the 25 second stabilising period the alarm will arm normally
except that the incorrect circuit will be ignored for the duration of that alarm
operation. To avoid this, you must check all points of entry to ensure that everything
is correct. You can eliminate this time wasting and annoying procedure by cancelling
the alarm operation immediately you hear the additional beeps and checking the
points of entry.
A
B

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2. PROTECTION WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ARMED
Once the system is fully armed, opening any of the protected doors or lockers will
trigger the alarm. In addition, if the bonnet (where fitted) is forced, the alarm will
sound. If a bike "loop" system is fitted and activated, the alarm will sound if the "loop"
is broken or disconnected. Internally there is a hyper frequency sensor normally
hidden behind the dashboard which will pick up movement as a thief moves around
the vehicle.
Once the alarm has been triggered, the siren will sound for 25 seconds and a visual
signal will be seen via the vehicle lights.
At the end of the 25 seconds, the siren will shut down for a few seconds as the
system carries out a full check. If the condition that triggered the attack has not been
repeated (eg an attempted break in that has left the vehicle intact and the thief
scared off) the system will reset, staying armed to continue protection. If the thief has
not been deterred and has continued with the attack, the system will sound again
and keep sounding until someone attends the vehicle or the motorcaravan is left
intact (it will then follow the reset procedure above at the end of the attempt).
Strikeback has a battery backup siren in the engine bay which when the system is
armed will still continue to make a noise if the cabling to the siren is cut or the power
disconnected. also has 2 additional sirens behind the dash and another 2
sirens under the floor at the rear of your motorhome. The isolation switch with a red
LED next to the accessory protection switch, enables you to turn off the internal si-
rens if required. When the LED is on the sirens will sound if the alarm is triggered.
3. TURNING THE SYSTEM OFF
ONE long flash of the lights
When you return to the vehicle you disarm the system using the button “A” on your
remote control. You will see the vehicle lights flash ONCE to acknowledge the
disarm signal. At this stage the system LED will be extinguished. If the LED lights
continue to flash but not as per the sequences below in section 3a, this code is ad-
vising you that your engine battery is very low in power.
3a. TURNING SYSTEM OFF - ATTACK RECORDED
ONE flash of the lights, followed by TWO rapid beeps
When you disarm the system, under normal operation the system LED is
extinguished when the system is disarmed, but when the system has been triggered
the system LED will remain flashing a 'code' to alert you to the fact that the system
has been triggered. This diagnostic function of the LED will be cleared the next time
you turn the ignition on, or Strikeback is re-armed.
The LED flash sequence is:
2 flashes every six seconds = cab door & caravan door
3 flashes every six seconds = bonnet (and optional gas detector)

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4 flashes every six seconds = lockers & accessory loop
5 flashes every six seconds = Microwave (hyper frequency unit)
6 flashes every six seconds = ignition alarm
7 flashes every six seconds = current drop (when installed)
4. OPERATION OF THE 'SLEEP' MODE (with WarnAway Function)
(or to leave a pet in the motorhome and the alarm system on)
You can shut down the internal sensors, sleep in your motorcaravan, and still
maintain perimeter protection. Strikeback incorporates a “WarnAway” function to
advise any one in the vicinity that your motorhome is still protected overnight, even
though you are in occupancy. This will be of great value when wildcamping or on
Aires where it is known that people will hang around looking for suitable “vulnerable”
targets.
Arm Strikeback in the normal way.
Then press “Button B” twice. The system will flash the lights 3 times and beep 3
times after each press.
The LED will flash very fast for the first 25 seconds to confirm, then flash the normal
alarmed mode. The full system will automatically reset when the system is next
activated after disarming from this mode.
5. EXTERNAL ACCESSORY PROTECTION (if fitted)
When you wish to use the accessory protection circuit, simply press in the bottom
half of the black rocker switch mounted in the motorhome cab. Once the 'loop' switch
is on, simply plug in your supplied security loop and arm the alarm when you are
ready to leave your motorcaravan. If you remove the "loop" or leave the two leads
disconnected, the switch should be pressed in at the top (turning the security loop
off). Failure to do this will cause the system to give you a fault tone when you turn it
on (see section 1a) and the system will ignore the complete door/locker and loop
circuit.
6. GAS DETECTOR (if fitted)
Please note that the Strikeback Gas Detector is intended to help to reduce the
danger of attack whilst asleep by thieves using narcotic gases. It will detect LPG
(Propane and Butane), Methane and may detect and warn the presence of a range
of other gases.
Due to the nature of the intended detection medium normally being invisible and
normally odourless, and that the unit is intended to give warning in the event of a
narcotic gas attack (which would normally occur, at night, when the occupants of the
motorhome are asleep), no responsibility can be accepted for either the failure of the
Strikeback Gas Detector to detect the presence of gas, or the notification process.
Avoid using the following items near the gas detector because the alarm might
be set off:

