What is SENTINEL ??

PRICE

Buying of mounting kit : 90 €
Renting of Sentinel unit for bikes (*) : 130 €
Renting of Sentinel unit for cars and trucks : 145 €

* A.S.O. deals with the hiring of the material for all competitors Motorcycle and Quad entered on Dakar 2005.


The origin of Sentinel ?
Tested in Africa, in the USA and more recently on Tunisia, Morocco and Turkey Rallies, Sentinel is a safety horn made to help cars and trucks overtake motorcycles and slower moving cars in situations where it is difficult to pass without the co-operation of the vehicle in front.

The recent years, a number of accidents have occurred between cars and motorcycles, sometimes with serious consequences. This situation is mainly caused by the fact that the motorcycle rider usually can’t hear the horn of the car behind them. Consequently, the rider is not conscious of being closely followed, sometimes until it’s too late!
In the same way, a car trying to pass another car in dust is often invisible in the mirrors of the car being overtaken. This tends to result in a jam that can last for a long time, and encourages off-track overtaking manoeuvres that risk a rollover!

How does it work ?
Sentinel is linked to the horn of the car that wishes to pass. When the horn is sounded, Sentinel digitally transmits information to the target vehicle, at distances up to 150 metres in flat land. The pilot of the target vehicle is notified of the wish to pass both by sound (buzzer 110dB) and light (powerful flash 50 leds). He can answer the following car (which race number has also been transmitted) by a short push on his own horn button (for cars and trucks only). The other driver receives an agreement (sound and light) that allows him to pass.

To avoid serial accidents, Sentinel also has a powerful alarm function (up to 500 metres away in flat land) warning that an accident has occurred. Sound and light warnings will be received in all vehicles arriving on the scene of the accident. This can be very helpful in the case of a crash behind a dune, even though the transmission distance is likely to be reduced by the obstacle.

How is Sentinel constituted?

Sentinel can be powered from 12 to 24 volts continuous. The electrical consumption varies from 50 mA to 250 mA (emission when the vehicle horn is used). It can be protected by a 1 to 5 amperes fuse.

Where to install Sentinel ?
Sentinel must ALWAYS be installed in its mounting bracket with anti-vibration silentblocs or rubber foam (minimum width 5 mm).
In a car or a truck, the integrated aerials must “see” the road. Sentinel should be installed in its mounting bracket, under the roll-cage at the top of the windshield, like a central mirror, with the keyboard into the cockpit. The mounting bracket (FIX1) is designed to be attached to a Ø 50 mm roll-cage tube with two collier straps.

The medias (buzzer and flash units) can be attached to the roll-cage (with two collier straps) or anywhere else in the cockpit.
The power cable (4 wires) must be connected to 12 or 24 volts, and to + and – of the vehicle horn.

For a motorcycle, the ideal place for the mounting bracket is at the back of the motorcycle, between the seat and the back red light or completely at the front. The rider doesn’t need to see the Sentinel box while riding, but the box must be easy to see for checks. The cables then follow the frame tubes to be connected to the navigation panel wiring (power). Caution: the power must be connected to 12 volts continuous (like for GPS) but never on 12 volts alternative (like some front light installations).
The medias (buzzer and flash units) could be attached to the handlebar (with two collier straps). This kind of installation is simple and has been successfully tested in long races.
Another method is to install the Sentinel mounting bracket at the front of the motorcycle, at the level of the handlebar mountings or the navigation panel, assuming space is available. The same principle applies to the buzzer and flash units. Caution: the luminous flash (LUM1) must remain visible while the driver is either seated or standing.



Delivery
As soon as payment is received, the material ordered will be sent by express post, except for the Sentinel unit (STN1), which will be delivered and plugged into its mounting bracket during the technical scrutineering in Barcelona.
A credit card deposit (printed by ASO at administrative checks) will be collected only in case of non-return of the Sentinel unit at the end of the rally, or after 15th February 2005. In the case of damage, only the repair (time and parts) will be charged.

Technical scrutineering
You must come to technical scrutineering with the system installed (cable ALM1 connected to the 12 volts power and to the horn, buzzer and flash units installed, and the mounting bracket attached). It is essential to use a mounting bracket for the quick fixing of the Sentinel unit during your time in the technical scrutineering.
The complete installation will be tested so that you will be able to start the rally.

Race and Return
During the rally, it is essential that you race with a Sentinel system that is perfectly working. In the case of a problem (whether caused by a crash or malfunction), the Sentinel will be exchanged by a Sentinel technician, located close to the motorcycle spare parts plane. Feel free to consult him in case of trouble, to propose product or service improvements or for advice on how to use the Sentinel. You are always welcome.

At the end of the rally, you must return the Sentinel unit (STN1) only, to the Sentinel technician at the “last CH”. You will receive in return the necessary receipt to reclaim the deposit. Please make sure you ask for it.
In case of retirement from the rally, you must remove your Sentinel unit (STN1) only and give it back to the Sentinel technician. Please make sure you get a receipt.

Contact
In case of doubt or trouble before the rally, please, contact PROTECH Engineering Company:

• E-mail : contact@sentinel.name
• Phone +33 (0)4 67 27 35 84
• Fax +33 (0)4 67 50 95 64