Theft alarm for portable generator?

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

These sound like good suggestions - thanks for the tips!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Ironic how a generator thief could end up owning the whole house

*legally*, if a booby trap was used.

Actually .....it wasn't a half joke, it was a "whole" joke.

That's kinda like comparing someone with vast intelligence to someone with half-vast intelligence.

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

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

You worded it better than I could have.

Heh.

-------------------------------------

CCTV surveillance can provide visible and effective deterrent against all types of crimes including burglary. Security camera systems are now available at prices that meet varying needs and budgets.