Alarm System

[FastWoman]

Hi all,

So it seems kids in nearby city gangs (?) are messing with us here in rural Virginia. They're stealing stuff out of unlocked cars and had earlier been breaking into people's homes. Around the corner from me, someone vandalized a kid's 300ZX with spray paint, but I don't know whether that's related. Anyway, I'm getting nervous about my 280. Time for a security system, I think. Unfortunately I don't know what systems are good. I'm hoping some of you can recommend a system to me.

Here's what I'm wanting in the alarm:

(1) Triggers to motion, door opening (grounding of the circuit via the door switches), and perhaps also a +12 signal (although I can add a relay to achieve this purpose).

(2) Distinctive alarm sound -- doesn't sound like everyone else's alarm (so that I'll recognize it immediately.

(3) Uses a remote disarm (small keychain transmitter).

(4) Has some sort of defeat circuit output -- perhaps a relay contact or a logic output when alarm is tripped.

(5) Flashes lights when alarm goes off.

(6) Not particularly fancy or expensive.

(7) ... but not a piece of junk either.

(8) Programmable so that it will reset after a short period if triggered by the motion sensor.

I do have some good ideas with regard to the defeat circuit, but of course I don't want to discuss the specifics on this list. In short, the alarm system will be my convenient and consistent way of defeating and enabling the engine. And yes, I've thought of hotwiring work-arounds and alarm tampering. I think I have a pretty iron-clad wiring strategy.

With this in mind, any good recommendations???

Are these any good, BTW?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Omega-K9-Sombra-RFID-Car-Alarm-Keyless-Entry-System_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad5824c38QQitemZ390129142840QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

http://www.caralarm.com/manuals/K-9/Sombra.pdf

Thanks, everyone!

Peace,

Sarah

Edited December 15, 2009 by FastWoman

[kenz240z]

I can't remember if it was on this site or elsewhere, but I recall seeing someone install a simple kill switch in place of the cigarette lighter. The lighter itself could be used to push a switch mounted at the back of the assembly. It would look stock, nothing would be obvious, unless someone tried to light a smoke, or poked around in the wiring under the dash. Even so, the wiring could be taped & wrapped in such a way that it would be difficult & time consuming for a car thief to trace it out.

Before analog cell phone service was phased out, a buddy of mine had an old analog cell phone in a car kit that he had wired into the car alarm. If the alarm triggered, it called him.

[geezer]

...any good recommendations???

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=trunk+monkey&docid=1058045952358&FORM=VIRE7#

Sorry Sarah, couldn't resist.

A simple RF reciever such as used for keyless entry can be hidden anywhere and be used to trigger and turn off any device controlled by a relay. Today, one of the oldtime sirens would garner more attention than horns, which are so common people don't take notice. I have one of those here somewhere. They are rather large though and may be a little more difficult to conceal. Whatever components you use, they should be kept out of sight, so they are not easily disarmed by the perp.

The system you point out from Ebay looks good to me. Cheap too. You can customize it to your liking easy enough.

Edited December 15, 2009 by geezer

[Bonzi Lon]

As to #2, a set of Ferrari horns are very distintive and not many cars have them, sans Ferrari. Or the trick kids (like me) used in the 70's around here was to wire in a set of 6 volt horns. Also a very distintive noise, but didn't last too long after the smoke cleared. It was loud enough to set off store alarms, our Jewelry store for example.

Bonzi Lon

[IdahoKidd]

I know zilch about electronics but the ebay system has a bunch of stuff related to power door locks. My Z doesn't have such so it seems all you'd be using is the shock alarm. Probably still better than nothing if it will function without all of the other stuff. I'd like to have one with a remote car start too. Also, how much wiring needs to be cut to get all this stuff to work? I am going to put an interrupt switch in the main feed wire to the ecu (pos wire off the battery to ecu) somewhere discrete but accessible so it can be disabled while parked. As for a discernible horn, the 6 volt horn on my 57 Volvo is unique to say the least when it gets excited. It has worked now for 7 years with 12 volts. It'll blow a pedestrian some 12 -15 feet out of a cross walk

[FastWoman]

Alas, Ron, no trunk! I love those trunk monkey commercials, though!

Along the lines of intimidation, I wonder whether a few spent shotgun shells scattered on the floorboard would be a deterrent.

Defeat mechanisms are obviously the way to go. We probably shouldn't discuss too many details here on list (!!) There are obviously many ways this can be done, and as long as they look like factory wiring, they would take way too long for a thief to fault-trace. After thinking about all the ways hidden switches and switch combinations could be used, I had a eureka moment. The best, smartest, most hidden switch to use would be a car alarm, which would have additional deterrent benefits.

Of course car alarms can be defeated by any thief with half a brain. There's a work-around, though. If you're interested in my work-around, just PM me. If I know you from the list, I'll be happy to share with you.

re the horns: I sort of like the idea of the Ferrari horns . I don't know about the 6V horns, though. I don't want to give anyone a heart attack! I also like the old-style siren idea. Mount the thing on the roof, along with some cherries, and I think the car would be left alone.

Peace,

Sarah

Edited December 15, 2009 by FastWoman

[Jehannum]

Go South African-style.

[Walter Moore]

...Along the lines of intimidation, I wonder whether a few spent shotgun shells scattered on the floorboard would be a deterrent.

Not a bad idea, but I suspect it would actually encourage break-ins from punks looking for the gun.

An alarm is the second best defense, with a locked garage ranking as number one.

Oh, and you will want glass breakage detection. That is something that is missing on most of the new car systems. A lot of the teenage gangs know not to open the doors because it sets of the alarms. They just break out the windows and take what they want hanging through the opening.

[=Enigma=]

Here's what I installed on my 4Runner. It won't meet your unique sound requirement and the range for remote notification is not that great but that could be my antenna placement. At any rate, the phone support I received during installation a couple years ago was great and they have custom wiring diagrams for most models available for download from a password protected site. I plan on installing one in the Z at some point as well.

http://www.commandocaralarms.com/itemdetails.asp?ProductID=496

Edited December 18, 2009 by =Enigma=

[conedodger]

I wired a foglight switch that was in my dash as an off/on for my fuel pump on my 914-6. It has even fooled me once or twice!!!

[rxsleeper]

Sarah,

You may want to look closer to home for the "thief's and vandals." I chased crooks professionally for 25 years and usually the perp's were "known" in the hood. They tend to stay in their comfort zone ie near where they live for these kinds of crimes. Pro's, on the other hand, will steal from you whether or not it has an alarm and you probably will not know it until you go out the next morning.

With that said, you need a concealed kill switch to prevent the car from being started, or maybe 2 such devices each operating in a different area so to speak. I think you get my drift. I am also a fan of loud alarms, including glass breakage, and of those that will "page" you if there is a problem. Remote arm, disarm by all means for those big thunderstorms or booming sub woofers that Will set off the alarm.

Just a couple of suggestions as to what to look for. I had a "Viper" system on my Suburban and just use the OEM alarms with a shock sensor on the RX8's. The Datsuns stay under lock and key in the shop or trailer.

Good luck,

Paul

[Kris.is.awesome]

I PM'd you.

Depending on where you are in the area, I know someone that does awesome alarm work. He did a remote pager system for another buddy of mine and it's awesome.