POLE BARN ALARM SYSTEM

[stuckmotor]

I haven't but hope your thread gets some good input. I need to set up a shop at a place where some things have been stolen.

 

[JerryK]

One of the first things I did after I got my pole barn was to install a security system and camera system on my property. Good to know if AND WHO someone is messing with your 'toys'. I won't get into specifics, don't want to give out information about my system... but you can get all kinds of neat switches [ like the below link for large doors ], motion sensors, etc at SmartHome.. The only problem is, that if you look around on the site... they have LOTS OF NEAT STUFF. So, I warned you... [ you can spend days drueling over all the stuff they sell ] It's good to design your system with different kinds of sensors, in case someone trys to come in thru the roof or pry a metal panel off the wall for access. No temperature problems in the winter...

Seco-Larm SM-226L Garage Door Contacts for Closed Circuits - Smarthome

 

[murphy1244]

One of the first things I did after I got my pole barn was to install a security system and camera system on my property. Good to know if AND WHO someone is messing with your 'toys'. I won't get into specifics, don't want to give out information about my system... but you can get all kinds of neat switches [ like the below link for large doors ], motion sensors, etc at SmartHome.. The only problem is, that if you look around on the site... they have LOTS OF NEAT STUFF. So, I warned you... [ you can spend days drueling over all the stuff they sell ] It's good to design your system with different kinds of sensors, in case someone trys to come in thru the roof or pry a metal panel off the wall for access. No temperature problems in the winter...

Seco-Larm SM-226L Garage Door Contacts for Closed Circuits - Smarthome

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Egbert]

While I "may" install some basic alarm system on my barn, I think there are two other approaches that are far more important.

First - Insurance! Buy good coverage with replacement cost.
Second - Recorded Video.

The fact is, if you are targeted, you will most likely lose some/all your toys. You want to be made whole and you want to see those bxtards prosecuted.

How many times have you heard car alarms blaring but no one cared? What are the odds, your neighbors are going to come running when your barn alarm goes off when you're away?

 

[DJ54]

I got my security system through my electric cooperative. House and both shops. They had a rep. come out, and together we determine my needs, then sent the installer out to put it in. They have many options. I do have telephone service in both, so hooking in the sensors to the main junction box was easy for them. But, they do offer wireless.

Initial cost was a little chunk of change, but monthly cost is $26 + change, and hasn't changed in the 4 years I've had it.

It most definitely works, as I've set if off more then several times quite by accident, by not shutting it off in the house, before entering one the shops. Call center informs me of an entry within 2 minutes, and if I don't happen to catch the call, due to me hopping on a tractor, etc. a Deputy is here on average of 7 minutes... The evening shift Deputy knows who I am by now..., and is usually laughing when he see's the look on my face... We do have some great Deputy's on our counties Sheriff's Office.

 

[Egbert]

Many jurisdictions are now charging some pretty harsh penalties after 2 or 3 false alarms. You are fortunate - so far.

 

[DJ54]

Many jurisdictions are now charging some pretty harsh penalties after 2 or 3 false alarms. You are fortunate - so far.

Thank goodness they are pretty understanding here. I have expressed my apologies to the Deputy everytime, telling them I'd hate the thought of pulling them away from something more important. He said they will respond priorty wise, and it's no problem. So far no warnings...

 

[tpic402]

Thanks for all the replies some great comments here, first step video tape and record of what is in barn second step alarm w siren and light. again THANKS

 

[Qapla]

If the pole barn is near your house and you are there on a daily basis, a dog is a good added measure. Since they do need to be fed daily it won't work if the pole barn is remote.

 

[offroadaudio]

I use a 12 volt siren from Amazon for about $40 - 140db - that's loud. I used a battery that came from my wife's Honda when it needed to be replaced. The battery was too weak to crank a starter, but has lasted 2 years powering that siren when needed. Add to this circuit any number and type of switches - including a manual "panic button" - and you have a very inexpensive alarm that works incredibly well. It's so loud, you can't possibly stay in the building while it's going off.

 

[WM75Guy]

When we built our place I had the stables tack room wired for the alarm system I put in the house. There is a separate keypad in the tack room and that stays armed even when the house is not. I also installed a beam smoke detector from one side of the stables to the other. It is always armed. If either goes off the sirens in the house go off. Since I had smoke detectors installed with the house system there are inside and outside sirens that you can hear for miles. If you use a DSC brand system, which most do, they can do a lot with one panel and multiple keypads instead of installing 2 systems. One Cat5e wire buried from the house to the stables runs the keypad, door switch and smoke detector.

 

[xtruckerbob]

We got our alarm system from ADT and got the shop and the house for the same price (we had to buy extra sensors but the monitoring is the same). Our shop is 50 or so feet from the house and still have wireless. We are very pleased with ADT. This is a cellular system

 

[DanBowers]

My shop got broken into June 2012. They took about 5K worth of tools and welders. Thankfully I have full replacement on my policy and was covered.

After that I made my own alarm system then invited a local security company to come and see what they could add to it that I may have missed.....they could do nothing for me other than add a line to call local authorities, which are 30 minutes away at best. I used a motion detector w/ two lights (I think $30 from Lowe's) and mounted it in a location that covered the entire shop. In line with that I added a 140db buzzer alarm into the eve facing the house. The entire system is on a switch that is mounted remotely to avoid being noticed. When I arm the system is buzz's for 30 seconds then shuts off. I also barred all the windows and padlocked the doors from the inside. The walk in door also has a deadbolt that is keyed from both sides and the door frame has been reinforned w/ 1" angle to avoid being kicked in.

The motion detector lights work great. Twice I have locked the cat inside by accident (it was sleeping on the tractor seat). When it decided to wake and move around, it set the motion lights off which sounds to buzzer. I grabbed the gun and head out to investigate only to find the cat setting in the shop waiting for me. I even reached in an open window to test the system and that set the alarm off.