CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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I'm thinking about putting an alarm system into my observatory. For now the obs is powered by a couple of extension cords that I disconnect when I leave the site, so any type of alarm system would have to be battery operated. I want an alarm that is loud enough to alert the neighbors on either side and would only sound for 5-10 minutes or so. I don't want something that would keep sounding until the battery ran down, as that in itself might attract unwanted attention. Do you all have any ideas of what might work for me? I'd appreciate any suggestions, except those involving violence of any kind.
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 812
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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Carol,
I have been looking around for some time online for a decent system that runs on 12v. If memory serves me, you have two windows, the door and the shutters to deal with. Correct?
A for instance that I found some time ago is this:
http://tinyurl.com/p7fue5
That company Safemart has some great deals so take a look around at your options. The key is the AMP hr battery you install to run the system. A battery maintainer could be installed and used when you are present to keep the battery life up.
Keep us posted.
Clear skies,
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Explora Dome information can be found here:
www.exploradome.us
Rodney
Meade 10 SCT
AT 8/F4 imaging scope
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Canon 300D
Canon XSi
Two AS-GT mounts
Extremely happy Explora Dome home observatory owner
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Snaproll
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 3824
Loc: Wisconsin
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Well, what I use in my observatory is a Dewalt(sp?) motion detector that is battery powered. It has a remote for arming and disarming, (as well as a keypad code). The battery lasts about two weeks and I swap it out with a fresh one, (they're rechargable). The unit cost about $40 bucks and I got it at Home Depot. If triggered it makes a fairly loud alarm sound. If not turned off via the remote or keypad, the alarm sounds for 2 or 3 minutes. The unit size is about like a handheld flashlight. I mount it under the door so anybody stepping inside will trigger it. When it's armed you have 30 seconds to clear out. To set it off it needs something like 8 seconds of movement before it goes off, so if something like a mouse scampers through, it won't set it off. I have a sheet over my scope and was worried that a heavy breeze might leak in around the dome ring, wiggle the sheet and set off the alarm, but it's never happened. The dome is located on our deck next to the house and we can hear the alarm in the house. It's a self contained unit so it doesn't summon the police or anything, but I doubt somebody would want to wait around while it's going off, (in the dome it's louder than you can imagine). So it's not as good as some 'real' alarm system, but the chances are low that we'd have a problem, and for $40 bucks it's better than nothing.
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-Jim-
Happiness is a clear sky and a Denk II
old AP images and some new C14 Hyperstar images
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 148
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Carol,
Something else you should consider adding is a trail cam. These are fairly small, battery powered, digital cameras that have IR motion sensors that trigger a picture when soemthing or someone walks by. You can mount it on the observatory or on a nearby tree or post. They are readily available at any sporting goods store in your neighborhood or online.
There is even one trailcam that has a cellular uplink add on that will shoot the pic to a server. You can then access the server from any computer in the world.
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csa/montana
Den Mother
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40316
Loc: montana
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The camera probably wouldn't deter a breakin, especially if they don't notice it. Would be good evidence after the fact, but not stopping the breakin.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 148
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A well placed sign that states "This place protected by security and video survaillance" along with a couple very obvious, fake video cameras will help in the deterent category. A solar powered, motion sensing flood light would also be useful.
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csa/montana
Den Mother
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40316
Loc: montana
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Quote:
A well placed sign that states "This place protected by security and video survaillance" along with a couple very obvious, fake video cameras will help in the deterent category. A solar powered, motion sensing flood light would also be useful.
I like those ideas! 
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Thanks for all the very good ideas!! I've thought about security cameras (fake and real), and they would be good for after the fact. In fact, we have a neighbor at our ranch that uses a trail cam to catch poachers. What I really would like though is something that might just stop someone in the act and alert our neighbors, who are very good at keeping an eye on things. If they heard something, I don't think they would hesitate to investigate, call the police, and us. That's why I would like something loud for a brief time. I was thinking about car alarms. They work on 12 volt, are loud, and only sound for a short time. I found this on a Google search, but don't know anything about these type of alarms or this company in particular. This particular package does include a security decal, so posting warnings must work sometimes. I also was looking at this one . What do you all think?
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Kaizu
sage
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 348
Loc: Finland
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I have clearly visible surveillance camera watching the gate . If that is not enough, the anti burglar system with four legs receive the visitor. He is kind but big and stiff and plug up the observatory door.
Kaizu
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Some thoughts are so wise that they don't make me laugh
http://www.kaiforssen.fi
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pstarr
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/17/04
Posts: 1280
Loc: NE Ohio
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I use a 12V horn from a car alarm. It sounds like a loud English type police siren. I can arm it from outside the building after the door is locked. It has a magnetic switch on each side of the door so prying the door open from either side will sound the alarm. No timer though, I have 120v power so mine will keep sounding until I turn it off. The car alarm did have a control box that would turn the alarm off after a few minutes but I didn't use it. One day my wife was driving the car that alarm was installed on and it went off and wouldn't stop. She said cars were pulling over on the freeway as she went by. It was quite embarrassing. She made me take it off the car.
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Paul
10" Home built F-6 Eq Newt. w/Zambuto mirror, built for lunar and planetary viewing.
12'x12' roll-off roof observatory
6" Home built f-6 Newt. w/Dick Wessling mirror on CG-5 Eq. mount, built for high resolution work.
