Wireless driveway alarms ??

[GunnyGene]

Here's the situation: I currently have a wired metal detecting system that has been in the ground for 15 years. The buried probe is about 1100' from the house. It's finally given up, so I've been surfing around for a wireless system that will transmit thru fairly dense forest approx. the same distance, rather than trenching and laying new wire and probe. I've read a lot of reviews on various manufacturers and it seems the Dakota Alert system shown here ( http://www.gadgetshack.com/all-categories/wireless-driveway-alarms/2500-ft-driveway-alarm-with-underground-probe.html#.VpFqik_jJpB ) might be up to the job. Downside is periodic battery replacement, but that's not a big deal. I know they are typically LOS, and that trees, etc. will cut down on RF range, but I can deal with some reduction in range.

So does anyone have experience with this or other long distance metal detecting systems, and how reliable in terms of false alarms, missed alarms, etc. are they?

 

[Jim Puke]

I have no experience with them, but it might be worth asking if they have a repeater for that system.

 

[JFB]

I only had about 200 ft from probe to house. I tried it just with the probe in the hedge row. Didn't get a chance to determine how reliable, since I misjudge how far over the roterary cutter reached :oops:

 

[blume357]

Ouch! .... hate it when that happens.... looks like a good deal to me... interesting idea that it only detects big metal objects and not critters or such....

 

[GunnyGene]

Ouch! .... hate it when that happens.... looks like a good deal to me... interesting idea that it only detects big metal objects and not critters or such....

This kind of metal detection tech has been around for a long time. The wireless version is fairly recent for home use tho, within the last 15 years or so, due to costs coming down and improved tech in battery life, wireless range, etc. Some systems use MURS communication - similar to walkie talkie's with ranges up to a few miles, and there's even some that will communicate via cell phone tech now.

 

[steelshooterco]

I'd check to see how much a new probe is, and then dig up the old one and do a continuity check to the house. If you have continuity, follow by resistance check. If resistance is low, just splice new probe into old wire, no digging up drive. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[gramps]

I'd check to see how much a new probe is, and then dig up the old one and do a continuity check to the house. If you have continuity, follow by resistance check. If resistance is low, just splice new probe into old wire, no digging up drive. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

That sounds great, but to check continuity, the test equipment needs access to both ends at once. 2500 feet is one heck of a long test probe wire! If there is another way please elaborate.
gramps

 

[blume357]

It sounded to me like 'jfb' had one installed, just stuck in some bushes, but cut the sensing wire (probe) with some type of trimming tool and has not gotten around to fixing.... not the same as a wire running 2500ft to house.... I'd just splice it back to the wireless transmitter and see if it works... if not order replacement parts.... 'jfb's' was only 200ft from house.... original poster: 'Gunny Gene' was looking at placing his 1,100 ft from his house... still wireless and the concern is if it will be able to transmit though woods and brush....

 

[GunnyGene]

It sounded to me like 'jfb' had one installed, just stuck in some bushes, but cut the sensing wire (probe) with some type of trimming tool and has not gotten around to fixing.... not the same as a wire running 2500ft to house.... I'd just splice it back to the wireless transmitter and see if it works... if not order replacement parts.... 'jfb's' was only 200ft from house.... original poster: 'Gunny Gene' was looking at placing his 1,100 ft from his house... still wireless and the concern is if it will be able to transmit though woods and brush....

Even with wireless systems there is still a wire/cable that connects the buried probe to the transmitter. Usually 50' which gives you some options on placement of the transmitter itself. Recommended is to place the transmitter box on a pole or tree about 6ft. up so you don't need a ladder to change batteries, and hidden from view from the driveway, but with minimal LOS blockage from trees, etc. The kits come with everything you need for DIY for about $250 for the Dakota kit I linked to. Home depot and others sell cheaper ($50 or so) kits with much shorter range (200' or so), but you get what you pay for. :)

 

[BlackEye]

I'd check to see how much a new probe is, and then dig up the old one and do a continuity check to the house. If you have continuity, follow by resistance check. If resistance is low, just splice new probe into old wire, no digging up drive. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

That sounds great, but to check continuity, the test equipment needs access to both ends at once. 2500 feet is one heck of a long test probe wire! If there is another way please elaborate.
gramps

Disconnect the wires at both ends. Short or tie wires together on one end (bypass the sensor and transmitter) then check for continuity between them on the other end. Assuming there is more than one wire of course.

 

[RugerHound]

I'd check to see how much a new probe is, and then dig up the old one and do a continuity check to the house. If you have continuity, follow by resistance check. If resistance is low, just splice new probe into old wire, no digging up drive. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

That sounds great, but to check continuity, the test equipment needs access to both ends at once. 2500 feet is one heck of a long test probe wire! If there is another way please elaborate.
gramps

There's gonna be two wires, no? (At least two) Remove the probe, connect the two ends together. Go to the other end and use an ohm meter. You got a dead short, then you need a new probe or the signal processing unit is kaput. Open or 'iffy' resistance, then you got wiring trouble. ;)

The other way is to use a TDR... (Time Domain Reflectometer) It'll tell you not only if the cable is kaput, but it'll tell you WHERE! ;) But they're purdy expensive. :mrgreen: