My $4 theft "deterrant" system
11-02-2007, 09:37 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 44
My $4 theft "deterrant" system
I created my own theft "deterrant" system and thought I'd share since I don't have a "real" anti-theft system. I purchased a $4 blinking LED kit from Radio Shack (part # 276-299) and mounted it inside my driver side mirror control. Here's some notes:
[ul][*]Tools: Dremel, epoxy (for plastic-to-plastic), blinking LED, 2 AA batteries[*]I drilled a small hole with the Dremel for the LED to stick out of (see pics).[*]I routed out a small hole using the Dremel for the switch (see pics). You'll notice I put this hole in a spot so it can't be seen when the door is closed, but you can quickly and unsuspiciously get to the switch when you open the door. It is just large enough to get my finger into.[*]The LED and battery pack were mounted using 2-part epoxy (for plastic-to-plastic surfaces). Notice that I mounted the battery pack so the batteries could be easily inserted or removed.[*]Once the epoxy set, I mounted the mirror control.[/ul]Another idea was to hard-wire a blinking LED to a "hot" wire so that it didn't require batteries, but I liked the separate battery option the best. There is a tight fit between the battery pack and the alignment stubs sticking out from the mirror. I did not take a picture of this, sorry. I had to leave the battery cover off in order for the mirror control to go back on.
I figure people will think I have some kind of "custom" anti-theft system if they see it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/8EF145408E484574AD4905D09F5CEE5C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/630FA68E02CA420BB15EB0AD26581541.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/B45F7F539E904280943372D67758C945.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/7AE4E2BB56EF4744829262B02D424C9C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/2F90551BBACC47F2A5F8D50A1DED1F0A.jpg[/IMG]
[ul][*]Tools: Dremel, epoxy (for plastic-to-plastic), blinking LED, 2 AA batteries[*]I drilled a small hole with the Dremel for the LED to stick out of (see pics).[*]I routed out a small hole using the Dremel for the switch (see pics). You'll notice I put this hole in a spot so it can't be seen when the door is closed, but you can quickly and unsuspiciously get to the switch when you open the door. It is just large enough to get my finger into.[*]The LED and battery pack were mounted using 2-part epoxy (for plastic-to-plastic surfaces). Notice that I mounted the battery pack so the batteries could be easily inserted or removed.[*]Once the epoxy set, I mounted the mirror control.[/ul]Another idea was to hard-wire a blinking LED to a "hot" wire so that it didn't require batteries, but I liked the separate battery option the best. There is a tight fit between the battery pack and the alignment stubs sticking out from the mirror. I did not take a picture of this, sorry. I had to leave the battery cover off in order for the mirror control to go back on.
I figure people will think I have some kind of "custom" anti-theft system if they see it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/8EF145408E484574AD4905D09F5CEE5C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/630FA68E02CA420BB15EB0AD26581541.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/B45F7F539E904280943372D67758C945.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/7AE4E2BB56EF4744829262B02D424C9C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/51810/2F90551BBACC47F2A5F8D50A1DED1F0A.jpg[/IMG]
04-10-2008, 07:28 AM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,454
RE: My $4 theft "deterrant" system
When I was in highschool, someone broke into my '86 Scirocco and stole my radio so I installed the exact same thing. Two days later someone broke into my '86 Scirocco and stole my radio. Not sure where I'm going with this but, suffice to say, I don't think it worked in my case.
Forgot to mention that my LED was even red!
Forgot to mention that my LED was even red!