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Aerosol sprays
Alcohol used in cooking
Cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke
Strong household cleaning agents, polishes and solvents
The gas from a cigarette lighter
Paint fumes and adhesive vapours
If the alarm sounds:
Put out all naked flames
Don’t smoke
Do not light any naked flames
Don’t turn any electrical switches on
Open all doors and windows to get rid of gas
If the alarm continues, shut of the motorhome gas supply
If your Strikeback Motorhome alarm system is fitted with a gas detector, the detector
should be used whenever you are using the motorhome, or at the very least, when
you are sleeping in the van. The illuminated switch, (usually mounted on the dash)
will allow you to turn the gas detector on and off. When not using the motorhome or
when ‘laying up’ or ‘storing’ the motorhome the detector can be turned off to avoid
flat batteries.
When the Strikeback gas detector is turned ON, the green indicator will remain
illuminated as long as sufficient power is supplied. The red indicator flashes to
warn a low level of gas detected and remains constantly lit with the alarm
sounding when the gas level detected is dangerously high. The yellow
indicator means the alarm has an internal fault.
To clean the unit, occasionally wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Do NOT use cleaning
agents, bleach or polish. The manufacturer guarantees the gas detector and its
calibration for one year although as part of Strikeback, we will increase this to 2
years. The operating life of the detector, under normal conditions, is expected to be 5
years. After this period the unit should be replaced.
7. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT: BEFORE connecting or disconnecting the vehicle battery, the
alarm must be switched off. After the battery is properly reconnected and the
terminals are tight, you can use the alarm again as normal.
To leave the vehicle for any length of time and you wish to disconnect the van
battery, follow the previous procedure.
Although the system is designed to use as little current as possible, it obviously will
still draw power. The length of time that the system will be able to be left (armed or
disarmed) will depend on the state of the battery (age unfortunately is not a factor in
determining how good a battery is).

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Some motorcaravanners will not use their vehicle very often in the winter months
and then when they do, the colder, darker weather invariably means that much
greater demands are placed upon the vehicles electrical system by way of lights,
heater, windscreen washers etc. In conjunction, the journeys also tend to be shorter
which also gives the vehicle (and leisure) batteries less chance of receiving a good
charge. This does not indicate a fault in either the vehicles charging system or the
alarm.
Please bear in mind that the average vehicle has a 90amp alternator, which means
in very simple terms that if the engine was running for one hour, the alternator would
produce 90amps. This figure will be heavily depleted by the previously mentioned
accessories, leaving very little for charging the batteries (engine and leisure). Further
bear in mind that your motorcaravan was built on a commercial chassis and the
electrical system was designed to supply the necessary charging facility for only
ONE battery. It is in your own interest to preserve the life of your battery and to avoid
complications with the alarm system, regularly charge the engine battery if the
motorcaravan is not being used.
8. EMERGENCY OVERRIDE
This is a picture of the emergen-
cy override button (placed on
the side of a relay on the fuse
board, on a Fiat). The position of
the emergency over ride button
will vary from vehicle to vehicle.
We will have shown you where
the emergency over ride button
has been installed.
The button has a small LED on
the front which will flash when
the button is activated.
Should the remote controls be
lost for any reason or malfunction, it is possible to disarm the system using the five
digit emergency override code. Your emergency code should be written on your
invoice and should be kept in a safe place. If you do lose your keys and do not have
access to the emergency override code in your motorhome, you will not be able to
access this function.
The emergency override code could be 12321 for example - we will use this number
as the example.
1. A minimum of 25 seconds after the alarm has been armed, turn the ignition on.
2. Within 10 seconds, turn the ignition off.
3. The LED will start to flash.
a. Press the button on the emergency deactivation button (EDB) after the FIRST
flash.

