Wireless long range motion detectors

[Uncle Wayne]

I'd like your input / advice for helping secure my farm equipment. My barn, no doors, 3 metal gates, is located approximately 300 feet from my house. I'd like to install a "unauthorized" person detector, via motion or infrared whatever, at the barn that would send a signal to the house and turn on an alarm siren of some sort.

I've found a system that I think would work but would like to know if anyone has any personal favorite or experience with this unit. WMA-3000 Dakota Alert Wireless Motion Alert 3000 Driveway Alarm

This unit can monitor up to 4 remote locations and has a relay output that would allow me to wire up a siren to alert us, the neighbors and hopefully encourage the "unauthorized" visitor to move along without taking anything of mine with him.

All advice appreciated.

 

[Jimbrown]

I do not know about the 3000 series but I have one of the MURS units and it works great. My neighbor has an identical system and lives more than a mile away. if I set mine to his security code his will trigger my receiver. So it for sure works for long distance. My drive is 1200 ft long and it picks up every thing. I had to set the sensitivity to the lowest setting to keep rabbits from triggering it.

I have this one.

Dakota Alert BS Kit MURS Base Station Kit - Smarthome

If you go with the MURS unit i recommend that you get this chime to go with it as it is much louder than the standard receiver.

Dakota Alert MURS Chime for the M538-BS transceiver

The MURS system can also be used as an intercom if you desire. The sites I posted are not necessarily the best prices. I just grabbed some pictures.

 

[sweettractors]

I have had good results from the Motion Alert 3000 Driveway Alarm out past 100 yards. Ken Sweet

 

[djb25]

I've found a system that I think would work but would like to know if anyone has any personal favorite or experience with this unit. WMA-3000 Dakota Alert Wireless Motion Alert 3000 Driveway Alarm

All advice appreciated.

I've had that driveway monitor for about a year now, and I love it. The sensor is about 300' from the receiver, and it picks up anything that comes up the driveway. We do have a clear view from receiver to sensor, though.

I researched pretty carefully before buying, the Dakota Alert products seem to be pretty well reviewed.

- Damion

 

[nybirdman]

I have a Dakota Alert Murs;;one transmitters is 1/2 mile away(at business) the other in my drive -way.Works fine..only problem deer will set them off.Change the batteries once a year.

 

[Pirate]

You don't need MURS for only 300'.

Dakota makes a system in between those mentioned above. 2500 ft. Range Deluxe Driveway Alarm

 

[rekees4300]

All advice appreciated.

We have the WMA-3000 Dakota with 2 monitors. One is in mailbox 900 feet from house and the other along the driveway at 300 feet. Only problem is that we have to turn the alarm off at night due to deer and dogs using the driveway. Note the signal will go through trees and walls but not hills.

 

[DennisArrow]

We have 4 of the 3000's and are totally satisfied........We use 2 on each entry road to the property. The furthest 2 are 800 and 500 feet with no range problem. The reason that we use 2 is for the sometime falses that happen. If one goes off it is just a fault; but if the second goes off it is time to take a look and see what is happening. By fooling with the ranges and sensitivity and careful aiming we really only have one that does actually fault and we have that narrowed down to the angle of the sun and time of day.

Have had these units going on 4 years now and really could not be happier. What is really great about the Dakota folks is their service and caring attitude when you have a problem of any kind.......Could not recommend them higher.........Dennis

 

[anojones]

I just installed one of the Dakota Alerts (the rubber hose type- to avoid false alerts from animals and wind) at our driveway gate- we are about 500' away with not misses yet.

 

[/pine]

If it's only 300'...have you considered a hard wired application rather than wireless?...it may or may not be cheaper and more reliable...also a hard wire application may alllow low cost video monitoring...

 

[CurlyDave]

If it's only 300'...have you considered a hard wired application rather than wireless?...it may or may not be cheaper and more reliable...also a hard wire application may alllow low cost video monitoring...

Do you have a recommendation for someplace that sells hard wired systems.

I put in conduit for hard wired, but when I looked, I could not find systems, so I may have to go with wireless.

 

[/pine]

I put in conduit for hard wired, but when I looked, I could not find systems, so I may have to go with wireless.

I would think if you have conduit in place your options are wide open...were you interested in video monitoring or just an audio alarm?

Do you already have electric service at the remote location?

 

[brin]

Do you have a recommendation for someplace that sells hard wired systems.

I put in conduit for hard wired, but when I looked, I could not find systems, so I may have to go with wireless.

Dave...Since you have conduit in place you have it made. go to X10.com - Security Cameras, X10 Home Security, Wireless Camera, Home Automation, Electronics and More! and take a look at their outdoor camera deals and other alarm products they have..the prices are great and I have had excellent luck with their products. You could also google for a driveway pressure hose like gas stations used to use but one based on electricity vs. an air compressor and then you would only detect vehicles instead of false alarms from deer and other animals but you would miss any human on foot..I wish I had put in a conduit down the driveway when I built our house...I may still do it..

