#1087500 - 19/06/07 07:31 PM
Security myths and layering.
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Custom Audio NY
Cut first..then measure as you go along until it fits.
SD Player to be named later
Registered: 12/04/07
Posts: 1086
Loc: NY
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I wanted to post some of my experience with security systems. Any comments/additions/opinions/questions welcomed.
Myth: "Alarms don't do anything..no one cares if a car alarm is going off, they just get annoyed and ignore it."
Truth: Well actually there are at least 2 people who care very much if the alarm is going off...The owner of the vehicle, and the thief. Now of course if your alarm has problems with sensitvity, and rings all the time for no reason..that is a problem. But that is NOT the alarms fault, it needs to be adjusted so it doesn't false very easily. Otherwise yes..then it may get annoying..and may be ignored at the wrong time.
Myth: "If the thief wants the vehicle bad enough, hes going to take it, security system or not"
Truth: Partially true, I can set up a system (explained later) that would be virtually impossible to steal the vehicle or enter it without setting off the alarm system. Even if the thief uses a tow truck..the system will respond..but realistally, most thiefs do not have a tow truck, repos perhaps..but they are legal to tow..they are not stealing the vehicle.
Myth: The thief can disable the security system with jumper cables (even heard a STUN GUN as well).
Truth: Anyone who believes this knows squat about electricity. If you touch jumper cables to a car..and the cables are live..the current will travel the path of least resistance..so if this is done on a conductive surface, all that would happen is you would short out whatever the jumper cables power source is..the electrical system of the vehicle being touched with the cables would be 100% uneffected..but it may leave a burn mark on the vehicle. Touching a stun gun to a vehicle would have absolutly no effect as well..but I would also be concerned about burning or marking the surface if attempted.
Myth: A thief can pop out the parking light and short it to kill the alarm system.
Truth: Any decent alarm sold these days has a seperate fuse for the parking light circuit..hence if the parking light was shorted out, the fuse for the lights would blow, but the rest of the security system will be fully intact.
Myth: "I'm not worried, my insurance will cover it"
Truth: Well before I knew what I know these days. I had a vehicle stolen and recovered. It took my over a year for them to pay up. Luckily, I had a friend that is a lawyer..he told me it would have taken about 3 grand if fees if i was paying him directly. Does this mean all insurance companies are like this? No..but they can be..then there is the deductable..depreciation..trust me..the insurance companies main goal is to pay as least as possible..and when they do pay..they get it back some other way. You need insurance true..but don't depend on it 100% of the time. Also..many companies only cover "replacment value"..which means anything you "added" to the vehicle..is not covered..check your policy..it happened to me.
If anyone has any more myths to expell..please post.
Now on to "layering". This is how to really protect a vehicle..the hows and whys.
First off..I am not going to dwell on the no brainers such as "don't leave valubles in the car,,remove the radio face, don't blast your system around, don't put stickers etc.. I am going to go beyond all that and get into some non-traditional techniques that actually work.
The most IMPORTANT thing about a security system is what???
The brand of alarm?? NO
The amount of buttons on the remote?? NO
How many miles the transmitter works?? NO
The most important factor of a security system is the INSTALLATION....period.
The main problem with most systems is that they are all installed the same way. So the thief knows where to look for components, and how to quickly disable most average installations.
So here is a list of how I install basic components, and then I will explain layering. (note that if you are in the market for a security system, and are not installing it yourself, do not expect the installer to use some of these techniques without additional charges)
I run my siren and all other underhood wires hidden in the factory runs..and I go thru the firewall on the passenger side..why?, because 99.9% of sirens are run through the drivers side..so the thief finds the wire, cuts it..and now as time to do other damage.
I mount the "brain" of the security system ANYWHERE but under the driver side dash. That's because like every alarm brain is mounted there..once again the thief just goes there..and since on many systems simply unplugging the main harness shuts off the alarm and allows the vehicle to start...well lets just say if you can get to the alarm brain by simply reaching under the dash..the system is basically useless. Now I will at times mount the brain on the drivers side...IF..I have to remove a ton of stuff to get to it...and no part of it or the wiring can be seen by looking under the dash.
Keep the shock sensors adjusted properly..I mentioned why in the begininng..if you do not have equal coverage around all the glass and rims..add additional sensors..you will never get one sensor to be equal all over the vehicle..or at least it is very rare for that to be the case.
Now layering...
In a nutshell..every layer of security you add..makes it that much more unlikely that the thief will have success. Here's a few I use.
