Locking the Cali with roof up

cpjb@btinternet.com · Mar 19, 2013

Can anyone offer the best advice for locking the Cali with the roof up, and avoiding coming back on site to find that the alarm has been going off for hours. It hasn't happened yet (to my knowledge), but I'd quite like to avoid it.

I've tried reading the manual pages relating to Safelock, deadlock etc, but quite frankly it might as well be written in German.

Any advice welcome.

BerndRos · Mar 19, 2013

Disable the internal sensor by pressing the button on the pillar by the drivers seat/door.....

Bright is disabled.....

cpjb@btinternet.com · Mar 19, 2013

Thanks for the quick response BerndRos. Excellent.

barry · Mar 19, 2013

Are you thinking the roof bellows might act as a sail and rock the van in any strong wind that might get up and set off the alarm (like might happen with the rocking on a ferry from a bouncy sea)?

If that's so ... then the switches low down on the pillar behind the driver's right ear will let you switch off the rocking-alarm while leaving the other alarm features active.
(If only I could remember what's pressed and in what order - I seem to remember that with the manual in hand, standing in front of the switches, it was quite easy to do - and I did it under pressure in the hold of the Outer Hebrides to Ullapool ferry as a real storm was approaching and the tannoy was alerting drivers to the fact that alarms would definitely be triggered unless switched off or set up appropriately).

I think there's a thread somewhere on here that's a response to the poorly-written manual.
I'm sure someone with a better memory than me'll give better feedback, though

(Beaten to it)

lewisnoble · Mar 20, 2013

Yes, it is possible to leave the van locked but sensors off - but I also have to check how to do it each time!

Or - MAKE SURE YOU HAVE VAN KEY ON YOU, then lock the van on the rocker switch on the drivers door (with sliding door open), leave via sliding door then close it. Van is locked but unsensored (uncensored??!). Now why is it important to have key with you? Oh yes!! So you can get back in. Never got locked out myself but others have.

I think your post also raises the issue of whether the roof should be left up if there is any uncertainty about the weather. We never have had any problems in this area, but there have been times the wind has sprung up and I've wondered if things were OK. The problems with the Cali roof are well documented, but it is probably stronger than the types fitted on most other campers with elevating roofs. Still, I prefer not to take any chances.

Lewis

ChrisandPenney52 · Mar 20, 2013

It's not happened to me but my suggestion would be to slide the roof access panel closed so that the sensors don't detect any 'upstairs' movement. Alternative thought is that the breezes from upstairs are blowing something about downstairs. Second alternative thought is that the sensors are faulty, but I'd try the other solutions first

burko73 · Mar 20, 2013

"The problems with the Cali roof are well documented, but it is probably stronger than the types fitted on most other campers with elevating roofs. Still, I prefer not to take any chances"

What are the well documented problems with the roof?

Californiaman · Mar 20, 2013

You can also lock the van and disable the alarm/deadbolts by pressing the lock button twice. If we're going to do washing up etc and it is windy that is what we do. Also works for on ferries etc.

lewisnoble · Mar 20, 2013

burko 73 - I was referring to issues with damaged bellows, caught in the scissors, etc., several threads on here about that. Fundamentally, though, I reckon it is pretty sturdy, but you do have to take care in getting the roof down, and problems can crop up before you realise it (canvas trapped etc) whereas with the manual roofs not so much power is exerted on things. And the cost of out of warranty repairs is high.

But ours has been fine in 4+ years. I did trap the canvas, asked VW for advice on repair and had it replaced under warranty!!

Californiaman - I did not know about that double button thing - sounds useful. I'll have to lock it and leave someone inside to tgest it out!!

Lewis

Hammer · Mar 21, 2013

Best option is pull the bed down and close the hatch, this will stop the internal sensors picking up movement. Would be very surprised if a small amount of rocking on the Cali would set the alarm off!

I always do as above and not had an issue.