Vibration/Impact sensor

[JohnD]

I have a 6ft gate in my back wall, it opens onto a "B" road and there is a bus stop nearby, so a modest amount of foot traffic. It is a 44mm softwood LBF made for me by a local joiner, with 450mm hook and band hinges, and a BS deadlock, so I thought adequate.

Yesterday I was applying preservative, took the lock out while working, refitted it loosely (no screws and keep not fitted) overnight while drying off.

After dark I observed that someone had given it a good kick. Today I saw a big scuff in the fresh preservative, and a slight crack near the lock. Maybe he saw me at work and thought there might be some tools about, maybe it was sheer chance.

Apart from beefing up the gate and adding a couple of bolts, I am thinking of some kind of sensor. I'll assume that it is some local ne'erdowell, and if he makes a habit of kicking the door, sooner or later it will give way. Maybe I can rig a siren and a light, and perhaps it will discourage him.

Any ideas?

 

[sparkymarka]

Set of beams across the gates or an optex vx402 rec ....plays a warning if anybody goes near the gates ,it has an aux input so you can slave another device to it ...eg beams , or other sensor

 

[JohnD]

I'm thinking now about a dummy lintel, with a downward-facing PIR concealed in it, looking down. Should pick up anyone on the step or reaching a limb towards the gate, but not people walking by on the pavement (it's a 9" wall with the gate aligned with the inside face).

I've seen budget PIR chimes somewhere, will see what I can find. Something small and battery-operated would be easier to conceal behind a hole and protect from interference. A wireless one could sound inside the house as well as in the garden or shed.

 

[EightyTwo]

Viper in an IP55 adaptable box? Add a battery, radio contact/transmitter..?

 

[JohnD]

one of these, you mean?

does it have NO terminals inside I can wire to?

 

[sparkymarka]

No

 

[Europlex]

Anti-climb paint?

 

[JohnD]

yes, I might do that. And train prickly roses over it. I'm improving the physical strength of the gate separately.

 

[Europlex]

yes, I might do that. And train prickly roses over it. I'm improving the physical strength of the gate separately.

No, pyracantha, it's not called fire thorn for nothing, and very quick growing. Get caught in the thorns and the tips break off under the skin, can hurt for weeks, it's spiteful.
I'd forgotten about this & we've got it all around our garden!