need alarm system advice

[Eastie]

Mick,
I've solved a similar problem with a farm machinery outshed by using a dual tech security kit (infrared and movement sensors) hooked up to the GSM kit. This is simple if you have GSM mobile coverage as I don't think the kit will work on CDMA. Essentially the dual tech kit is set to only go into alarm if heat and movement are both detected - calibration can be set so birds, rats etc don't affect them.
On the GSM side a pre-paid SIM card will get you by - it can be setup to call a pre-set number, text a group of mobiles or you can even set them up to call pagers upon activation. They can also be set to call a standard home phone. Test it once a month to see that it still works and ensure you keep enough on the pre-paid cards. You should easily get away with this set up for under $1k - cheap insurance when you consider what the truck is there to protect. Throw in a 119dB local alarm and it makes their thievery a little painful.

From what I've heard technology for these systems is now at the point where they are installed on the equipment, not the shed. You can fit them to boats, trucks or machinery and they can be set to monitor fuel cap tampering, fuel and fluid levels, battery charge and illegal entry - once the systems goes off it calls in the same manner as above and lets you know which sensor has activated.

When you are talking about protecting a couple of thousand dollars of diesel on heavy machinery (let alone a fire truck full of fuel and gear) the system pays for itself.

If you're considering sensor lights the infrascan (by clipsal from memory) has good adjustment to prevent wildlife setting it off.

[doug1]

A wireless network could also be used to record and or alarm remotly

Doug

[journeyman Mick]

Thanks all for the ideas and advice, I will look into the options and possibly a home brew set up (no, not the 240V to the walls ). Short term I dropped into a place today for a quote for a sysyem with a GSM card, 2 PIR sensors and reed switches on the doors. We need to get an idea on a price as we've got a budget meeting this Monday night.

Sam,
a bloke I worked for years ago used to keep a brand new, gift wrapped baseball bat by the front door. If he hit anyone with it, it wasn't premeditated, he just picked up the closest thing to hand, a newly wrapped gift. Don't worry, I haven't got any baseball bats, new, used or gift wrapped. Got a few pick handles, broken axe handles and complete rake hoes lying around though.

Mick

[dazzler]

Hi Mick,

What about some dogs? Never been to a burglary where there are dogs

Roster people on to feed em

[journeyman Mick]

Dazzler,
no fenced yard, plus they need walking etc. Buying an alarm system means that everybody in the community is contributing instead of just the few that volunteer.

Mick

[Ashore]

Mick as Sam said definately no baseball bat or you can be done , Get a 5 "D" cell aluminium torch , then you are not carrying a weapon but a torch, though it will do the same job.

Rgds

[lnt9000]

Here's one you could do on the cheap, by hanging reed switches on the transmitter instead of the push button switches. although you would need someone handy with a soldering iron.
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30352/article.html