4.5" Orion Starblast on Eq. mount
TV Radians 4,5,6,8,10,12,
Pentax XL 10.5mm
Pentax XW 14mm
Baader Hyperion 17mm
4&5mm UO Abbe Orthos.
3.2mm TMB planetary
TV 2.5x barlow, TV 1.8x barlow
My equipment philosophy... If it ain't broke, fix it anyway.
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csa/montana
Den Mother
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40316
Loc: montana
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 Paul, at least she wasn't held up by traffic!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Chris Erickson
member
Reged: 05/08/06
Posts: 47
Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
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The opinion that I have developed over time is that 99% of bad guys are looking for the lowest hanging fruit with the lowest odds of getting busted. That means the obvious presence of real-looking cameras is more than enough deterrent. I used to be comfortable with fake cameras but real cameras are so cheap these days, there isn't any really good excuse not to go with the real thing with night vision, motion sensing and full recording capabilities.
What this does not protect you from is the thief who has specifically targeted you and your treasures. This guy might be a casual friend, relative or in-law, friend of one of your kids, neighbor, friend of neighbor, etc. So if you decide to install fake cameras, make sure that NOBODY but you knows that they are fake. Not even your own family members.
I built my most recent observatory with a solid wood door, solid door jams, tiny windows and a combination deadbolt. And although it was a white fiberglassed geodesic domed observatory, I believe that keeping as low of a profile as possible in the neighborhood is never a bad thing and that might mean choosing a roll-off design versus a dome.
I hope this helps.
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"My Advice is always free and worth every penny!"
-Christopher Erickson
Network Design Engineer
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
N19°57' W155°47'
Meade 16" LX200 SCT
www.data-plumber.com
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Paul, how embarrassing for your wife. I wouldn't want to drive around thinking that might happen again!
Carol, your reply is !
Chris, do you have any links or recommendations for security cameras? They would need to be battery operated, though. I'll check out the trail cam too.
I looked at the Home Depot web site. They have lots of systems, but they mostly need AC power. Kaizu, the dog is a good idea, but since we don't live at the site, I can't leave a dog there. As far as security animals, if I lived there and it was possible, I'd have a peacock or two. They are the best alarm system I have ever had. Nothing worse that the sound of a screaming woman!!
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Snaproll
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 3824
Loc: Wisconsin
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Again, here's the thing I have for $40 bucks. It has a loud two minute alarm and resets.
You could even include a couple, one on each side of the observatory if necessry.
Alarm
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-Jim-
Happiness is a clear sky and a Denk II
old AP images and some new C14 Hyperstar images
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quantumac
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 389
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If you have internet available, you might consider the "Panasonic BL-C131A Network Camera Wireless 802.11", or it's wired cousin, the "Panasonic BL-C111A Network Camera Wired."
I have the wireless version, and I've configured it to send images to an ftp server. I wrote some custom scripts to check this ftp server periodically, and when motion is detected, email me.
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Scope: Meade 10" LX200R
Guide/Planetary Camera: Imaging Source DBK41AF02.AS
DSO Camera: QHY8
Guide Hardware: Celestron OAG, Shoestring Astronomy GPUSB
Software: Mac OS X, Starry Night Pro, Nebulosity, PHD Guiding, PixInsight, Astro IIDC. No Windows anything.
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Thanks, Jim. I'm assuming you mount these on the outside of the observatory? Is the motion detector also the alarm, or do you need to buy a separate alarm siren? If it's loud enough (do you know the Db rating?), it may be just what I'm looking for since it won't break the bank. Do you think it could be heard from someone indoors and about 300-500 feet away?
Quantumac, thanks for the generous offer, but I don't have internet there yet. Sure wish I did!!
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Rick Woods
Postmaster
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 5684
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Quote:
I'm thinking about putting an alarm system into my observatory. For now the obs is powered by a couple of extension cords that I disconnect when I leave the site, so any type of alarm system would have to be battery operated. I want an alarm that is loud enough to alert the neighbors on either side and would only sound for 5-10 minutes or so. I don't want something that would keep sounding until the battery ran down, as that in itself might attract unwanted attention. Do you all have any ideas of what might work for me?
Well, I...
Quote:
I'd appreciate any suggestions, except those involving violence of any kind.
Er, never mind.
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
Dyslexics Untie!
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Hey Rick, thanks for not going there!! My observatory is in the heart of Redneck country! Those kind of solutions are second nature there!! 
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Snaproll
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 3824
Loc: Wisconsin
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I actually have it mounted inside the observatory under the door. If somebody were to break in, any movement inside will set it off. I suppose it could be mounted to the exterior, but then it would be more easily seen and avoided/disarmed. Then also you'd have the issues like blowing leaves etc that could also set it off. Inside the observatory would be best, but then it would be pretty hard to hear from a long distance. The sound would have to get out of the observatory, then the distance and finally through the wall of the structure where you would be able to hear it.
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-Jim-
Happiness is a clear sky and a Denk II
old AP images and some new C14 Hyperstar images
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kaverryan
member
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 18
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i have been considering this one for a cheap solution. I think this can be made to work on a 12v system.
Harbor Freight Alarm System - $19.99
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Ryan
Hamburg, Michigan
Celestron C6-SGT
C8-S
Meade ETX 80
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