Theft alarm for portable generator?

Question

I have a Concord Express home alarm system monitored by VectorSecurity. They have so far been unable to help me with my question:I have purchased an expensive portable generator to provide powerduring our frequent outages. The generator is stored in my garage, butmust be wheeled outside to the driveway when it is in use. I wouldlike to devise some sort of sensor that would trigger the alarm systemif the security cable is cut or the sensor is disturbed. Can yousuggest anything that might work? The generator will be run undercover, protected from rain/snow but open on the sides for ventilation.As an additional deterrent the generator will also be chained to asturdy anchor system buried 36=94 in the ground.

tourman · Accepted Answer

RHC: Seems you could do a couple of simple things

1-Make sure your chain is boron steel so it can't be easily cut. This type of steel chain is VERY expensive and must be matched with a lock of equal strength. Plan on spending $100 for a six foot length of chain and another $250 for a matching quality lock (remember this is only as good as the weakest part of the arrangement so if your post is mickey mouse so is the whole arrangement.....) 2-You could also wire up a loop from a spare zone on your alarm panel with a switch on a 24 hr loop underneath one of the wheels. If it moves, the switch opens and the alarm goes off. However, make sure you put this on an "on off" bypass switch in the garage so you can close the "always armed" closed loop when you need to position or move the generator. Wouldn't hurt to have a second siren in the garage so it adds a little emphasis to your alarm signal.. 3-A visible sign outside stating " premises monitored by video cameras" might help even though it's only a ruse...

What the hell....options 2 and three are easy and cheap

Curmudgeon · Answer

These sound like good suggestions - thanks for the tips!

Jim · Answer

Using the name Curmudgeon you may actually like this suggestion.

Include the casing of the generator in the AC output of the generator with a cut off switch in the garage.

You may have a little mess to clean up in the morning but ashes are easy to dispose of.

Curmudgeon · Answer

Thanks, Jim. I like your way of thinking...

G. Morgan · Answer

It won't work. The chassis is supposed to be grounded.  Even if youdon't ground it, the case is still at a neutral potential and a hot wireto it would be a dead-short.

Curmudgeon · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion - I have decided to take a simpler route. I have ordered a 15-foot LockAlarm

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I can loop this around the generator, through my ground anchor, and into my adjacent kitchen through the window. If the alarm sounds I will surely hear it. The generator will only be used if I am at home, so it will never sit unattended in the driveway. This is not perfect, but I think it's close enough since I'm close to the road in a densely populated community. My setup should provide enough deterrence to send the bad guys someplace easier. I hope...

Thanks Dave (the Curmudgeon)

But I did like the concept of making the generator chassis hot, thiough.

Bob La Londe · Answer

Obviously the original post was a half joke, but for those who might not understand that booby traps which are intended to cause harm are illegal atleast in the US. You would certainly get charged with a crime if somebody was injured. Yes, even a low life scum bag thief. You would also be open to civil liability.

G. Morgan · Answer

Ironic how a generator thief could end up owning the whole house*legally*, if a booby trap was used.

Jim · Answer

Actually .....it wasn't a half joke, it was a "whole" joke.That's kinda like comparing someone with vast intelligence to someonewith half-vast intelligence.

Nicko · Answer

Wouldn't the power going out be a dead giveaway if someone stole thegenerator?  Could you get an alarm that would sound if the power wentout while you were asleep?

G. Morgan · Answer

what fun is that?  That sounds way too simple, this should be a majortime consuming and expensive project!   ;-)

Theft alarm for portable generator?

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