Council Garage security (no electricity)
Discussion
A bit of a random one, but having finally managed to get hold of a council garage just down the road from my house. I’m wondering about any security/notification/cctv options. Obviously the main issue is the lack of electricity, does anyone in a similar situation anyone have any ingenious solutions? I’m thinking Battery/solar powered alarm or notification system via mobile network? Any ideas greatly welcomed
riskyj said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Depending on the door type this is a good device
(Not so good for roller doors though
)
I Must be misunderstanding how that device works. What stops a scrote with an angle grinder and a cutting disc going straight through the vertical part?(Not so good for roller doors though
)Most thievery is spur of the minute opportunism.
Thanks for the tips! Yes I will look at one of those garage defenders for sure. At the moment it’s a metal up and over garage door with the normal Center lock, and two beefy padlocks on each side of the door at the bottom.
Having a brief look on Amazon I didn’t realise solar CCTV mobile network cameras were so common! Looks like one of those inside the garage would be a nice idea
Having a brief look on Amazon I didn’t realise solar CCTV mobile network cameras were so common! Looks like one of those inside the garage would be a nice idea
If you have a look on ebay, there's a remote, wireless, rechargeable through USB, vibration sensor alarm, meant for bicycles that is made by a company called Cruxer. One remote can arm up to 8 sirens. I've fitted this to my work van with one siren on each door, and it's been faultless. Never had a false alarm, but it's sensitive enough that it will chirp to warn a potential thief it's there if you try the door handle. Try it again within 5 seconds and it goes off. I can't remember the last time it needed charging and it's armed every night and through the day when I'm at work.
Mine with 4 sirens and 2 remotes was £55 last year, absolute bargain and much better than the dross Vanmate sells which is motion sensor and not very sensitive.
The other thing I'd do is fit a flush lock at the top and bottom on either side, the type with a splined key that when turned, shoots a metal rod into the frame. The only problem with that is finding one with a large variation of keys, as the only ones I've seen are used when indoors, and all have the same spline pattern as a consequence. You could probably fit van sliding door hook locks, but it's getting into expensive territory.
Mine with 4 sirens and 2 remotes was £55 last year, absolute bargain and much better than the dross Vanmate sells which is motion sensor and not very sensitive.
The other thing I'd do is fit a flush lock at the top and bottom on either side, the type with a splined key that when turned, shoots a metal rod into the frame. The only problem with that is finding one with a large variation of keys, as the only ones I've seen are used when indoors, and all have the same spline pattern as a consequence. You could probably fit van sliding door hook locks, but it's getting into expensive territory.
Edited by Heaveho on Wednesday 22 November 19:58
People like reolink do a wireless 4g solar camera but if it's a remote area you are likely to have your £200 camera nicked.
You could fit an eBay 3g alarm and solar power it. That's what I did for a shipping container. Itll then text you or call you when it is triggered. Factor in needing a 100w solar panel on the roof, unshaded , and a 100ah lensure battery . Sounds like a lot of power but there is so little solar energy in the grey winter months you will need it.
You could fit an eBay 3g alarm and solar power it. That's what I did for a shipping container. Itll then text you or call you when it is triggered. Factor in needing a 100w solar panel on the roof, unshaded , and a 100ah lensure battery . Sounds like a lot of power but there is so little solar energy in the grey winter months you will need it.
Thanks for the tips everyone, I will have a look into all the bits mentioned.
Yea that’s a good point regarding it looking normal from the outside, I’m thinking along the lines of having the camera inside the lock up, more to just notify me should anything happen and have it on video. The car inside doesn’t have a steering wheel and has a battery cutoff key that’s removed. So it wouldn’t be the easiest job taking it.
Yea that’s a good point regarding it looking normal from the outside, I’m thinking along the lines of having the camera inside the lock up, more to just notify me should anything happen and have it on video. The car inside doesn’t have a steering wheel and has a battery cutoff key that’s removed. So it wouldn’t be the easiest job taking it.
Riley Blue said:
Putting a whole lot of security gizmos on a council lock up is sure sign that there's something of value in it. I rent one (£40 a month) and it is the scruffiest in the block with weeds growing outside the door. Others have been broken into but not mine.
The Garage Defender is all well and good, but as you say, they do advertise that the garage is worth having a look in, especially in a row of garages where they do stand out. I`d go for a discreet padlock in each bottom corner of the door to the floor myself. End of the day, if they want to get in, they will. Riley Blue said:
Putting a whole lot of security gizmos on a council lock up is sure sign that there's something of value in it. I rent one (£40 a month) and it is the scruffiest in the block with weeds growing outside the door. Others have been broken into but not mine.
I was thinking this.For home, I feel that making it look less desirable to break into than next door is perhaps the target....but for a block of council garages, making it look like Steptoe owns it with nowt of value inside might be the trick
Bit like making your new VW van look like this:
Aren't there some smoke bomb alarms that could also be of use?
IF scrotes get in, THEN they get a loud alarm and a garage just full of smoke!
eta: the plipper and alarm siren next to it on that van alarm looks IDENTICAL to something I picked up from HouseOfBezos to ziptie under my bike saddle - very effective at warning (& if ignored, blaring) should someone try to nick my bike if I am in a shp or something. Bought for when I solo trekked LEJoG a few years back. Very good!
Edited by mikeiow on Thursday 23 November 12:35
You may find there's already some "built in" security. 
Get to know your fellow garage users (lockup life is fascinating) and you might find some of them visit the garages daily (or several times a day). If you're comfortable swap numbers or form a WhatsApp group with them so you can let each other know if something happens.
Certainly in the past at some of my garages it was tools and small items that were the targets for theives; they only need to bend a corner of the door to get that kind of stuff (or in one instance smash a hole in the roof
). Getting a car out and away is a whole lot harder.
I'd say a couple of good padlocks on the door ought to be sufficient to dissuade chancers.
Get to know your fellow garage users (lockup life is fascinating) and you might find some of them visit the garages daily (or several times a day). If you're comfortable swap numbers or form a WhatsApp group with them so you can let each other know if something happens.
Certainly in the past at some of my garages it was tools and small items that were the targets for theives; they only need to bend a corner of the door to get that kind of stuff (or in one instance smash a hole in the roof
). Getting a car out and away is a whole lot harder.I'd say a couple of good padlocks on the door ought to be sufficient to dissuade chancers.
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