Community Forums

Dunner · 12-31-2011, 08:01 AM

I get the idea, but I think the term "Magneto" is improper. A magneto usually requires movement of a magnetized rotor revolving inside or outside coils of wire. An automotive ignition coil would require points or such to open/close to induce high voltage.

What would work is an inexpensive electric fence charger. I have one from when I had some land. It is about the size of two packs of cigarettes and is AC powered. You can also get one that is battery powered. They are high voltage, but with no amperage and will not harm anyone with a good heart.

Dunner · 12-31-2011, 08:23 AM

I got broken into when I was away with my 5er last year. It was obvious when I was gone. I think it was a punk kid looking for drugs and money or items to sell for drug money as my medicine cabinets were ransacked. He got away with a laptop, digital VCR and digital camera. I have since activated my infra-red alarm system. I too, worried about him taking inventory and returning, but it hasn't happened. I still have the melon sized rock he through thru my side window. The cops were worthless and came up with a bunch of excuses as to why they couldn't take prints.

I put a sign in the window that says: This house protected by "Unmentionable" three nights a week, You guess which three.

wa8yxm · 12-31-2011, 08:51 AM

Rather than trying to prevent them entering get a "Trail Camera" this is a motion senistive camera designed to be mounted along a wild life trail to photograph whatever passes..

Focus it on the door it will take pictures of whomever enters or leaves the rig

Thiese are often camo colored so be sure to "hide" it as best you can.

Then when PUNK enters and exits goodies in hand.... You wil have nice 8x10 glossies to hand the detectives.

The punk, of course, will say they are trying to "Frame him" and ... if you properly mat and frame the photos.. the detectives can tell the judge: "Well yes you honor, we did Frame him,, here is the frame" and hand the judge the photo.

WeatherTodd · 12-31-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred1609

Get a Dog. Something to keep in mind, lots of crooks after they hit a premise will wait 6 weeks and hit it again. The reason being is that the insurance has paid for the articles stolen and the homeowner has replaced them. Think about a game camera which records only when movement is detected.

kinda over thinking that arent ya? THe items taken clearly show the criminals are not in it for big $$$ returns. A hot stereo/amp might bring $50 on the street.

OP left his stuff unlocked and was a victim of opportunity.
I shouldnt have to bolt lock my doors when Im gone for the day but if I dont... guaranteed someone will enter and make themselves at home

Dunner · 12-31-2011, 09:21 AM

I lock my MH and close my garage door if I have to go into the house for more than a minute or so. If I'm working inside my MH, I take a spare garage door remote and close it so nobody can take inventory of what I have or walk off with anything when I'm not looking.

IC2 · 12-31-2011, 09:38 AM

Several of the neighbors in our development have been burglarized but so far, we haven't. I have rather prominent signs in all of the ground floor windows which say that I have a monitored security system and they will be prosecuted. I do have that alarm system, and as far as working - it sure does. My fiver also has a rudimentary system - and it too has the same warning decals as my home windows. Regardless, I still don't leave much of anything out and my garage doors are closed if I'm alone and working elsewhere in the house, like the basement. We did have some punks living locally, but they have finally grown up and moved away from 'mommy' though one just bought the old family home and has brought his surliness back, tho so far, not caused any known problems.

Often just using common sense with locks, doors and motion activated security lights (we have those on all sides too) will prevent many problems, but for sure, not all.

shortlance · 12-31-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVNeophytes2

I'll guess your boy will wait for a safe period to pass, perhaps muster the help of friends, and return for the TVs. I'd have cameras quietly installed ASAP, a silent alarm if possible. I mean, it could be as simple as a 12 volt buzzer wired to your house to sound when the door is opened in the 5'er. Tell the police what you've done, have them at the ready. Call when the buzzer goes off, you could position yourself with a flash camera a safe distance from the door, in case they flee. Nobody ever goes to court for taking a picture, they'll be too blind to find you. Chances are, they'll be too blind to escape. I did this, it led to six convictions at once.

