Homebrewed security system
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From: Providence, RI, USA
Homebrewed security system
Thought I'd share this with you guys, particularly you NoVa folks who seem to be dealing with a rash of thefts.
Living in NYC, my car was the target of break-ins about once every 6 weeks. They were getting in by popping the black trim off the door frame and just unlocking the door. I'm still unsure how, but I had to take matters into my own hands after losing a stereo, some speakers, some sunglasses and other odd and ends. These custom deadbolts were the answer. Simply, a remote door locking kit, some threaded tubing and steel rods, that's all there is to it.
Here is the deadbolt unlocked:
Here is the deadbolt locked:
Here is the hole in the door frame that the deadbolt slides into when the door is closed:
The remote that came with the kit:
The one thing I won't reveal here is my "emergency" method for getting in. If the battery went dead or the actuator failed, I needed a way to still slide the bold out of the door frame. You guys can develop your own methods, just think "wire". Think "fuel door release" for inspiration.
It's simple, but it's a good, effective system to prevent break ins. If anyone's interested, I can posts a parts list and where the stuff came from. Total costs, maybe $75 and $70 of the was the remote locking kit.
Living in NYC, my car was the target of break-ins about once every 6 weeks. They were getting in by popping the black trim off the door frame and just unlocking the door. I'm still unsure how, but I had to take matters into my own hands after losing a stereo, some speakers, some sunglasses and other odd and ends. These custom deadbolts were the answer. Simply, a remote door locking kit, some threaded tubing and steel rods, that's all there is to it.
Here is the deadbolt unlocked:
Here is the deadbolt locked:
Here is the hole in the door frame that the deadbolt slides into when the door is closed:
The remote that came with the kit:
The one thing I won't reveal here is my "emergency" method for getting in. If the battery went dead or the actuator failed, I needed a way to still slide the bold out of the door frame. You guys can develop your own methods, just think "wire". Think "fuel door release" for inspiration.
It's simple, but it's a good, effective system to prevent break ins. If anyone's interested, I can posts a parts list and where the stuff came from. Total costs, maybe $75 and $70 of the was the remote locking kit.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Homebrewed security system (94CivicSi)
wow dead bolts for a car......nice idea!!!
only thing like you said........how would you open it if theactuator died, or if the battery died
only thing like you said........how would you open it if theactuator died, or if the battery died
Trial User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,569
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From: NoVa
Re: Homebrewed security system (Ichitech)
post some more information about this.. i might be interested in it.. it still doesnt stop a theif from breaking your window and grabbing stuff at hands reach but this sure does slow them down quite a bit to where your alarm would be blaring if they did **** w/ your stuff and you had a security system..
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From: Providence, RI, USA
Re: Homebrewed security system (94CivicSi)
Ok,
The remote door locking kit came from JC Whitney. It's designed for cars that don't have power locks. Came with 2 actuators, 2 remotes, the "brain" and all the hardware you need. Cost was $69.95.
The steel rod is available at any hardware story. Just drill a small hole in the end to connect the actuator to the rod.
The threaded tube from the "Lamp" section of the hardware store. Just find the right ID to be able to slide the steel rod into it. I found the large nuts in the same parts bin, there's one on the inside of the door and one on the outside (visible in photo). Be sure to threadlock these.
1) remove the inside door panel and carefully pull back the plastic.
2) Drill a hole in the door, the proper size for the thread tube. Install the tube and nuts.
2) After cutting steel rod to the proper length, I just dabbed a little paint on the end of it, closed the door, and fed it into the steel tube (from inside the door) until it touched the door frame. The paint on the end showed me where to drill on the door frame.
3) Install actuator and connect it to the steel rod. The kit came with some rods about the diameter of a coat hanger to make the connection. The tough part was just lining everything up correctly. Mae sure you test it before you button it all up and make sure that the rod slides smoothly in both directions and that it doesn't catch on the door frame.
4) As for the "emergency release", I just used a piece of picture hanging wire and connected it to the steel rod where it meets the actuator. From there, I routed it through the door to a place that's hidden, but accessible if necessary. Now if the battery dies or the actuator fails, just pull the wire and the deadbolt opens. It'll be up to you to decide where to route it to.
