Best Garage Security Alarm Options

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

I need a security alarm system to protect the 911s currently parked in my garage.

The garage has a main garage door, one sidedoor and two small windows.

Any advice? Thanks in advance,

[Talewinds]

Is the garage attached to the house?

[David]

You could buy a wireless system online with a few wireless sensors for the windows and doors for a couple hundred bucks.

I just went through this, but choose ADT because I'm lazy. It was tough convincing ADT that my main concern was the garage. "You want a fire monitor in your garage?"

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Originally Posted by Talewinds

Is the garage attached to the house?

Thanks. I should have included more details. The garage is not attached to the house, but has power, phone, cable and internet supplied from the house through a buried conduit.

[Talewinds]

Originally Posted by NEWFIE 69 911E

Thanks. I should have included more details. The garage is not attached to the house, but has power, phone, cable and internet supplied from the house through a buried conduit.

Excellent. That's exactly what I did and that's why I asked.
We happened to already have ADT in the house, so a call to them and about $400 added another complete system in the garage, but one that's linked to the house. All of the functions can be performed both in the house or in the garage.

If that's not the route you want to go I would do what the user above suggested and by a stand-alone wireless system for a couple hundy. Simple and concise install.

[Gordo2]

I added an attached garage and was able to enroll the new wireless sensors (zones) to my existing home security system.

I had to upgrade my main keypad to a wireless transceiver to do it. Upgrading to the wireless was easy for the most part, although figuring out exactly what parts I needed, what was compatible and how to program the stuff was very painful.

There are a bunch of options. My recommendation (based on my DIY experience) is to have your existing security company (if you have one) integrate it with your main home system or consider having them install a separate system for you.

If you decide on the DIY approach, there are some relatively simple, stand alone systems out there that appear to be relatively easy to install (as compared to integrating to an existing system. I think I could have went that approach without as much difficulty.

My concerns/considerations included:
-Wanted a wireless keyfob (so you can get in/out with a vehicle and turn on/off the alarm).
- Wanted a separate siren. I didn't like the idea of the keypad/siren combo's - imagined someone pulling it off the wall and stomping it the moment it went off; I also don't think you can hear them from the street). Some wireless systems don't appear to allow addition of a separate, wired siren.
- Preferred to have control over the system from within the house - set the home/garage alarms with one button).

Best of luck, Gordo

[signature65]

BFD......Big F****N Dog

[dad911]

For around $100 there are cameras that will email you a picture/video when they sense motion.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by signature65

BFD......Big F****N Dog

My "security" system...

[Fast Corners]

In my last house I had a IR sensor installed in the garage that covered the entire floor area and all points of access. Additioinally I had a loud siren installed in the rafters pointing down towards the floor. The thought was if that thing went off an ear piercing wail would hopefully drive the intruder out of the garage and away from the cars/tools etc.

The back up system was my Golden Retriever who could lick the thief to death or distract him by constantly bringing him tennis balls to play fetch with until the police arived.

[JFairman]

If there are no cats and dogs wandering around to set it off, the wireless infrared driveway alert system from harbor freight is really inexpensive when it's on sale and it works.
The reciever will work on batteries or an adaptor to plug it into house current.

I got one when it was on sale for $15 and it works good covering my driveway at night... accept cats and dogs will set it off when they walk by.

It's regular price is $30... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93068

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

This one at the Source (Canada) seems OK:

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=4911000&category=Home+Security%2fAccessories&catalog=Online&tab=1#more

I do like the alarm call-out feature but, as per excellent advice from Gordo, I would prefer a loud separate siren, rather than the integrated siren.

Still searching...

[Talewinds]

Originally Posted by dad911

For around $100 there are cameras that will email you a picture/video when they sense motion.

No sh**? That's pretty cool. Do you know by chance who make's em?
I really like that idea for my new garage/ driveway/ back of house area.
Infra red too I hope?

[Grady Clay]

There are several basic principals:
No one else knows what is in the garage.
It is difficult to brake in – bars, locks, razor wire, etc.
Audio alarm when someone attempts to brake in – Simple switches and motion detector to a siren and lights.
Sophisticated ‘call-your-cell’ systems.
Fenced dog pen surrounding the garage with “eat-‘em-alive” guard dog.
Booby traps (illegal) but you might consider the ‘exploding dye pack’ used by banks.

The key to alarms is the ability to do something about it.
Noisy alarms hopefully run off the crook. A strobe and recorded voice will help. “Your picture has been sent off site. The police are on the way.”
Silent alarms need a response from you or the police. Many jurisdictions restrict automatically calling the police and have fines for false alarms.

Best,
Grady

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Talewinds

No sh**? That's pretty cool. Do you know by chance who make's em?
I really like that idea for my new garage/ driveway/ back of house area.
Infra red too I hope?

Just google IP security camera, this was the first hit, there are others:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5903355&sourceid=1500000000000003142050&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=5903355

The Astak CM-IP100 IP Camera allows you to view live video from your home, from virtually anywhere in the world. ....... A built-in Motion Detection feature will automatically send images to your email to alert you. Plus, you can store the video on your hard disk. Flexible and easy installation.

$120

We used one a few years ago when a landlord was entering our offices, and screwing with our stuff, but all we got was a video of him walking in and stealing the camera........

[longhornchris04]

I used to install alarm systems as a summer job. Most of our work was on new construction, but occasionally we would work exising infrastructure.

As long as you don't mind exposed wires, its fairly easy to setup a few "contact" switches and a PIR (IR motion) sensor or two. Most alarm boards have easy wire-in to a land line, cell is harder and usually requires a custom adaptor and a professional to clone your mobile line. Most are designed for "monitoring service" and send modem-like tones... so it isn't like you can set them up to call you.

If you can access the conduit and add more lines, running a 4-pair wire to the garage and tying it into your household alarm (if you have one) may be the cheapest option.

You can also go wireless, more expensive but you don't have to string wires to doors. For a garage I could probably still setup a wireless system in under an hour. Plus, you could get a second keypad and put it in your house.

Of course, the IP camera would kick butt, since you already have internet in your garage.

[Grady Clay]

I understand one of the shortcomings of wireless is the crooks have discovered how to use the cell-phone-like disabling transmitters (as used in theaters) to override all wireless devices, even Bluetooth. FCC illegal but what does a crook care.

I agree with secure wired systems. You can even protect the wiring with 4-wire or 6-wire cables. Even the devices (IR, etc.) can be protected from tampering.

Hopefully your underground conduit had a ‘pull-string’ left in place. If not, you can use one of the circuits to pull one. You just have to pull it back again. Be sure and leave one in place when you are finished.

Be sure to keep good documentation and diagrams in your ‘house file’.

Best,
Grady

[theclaw]

Trunk Monkey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y

[Talewinds]

Classic.

[HawgRyder]

I like the idea of a system that emits sound ( siren...Klaxon Horn...etc) so loud that the thief has to cover his ears to keep from bleeding out.
The good part is....with his hands over his ears....he can't pick up any tools unless he has very good co-ordination with his elbows!!
Bob