Additional "noise". Seems every alarm system today sounds the same. So get creative, add factory horn honk (simple 2 dollar relay/diode and flasher if the system does not have a dedicated output), hide smaller sirens or piezos aka "pain generators" around..air horns..heck I trust a bunch of loud horns over a 2way remote any day.
Backup siren. Personally I prefer these over a back up battery. The reason is that if the thief pops the hood..and cuts the siren..the alarm is done. However, 2 way transmitters will still operate, but I find them not to be 100% reliable, and very expensive to replace. The back up siren has it's own battery internallly..so if anything is cut, it still sounds, you need to disarm it with a special key in the event the wires get cut.
Hood locking. I don't really like those "chapman" cable thingys..and they don't fit well on smaller cars. In addition..they are much easier to get through then anyone knows. I "rig" up electronic hoodlocking systems, with failsafes, however it is involved..only a few installers will do this.
Additional sensors. My favorite
are "perimeter/radar/intrusion/spacial/ whatever you wish to call it..they are great. The reason is this..most thiefs know how to break glass without triggering the shock sensor..which most alarms use. However..the radar sensors pick up any physical movement in the vehicle. Downside..can take time to properly adjust..and can be affected by outside sources..movements and frequency. However, I use them on all my cars..haven't had a break-in since. You can use a glass sensor as well..I am not a big fan due to the fact I feel they are poorly designed..but better then nothing. But with open top vehicles..a glass sensor is useless..a radar sensor works.
Back up "kills". Most systems utilize a simple relay which interupts the starter wire. Problem is...the thiefs know this..know what it looks like..know where it's located, know the color codes etc..so not very effective...good to use..but not very effective. Now there are a million ways to rig up an additional kill circuit so I won't list them all by any means. But one thing I like to do is add an independant fuel cutoff. Perhaps with a hidden keypad or switch, wired normally open. This way if anything is cut..no engine running. Now some installers fear cutting a fuel pump or ignition wire stating liability. In other words if the connection has a problem the vehicle could stall out and it's a hazard. That may be true to an extent..but I have been installing a long time..so there is no one better then me to make a good connection. There is a better chance of stalling by running out of gas then by a connection I make so I will continue to do these kills. Now if someone does not have confidance in thier own ability to make a solid lifetime lasting connection..they should question thier career choice..but others like myself don't mess around when it comes to connections, I just don't have a problem there.
I hope this post helps some people, and also inspires others to share their thoughts and practices with proper security installations.
_________________________
Custom Audio
Lynbrook NY
ASE/MECP master
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#1091009 - 25/06/07 07:39 AM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: Custom Audio NY]
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PBG Eric
SD Ralph Wiggum
Registered: 24/06/07
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The fuel cut off is a good idea... when my jeep was stolen, the guy just pulled my relay packs and drove off...
As far as connections go, any MECP certified installer should not be worried about the connections they make. That sounds more like a rookie worry to me.
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#1091108 - 25/06/07 09:53 AM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: PBG Eric]
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IamMurph
Security Guy
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Registered: 30/10/01
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MECP or not, any GOOD installer cares about the work they do.
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#1092265 - 26/06/07 04:26 PM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: Custom Audio NY]
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Old School Audio Fanatic
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Registered: 20/03/04
Posts: 343
Loc: USA
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Myth: "Alarms don't do anything..no one cares if a car alarm is going off, they just get annoyed and ignore it."
Truth: Otherwise (for false alarms) yes..then it may get annoying..and may be ignored at the wrong time.
Maybe by the owner, but not the punk(s).
The alarm is still useful no matter how many times it does go off. The last thing they want is any noise to call attention to what's going on.
I do agree on properly adjusting the sensitivity of sensors to keep false alarms to a minimum & only alarm when actually needed. The effectiveness of the alarm is better that way, but I just want to point out that whenever the alarm sounds, especially if it is a real theft attempt, the alarm will still have a effect. ;-)
Myth: "If the thief wants the vehicle bad enough, he is going to take it, security system or not"
Truth: Even if the thief uses a tow truck..the system will respond..
Just wanted to add the tilt sensor for this situation. I noticed you left it out when you were addressing alarm sensors.
