Now, I like Steve Neville alarms - I like the simplicity, good battery life, and the compact look.
So when mine developed cracks around the base after 8-9 years, I shelled out £100+ last year to have them re-cased, thinking I would get a good few more years life out of them.
And today, I checked them and 2 of them have cracks already, and I haven't even bloody used them, and they definitely weren't cracked when I got them back!
I give up, great alarms on paper, but **** design!! What sort of case is so bad that it cracks with zero use???
Back to the Delkims I guess.....
So when mine developed cracks around the base after 8-9 years, I shelled out £100+ last year to have them re-cased, thinking I would get a good few more years life out of them.
And today, I checked them and 2 of them have cracks already, and I haven't even bloody used them, and they definitely weren't cracked when I got them back!
I give up, great alarms on paper, but **** design!! What sort of case is so bad that it cracks with zero use???
Back to the Delkims I guess.....
In reply to Post #1
Teach you for trying to look old school wont it. Bet you have tournies aswell
Teach you for trying to look old school wont it. Bet you have tournies aswell
In reply to Post #2
What a mean reply!
What a mean reply!
In reply to Post #1
So why not talk to whoever re-cased them?
So why not talk to whoever re-cased them?
In reply to Post #1
The plastic used on the casings really is of inferior quality.
Then there is the problem that the screws that hold the backplate on are tapered and the fixing holes are to near the edge of the casing and are undersized for the dia of the screw...recipe for disaster. I am divided in the opinion that lubricating the self tappers does more harm than good !
The main problem is the fact that the 3/8th bankstick fixing stud is held to the casing by a tiny bolt that has only a 4mm ish sized head that bears directly onto the plastic casing without a washer for added support.
If this is overtightened the head digs into the plastic and splits the casing like a wedge.
It is possible to unsolder the circuit board to access the bolt head and fix a thin SS washer to prevent this..I doubt those that recase the alarms do this though.
The easy fix hack is to source the washer then cut a slot out with a hacksaw or grinder so it can slip under the bolt head without de soldering the board.
I know fine well that a great many on here will now state they have had their alarms for decades and have had no problems...well good for you ! It is quite obvious that there is a problem with the casings...so many used sets up for sale with damage, the fact that companies or individuals have a service to recase the alarms and the fact that new replacement casings are available in the first instance .
On a side note...has anyone ever had to have any other make of alarm recased...excepting optonics ?
The plastic used on the casings really is of inferior quality.
Then there is the problem that the screws that hold the backplate on are tapered and the fixing holes are to near the edge of the casing and are undersized for the dia of the screw...recipe for disaster. I am divided in the opinion that lubricating the self tappers does more harm than good !
The main problem is the fact that the 3/8th bankstick fixing stud is held to the casing by a tiny bolt that has only a 4mm ish sized head that bears directly onto the plastic casing without a washer for added support.
If this is overtightened the head digs into the plastic and splits the casing like a wedge.
It is possible to unsolder the circuit board to access the bolt head and fix a thin SS washer to prevent this..I doubt those that recase the alarms do this though.
The easy fix hack is to source the washer then cut a slot out with a hacksaw or grinder so it can slip under the bolt head without de soldering the board.
I know fine well that a great many on here will now state they have had their alarms for decades and have had no problems...well good for you ! It is quite obvious that there is a problem with the casings...so many used sets up for sale with damage, the fact that companies or individuals have a service to recase the alarms and the fact that new replacement casings are available in the first instance .
On a side note...has anyone ever had to have any other make of alarm recased...excepting optonics ?
In reply to Post #1
How many did you get re- cased for over 100 quid ?
How many did you get re- cased for over 100 quid ?
Never had any issues with mine
Did nearly break my toe once when I dropped one on it though
Did nearly break my toe once when I dropped one on it though
In reply to Post #7
LOL
Looks like you lost the rubber rod protector cap though .
LOL
Looks like you lost the rubber rod protector cap though .
In reply to Post #8
Rod scratch central
Rod scratch central
In reply to Post #5
Thanks for the reply, and yes, it really is a design flaw. In fact I only bought them after reading a load of crap about 10 years ago from the guy who made the casings saying they had re-engineered them, and the issues had now been sorted - utter garbage!
I am contemplating complaining, but to be honest I have lost confidence in them now.
And the cost was for having 3 of them done.
And as for trying to look old skool, lol, I don't have to try.
Thanks for the reply, and yes, it really is a design flaw. In fact I only bought them after reading a load of crap about 10 years ago from the guy who made the casings saying they had re-engineered them, and the issues had now been sorted - utter garbage!
I am contemplating complaining, but to be honest I have lost confidence in them now.
And the cost was for having 3 of them done.
And as for trying to look old skool, lol, I don't have to try.
In reply to Post #10
Although you haven't used them so this clearly isn't the issue the thread isn't particularly square to the casing either as the casing has ever such a slight run towards the back of the alarm. I only noticed this as i purchased some large diameter lock nuts to help alleviate this problem, it actually made it worse as it puts pressure onto the case as the washer tightens square to the casing. I've been a nev user since the early versions and still am so I'm not knocking/hating the product but this latest generation of casing are the worst so far, I've had ears sheer off on a sideways take too....... Come on stevie make them out of delrin or something better lol!
Although you haven't used them so this clearly isn't the issue the thread isn't particularly square to the casing either as the casing has ever such a slight run towards the back of the alarm. I only noticed this as i purchased some large diameter lock nuts to help alleviate this problem, it actually made it worse as it puts pressure onto the case as the washer tightens square to the casing. I've been a nev user since the early versions and still am so I'm not knocking/hating the product but this latest generation of casing are the worst so far, I've had ears sheer off on a sideways take too....... Come on stevie make them out of delrin or something better lol!
In reply to Post #11
I'm also a fan and have mk3 remotes, they do all I need but the case has always been an issue.
I'm also a fan and have mk3 remotes, they do all I need but the case has always been an issue.
In reply to Post #1
Yes that's why I eventually got rid of mine and went over to the rx+ with no regrets , I had about 3 sets over the years all with the same problem.
Yes that's why I eventually got rid of mine and went over to the rx+ with no regrets , I had about 3 sets over the years all with the same problem.
In reply to Post #13
I don't know if this will help some others but the best way I've found to reduce potential base cracking is by buying the longer threads from reelking and put a chunky rubber o ring on first then add a small stainless knurled locking collar screwed up to the o ring as this essentially takes the pressure and the o ring helps keep the alarm rigid and square to the thread whilst not pressuring the case too much. Its also fairly easy to align onto bars with this arrangement too.
I don't know if this will help some others but the best way I've found to reduce potential base cracking is by buying the longer threads from reelking and put a chunky rubber o ring on first then add a small stainless knurled locking collar screwed up to the o ring as this essentially takes the pressure and the o ring helps keep the alarm rigid and square to the thread whilst not pressuring the case too much. Its also fairly easy to align onto bars with this arrangement too.
In reply to Post #14
It's not just that part of the casing that cracks though...the backplate itself cracks where the mounting holes are and the casing cracks where the screws fixing the backplate are...
It's not just that part of the casing that cracks though...the backplate itself cracks where the mounting holes are and the casing cracks where the screws fixing the backplate are...