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Security devices

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:00 pm
by RTanguy
Hi,
Just for a bit of extra security I'm planning on putting the usual hidden switches in Lucy. I know its not a great idea to post details on here so would somebody be kind enough to PM me a diagram/instructions etc. so I have a better idea of what to do!

Thanks

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:24 am
by Deaconbrody
I have just bought a Morris Minor convertable and would also be pleased to know how to install and wire up a secret switch.

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:22 pm
by IslipMinor
Where the switch is is definitely a 'secret', but am not so sure about what can be done?

I have 2 circuits on my secret switch. The first interrupts the supply to the fuel pump and the second earths the connection from the CB side of the coil.

As I needed to create a new loom to incorporate a miriad of additional wiring, I incorporated the immobiliser wiring into the new harness so that there was nothing to suggest where to start looking when it will not start (the coil is earthed), or if that is by-passed, why it stops again a short while later (no fuel!). The fuel pump is a rear mounted Facet, so not the simple link wire to the standard position next to the battery.

On the ignition coil earth, it is in conjunction with an Aldon Ignitor, and Aldon confirmed that it would not cause any problem with the electronic module. That was 14 years ago and still going strong!

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:31 pm
by bmcecosse
It's up to you where you put the secret switch! Only you will know where it is.....but it's only any use if you use it EVERY time you leave the car.

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:45 pm
by Dean
bmcecosse wrote:It's up to you where you put the secret switch! Only you will know where it is.....but it's only any use if you use it EVERY time you leave the car.
Except when you use the valet parking facility at The Dorchester in Mayfair of course. :wink:

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:03 pm
by beero
And except when you drop her off for an MOT test.

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:17 pm
by bmcecosse
Ok Smarties....you know what I mean... :roll:

Re: Security devices

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:24 pm
by GeordieDave
If your car is more at risk than others i.e. left on the road or in a car park all day, why not consider a tracking device?

I bought one from ebay for £50 ish all the way from China and fitted it myself. If an attempt is made to start the car, the tracker calls my mobile and I have two way communication with the car via a mic and speaker. Also, I can text the tracker at any time and it will reply with a link to google maps showing its whereabouts, which I can view immediately on my smart phone or PC. It also has the option of remotely cutting the fuel or ignition but I haven't installed this, yet.

I had to make a few modifications because my car is only used every few months so the tracker has its own internal battery, which will run it for a day or so, but I fitted another battery on a split charge circuit to preserve the car's main battery. If the battery runs low, I get a text message (or five), warning me, but as soon as the car is started, it springs back into life and I can see where the car is again.

I had to be creative with the supplied accessories and the instructions were next to useless but once I figured it out it was straight forward. All I have to do is top up the pay as you go SIM every few months.

The little black box, wiring and battery are safely hidden in different places around the car and if it is ever stolen, it gives me a fighting chance of getting it back.

As well as this, I have a hidden switch!!

Re: Security devices

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:08 pm
by Boomlander
PMs sent. :D

Re: Security devices

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:00 pm
by MarkyB
You could post an ebay link without compromising security I'm sure!
like this maybe?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Realtime-Mini ... 0674079354

Re: Security devices

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:31 pm
by GeordieDave
MarkyB wrote:You could post an ebay link without compromising security I'm sure!
Of course. I'd be happy to. However, there are so many different versions available depending on what you need or are capable of fitting that I didn't want to direct someone towards the one I bought as it isn't special, the instructions weren't the easiest to decipher and the ebay description was a little creative but if anyone wants to know, here's a similar looking one....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Portable ... 564f36a3b4

I modified the SOS button so that it is triggered by an unauthorised attempt to start the car, which phones my mobile, or what ever number you programme in. Not bad value for money if you can fit it.

Re: Security devices

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:55 pm
by welshrat
BMC is quite right about flicking the switch every time you leave your motor, for me this is not a problem as I would be heart broken if the old girl was stolen. My problem (I have lots but have flagged them up on a very different site) is switching them back on again, so within a few minutes I'm stressing that there are major problems, this at the moment, reminds me to reach forward or backwards and switch the required switch back on, so all is well. I will offer my appologies in advance to this site for future post's which may include "where's my secret switch" or "my minor will only run for two minutes before stopping" or even "a big dog attacks me every time I try to open the boot".

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:07 am
by dp
I highly recommend a cut-off for the fuel pump as the lack of immediacy makes it much less obvious anything has been done. . I.e. a joyrider starts the car and drives down the road with no sense that there is any anti-theft device to disarm. Then the engine conks out hopefully in the middle of the road with everyone looking - the joyrider doesn't like the attention, assumes the old car is unreliable and legs it - your car is in a highly visible place to be spotted &recovered.

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:23 am
by bmcecosse
Exactly - but you MUST use it EVERY time you stop the car -even nipping in to the shop for a newspaper....

Re: Security devices

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:54 pm
by dp
I've just remembered something from the day I got my first Minor back in 1983. I was still a learner and my dad drove it home but I put it in the driveway. I knew nothing about cars (and neither did he) and poking about somewhere I felt a pull switch and pushed it in. But then the car wouldn't start - I was panicking and my dad was probably thinking I'd bought a lemon. Eventually he asked if I'd touched anything or done anything and I said,

"Oh, only that strange switch [in that place]". I pulled it back out and the car started first time. I had no idea about cut-out switches as they weren't a feature on moderns even in the '80s :)

Re: Security devices

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:23 pm
by PaulTubby
Get a large disk lok, there heavy and do get in the way when not in use, but there very good and unless you got a angle grinder to hand the attack proof......

Re: Security devices

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:26 am
by Rob_Jennings
best way to the have the system 'always active' is a button that must to be pressed and held as you are trying to start, once engine is running you don't need to hold it. forget to press = wont start or conks out shortly after

This button could be 'hidden' with operation a normal control or as a reed switch so that you need a magnet on your keyring to trip it.

For 'valet parking' a second switch wired in parallel somewhere less obvious and can be left on when you leave the car for MOT etc (key operated switch in the boot? would be better).

As has been hinted, pump power interruption, and holding the coil are the best way. the average joy rider is not not going to mess about trying to fix any of those. someone determined to take the car is going to spend more time and in some cases they simply tow or lift the vehicle, in which case you need a tracker type system to have any chance of tracing it.

other option ....
old fashioned car alarm with remote key ring, these are really cheap and work fine. fit this INSIDE the car no one could sit in there with the horn !!!

Re: Security devices

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:43 pm
by chrisryder
It's only just occurred to me. How about a 2 way switch, to cut off whatever you want as normal, but when attempting to start the car with the switch in it's other position, it sounds the horn... :D

Re: Security devices

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:18 pm
by daveyl
I fitted a 2-way switch to mine and wired the other circuit to a small and discrete amber warning lamp. Although, wired to the horn would be amusing.

Re: Security devices

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:04 pm
by chrisryder
Albeit embarrassing if you forgot about the switch!