Exterior Property Protection

V

video321

Active Member
I have my perimeter protection secured, but want to do some work on the property. I'm looking for ideas or setups that worked that will help to deter someone approaching the house. So, I need to tie in a signaling device and was looking at exterior motion detectors (single & dual sided) and photoelectric beams. I was thinking of adding a speaker to the back of the house (one is in the front) and a voice module to announce a "warning", turn on lights, etc. when the zone was tripped. I don't have any wireless receivers so wired would be prefered, but if I have to I'll add wireless.

Can anyone give me some pointers and advice?
 
Optex makes some outdoor beams that may be what you are looking for. I have used them with success in the past on a few jobs.

You can also use motion detectors like Redwall units or Adpro "Pro" Series devices. The models will depend on your application.


Beams and motions:

http://www.optexamerica.com/productlist.aspx?l1=2

Adpro Pro series:

http://xtralis.com/product_view.cfm?product_id=35
 
I don't know where you are, but false alarms on outdoor beams and motion detectors are a for sure. I would avoid any kind of voices or sirens unless the neighbors are quite some distance away. You may be the one getting in trouble if the neigbors get woken up by false alarms.
 
I've thought about that, Lou.
That's why I like the idea of beams, set high, over the use of motion detectors. Instead of voices or siren chirps I can flash strobes and exterior lights.
So, I was looking for ideas of what worked from installers who may have done anything like this.
 
JimS said:
You could always go with something like this :)
http://www.engadget....sidence-secure/

Seriously though, Zoneminder is a linux based, free camera program and provides motion detection and event recording.

You could also look at vehicle detectors. The magnetic field ones are the least likely to false I think.

The problem with many outdoor systems is that they can be triggered by wind, animals, etc.
Click to expand...
A little over-the-top but I do like it!!!
I already have security cameras mounted under the eaves around the house and recording on motion. Even though my DVR has alarm outputs I would never use the cameras to trigger anything like what I'm trying to accomplish.
 
Maybe, I'm hoping for too much.
My house is alarmed and I do have 7 cameras up and running at this time. I'm also designing and making some aluminum alarm/cctv signs for the front and back of the property. The only issue is if someone is dumb enough (not the determined ones) to try to break in anyway because they didn't scope the property out enough and end up triggering the alarm and running off. At this point I may not have been burglarized, but I still have a door/window to repair/replace. I was looking for the final "warning."

Unfortunately, burglaries have picked up again in my neighborhood and it's not always the kids who even live around here.
 
While outdoor protection does have some pitfalls, a typical modulated and "smart" quad PE beam outside isn't more likely to false. The biggest item to worry about is the temperature and condensation obscuring the PE beam. Better units have heaters and the key with PE's is adjustment, adjustment, adjustment, combined with a little maintenance to keep the housings clean. A solid pole, bollard or similar is a must.

If the area does not have a fence or isn't contained, I would not recommend any form of PIR/dual-tec or similar unit.

If it is contained, then Redwalls and Pyramid units work, among the others listed. Keep in mind, good quality stuff isn't going to be cheap.
 
One person over I think on the HomeSeer board had his sprinklers tied into his security system and turned them on with motion. His idea was burglers or kids running through his yard do not like to get wet!
 
Gary Mull said:
One person over I think on the HomeSeer board had his sprinklers tied into his security system and turned them on with motion. His idea was burglers or kids running through his yard do not like to get wet!
Click to expand...

That's on my list once the sprinklers are in. I read this in an old X-10 forum years ago.

There was a YouTube video floating around here last week that showed driveway bollards connected to the automation system to prevent vehicle access.
 
Hey DEL-
Can you comment on how either tech (PIR & PE) handle things like heavy snow?

My backyard is contained, but the front is not. So I was figuring PE mounted on poles higher than animal height (maybe 3') or a PIR with dual beams and a range set for maybe 15' out from the house.

...ahhhh the sprinkler setup. I have seen that and thought how cool it would be to have if only I lived in a southern climate!
 
Either will inevitably have a false, but it depends on the unit(s) installed. The better PE's have a setting for how long they are obscured to generate an alarm. Beam stacking or curtain based units tend to be more immune, but with a single unit, I wouldn't go with less than a quad and expect reliability/stability outside.
 
Maybe I'm wrong here, but as long as the OP isn't triggering an alarm off the outdoor sensors, then the occasional false isn't *that* big of a deal... just to flash a strobe a couple times or chirp the siren would be forgivable if it's only rare falses.
 
Yes and no.
In my world, a false isn't an acceptable option, so design and selection of hardware is crucial. I've had to deal with the Peter and the wolf systems far too many times, because an "occasional false" makes the system more likely to be ignored by the parties involved and those that would be paying attention to the system at hand.

In my area, we have a lot of municipalities that simply will not allow outdoor audible notification of any system, barring a couple of specific circumstances, and the same goes for visual notification. YMMV, but doing outdoor systems requires a stricter design criteria, otherwise, in the case of the OP, they might as well install motion lights because that's what they're ending up with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

pete_c
Safety National Program Understand Tornado Alerts
Replies
8
Views
696
pete_c
pete_c
S
New House Input/Ideas
Replies
12
Views
1K
wkearney99
wkearney99
tmbrown97
Automating a Large House
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
cobra
C
J
Alarm/Security Screen, PIR Curtain, PE Beam, or ?
Replies
9
Views
1K
Del91574
D
B
Creative ideas needed for personal project & Maker contest
Replies
0
Views
476
BobS0327
B
Back
Top