Also, "The Wireless Driveway Patrol" is great to know instantly inside when they first back up to your ride even before the car alarm senses it. It is portable with a weatherproof outdoor motion which can be hidden & a indoor alarm chime alert module.
http://www.tvproducts4less.com/elia-48.html
"The Reporter" is another wireless driveway alarm with more features & is sold at Radio Shack.
http://www.catchacallonline.com/reporter.html
Regent Lighting also makes a outdoor 240 degree motion security floodlight with indoor alarm/lamp on module.
http://www.regentlighting.com/common/CLD...Series&id=13970
With these security sensors, you might be able to jump on the situation BEFORE your car actually leaves. ;-)
In a nutshell..every layer of security you add..makes it that much more unlikely that the thief will have success.
Tru That! ;-)
Additional "noise". Seems every alarm system today sounds the same. So get creative, add factory horn honk (simple 2 dollar relay/diode and flasher if the system does not have a dedicated output), hide smaller sirens or piezo's aka "pain generators" around..air horns..heck I trust a bunch of loud horns over a 2way remote any day.
Tru That also! ;-)
Here is my true Alarm Success Story using multiple sirens & some security tips:
http://audioforum.termpro.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/15/t/000611.html
*BTW, very good article you wrote here! ;-)
_________________________
RF Vintage Old School Fanatic! "A Passion For Performance"!
Cerwin Vega! Turn It Up! Since 1954. "50(more)years of disturbing the peace"!
Stinger, "Higher Performance"!
Bass Race/Psychlone
It is better to be safe than sorry:
SECURITY ALARM!
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#1194751 - 07/09/07 06:09 PM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: Custom Audio NY]
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Old School Audio Fanatic
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Registered: 20/03/04
Posts: 343
Loc: USA
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2 excellent Car Security Alarm threads to read:
http://causeforalarm.thecarthing.com/version6/index.html
(make sure and click on the links for more additional info)
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1554546&page=1
* BE WISE & PUT INTO PRACTICE!
_________________________
RF Vintage Old School Fanatic! "A Passion For Performance"!
Cerwin Vega! Turn It Up! Since 1954. "50(more)years of disturbing the peace"!
Stinger, "Higher Performance"!
Bass Race/Psychlone
It is better to be safe than sorry:
SECURITY ALARM!
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#1205049 - 20/09/07 12:02 PM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: Old School Audio Fanatic]
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flex1016
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Registered: 02/09/03
Posts: 687
Loc: miami fl
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most remote starts are the easyest to steal, becuse they have the key in the car allready, all u would have to do is cut the alarm and find the box take the key and bypass the relay , can take only 2 or 4 min tops on alarms that have been installed by a good installer !
and fuel cut offs are easy to bypass its all really easy
only thing u can do is buy train horns hook them up to your alarm and hide you alarm box in a hard to reach pace and use pounds of black tape ! go over every thing with black tape even if its not your alarm!...the thef will get scared if every thing has black tape!, and also put a siren up under you dash ! thats right,nothingsmore anoying when ur under the dash and a siren is right in your ear ! along with train horns going off an black tape all over the place the thef will die before ne thing is taken from ur car ! also have a bomb hooked up to your car in a way that if the theft move more than 10 miles the car will blow up on his azzz!
Edited by flex1016 (20/09/07 12:12 PM)
_________________________
(1)kenwood ddx 7015 6.5 touch screen
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(6) pioneer 6x9s 5 way
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(1) loud ass system! =)
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#1205060 - 20/09/07 12:17 PM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: flex1016]
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flex1016
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Registered: 02/09/03
Posts: 687
Loc: miami fl
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and park your car as close to wear people live ! dont park it away were no 1 can hear or see ne thing happening to your car not that most ppl call the cops and wont do [censored] but its a try !
_________________________
(1)kenwood ddx 7015 6.5 touch screen
(1)audio control epic
(2)15'' Re Sx's (subs)dual 4 ohm
(2) hifonics 2600
(6) pioneer 6x9s 5 way
(2) pioneer 6 1/2 3ways
(1)kicker 900.4 dsp
(1)Alpine PXAH510 Digital Audio Processor
(1) loud ass system! =)
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#1212576 - 29/09/07 02:14 AM
Re: Security myths and layering.
[Re: Rick7079]
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mavs
SD Newbie
Registered: 29/09/07
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in my cars my sirens are behind the fenders. cant see wires and echoes really loud. most people like the idea and are willing to pay a little extra money for extra siren and labor.
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. Like Murph said most cars don't use the key in a box anymore, plus if you put a little effort into hiding the box as if it was a alarm it can be very hard to find quickly. Also for the few that still do use the key in a box we used to try to get the customer to buy a extra key from the shop ( we bought from Howard key ) and then just program the key but leave it uncut leaving the key basically useless in unlocking the car or ignition.
