Date:         Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:34:38 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: actuator failure
In-Reply-To:  <E1G5oLq-0004g0-3v@garm.runbox.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Just had an autopage alarm installed... dummies put the alarm horn under
> the front seat... talk about losing your hearing.


I've always wanted to install a super loud horn with self-contained backup
power inside a welded steel box right next to the driver's ear. Nobody pays
attention to car alarms, so I figure it'd be more effective to make them try
to drive with an unstoppable 160dB horn drilling holes in their skull! But
yeah, under the seat is pretty dumb.

BTW... the range on the autopage.. ain't that great... I've had rental cars
> with remote keyless and horn... and their range was far superior... I don't
> know... maybe a stronger battery for the remote?
>

Usually the only way to get better range is with better antenna placement.
Unless the remote battery is seriously going flat, a new battery won't do
much. Where's the alarm box mounted? If it's under the seat, that's a tough
place for radio to get out of. Ideally you want the little antenna wire to
have a clear shot out the windows without having to go through metal.
Really, there ain't very many good places in a Vanagon. I'm thinking I might
mount mine up high in the empty space behind the starboard plastic AC shroud
on the D pillar (one of forty-odd projects I haven't had time for).

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"