Parking/Rear sensor kits and fitting

takman

iammumtoone wrote: »

thanks, so i could have them adjusted if I wanted?



Can I ask why you consider this better?

I would prefer a switch because then I can have them on continously when parking. For example if they are only on in reverse you may reverse back until it's a continuous beep. But if you want to move forward a bit they turn off so you can't see how far you have moved forward exactly.

takman

knightstyle wrote: »

As I said you connect them up to the reversing light!
Then they are only on when you are reversing. They do not need a switch or relay.

It depends on what car you have. My car has Canbus wiring so it would definitely need a relay to connect up reversing sensors. Even then it may not work properly because it just uses the rear sidelights and makes them brighter when you brake. But this does have the advantage that if a bulb blows it uses the one below it as the brake light instead.

Carolinemjs

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I had a good mobile sparky i've used for years fit them, he spent a long time siting them, time well spent there is more to siting and wiring these than drilling 4 holes and sellotaping a few wires in to a switch.

Can you elaborate on this please? I would have just assumed they would be place at equal distances apart along the length of the bumper.
Thank you

gilbert_and_sullivan

Carolinemjs wrote: »

Can you elaborate on this please? I would have just assumed they would be place at equal distances apart along the length of the bumper.
Thank you

I assumed you just drilled 4 holes in the front and rear bumper and bunged them in job done, nothing of the sort its a lot more scientific than that.

Most bumpers arn't flat and the sensors have to be fitted at a certain height and level or they'll either sense kerbs or if a high kerb likely to cause damage could miss it entirely, so probably better if you find someone who's done the job before and takes their time getting it right, there is no repositioning cos once you've drilled 4 1" holes in the bumper thats it.

The Steelmate sensors came with eccentric adaptors they click into in the bumper, so if they have to be fitted on a not vertical part of the bumper (my situation) the adaptors could be used to make the sensors vertical.

My chap must have spent an hour musing and measuring up and marking out before he was happy to even drill a pilot hole in the steel bumper, yes he's a perfectionist but the proof was an amazingly accurate parking sensor system that was completely reliable and a joy to use.

chrisw

My wife's Nissan Note already had the positions for the sensors marked on the back of the bumper, don't know if others are similar.

Carolinemjs

I'm certainly glad I asked here, some very useful information:)
I was quite prepared to put the job in the hands of whoever was willing to do it - friends etc, however I will definitely be asking more detailed questions before I go ahead with the fitting.
Thank you everyone

A quick google has provided some useful links - NOTE fitting to a metal bumper is different to a plastic one!
http://www.parkingdynamics.co.uk/Installation
http://www.parkingsensors.co.uk/page/fitting-guide
http://vandogtraveller.com/reverse-parking-sensors/

macman

Go back to the garage who fitted them and insist that they wire them into the reversing light feed, which they would have done originally if they had a clue.

tedted

not fitted yet

kev25v6

Fitted a few from parkingsensors online. Dead easy, need to be about 50cm apart and about the same from the floor. Centre of the car is the boot catch so use that as a starting point. Measure a few times then take the plunge and use the supplied hole saw. A bit of fairy liquid helps the sensors slide into the hole. The four wires are labelled up, just plug them into the control box and put one wire into the reversing light spade connection and one to a bolt on the car body for the earth. Run the display unit cable through the car to the dash and your done. No more than an hour to do with a few tea breaks included.

Pincher

Just wondering, does the insurance company consider this a good thing, or just an excuse to bump up the premium because it's a modification?