Caravan Security Lights - How to be safer

[tooleyau]

Caravan Security Part 1.

(not wanting to have to rely on other sites I am using the add attachments facility of this forum. - however only 2 images per post. Thus part 1, etc.). To See the images more clearly Click on the image)

One of the interesting things found out in our recent travels to Ayers Rock and beyond relates to security

I have always been security conscience with our car and van when travelling. Always lock the car, or van when away from either (even when going to the toilet) and keeping valuables out of sight.

When we were in Coober Pedy we had a visit from the local constabulary who called us together for a chat, and he said that there was a bit of opportunistic crime in the town. Apparently the previous night some bloke had got up for a midnight stroll to dispose of unwanted fluids, left his van door unlocked while he was away and some of the locals had opened the door of his van and pinched his wallet that was sitting on the table. His wife was in the van at the time.

The Sargent also said that if windows are left open it has been known that a local with a knife has cut the nylon flyscreen and reached in looking for stuff to thieve.

When we were in Alice Springs a van beside us lost a pair of runners to someone who wandered through the park at night. Our annex had been visited, but it appears that no-one wants our grey water bucket.

So with this in mind I thought the best bet would be one of those solar movement detectors that turn on a light when there is movement nearby. However, the problem with them is that they usually fade by 3.00am. I know because after an evening of consuming fluids with Koala Herne, that’s the time I need to relieve the pressure.

So, Internet and Ebay to the answer. I knew that there were 240 volts lights with built in movement detectors, we have one on the font of the house, but is there a 12v version.

There is, but I did not want a big light jutting out the side of the van. So I looked for the components. And they do exist.

I bought 4 MINI DC3-12V PIR Infrared Motion Sensor Detector Automatic Switch 2A - $4.32 each. - Cheap as chips.

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And 4 50cm LED strip light bars 12v - $12 per pair

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[tooleyau]

Caravan Security P2.

(not wanting to have to rely on other sites I am using the add attachments facility of this forum. - however only 2 images per post. Thus part 1, etc.). To See the images more clearly Click on the image)

The next challenge was to wire them up and hide the lights and sensors. I removed the casing of the sensor and drilled (carefully) a hole in the side lights and glued the sensor into the hole and then ran the wires to a central location.

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I hid the lights under the caravan and ran the light wires to the same location.

The sensor wiring is not one that I would have planned but I’m sure that the electrical engineers know what they are doing. The sensor has 4 wires



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[tooleyau]

Caravan Security P3.

(not wanting to have to rely on other sites I am using the add attachments facility of this forum. - however only 2 images per post. Thus part 3, etc.). To See the images more clearly Click on the image)


To add a single light, or multiple lights - Click on image to get a full screen view.

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The final outcome is.

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When someone approaches the Van the under lights light up as well as the normal outside light.

The only difference between this setup and your 240v outside light on your home is that it does not have a Sunlight, or daytime, sensor so it is "on" all the time. You can purchase a sensor but it stands 2-3 inches tall and does not look the 'smart' on a vintage van. I have one so I shell see if I can modify it - I shall let you know the result.

To overcome this in the short term I have put in a switch inside the van. When we go to bed I switch it on, or if we are going out for the evening I turn it on before I leave. This also allows us to find the keyhole in the lock as the lights turn on as we approach the van.


I invite others to add their ideas and engineering genius to this thread.

[firefighter]

Onya tooleyau

What a great idea

I invite others to add their ideas and engineering genius to this thread.

My idea ....get a dog... ha  ha

Yer I know I am playing with fire again

I have included you on the list at the nats for a demo

Read more: vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/16405/caravan-security-lights-safer#ixzz4neDOdRH4

f/f

[tomqvaxy]

would sound add to the deterrent? I think it will attract a bit more attention even if to the chagrin of sleeping neighbors.

[grandad]

Would love to see the attachments. Am I the only one who can't see where to click?

Jim

[gregh]

No you're right grandad : images are not visible.

I've tried to put an eBay link in to show the PIR sensors, but the forum add URL link doesn't seem to want to accept and eBay link. If you go to eBay and search for 12v PIR sensors, you'll see there are plenty of options.

cheers,
Greg

[tooleyau]

Sept 25, 2019 9:09:43 GMT 10 grandad said:

Would love to see the attachments. Am I the only one who can't see where to click?

Jim

It appears that even I cannot see the attachments. I wonder where they went??

Will see what I can do.

MT

[tooleyau]

12v movement detectors


This is a website that shows (and sells) all the different movement detectors.

As detailed by gregh above. Jump onto ebay and search 12v pir sensors.

Just add a 12v led light and away you go.

So, use your imagination (if not google it 🤣🤣🤣) and caravan retoration and building skills and away you go.


MT