drive way alerts, again

[heehaw]

i haven't seen that one, i'll look it up, have you seen the one that claims to have a 10 year limited warranty?? of course what is a limited warranty? its warrantied unless it breaks? after i get the dakota alert back, i am going to write them a letter explaining how crappie the thing worked when new. i want a driveway alert, but i will be more cautious.
heehaw

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The link below will take you to SmartHome USA. They carry home automation products including driveway alerts. I have a similar situation as you. I bought a directional probe system from them and put it in about a year ago. It does require a buried cable run but can go over 1000 ft without a problem. The system I bought came with a controller box that I mounted in my garage and a chime that connects to the controller via telephone cable. The probe is actually 2 probes that I buried next to the driveway over 1000 feet from the house. The probes connect to the controller with two-pair buried telephone cable. The system will detect vehicle via a change in magnetic field coming toward or going away from the house. I have the system wired to alert only when traffic is approaching, not leaving.

The only drawbacks I have found are thunderstorms and my brother's Dodge Dakota pickup. When there is lightning close by it will detect and falsely set off the chime. They do have an optional check probe that is supposed to elimate lightning problems but I haven't got one yet. My brother's truck is more mysterious. So far it is the only vehicle that I know of that the system won't detect. And, it has been constistent. Every other vehicle that I know passed by the sensor was detected. It has never detected the Dakota. The only explanation I have is that the metal content is so low that it doesn't set off the magnetic sensor.

When I first started talking about installing this system my wife gave me one of "those looks" and probably mumbled something under her breath. After about a week with the system in operation she admitted that it was the best "gadget" I ever brought home. (Feel free to use this testimonial if spousal oversight is a problem in the cost justification process.)

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/scripts...t&file=/vehicledetection/vehicledetection.htm