Fitting baby capsule - help

[Hopeosh]

Hi there,

last night DH and I fitted our SnS baby capsule to the rear centre position in our VE Commodore (being the safest position and also because the rear left door is parked up against the garage wall so not a great postition to get bubs out from).

Only problem is that the seat doesn't appear to be very secure. We have done the installation by the book (seatbelt through the base then top straps through the back of the capsule and tightened). There is a lot of side to side movement in the capsule and when we tighten the top strap around the capsule, it actually lifts off the seat so there is a gap under the front of the capsule base :confused:

Has anyone else had the same problem??? Is it just the VE that does this or have others had the same problem in other commodores?

We may have to try the rear left position but with no straps to keep the front of the base in position, i still see the same thing happening. We don't want to pay $30 to have it fitted for something so simple but can't see that is is very safe where it is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[Sheer Bliss]

Are there any authorised checking stations near you that you can take it to? They might just check it for you without charging to install it? We have always done it ourselves (mum used to be an authorised installer :D) and have her check it, but haven't had concerns about the safety, so just gone with it.

Maybe try giving Britax an e-mail too....but it ir really hard to describe it over the internet/email, so IMO it will be the best $30 you have ever spent to make 100% sure your baby is safe.

HAve you asked the place you bought it from? We bought our first one from a baby shop and thye had an authorised installer there to put it in free of charge.

[laylasmumma23]

Not sure where you live but red cross safety stores install them for FREE!!..
With newborns the capsuals need to be rear facing and usually behind the passenger seat.
As the Previous Poster said it might be worth spending the $30 to ensure bubs safety.

[Hopeosh]

Unfortunately, nothing comes for free... the shop we bought it on charge $30 installation (and they only do it one day a week and you need a booking). Kidsafe will check the installation for $15 and will then charge the fitting fee if it needs to be adjusted so you end up paying more. Just crazy.

DH seems to think that that's just the way it is but I really don't feel safe with the base moving around like that.

[headoverfeet]

God NO there not ment to move that much at all!

I am looking at the manual online (http://www.britax.com.au/Websites/Business/ResourceCatWeb.nsf/LUPages/Other-Unity%20Carrier-Unity%20Carrier/$File/Unity%20Carrier.pdf) on page 13 it mentions a seatbelt lock off, does your capsule base have this? If so make sure you are engaging it while kneeling on the carseat base as this will compress the foam in the seat holding the base more firmly.

If not, you can purchase (for $4) a 3 bar sided gate (from a baby store) this will hold the seatbelt tought (tight) and stop it from auto retracting (loosening) and making the base wobble.

I dont have the SnS unity capsule but the meridian retractor and in reverse it does not have the seat belt lock off so I have had to purchase a 3 bar sided gate (as we were having the same problem), they are a pain to put on but work really really well. Kneeling on the foam to compress it will probebly cause the foam to be compressed permanetly but its what the installer did when showing me how to put the car seat in.

HTH

[Zada]

any authorised RACV (racq in qld not sure in other states) will do it for free. Thats what theyre there for

[jalibali]

Our local council has free days when they will check it for you. Maybe look into that.

Seriously if someone hits you though or you have an accident you will never forgive yourself if something happens to bubs. $30 is a very small price to pay, I would just go and get it done if there isn't a free option.

I have two Safe and Sound seats - one capsule, one seat fitted in a Holden Captiva. They are both very snug and barely move at all.

[Hopeosh]

Thanks Babymaker... our base doesn't have the seatbelt lock so guess that's for a different model. I noticed that the american version does have the seatbelt lock (youtube!). RAC in WA charges to do it and our local council does it for free but the fitting guy is off work with an injury at the moment and hasn't been replaced :crying:

I did find this list tho that has all the registered installers in WA and who charges and who doesn't so if there is anyone else who wants theirs checked, then this is a good place to start. http://www.childcarrestraints.com.au/fitters Not many in the metro area so may have to suck it up and pay. I guess it was just the principal of it but I agree jalibali that we might as well pay so that we know its done properly.

[lovelymum]

Without sounding rude I think that $30 is not a lot of money for the piece of mind and security of having the seat installed properly. I read that 98% of people who install their own seats do so incorrectly. I just paid $30 to have my DD seat re-installed today, we don't have money to splash around but I consider it essential. Go without something for a week or borrow the money if you have to you are investing in the safety of your child

[Milliner]

You need to get an 'H' clip from a baby store. As a PP said they're only around $4, this will hold the belt tight and stop movement.

I know it seems a lot just to install a car seat - which would take all of 5 mins for a professional - but really it's not a lot if you look at the big picture.

[Hopeosh]

thought i'd just update everyone that has offered their advice on the baby capsule installation.

today we went to an RAC centre to get the capsule professionally fitted as i would rather get it done properly than be worried the whole time.

the fitter basically did the same thing we did and told us that:
1) the capsule will always move side to side and the H clip will help stop the bottom seat belt getting looser as the capsule moves around; and
2) the top strap doesn't need to be tightened as much as possible, just until the slack is taken out and it doesn't lift the capsule off the seat.

so basically, we paid someone to pretty much do the same installation we did ourselves and tell us things that probably should have been in the installation guide :rolleyes: oh, and we'll be re-installing it again ourselves cos the blanket under the capsule is crooked and not covering the seat properly :laughing:

i am relived that we got it right the first time but peeved that we had to pay to find out. oh well!!

[headoverfeet]

Oh well better safe then sorry :) glad you got it sorted :yes: