Dollar Store perimeter alarm

**slowz1k** · 07-12-2010, 06:52 PM

Okay.... First the disclaimer. This thing is cheap and cheesey... just the way I like it. Remember, you get what you pay for, so don't expect stellar performance or longevity. This is something I just made for fun, and as it turned out, it works. The local Dollar Store was selling these little magnet operated door/window alarms, for ... you guessed it $1.00.

I bought a couple of these, because they are so simple to mount and use, run on batteries, and most importantly, they were cheap. There is a simple on/off switch on the left hand side of the alarms main body. Using the double sided foam tape, you would simply stick it beside a door or window jam. Stick the magnet side of the door or window so they line up and turn it on. When the magnetic connection is broken a pretty loud shreiking sound is heard throughout the house. These actually work very well for their intended purpose.

Here's how I turned one into a trip wire activated perimeter alarm.
I had some thin 1/8" plywood laying around. I cut into a rectangle an inch or so larger than the entire alarm assembly. Drilled four holes in each corner. This is the mounting plate.

A little dab of liquid nails secures the alarms main body as well as a small strip of velcro (loop side) to the mounting plate. I used the double sided foam tape to hold two small velcro patches (hook side) to the magnet body. A light coat of camo krylon should aid in consealment.

A loop of safety wire was used to attach to the pre drilled magnet body. This is where I'll attach the actual trip wire.

Thats it!

Total cost is probably $1.25 with paint, wire and wood.

Here's a shot of it mounted on a sapling about 8" above ground, not yet wired.

Here's the same mount, wired and armed.

I would probably mount it a little higher if I was actually counting on it. Of course it would need to be weather proofed a little and concealed a lot more too. Obviously, this thing would be easily disarmed if found, but like I said before, you get what you pay for. It was fun to make and actually worked very well.

**nakadnu** · 07-12-2010, 08:22 PM

I actually have some of these in my junk box. I had the same idea but never carried it out. Thanks for the reminder.
Great minds think alike!

**TheLastMountainMan** · 07-13-2010, 10:55 AM

Thats a good idea. Gonna try it out at scout camp. Lets see if these buggers get busted for sneaking out at night. Gonna try it at home too.

**monet861** · 07-14-2010, 06:28 AM

I like the idea. What if I only have the thick 1/8" plywood lying around. Would that work too. Sorry, can't help being a smarta$$ sometimes, but I really do like the idea and will have too keep my eyes open for those alarms.

**nakadnu** · 07-14-2010, 06:38 AM

Another good trip wire activated alarm is your standard mouse trap. Mount it to a tree etc. and hook your your wire to the catch. This has a lot of variations with a little imagination which we will not go into here.

**slowz1k** · 07-14-2010, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by monet861

I like the idea. What if I only have the thick 1/8" plywood lying around. Would that work too. Sorry, can't help being a smarta$$ sometimes, but I really do like the idea and will have too keep my eyes open for those alarms.

LOL Yes. The thick 1/8" plywood should work just as well. Make sure you use sticky glue, and colored paint as well. If you mount it to a tree, for best results, try to use a tree made of wood.
Details.... Details

**mjbaker** · 07-18-2010, 09:55 AM

What store was it? I'd like to get a few.

**slowz1k** · 07-19-2010, 10:12 AM

MJ,
The "Dollar Store". They're everywhere in the triad NC area. Also saw a multi pack of the same alarms at "Big Lots" yesterday.

Update:
I've found that the pre-drilled holes on the magnet will break after multiple "trips". It can easily be beefed up by mounting it on a larger strip of wood or plastic then drilling the new mount for the wire.
I also had to trim down the amount of velcro that holds the magnet in position against the main body.

**tbkbtk123** · 08-12-2010, 01:30 PM

Under the heading, " A poor man has poor ways", I strung a wire at about 1 foot high and hung my Bud cans with rocks in them,( my way of recycleing) and it makes noise when stepped on.
Also when I was across the puddle there were villages that had geese that they put out on the perimeter and I have seen what they do to someone trying to sneak in. The geese bite you and hang on and beat the hell out of you with their wings while the other ones honk to alert!

**maric** · 05-22-2011, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by tbkbtk123

Under the heading, " A poor man has poor ways", I strung a wire at about 1 foot high and hung my Bud cans with rocks in them,( my way of recycleing) and it makes noise when stepped on.
Also when I was across the puddle there were villages that had geese that they put out on the perimeter and I have seen what they do to someone trying to sneak in. The geese bite you and hang on and beat the hell out of you with their wings while the other ones honk to alert!

Im not sure which part of this post was more funny, the bud cans or the honking geese, but either way, ..clever!! Good way to recycle!