Driveway sensor

[countrybumpkin]

I installed this one about 4-5 years ago. It has worked flawlessly. Wireless. It is about 700-800 feet as the crow flies from the sensor at the gate to the beeper in the house. Detects motion passing in front of it and is adjustable for sensitivity and distance. If this one ever clonks out I will order the very same one. This detector, plus our mean dog sign (our pitbull has rabies) and the armed response sign has done the job. Also nice to know when packages are dropped off at the gate, or when guests arrive (when we expect guests we unlock the gate). Amazon.com: Chamberlain CWA2 Weatherproof Outdoor/Driveway Wireless Motion Alarm and Alert System, Includes 1 Battery/AC Powered Base Receiver and 1 CWPIR Sensor, Additional CWPIR Sensors Sold Separately: Home Improvement

How long do your batteries last in the outdoor unit, we have had one for a year now and seems to eat batteries. We have had great luck with few false alerts. Fixing to do a gate with electric opener so may upgrade to a different system.

 

[Locoweed]

After years of frustration dealing with a Dakota wireless system I replaced it with a DA500 - Mier Wired Drive Alert Kit & have been happy that I did.

 

[beowulf]

How long do your batteries last in the outdoor unit, we have had one for a year now and seems to eat batteries. We have had great luck with few false alerts. Fixing to do a gate with electric opener so may upgrade to a different system.

I can only recall changing the batteries twice, I really can't recall a third time, which now that I think about it is remarkable. Also, I did smear a bit of silicone caulk around the lip to prevent moisture from affecting it - something I do with a lot of outdoor things. I cannot explain why you would be going through so many batteries. Maybe you have a lot of traffic which somehow takes up power to send the signal. We have very few hits - we are both retired and don't head to town but about once a week, and only rarely get other hits, e.g., a UPS delivery, an occasional wild pig. Using up batteries has never been an issue.

 

[JRobyn]

My Dakota Alert transmitters run on 12vdc, meaning a 4 x CR123 battery pack. On the one at the solar gate, I just alligator clip 12vdc from the gate battery to the transmitter battery pack terminals, so no problem there - it has an automotive 12v battery with solar charging via the gate control panel.

I was replacing the CR123s on the other one about twice a year. Maybe 6-8 "events" per day. Got annoyed with that, so built a little outdoor electrical enclosure box filled with a gel cell battery and solar controller and mounted a 20w solar panel on the cover. Got about 2 years of trouble and maintenance-free use out of that so far.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I can only recall changing the batteries twice, I really can't recall a third time, which now that I think about it is remarkable. Also, I did smear a bit of silicone caulk around the lip to prevent moisture from affecting it - something I do with a lot of outdoor things. I cannot explain why you would be going through so many batteries. Maybe you have a lot of traffic which somehow takes up power to send the signal. We have very few hits - we are both retired and don't head to town but about once a week, and only rarely get other hits, e.g., a UPS delivery, an occasional wild pig. Using up batteries has never been an issue.

Ok thanks, it may very well be the number of hits it gets, we are in and out multiple times a day and right now we have to get out to open and close the gate making the sensor go off several times just for one entry or exit.

 

[JRobyn]

Went to add a pic, but site will no longer let me edit, so -

 

[TnAndy]

My Dakota Alert transmitters run on 12vdc, meaning a 4 x CR123 battery pack. On the one at the solar gate, I just alligator clip 12vdc from the gate battery to the transmitter battery pack terminals, so no problem there - it has an automotive 12v battery with solar charging via the gate control panel.

I was replacing the CR123s on the other one about twice a year. Maybe 6-8 "events" per day. Got annoyed with that, so built a little outdoor electrical enclosure box filled with a gel cell battery and solar controller and mounted a 20w solar panel on the cover. Got about 2 years of trouble and maintenance-free use out of that so far.

The magnetic probe sensors run on 12v.....the motion sensors on 9v (6 AA batteries).