Hope this ins't too confusing.
The remote door locking kit came from JC Whitney. It's designed for cars that don't have power locks. Came with 2 actuators, 2 remotes, the "brain" and all the hardware you need. Cost was $69.95.
The steel rod is available at any hardware story. Just drill a small hole in the end to connect the actuator to the rod.
The threaded tube from the "Lamp" section of the hardware store. Just find the right ID to be able to slide the steel rod into it. I found the large nuts in the same parts bin, there's one on the inside of the door and one on the outside (visible in photo). Be sure to threadlock these.
1) remove the inside door panel and carefully pull back the plastic.
2) Drill a hole in the door, the proper size for the thread tube. Install the tube and nuts.
2) After cutting steel rod to the proper length, I just dabbed a little paint on the end of it, closed the door, and fed it into the steel tube (from inside the door) until it touched the door frame. The paint on the end showed me where to drill on the door frame.
3) Install actuator and connect it to the steel rod. The kit came with some rods about the diameter of a coat hanger to make the connection. The tough part was just lining everything up correctly. Mae sure you test it before you button it all up and make sure that the rod slides smoothly in both directions and that it doesn't catch on the door frame.
4) As for the "emergency release", I just used a piece of picture hanging wire and connected it to the steel rod where it meets the actuator. From there, I routed it through the door to a place that's hidden, but accessible if necessary. Now if the battery dies or the actuator fails, just pull the wire and the deadbolt opens. It'll be up to you to decide where to route it to.
Hope this ins't too confusing.
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: TBA,, Confused, ,Yemen
Re: Homebrewed security system (94CivicSi)
Very nice! I thought off simply unhooking the latch on the inside of the door so you can not unlock it from the inside. (works great for manual locks). I then remember how easy it is to have a key produced to a honda. All you have to do is get the VIN # (on top of dash by windsheild) and have a hook up at honda or work there. That is how they can cut keys, thru the VIN #. It fawkin' sucks! This dead-bolt idea is great!
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Rochester, NY
Re: Homebrewed security system (layz1)
I had a friend from Boston whose Dad had a big 7 series V12 BMW with a lot of special gadgets on it, an done of the theft deterrents was , yes Deadbolt door locks.
I always wondered how it could be done and your method is cheap considering the cost of a car.
cool
I always wondered how it could be done and your method is cheap considering the cost of a car.
cool
Thread Starter
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From: Providence, RI, USA
Re: Homebrewed security system (layz1)
wow, crazy. Do they carry a kit that has more than 2 actuators(for sedans and if you wanted to deadbolt the trunk or hood)?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml?CATID=181991&BQ=
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From: Providence, RI, USA
Re: Homebrewed security system (Jason kiDD)
No alarm on my car. I park on street so I can't really have the thing going off all the time. The remotes that came with the kit can learn any frequency though. If you have an alarm, you can just program the "brain" to unlock the bolts when yo turn off the alarm.
Hmmmm, maybe we could do a short "deadbolt clinic" for New Yorkers so you can see how easy mine was to install. Got specific questions though, just drop me a line.
iamn8@hotmail.com
Hmmmm, maybe we could do a short "deadbolt clinic" for New Yorkers so you can see how easy mine was to install. Got specific questions though, just drop me a line.
iamn8@hotmail.com
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,651
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From: Dallas, Tejas
Re: Homebrewed security system (hybrider93)
oh man...this is the most innovative idea i've heard in a LONNNNGGGGGGG time. dude, you should seriously try to market this, or someone else will! anyway, have you written a how to or anything that you can post, or email to me? I have the basic concept, but if you can be specific with things, i'd love to hear it! What exactly is it i need to order from jc whitney?
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,261
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From: Northern, VA
Re: Homebrewed security system (SuperDuperEG)
Let's keep this alive...since those theives are still out there. A friends friend ride got jacked yesterday night at Tysons in VA. 20 mins in the mall and poof, gone.!