 

[BrierPatch]

I have a Dakota Alert wireless with probe ($250 if I remember) for detecting metal objects (cars) on my driveway and it does very well with long range and thru trees. Probably close to 1000'. Goes thru batteries like crazy though.
Driveway Sensor - WPA-3000 - Smarthome

I tried a motion sensor unit called the "Reporter" ($70) that worked well for long range (same 1000'), but too many false alarms with the motion sensor. Here is a link to one similar:
Chamberlain CWA2000 Wireless Motion Alert System - Smarthome

Alot depends on how much you want to spend and what level of security you want to achieve. Being an open barn makes it more difficult, but not impossible. You may look into regular security system components (dual tech, PIR) motion sensors. They seem to be less prone to false alarms and don't have nooks and crannys that bugs like to get into. Not so much for the wireless system although they do make them wireless as well.

This unit has relay outputs that you could make your own simple system off of for a hardwired system.
LC-171 | DSC Dual Technology Outdoor Motion Detector with Dual PIR | Home Security Store

I have this in my pole barn for about 2 months now and have not had a false alram yet.
Dual Tec 7235T Motion Detector<br>w/ Pet Immunity to 100 lbs.
I also have one similar in my garage on the house and basement and have never had a false alarm in 7 years except for the bat in my basement and some precariously stacked boxes that fell over in the garage.

Good Luck !

 

[texasjohn]

Thanks to numerous posters for being so specific re their model numbers and experience, complete with links....this is something I've been needing for some time and now have numerous excellent references and products to select from:thumbsup:

 

[eepete]

I have a wired system, with sensors at 800 and 600 feet. I use the Cartel CP2-200. Google it, hometech solutions had it for about $190. It is a sensor you burry, and it responds only to moving metal so it's a driveway sensor.

I have a 3" PVC pipe that puts the sensor down about 1 foot deep right at the edge of the driveway, and then brings the access point out about 3 feet out from the edge of the driveway. Take careful measurements to two points so you can find it a few years down the road. That way I can replace it without disturbing the packing of the driveway. You'll want to bring the wires up into a box within the 1st 50 feet or so of the sensor and add either TVS diodes or MOV protection. I also put all wiring in conduit. Between the conduit and protection no problems.

It has a low current contact relay that can go into an alarm system or door bell, or for some people around here I've just run that into the coil of a bigger relay to drive bigger things.

The win is no batteries, you can't see the sensor, only triggers on cars.

The loose is all the pain of buried, you've got to figure out where to put the post and all the protection, and it only triggers on cars (so if you're intruders walk in there's no trigger). Nothing new here, standard wired vs. wireless tradeoffs.

There are other more expensive easier to set up versions of this made by the company (Cartel / Preferred Technologies) that are more expensive but less "do it yourself" oriented.

Pete

 

[MicroPilot]

Dave...Since you have conduit in place you have it made. go to X10.com - Security Cameras, X10 Home Security, Wireless Camera, Home Automation, Electronics and More! ...

Although the X10 systems are affordable, they are definitely the low low end equipment. Another source for better quality cameras and such is Smarthome - Home Automation, X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Here's the one we have. I mounted it on a utility pole part way down the driveway...about 400ft from the house. Signal must pass through a stand of trees (about 60ft worth), and has no problem.

CWA2000 | Chamberlain Wireless Motion Alert | Home Security Store

The receiver is on the main floor and we have no trouble hearing it in the basement. Batteries in the transmitter need to be replaced about every 10 months. It will sound when deer cross into the detection zone, but that doesn't happen very often.

Not very fancy, but it is effective. And relatively cheap. You can add up to three additional sensors if desired.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

I do not know about the 3000 series but I have one of the MURS units and it works great.

I have this one.

Dakota Alert BS Kit MURS Base Station Kit - Smarthome

If you go with the MURS unit i recommend that you get this chime to go with it as it is much louder than the standard receiver.

Dakota Alert MURS Chime for the M538-BS transceiver

QUOTE]

I called the Dakota people and explained my situation and layout of my land. My barn is slightly downhill from the house, roof only part visible from the house, distance etc and they recommended this system rather than the one I originally asked about. I have installed it now and is working great. Has not failed once to activate when I intentionally triggered it.

Thanks for all your advice and especially for Jimbrown's recommendation.

 

[Boeing]

Fellas,
two questions. My property is wooded and rises almost 1,000' from state road thru woods up, up a wooded drive then over a crest to my homesite.
Is there any AMPLIFIER or relay that could send a relay a signal up the hill and over the crest to me? These detectors and relays would have to be battery powered as I have no electricity. Eventually I'll have electricity at the house site but never down the drive......ideas?[ /I]