Oil tank locks

Currently thinking of investing in a lock for my domestic heating oil tank. From looking on Ebay there are an assortment of types, ranging from a cheap metal bracket and padlock to a device costing about £60 which replaces the whole cap.

Any recommendations on a decent type please, preferably that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks

Sadly, nothing will deny the application of a drill bit (especially easy if its a plastic tank), so guard it with a security light or starving Rottweiller
plus a good padlock through the lid.
John

Ah yes, was wondering if the blighters would simply drill through the plastic ........... !

Should have said that the lid on the tank is the type that lifts off and simply has holes either side which plastic 'dowels' slide into, these are then secured with plastic clips. Nothing fancy at all.

Rollerball said:

Ah yes, was wondering if the blighters would simply drill through the plastic ........... !
.

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You are asking to have it all stolen. Oil is now up to 66pence per litre!
As suggested on another post, build a brick wall to surround it and disguise it from any pikies!

Building a wall around it would be a major undertaking as it's mostly hidden in a hedge (I'd have to cut the hedge down to build the wall) - in fact, that's probably to its advantage as you wouldn't know it's there unless you looked carefully.

There's also a security light which will discourage anyone.

Think I'll get a couple of straight shackle padlocks and secure the cap that way. That will discourage the casual thief - anyone determined enough would get the cap off anyhow, or simply drill through the side.

Rollerball said:

Building a wall around it would be a major undertaking as it's mostly hidden in a hedge (I'd have to cut the hedge down to build the wall) - in fact, that's probably to its advantage as you wouldn't know it's there unless you looked carefully.

There's also a security light which will discourage anyone.

Think I'll get a couple of straight shackle padlocks and secure the cap that way. That will discourage the casual thief - anyone determined enough would get the cap off anyhow, or simply drill through the side.

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Be warned though, if they drill it they won't care if any oil leaks on the ground and you can be fined heavily for oil leakage into the ground. Pikies have stolen diesel and just left the nozzle open and spilling on the ground. I remember the guy saying he didn't care the diesel was stolen but the cleanup cost thousands.

htgeng's points about prices (now over 70p/ltr) and spills are true. Whatever you decide this time, make sure if opportunity arises in future, to go for an alternative heat source. The case for oil is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

Some good points, thanks.

I'm now reconsidering the padlock option and thinking more of some kind of alarm fitted to the tank - any suggestions please?

Rollerball said:

I'm now reconsidering the padlock option and thinking more of some kind of alarm fitted to the tank - any suggestions please?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZQRuFqqA08 (30 seconds in)

They wouldn't try to nick it again!

I LIKE that idea.

If anyone doesn't believe what I was saying about them leaving the oil to run on the ground read this story. Very sickening. No consideration at all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11957113

I know First hand how devious Pikies are Went out to a commercial boiler where he'd been hit 3 times, taking 1,000 litres of red diesel
First time they disconnected the 10mm oil line from the tank & syphoned it from there, so the company built a steel box over it
second time they undid a 10mm straight coupling & syphoned of yet another 1,000 litres, so another steel box was put over the joint
the third & last time they drilled a hole in the BOTTOM of the tank, drained off about 90% of the fuel & then Jammed it with a stick, which was dripping (that was the only way the company knew they'd been hit again) so I was called out to install a new tank in a purpose built brick house
oh & this WILL put a smile on your faces, the company repaired the leak & filled the tank with water & red food dye!! & yes they were robbed again.... hope the thieving bast@rds engines all siezed up!!!!

Sensor systems do an alarm which seems to work, my advice DO NOT LOCK the tank, if they're going to steal it they will NO lock will hold on a plastic tank...what would you rather pay for £660 for 1,000 litres to replace the lost oil OR £1500+ for a new tank, the damage to the ground caused by leaking Fuel £thousands & THEN the £660 for the fuel
DON'T get me wrong personally I'd beat the B@st@rds with a baseball bat, but you have to way up the lesser of 2 evils, A good security light, a big barking dog, & well fenced, also OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND,
but have heard of a horror story where the pikies were following the tanker around to see who would be the easiest to rob
you just cant win