Conference vicki::boats

    burglar alarms for boats go for well over $500.00 witout installation.
    thats because the logic module is sealed in a  special expoxy to keep
    out the salt water with detiorates the components. if you can install
    one yourself, I  sugguest you purchase a auto alarm with piezo sensors
    and either infared  or ultrasonic sensors, but no motion sensors. after
    you install and test the unit place  it in a plastic box and fill it
    with silcone gel. when the silcone cures you will have a seal unit.
    auto alarms are made to take a wide temperture range similar to boats
    but not made to handle the salt water conditions that the reason to
    seal it in silcone. if the unit ever fails you can cut off the silcone.
    there is no way to repair an alarm sold for boats because of the expoxy
    used, replacement of unit is your only choice. radio shack is one place 
    you can find cheap auto alarms, but I wolud look in the yellow pages
    under burglar alarms, automobile radios, and automobile alarms.
    
    
    
    AUGIE L.
    

    Encapsulating a circuit that was not designed for encapsulation may
    be asking for trouble. Encapsulating will cause a big time change
    in the ability of the circuit to dissipate heat. If everything being
    encapsulated is dissipating minute amounts of heat all might be well,
    but otherwise you are risking premature circuit failure at best and
    perhaps creating a fire hazard at worst. Many electronic designs are
    dependent on free air circulation for cooling.
    
    Bill
    
    

    Thanks for the input on the alarm. I tend to agree with Bill. Sounds
    like Encapsulating any circuit that was not designed for that could be
    risky...... After thinking about, why not just rigging a button switch
    on the door of the cabin to the horn with a ...say 5 min. timer? When
    the door opens the switch will activate the horn. I could put a second
    switch in series to de-activate. Any comments?

    The problems I see with an expensive alarm are that most people
    tend to ignore them, and most places where a siren could be mounted
    to be heard externally is also easily accessible to a thief so
    that the wires can be cut.
    
    For far less money, I'd concentrate on setting several small traps
    to disable the boat.  Things like a good latch and lock on the cabin
    door, and hidden fuel, battery, and ignition shutoffs, (remember to 
    wire the bilge pump so it doesn't go thru the switch).  A simple 
    mechanical shutoff valve hidden in the fuel line will shut off the
    fuel, and I believe someone makes a lockable battery shutoff (if not, 
    whoever invents it can send me the royalty money).
    
    By disabling the boat, and removing or hiding items that a thief would
    be likely to steal, you should reduce the risk of theft drastically.
    
    Rick

    
    I have a 40w hailer on my boat.   It's a nice addition as you get:
    	- A 40w horn (loud & get's attention)
        - The ability to use the hailer to communicate
        - A "listener"  (you can pick up bells in a fog real well)
        - An intercom to other areas of the vessel
        - An automatic fog horn
    	- An ALARM (w/ 40w siren)
    
    The alarm option is very easy to hook up as it uses any standard alarm
    switch and simply set off the siren.  Depending upon mounting the wires
    are not readily accessable to be cut & a 40w siren indeed gets
    attention as it drives others nuts!
    
    Mine is made by Standard & costs about $150 - it's is for Marine use.
    
    I also support the concept of other deterrents; but, remember locks
    only keep honest people out   :>)
    
    Sorry for the typos & spelling - I'm hosting & it's ....
    
    			Take Care,
    				    Lou

    
    Unfortunately most boats are easy enough to get into.
    
    Of the burgalaries i know of, the thieves have taken electronic
    items. First i would consider some safe lockable storage inside
    the boat. Time is not a thieves friend. If its too difficult
    they may decide to go elsewhere.
    
    I'd be more in favor of access alarms, the hailer seems
    like a good attention getter, to disable would require
    a key.
    
    Unless we're talking about a highly desirable boat, i doubt
    a thief is interested in the whole unit, but rather some
    content that is easily re-sellable, and can be conveniently
    carried away.
    
    The other approach is to remove the valuables when you leave.
    
    
    JIm.

    Rick I agree with you about the shut-offs etc and not leaving valuables
    aboard. The problem is shuttling all that stuff off every time you
    leave the boat. The opther thing is, to the best of my knowledge, most
    theaves don't steal the boat they steal the contents. note .5 may have
    something. I'll investegate
    thnaks
    /g