Fitting a Mason Alarm (for Newbies)

[Dave Mason]

Hi Dvisor,
Well done good info,does the wiring instructions tell you to disconnect the battery first?
Only a thought.

Cheers Mal..

Thanks.

Didn't think about disconnecting the battery first Guess I should've done really, to be on the safe side.

As I've said, I don't have a Bongo so I don't know ... but disconnecting the battery seems a bit over-the top to me. Would you do that to change a side-light bulb? ... and surely it's inadvisable as well as un-necessary to disconnect the +ve terminal as well as the earth.

Generally, if turning everything off means there is nothing live in the area that you are working, for any job, then that should be sufficient, so long as no-one is going to come along and turn it on - but as I say I don't know if that is the case for working behind the instrument panel in a Bongo.

Disconnecting the battery is usually only necessary when working around areas like the starter motor, the fusebox or the ignition switch. Even then it is only necessary to disconnect the earth terminal which then totally prevents any power from coming out of the battery.

It's never easy to choose between "being on the safe side" and taking shortcuts to keep things simple and save time and money. I hope someone here is brave enough to be definite about whether the chore of disconnecting/reconnecting the battery must spoil the pleasurable simplicity of fitting a Mason alarm. If it is really advisable then let's add what size spanner is needed to the instructions and remove the dubious advice to touch the +ve terminal.

[dandywarhol]

I'm with DM on this one - as long as the "ignition" switch is off when fitting the alarm then there's no need to mess about disconnecting the battery/loosing radio codes etc.................................

[ribbleman]

Hi, fitted mason alarm today,( inspiration from dvisor write up) and quick delivery thanks,
took for good run needle stayed at 1oclock found big hill! needle moved up just after one then settled back down is this about right?
steve

[dreamwarrioruk]

just fitted one today myself, just rip out the whole instrument cluster and take inside where its warm to make the connections, no chance of it shorting out then. its scary watching the needle sat at 1am.

[missfixit70]

Hi, fitted mason alarm today,( inspiration from dvisor write up) and quick delivery thanks,
took for good run needle stayed at 1oclock found big hill! needle moved up just after one then settled back down is this about right?
steve

Sounds about right, did it squeak at you? I'd set it so it just squeaks by the end of the big hill, then a midges todger up from that & see how you go

[ribbleman]

Hi Did squeak will set bit higher tommorow glad it sounds right!
thanks steve