Best of luck, be safe.

This scenario unfolded near Bangor, circa 1982; someone suggested the thief would return for the other goods that were inspected on the first break-in but not carried out (I mean, one person can only carry so much loot...).

Owner tacked up corrugated metal over the break-in point, which made a heck of a racket as it was pried loose while he slept inside the cabin, a .410 [bouquet of flowers] at his side.

This awoke him, whereupon he presented the intruder with the [bouquet of flowers] in such a way the intruder literally lost face.

The owner, a lawyer, immediately called 911 and administered 1st aid to the injured [flower] victim. To police, he assured that he was not in any way shape or form protecting property, but in fear of his own life. The burglar went to prison, the lawyer was not indicted.

We live in a safe neborhood buy I still wired our 5er to an alarm in our bedroom. We also have motion detector lights but the deer around here has them going off all the time. If the alarm ever goes off I have a clear shot from my bedroom window.

southland · 12-31-2011, 10:53 AM

I have installed many security systems and when designing a system, try to think like the crook, what would he do and go from there.
The problem with an RV is they are not designed for wires to be run thru. Wireless is about the best way to go and the devices have been improved since I was doing installs.
Solar powered PIR lights along with a camera would be good. A game camera would be the fastest install if it could be mounted where they could not steal it also.
Don't booby trap your property, you might get a bleeding liberal judge and you would be going to jail.
Don't expect any help from the cops, you can't get them out of the DD parking lot. We had problems with a cop and when I went to internial affairs, they told me to put up cameras. I said I was giving them the opportunity to correct the problem and if not I would. Had to take care of the problem myself and did stay out of jail. Slime ball moved so life got good again.

ernest917 · 12-31-2011, 11:04 AM

I have "on site security" in the form of two 115 lb German Shepherds that take the concept of "our space" to the extreme....

Unless I'm present, anything that comes inside my fenced property is fair game.... They are trained to "catch and contain" (hold the bad guy until I release them)... Talk about messing up a pair of pants.... Have to very angry BIG dogs in your face daring you to move....

Superslif · 12-31-2011, 11:06 AM

Funny you should say "use a Magneto" Our tt is usually stored in a gated storage area. But always kept locked. But, while we are preparing for trips it will sit in the driveway usually unlocked. I have to get more accustomed to locking it in the future.

Chuck 1935 · 12-31-2011, 11:47 AM

You can get the small security cameras for about $50. They are activated by motion and store the pictures on an SD card. Leave a light on so that you will get nice clear picture of the perp. Now you have many options of how you will handle it.

sdennislee · 12-31-2011, 01:23 PM

I would think you would want a wireless camera that would store the image elsewhere. My guess is the thief would simply steal the camera to avoid leaving the evidence behind. Any camera that would need a flash would be a dead giveaway.

Ray,IN · 12-31-2011, 01:44 PM

One cannot legally set a hidden trap, like a fence charger, magneto, razor blades taped to the back of a door handle, or any other thing designed to harm someone; even if they are trespassing. About 20 years ago, a property owner in IA tired of an unoccupied house of his being vandalized. He wired a shotgun to the front door. A man was killed by the shotgun when he opened the door. The 2nd intruder sued the property owner because of the shotgun trap and won. Dogs on the other hand are merely defending "their space".

Chuck 1935 · 12-31-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee

I would think you would want a wireless camera that would store the image elsewhere. My guess is the thief would simply steal the camera to avoid leaving the evidence behind. Any camera that would need a flash would be a dead giveaway.

You are correct in your assumptions.
However, the camera I'm talking about has no flash and does not look like a camera nor does it make any noise. That is why I said leave a light on (NO NOT A NIGHT LIGHT NOR A SPOT LIGHT) that lights up the door area. The camera that I got was from Harriet Carter catalog and was inexpensive and will do the job.