Better Shock Sensor for Truck?

I have an Clifford RS2 installed in my truck and I can slam my tailgate shut and the alarm won't activate. I have tried to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor and it still won't respond, I have to hit my truck hard for it to go off. I would like a better sensor because I have had 3 kids scratch my truck with their bikes and I would like to have my alarm go off when they do(including the air horn). Thanks in advance

Will

you can try to move the shock sensor...move it to a location that will move more if the truck is jolted (eg zip tied to a large harness under the dash).  This will probably still not give you the sensitivity that you need.  I would invest in a radar sensor.  That will go off whenever the kids get in a certain vecinity of your truck.  that might help keep the dings/scratches off your truck.

You can add a second shock sensor and place it behind one of the rear lights to solve this problem. All you have to do is run some wires, power and trigger, back and hook it to the alarm's wiring.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

When you say tailgate are you referring to the spare tire rack?

I have a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder with a spare tire rack, and it is set up when you unlatch the tire rack the alarm goes on, and the actual tailgate is setup like my doors. The pathfinder has a factory sensor that tells me if my tire rack is ajar we just tied it into that sensor, works well.

Thanks, I think I am going to get one of the radar sensors for it, are they hard to set up? As far as the tailgate, I don't need a sensor for that, it has a lock, but I was just describing how insensitive the shock sensor is. What sensor should I use behind the light, what is the best shock sensor, and how do I go about hooking up a second sensor. Thanks
Will

It has nothing to do with the shock sensor being insensitive. The bed and the cab are mounted to the frame seperately and both have there own bushings that reduces vibrations. This will make a bed of a truck hard as hell to set off a shock sensor. By the way we are talking about a truck and its tailgate not a suv and the rear door.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

listen to auex that's the way

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EL GRAN SICOPATA

I was just using the tailgate as an example, even if I hit the outside door pannel with my hand pretty hard, it still won't go off. What about the digital tilt/motion sensor? Is that an investment that is worth it?

sounds like you need to remount the sensor......there are many different ways you can go with this....if you have overkill, then you open yourself up to many false alarms.......

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Good Luck
David
Ace Security
813-376-9778
Tampa
Donate to the 12volt

Yea, I wouldn't want to many false alarms, I think I will just go with the proximity sensor. Thanks
Will

now you may have more false alarms with that kind of sensor....every time someone walks by.....the kids may start messing with the truck because of that sensor...

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Good Luck
David
Ace Security
813-376-9778
Tampa
Donate to the 12volt

Can it be set up just for the warning, never the full alarm?

Will

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Will              Just my $00.02
97 Chevy K1500 5.7L w/ Clifford Matrix RS2
BTW I am not a professional(well at procrastination maybe)
Be Gentle, I'm new to this :-)

yes you can set the interior field for full alarm and the exterior field for warn away only.....you may want to double check the shock sensor itself...they are very reliable...you may have a bum unit as i've been using Clifford for quite awhile and usually turn the sensors DOWN... if yours is not resonding at all it may be defective....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

A proximity sensor won't solve your problem. Those type of sensors are designed to protect interior spaces like convertibles and pickup truck beds. They aren't designed to mounted in areas with moisture and won't work through metal. You would be far better off getting one or more shock sensors and locating them where they are protected from the elements in the bed. Turn their sensitivity way down to prevent false alarms. They must be isolated from themselves and other sensors with diodes. Unless you have the sensors turned up high it will still be possible for someone to scratch the truck. However, if you have the sensors set up this way, your alarm will go off all the time with every little thing setting it off. Alarms are only a deterent and are designed to protect from non-enviromental actions. If you are expecting any alarm or sensor to distinguish between a gentle breeze and someone touching your truck you will be disappointed. The best method is for multiple sensors that only have to effectively cover a small area. Keep in mind the effect of rain and wind in locating them to reduce the likelyhood of false alarms. Constant false alarms are like the boy who cried Wolf. No one will think its really a break in if the alarm always goes off. There are also bylaws in many locales that refer to noise laws concerning alarms falsing. If the problem is just a few kids ask them to stay away from the truck or park it somewhere safer. Good luck.

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sparky

not true spark... i have a Clifford 3.5 in my vehicle and i demo it by rocking the vehicle back and forth to simulate wind gusts and the alarm never triggers, but i tap fairly lightly on the body simulating impact and it goes off right away..... the Clifford sensors do indeed differeniate between motion and impact......

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

Well, I went and sat in my truck, the shock sensor is located on the steering column. If I turn it all the to the sensitive side and I tap firmly next to it, it will light the led. But I have to tap it pretty firmly for it to do that. Maybe it is just the sensor is bad and needs to be replaced. It would seem that a firm tap on any part of the cab should activate at least a warning. But no light. Needless to say, it takes a lot to set my alarm off.

Will



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Will              Just my $00.02
97 Chevy K1500 5.7L w/ Clifford Matrix RS2
BTW I am not a professional(well at procrastination maybe)
Be Gentle, I'm new to this :-)

BTW, what is the warranty on stuff like that. I had it installed at best buy, would they replace it free of charge. Or is the fact that it works if you tap really hard mean that it is operational. Thanks

Will

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Will              Just my $00.02
97 Chevy K1500 5.7L w/ Clifford Matrix RS2
BTW I am not a professional(well at procrastination maybe)
Be Gentle, I'm new to this :-)

best people to talk to would be Best Buy..... let them have a chance to satisfy you.....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979