Bike Alarm (Q bike) Update

[flecc]

Information for those members who fitted this alarm that I had on the Q bike:

Today it refused the disarming number and wouldn't work properly. Though not mentioned in the instructions, it transpired that when the battery runs down, the personal disarming number reverts to the default setting 12321, the warning beep setting reverts to the default two beeps and the alarm will no longer trigger full alarm sound. A new battery and resetting works fine.

The new standard alkaline PP3 lasted 3.5 months, so with winter cold weather life probably being a bit shorter, it looks like four batteries a year, not too bad for an anti theft precaution.

For anyone interested in buying one, it comes from Pierre Ducharme via Amazon.com
.

 

[Ian]

Mine started to misbehave a couple of weeks ago, I guessed it was the battery although I haven't got round to replacing it yet.
My battery life was slightly shorter than yours but that's probably explained by my cheap ebay batteries

 

[flecc]

That's probably it Ian, mine was an Ever Ready Energiser. I also buy them cut price, but from 7dayshop in the Channel Islands, so VAT free as well. A the moment their Panasonic Xtreme Power PP3 are their cheapest at £1.49 or £17.49 for 12.
.

 

[Ian]

Just had to change the battery again, I suspect the Duracells I bought on ebay are probably Chinese fakes. This time I put a lithium smoke alarm PP3 in it, hopefully it will last longer.

 

[flecc]

Hope so Ian, the replacement I put in on 16th August is still going at full strength so looks as if it will easily do the three months again.
.

 

[flecc]

Update. The battery has just run out again on this very cold day, so just short of three months this time.

Looks like three months is confirmed as an average life with sound batteries, four a year being a small price for the protection given.
.

 

[Chris]

Bike Alarm

Flecc- have followed your links thro`CyberNexus as am attempting to buy an alarm-get as far as full description on Ducharme Alarm Systems.com but buy now " links " not working.Would you please let me know your suppliers name.Many thanks-Chris

 

[flecc]

Hi Chris. I bought mine from Cybernexus through that convoluted system, but they appear to have either ceased trading or their servers are down.

Ducharme Alarm Systems who make the alarm don't appear to sell in any other way, still linking to Cybernexus.

I found a contact page from which you could contact to see if the alarm is still available:

Cybernexus contact

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but if you don't email, it's worth retrying in a couple of days in case it is just server trouble.
.

 

[Chris]

Bike Alarm

Many thanksFlecc.

Chris

 

[Chris]

bike alarm

my EM has been returned-looks like they are out of business Flecc

Chris

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Bike Alarm

Mine just gave up responding. So I concluded it was one of those things you buy that never quite work (after a while).
Chief problem is where to fix it on the bike (Sprint).
There were precise instructions how to fix it with screws thru the battery cover but (silly me!) I could not work out how one could them fix the battery cover back on with a metal tube behind it.
I see that yours Flecc seems to be fixed in this way to the head stem.
Did I miss something or read 'what was not there'?

 

[flecc]

Hello Peter

The back of the unit on mine is self tapped onto the stem, and that leaves the four tiny screws holding the halves together accessible. To change the battery, I unscrew those, the screws staying in place ok, then withdraw the front half.

I can only suggest you try a new battery after leaving the old one out for a short while to see if that kicks it back into life. Hopefully it will.
.

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Thanks Flecc

Hello Peter

The back of the unit on mine is self tapped onto the stem, and that leaves the four tiny screws holding the halves together accessible. To change the battery, I unscrew those, the screws staying in place ok, then withdraw the front half.

I can only suggest you try a new battery after leaving the old one out for a short while to see if that kicks it back into life. Hopefully it will.
.

Many thanks Flecc
Peter

 

[Ian]

Hello Peter, my alarm works with a fresh battery, but to starts behave erratically as the battery ages and the voltage begins to drop. It's now got a lithium PP3 that is supposed to last for 10 years in its intended smoke alarm application.

Mine is mounted with thick cable ties to the rails under the saddle, it's quite discreet while being high up for best movement sensing.

 

[Manchego]

I couldnt get one form the site that Flecc referred to - but I found one on the US Amazon. In fact, you buy it from the inventor himself - Pierre Ducharme, who is very responsive and seems committed to supporting his product. As it happens, mine seemed faulty on arrival, but P has promised to send another straight out. Will report on outcome!

regards

 

[Chris]

Bike Alarm

Could you please quote the link-thanks.
Chris

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Alarm Battery

Hello Peter, my alarm works with a fresh battery, but to starts behave erratically as the battery ages and the voltage begins to drop. It's now got a lithium PP3 that is supposed to last for 10 years in its intended smoke alarm application.

Mine is mounted with thick cable ties to the rails under the saddle, it's quite discreet while being high up for best movement sensing.

Unfortunately, the instructions for the alarm states "install an ALKALINE battery". Has your Lithium battery created any problems?
There is also the word "UP" etched on the battery cover. Because the 'switch' is a roaming-ball type I assumed that the alarm had to be mounted vertically. Is that right?
P.

 

[flecc]

Not necessarily Peter, it works ok horizontally, checked as I also tried it taped to the main tube on the Q bike. It just detects any movement of the ball bearings, whether round the periphery of the bowl or in it.

I moved it to the vertical only to get it as high up as possible to get a quicker reaction to movement.
.

 

[flecc]

Thanks Manchego.

Here's the link to two Amazon buying points for it Chris:

Ducharme Alarm at Amazon.com

Link updated on my Q bike website page and above.
.

 

[Chris]

Ducharme Bicycle Alarm

Thanks all-have now found the item and placed an order.I must confess to being totally incompetent-ment to order ONE,but managed to order TWO
Ah well have two bikes ,so........

Chris