What CAT is my standard alarm?

[Good Soil (Pete)]

Anyone have any idea waht CAT the standard alarm is on a 99 Chim?

The insurance co are asking......basically if its CAT1 rated (which I doubt) they can compete with my best quote......if its not...they probably won't want to know...

[plotloss]

If its a Meta 99T2 then its Cat 1.

[FunkyGibbon]

plotloss said:

If its a Meta 99T2 then its Cat 1.

yep should be Cat 1. There is a sample letter from the factory in "The Bible" confirming such.

[M@H]

In my understanding the CAT rating is effectively a Type Approval:

Cat 1 is for Alarm Systems.
Cat 2 is for Immobiliser Systems.

Accordingly they are either CAT compliant or they are not, so for example you can't have a CAT 2 Alarm system as its either CAT 1 or not compliant to CAT standards.

Awaits being shot down in flames.

Cheers,
Matt.

[aaandy]

I had always thought that they were CAT 1 (1998 Chim). I do have a copy the the letter mentioned above from the previous owner who had the car from new, and it confirmed what CAT the alarm and immobiliser are.

But it is at home so can't help any further for now.

[the dodger]

M@H said:

In my understanding the CAT rating is effectively a Type Approval: Cat 1 is for Alarm Systems. Cat 2 is for Immobiliser Systems. Accordingly they are either CAT compliant or they are not, so for example you can't have a CAT 2 Alarm system as its either CAT 1 or not compliant to CAT standards. Awaits being shot down in flames. Cheers, Matt. Absolutely Matt. Usually insurance co's require minimum CAT2 (immob). Not all alarms are CAT1 though - and you need the certificate to prove. I believe factory META from about 99 (?) are CAT1 and smpl cert in Bible from factory.

[cliff123]

With the CAT 1 on, is it correct that the alarm should go off if anything enters the cabin space, (ie, if the roof is off but the alarm on) even without actually touching the car or any electrics?

[plotloss]

cliff123 said:

With the CAT 1 on, is it correct that the alarm should go off if anything enters the cabin space, (ie, if the roof is off but the alarm on) even without actually touching the car or any electrics?

Thats just an alarm feature. CAT 1 means it passively arms so if you forget to activate it, it activates itself.

[wildeep]

The M99T alarm if used with the M36T immobiliser is classified as Thatcham cat 1, but because TVR replaced the ultrasonics and the boot and bonnet switches is cannot be classified as cat 1 so the system only meets cat 2 approval.

[Ribol]

plotloss said:

CAT 1 means it passively arms so if you forget to activate it, it activates itself.

There is much more to a CAT1 alarm/installation than that, it includes things like soldered connections, positioning of main alarm unit, bonnet switches, hardwire..............long boring list.

Ivan

[K4TRV]

wildeep said:

The M99T alarm if used with the M36T immobiliser is classified as Thatcham cat 1, but because TVR replaced the ultrasonics and the boot and bonnet switches is cannot be classified as cat 1 so the system only meets cat 2 approval.

I doubt any changes to ultrasonics and door switches changes the Cat of the Alarm !!

Alarms are sold as Cat 1 provided they are installed as per the Car & Car Alarm Manufactures recommendations. "Some" Cat 1 features have already been mentioned; alarm sets itself after vehicle ignition is switched off; the installation is placed away from easy access; the actual alarm electronics are housed in a metal container which meets Thatcham approval; features are protected by passwords....etc.

Think you'll find the letter in the Bible is sufficient unless you have changed it and whomsoever has, should also provide the new Alarm manufacture's letter of compliance.

Trev McM

[Ribol]

wildeep said:

The M99T alarm if used with the M36T immobiliser is classified as Thatcham cat 1, but because TVR replaced the ultrasonics and the boot and bonnet switches is cannot be classified as cat 1 so the system only meets cat 2 approval.

The TVR OE Meta system is CAT1. Ultrasonics or a Micro can be used to qualify for CAT1 but must have one of the two. The bonnet and boot switches on my Chim are CAT1 spec as is the overall installation.

Ivan

[wildeep]

K4TRV said:

I doubt any changes to ultrasonics and door switches changes the Cat of the Alarm !!

It does, if you read the official letter from TVR printed in the bible it says exactely that.

Quote from bible "As TVR use the microwave sensors to replace the ultrasonics, due to the nature of the vehicle the system cannot be classified as Thatcham category 1 approved"

[plotloss]

My 2001 had a letter with it, in fact I still have the letter, clearly stating that the 99T2 is Thatcham Category 1 approved.

[wildeep]

Maybe they added the boot and bonnet pin switches to the later models with the T2 to get the Cat 1 approval but the earlier Metas didnt?

>> Edited by wildeep on Tuesday 17th August 12:16

[plotloss]

Perhaps thats the difference between a 99T and a 99T2??

[the dodger]

Mine's an afterfit system which I think was fitted early 98 replacing the factory Gemini 'upgraded' unit. It's a M99/M36T and doesn't have either microwave or ultrasonic sensors but came with a CAT1 certificate.

[Targarama]

plotloss said:

My 2001 had a letter with it, in fact I still have the letter, clearly stating that the 99T2 is Thatcham Category 1 approved.

Amusingly my dealer gave me a copy of the same letter with my new T350 :huh: Mannings/Sunninghill were cool about it anyway and didn't request a tracker or similar.

[Ribol]

the dodger said:

Mine's an afterfit system which I think was fitted early 98 replacing the factory Gemini 'upgraded' unit. It's a M99/M36T and doesn't have either microwave or ultrasonic sensors but came with a CAT1 certificate.

Any alarm that has neither an ultrasonic or microwave is NOT a CAT1.
Like I posted earlier there are a list of requirements like battery back up siren, min two cuts, loom specs..............etc etc.
Maybe you have a micro fitted without knowing it's there?

Ivan

[the dodger]

Ivan, I know for sure there are no ultrasonics (like little speakers?) but there is a black box floating under the centre console. It's part of the old Gemini system (has Gemini on the box) and is still wired in but I've never seen the led lit. Also I have tried to test if it does arm but maybe I haven't tried hard enough? I have instuctions showing how to arm including "internal sensors" (m/wave or u/sonics???) and I get the correct flashes from the hazards.

Is there a difinitive way of determining this feature?

Actually, reading through the instructions again I believe ultrasonics are a standard feature as it gives the code if this has been triggered. I can't see them! The system can be armed without The "internal sensors" by holding down the blipper for 4 secs. This is listed as an additional feature along with Panic Facility (hold for 6 sec) which mine does not do.

I'm not that bothered but it would be nice to have something which actually coplies with the certificate issued. Hmmmm - maybe a getout clause for the insurance if they decide it doesn't comply?

Now -