Notices
Automotive Discussion Automotive talk that is not technical can be posted here. Posts must address the general population.

some different anti-theft ideas

Old 11-21-2008, 12:11 PM
  #1  
Registered Member
Thread Starter
 
temp2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
temp2 will become famous soon enoughtemp2 will become famous soon enough
Default some different anti-theft ideas

Ive known about these for a while, and never used them myself, but considering the problems some people seem to be having with their cars getting stolen, I figured I'd share what I've come across so others are aware of other options available to deter or stop theft.

1)MasterLock Starter Sentry: Ive seen this product before by another manufacturer but this particular one is at a much better price range. It's basically an immobilizer, but disguised as a normal relay(the main relay for example). It also uses rfid to communicate with the keyfob it uses so it will automatically disarm when you get close to the car, so no needing to hit buttons or flip switches when youre in a hurry to go. Products like this have been available in Australia for a while, though Ive just now seen them reach the states at a reasonable price(Australia instituted some kind of law requiring the retrofitting of older cars with immobilizers and this was a popular method of doing that). http://www.mastersentryseries.com/st...overview.shtml


2)Braille Battery Power Protector: This product seems to have been designed with a main function of automatically cutting power from the battery when the engine is off and it senses a current drain(like leaving the headlights on), however, it also comes with a keyfob remote that can be used to cut battery power as an anti-theft mechanism(Obviously this is probably not going to totally stop a theft at all, but as time is the enemy for a car thief, this may just save the day in many cases). Ive seen some clones of this product for around 40-50usd, I just dont remember where it was I saw them. http://braillebattery.com/index.php/...wer_protector/
temp2 is offline  
Old 11-21-2008, 07:29 PM
  #2  
Registered Member
 
Boredinva05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Boredinva05 has disabled reputation
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

A simple method would be to wire a switch into the starter that if you don't close the connection the starter won't get a current. Therefore you wouldn't be able to start the vehicle because the starter would essentially not work.
Boredinva05 is offline  
Old 11-21-2008, 08:57 PM
  #3  
Racetracks
 
Fabrik8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: How long is a piece of string?
Posts: 15,668
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8 Fabrik8
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Originally Posted by Boredinva05
A simple method would be to wire a switch into the starter that if you don't close the connection the starter won't get a current. Therefore you wouldn't be able to start the vehicle because the starter would essentially not work.
That "switch" is called the starter solenoid. It's a big relay (usually called a contactor) and switches power to the starter motor.

Do you mean a wire going to the starter solenoid coil? I don't think you want to install a switch that is capable of passing starter current through it. They're out there, but it isn't something that you can access from inside the cockpit unless you get something solid state with high power FETs or something. *On a side note, it looks like that's what that Braille battery protector is; it sounds like a solid state battery disconnect.*

Most starter kill relays work on that concept, they just interrupt ignition power such that the starter solenoid coil can't be energized.

Really the problem isn't making a car theft proof, it's making a car theft proof in such a way that thieves will need to take too much time to steal it. Nothing that you can really do can prevent one of the organized theft rings from grabbing your car with a flat bed and disappearing into the night. Flatbeds don't care if your car won't start. They don't need the engine to run, they've brought their own method of transportation.

Last edited by Fabrik8; 11-21-2008 at 09:00 PM.
Fabrik8 is offline  
Old 11-21-2008, 09:19 PM
  #4  
Registered Member
Thread Starter
 
temp2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
temp2 will become famous soon enoughtemp2 will become famous soon enough
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Originally Posted by Fabrik8
That "switch" is called the starter solenoid. It's a big relay (usually called a contactor) and switches power to the starter motor.

Do you mean a wire going to the starter solenoid coil? I don't think you want to install a switch that is capable of passing starter current through it. They're out there, but it isn't something that you can access from inside the cockpit unless you get something solid state with high power FETs or something. *On a side note, it looks like that's what that Braille battery protector is; it sounds like a solid state battery disconnect.*

Most starter kill relays work on that concept, they just interrupt ignition power such that the starter solenoid coil can't be energized.

Really the problem isn't making a car theft proof, it's making a car theft proof in such a way that thieves will need to take too much time to steal it. Nothing that you can really do can prevent one of the organized theft rings from grabbing your car with a flat bed and disappearing into the night. Flatbeds don't care if your car won't start. They don't need the engine to run, they've brought their own method of transportation.
Actually Ive seen decoy relays unrelated to the starter, though youre correct, the product i linked to is not that. And youre right about the braille product. And on the theft proof comment; If someone is bent on taking something, regardless of the associated risk, then theres always the likelihood they may succeed. Thats kind of common sense.
temp2 is offline  
Old 11-23-2008, 11:21 AM
  #5  
I Love to Hate
 
B-Well's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Va Beach
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Theives will steal whatever they want. That's how they got the name.
Invest in a garage end of story
B-Well is offline  
Old 11-23-2008, 11:23 AM
  #6  
Registered Member
Thread Starter
 
temp2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
temp2 will become famous soon enoughtemp2 will become famous soon enough
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Originally Posted by B-Well
Theives will steal whatever they want. That's how they got the name.
Invest in a garage end of story

Or move to the end of a dead end street in a nice neighborhood with nosey neighbors.
temp2 is offline  
Old 11-23-2008, 11:26 AM
  #7  
Banned
 
LoBoRsXs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LoBoRsXs LoBoRsXs LoBoRsXs
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Invest in a exotic venomous snake to store near ecu. problem solved. not only will you poison the thief but it will also leave traces of dna on the snake or near the car. is it illegal? hell no
LoBoRsXs is offline  
Old 11-23-2008, 11:47 AM
  #8  
Registered Member
Thread Starter
 
temp2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
temp2 will become famous soon enoughtemp2 will become famous soon enough
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

fuck off
temp2 is offline  
Old 11-23-2008, 01:29 PM
  #9  
I Love to Hate
 
B-Well's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Va Beach
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well B-Well
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Originally Posted by temp2
fuck off
woah woah, y u so mad 4? haha. but yeah fuel pump disconnect is another possibility.

This thread title needs to be changed to "ideas on how to stop thiefs who drive your car away from the scene" to clarify the ideas we're presenting and explaining.
B-Well is offline  
Old 11-23-2008, 01:50 PM
  #10  
Registered Member
Thread Starter
 
temp2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
temp2 will become famous soon enoughtemp2 will become famous soon enough
Default Re: some different anti-theft ideas

Im not mad, at all
temp2 is offline  

Quick Reply: some different anti-theft ideas



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:05 AM.