Backup alarms

[Doc Owens]

I've seen no postings on one of the most dangerous aspects of our big diesel dogs, ie backing over hapless victims. I'm a doc involved in trauma in the OR and have seen many deaths & ghastly injuries from backing over children in our town. My new cummins 4X4 is certainly one of the worst vehicles for rearward visibility in that respect. I therefore urge TDR members to consider adding backup alarms as a necessary first step. I ended up going to the local parts house and bought a 97 db commercial alarm for my Dodge. I tried one of the alarm/backup light combos and found it useless against the clatter of the Cummins & I bought the commercial alarm for about $30. I mounted it inside the rear light chamber & I found existing holes to mount it to on a vertical bulkhead there. It's easily spliced into the back up light wire and it works great. All TDR members who love children, raise your greasy hands now!

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2001. 5 4X4,6 spd,Silver, Geno's accessories, VDOs, E-Brake, topper, Amsoil bypass all not bombed(why bomb?); JD 400 Backhoe, "72 Chev dump, rebuilt "77 Suburban ,pristine "81 MB 380 SEL and a Isuzu powered 48' Cal 48 sailboat

 

[illflem]

Good advice Doc, best to have one you can control from the cab in case you want to sneak around, though it's pretty hard to do with a Cummins!!! One of the things they check you for when testing for a CDL is doing a walk around before backing. I think it's a good idea since our trucks are almost commercial rigs. Some things like abandoned bicycles don't respond well to a beep.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Gready hand raised here! I tried the bulb type and you are right they were useless. I do a walk around before backing out as illflem says but would like the backup alarm. Where did you pick yours up for $30?

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax3, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, SS ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

[This message has been edited by Steve St. Laurent (edited 05-02-2001). ]

 

[BigDaddy]

Good advise Doc.
For those that are interested Grote Products has a 90 db horn. Go to; Emergency & Warning Devices, 90 db Light duty back-up alarm.

Doc, they also sell a Beeping Back-up Halogen Bulb. Might be like the one you first purchased. It clearly states, “Alarm does not meet OSHA or SAE J994 requirements…”.

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<font color=forestgreen>2000</font> DODGE <font color=forestgreen>RAM</font>, <font color=forestgreen>2500 HD</font>, 4x4 SLT, Reg. Cab, <font color=forestgreen>Forest Green</font>, Agate interior, Cummins ISB, Auto, Shift-on-the-Fly (241HD), 4. 10 LS, ABS, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Group, Michelin; DC: Fog Lights Kit, Tow Rings, Under Rail Bedliner, VentVisors, Splash Guards, Cold Weather Cover, & Mats.
<font color=forestgreen>After-market</font>: JRE 4" Exhaust, Van Aaken, Practical Solutions Diesel Products:High Idler, Heavy Duty Idler Pulley, Intake Heater System Saver & HD U-Bolt/Anchor Plate Kit, Gatorback Belt, Painless Wiring, K40, Viper w/AutoStart, Clarion 6 Disk CD w/remote, UnidenCB w/Francis antenna, Draw-Tite Activator II, Alpex 255TC2C Air Horns, Continental BedRails, Delo 400, HOWES, Liquid Glass.

BigDaddy's Ram #ad
New England RamRiggers

<font color=36648B>2001 PT Cruiser Limited Edition</font>

 

[GSchlegel]

Doc,
I agree. When I bought my truck in '96', I knew there was no way I could see my two boys behind the 3500 so the first bombing I did was to go to a truck parts wholesaler and get a heavey duty backup alarm. I mounted it behind the dually's mudflap on the passenger side. I wired it through a relay that also controlls two halogen flood lights. Now, every time I backup I have 110 watts of halogen flood light that is visible day or night as well as an industrial grade backup alarm screaming "Look out, get out of the way".
Gene

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'96' 3500, 5-speed, 3. 54 LSD, Ext. Cab, 180,000 plus miles, relay controlled back-up alarm and rear facing halogen tractor flood lights, K&N air filter, TST #11 plate . 010" forward of stock, AFC spring kit, lost cat, SPA digital EGT and boost gauge,20 yr. old marine air horns, bed liner, 5" monster exhaust tip, Geno's manual trans. filter, brite box.

 

[Doc Owens]

Steve: Electric Service in Pocatello, a carquest shop had "em on sale from $30 to $37 a while back. Mine was an epoxy sealed one made in Canada. Gosh, sorry I can't remember the Brand.

 

[DieselB59]

Try www.awdirect.com They have ECCO self adjusting back up alarms that go from 80-110 db. As exhaust or engine noise rises they stay above it. That's what I bought. I ran it with a relay and used the reverse lights to toggle the relay. Simple and easy and under a hundred bucks.

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Chris Timochko
*Association of Diesel Specialists Certified*
AUTO WURKS DIESEL R&D TEAM
1997 5sp 4X4, Rhino Linings, Espar Heater, A. W. D. HX40 turbo, ATS 3pc Manifold, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, A. W. D. Custom Tuned Injection Pump, A. W. D. Intercooler, A. W. D. /Mallory Fuel System and Braided Stainless Lines, A. W. D. 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, A. W. D. Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, A. W. D. 6" Chrome Exhaust System, BD No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. 15. 50@97mph on Goodyear All-Terrain tires.
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Project U96 - 1996 3500 2WD racer. A. W. D. Marine Ultra Low Compression, A. W. D. Teflon-coated Pistons, A. W. D. High Lift Camshaft, Ported and Honed Cylinder Head, Intake and Exhaust manifold; A. W. D. HX40 Turbocharger, ATS 3pc Exhaust Manifold, A. W. D. Water Injection, A. W. D. Custom Fabricated Fuel System, Race Spec A. W. D. /BD P7100 Injection Pump, A. W. D. Custom High Flow Fuel Injection Nozzles, BD Auto transmission and Custom TC, Weld Draglites, Goodyear Eagle Drag Slicks, 5" Single Stack Through The Bed, Mag-Hytec on Rear and Transmission. 11. 54@115mph

 

[Rambling]

I've noticed on some commercial trucks that work in pedestrian areas also have strobes for those that can't hear the alarm.

For those that camp, the audible alarm could be turned off and the strobe would still alert people . People seem to complain enough about diesel engine clatter. Especially in the early AM.


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<font color=#990000>~<font color=#990000> '99 2500 SLT <font color=#990000> ~ QC ~ 4X4 ~ LB ~ Auto ~ 4:10 LSD ~
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> BD E-brake<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> BD Autolock<font color=#00000>*<font color=#990000> Gear Vendor OD<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> Bullhide spray-in Line <font color=#000000>*
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> 2k Komfort 5'er - 9,700 lbs <font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Jordan Research 2020 T-brake <font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> Garmin III+ & Laptop software <font color=#000000>*
<font size=-2>... Keep on Rammin'! You'll love the way it feels!! #ad
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[This message has been edited by Rattlin (edited 05-04-2001). ]