Cruise control

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:05 am

I ordered this ebay item 330132191969 (EUR 99.00) on Tuesday afternoon.

It arrived 2 days later, from Germany, on Thursday. All appears to be in perfect condition. Excellent service.

I'll try and install it over the next couple of weeks (when I get 3-4 hours free).

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:04 pm

I am guessing that I will need 5 hours for it so anything less will be a bonus! Others have given times of 2.5 - 4 hours (3 hours is my ideal time) but some how, things always take longer than I predict!

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:45 pm

I went to buy the 99 euro one but the listing was finished. Hopefully it will be back on shortly.

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:02 pm

I was right with my fitting time - around 5 hours; I was frequently disturbed and spent too long being daft

. If I was to do it again, it would easily be done under 2 hours (he says!

).

It works really well but could not have done it so easily without the photo instructions kindly sent by members - thanks. The only difference I had to make was setting the sensitivity to "H" for high rather than medium.

The mrs has taken to it like a duck to water - it is exactly what we wanted in terms of easier driving positions and a more relaxing drive

.

Thanks for the help and advice.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:58 pm

Mine is a delight - for £80 it has to be the best mod you can do. It transforms the comfor of the Bongo.

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:43 pm

I've just called my insurance company (LifeSure) to inform them that I have fitted the cruise control. They stated that if it was fitted professionally, then no problem. If I fitted it, I need to send them a letter from a mechanic or auto engineer to confirm that it has been fitted correctly, otherwise my insurance may not pay out in the event of an accident.

Cruise-controls are regarded as a modification.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:16 pm

They have to cover their back M&JB... IF and its a big IF there is a problem with the cruise control,if a mechanic has give it the ok first, then some of the responsibility is taken off you in the eventuality of a crash

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:34 pm

That is almost word for word what they said. I now need to find a mechanic now that will write the letter / report for a reasonable fee. The mechanic that fitted my cambelt would not guarantee the work because he had not supplied the belts (I had bought them from one of the suppliers on the forum). I am hoping that finding another one that will check out the cruise control and write to say that it is OK will not cost a great deal

. I'll update the BF when I know more.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:39 pm

Ive never fitted a cruise control system, i,m assuming that a speed sensor needs to be fitted to the hub?

A mechanic would be able to confirm that its done properly.

The rest of the install, i would assume need to be checked over by an auto electrician?

You may end up having to send two letters!

The auto electrician may only be able to guarantee the work, if he rips it all out and starts over

£££'s

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:45 pm

The speed is taken from the feed to the speedometer - no need to do the hub.

I would be

if I could only get a letter if an autoelectrician has to take it out and start again.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:49 pm

Good point about notifying the insurance company. It is debatable on what constitutes a modification. On the Endsleigh Insurance website they mention "Rear bumper modifications" - so could fitting a recessed foglight technically invalidate your insurance? Also, many of the vehicles imported have already had modifications fitted by the previous owner & due to how different every Bongo seems to be, it would be very tricky to tell these from "standard". I'm sure someone here will be able to enlighten us.

With regard to the Waeco MS50 unit, it is obviously designed with safety in mind & has a series of fail-safe mechanisms in place, so any failure of the electronics or actuator will revert to off. However, just as with putting a set of shelves at home, it can be installed correctly following manufacturers guidelines, or just thrown togther badly by someone without any skill. If in doubt, seek the advice of someone who is an expert in these matters.

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:26 pm

I am happy to report:

Our insurance company (LifeSure) accepted the letter from a local auto electrician confirming that the installation of the cruise control was appropriate

. I was told that without this confirmation, my insurance would have become invalid. Check with your own company to confirm their requirements but it is regarded as a modification.

The cruise control works very well and has made both local and long distances much more comfortable, less tiring and less stressful.

I am very happy with it! It is the best £100 I have invested in the bongo!

Thanks once again to those that provided help and the photo installation sheets - I could not have installed it without this assistance.

GrahamP · Post by **GrahamP** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:40 pm

We have just returned from our annual 2 week summer hols with a week in North Devon and a week in Norfolk and I was wondering whether fitting cruise control was an option.

We racked up quite a few miles towing our trailer tent and this would have been a great addtion to the Bongo - this thread has been very useful and I will be considering this very carefully.

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:39 pm

No doubt about it. It has been excellent. I will be using it again in a few mins as I go home; once set to 30 mph, I will cruise home and know that I will not go over the speed limit

.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:24 am

Having read all the stuff on cruise control, I have thought about it a lot so I sent an e mail to a seller of the waeco ms50 set in Germany asking if there were any more for sale at 99 euros. Now I dont know if she was yanking my chain so to speak but she replied that the ones sold for 99 euros are not genuine waeco but inferior units as she canot buy them from waeco that cheap. She offered me a unit at £99.00 plus £12.00 postage, which is what waeco sell em for anyway. Seller was whr online.
Now I am wondering if anyone here has bought one off her and is it the real thing or not, hate for problems to develop. Still think I want one so I will keep looking. Happy motoring.