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b. The LED will start flashing again - this time, press the EDB after the SECOND
flash.
c. The LED will start again, now press the EDB after the THIRD flash.
d. The LED will start flashing again, this time press the EDB after the SECOND flash
e. Finally, the LED will start flashing again. This time, press the EDB after the FIRST
flash.
This process is noisy and takes a bit of thought. It will however deactivate the system
in an emergency, if you have lost or broken your radio keys.
9. PANIC FACILITY
Press and hold Button “B” on the remote control to enter the panic mode. The
motorhome lights will flash and the siren sound. Pressing Button “B” again will turn
off the panic mode. The lights will stop flashing and the siren will stop.
If the alarm was in an alarmed state, when the panic button was pressed, the system
will revert back to a fully alarmed state, so you can use the panic facility whilst in
night mode for example, yet maintaining perimeter alarm protection.
The panic facility does not respond when the system is cycling during the 25 second
“warm up’ period.
10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question:
I arm my alarm system and I can hear two additional beeps but the alarm
carries on and arms up!
Answer:
The extra beeps indicate that Strikeback has detected a fault. Normally a
simple check of the basics is enough to establish what the problem is. Shut
all lockers and doors. You are now ready for full test or normal operation.
Press remote control - indicators / sidelights flash twice. LED begins to
flash quickly. There is a 25 second arm up time during which you can test
all alarm trigger points (cab door, caravan door bonnet, bike loop and
internal sensor etc). A flash of the vehicle indicators indicates correct
detection on every physical operation. The flash of the lights also indicates
that the 25 second arm up counter has been re-set to allow you time to
continue the test. Once you have established which part of the system is
not working it is an easy matter normally to visually check and rectify the
fault eg. if the fault appears to be on the locker, loop and caravan door
circuit, often checking the position of the loop switch (see section five) will
eliminate the problem.

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Question:
The alarm does not respond to the radio key, everything else is dead, and I
can’t start the engine
Answer:
You have a flat battery. Given that the majority of batteries are in reality at
least several months old when the van is sold, try not to assume that
because the motorhome has been registered for just eighteen months, that
the battery is as new.
Question:
I have just bought a van with Strikeback fitted. I would like to know a lot
more about the system. Can I telephone Van Bitz and find out more about
the system?
Answer:
In a word NO! If you buy a motorhome and it has a Strikeback system
installed by us, then a registration process has to be followed before we
will give you any technical assistance at all. This is not to be awkward, but
to protect the interests of our customer. It is possible to transfer the
registration thereby allowing access to technical telephone assistance,
spares and of course documentation (insurance certificates for example).
You will need our customers name and address and a copy of the V5
(known as a log book). There is an admin charge of £20.00 (at the time of
writing September 2014)
Question:
Can Strikeback be responsible for cutting out my engine or causing my
engine to fail to start?
Answer:
Absolutely not! Strikeback is designed to be installed into motorhomes
already fitted with a manufacturers factory fitted immobiliser.
Question:
Can we email technical questions?
Answer:
Yes. Provided that the vehicle in question is registered in our records to
you. email to [e-mail] Please keep the questions on topic, brief
and clear. We are afraid that illogical, silly or longwinded emails will be re-
turned un-opened. We are sure that the majority of emailers will under-
stand and ensure that the minority do not ruin it for the majority. Also to be
fair, we do not have a premium rate line for this service to be fair to you, so
in turn please at least read these instructions and understand them before
contacting us. This will help us, to help you.