Driveway alarms/motion detectors

Whydah · June 26, 2018, 15:12

Living in a remote rural area with a long driveway, I decided to increase my security a bit by installing a driveway alarm to let me know someone is coming in and not be surprised just when the door bell rings.

I ordered a 'system' from this company after reading reviews, https://www.guardlinesecurity.com. Receive the indoor monitor and two outdoor sensors several days ago and installed both - one about 1/8 mi or a little more up the driveway and one behind the house near my tractor shed.

Mating, or "pairing" each sensor to the monitor with each sensor having its own distinctive tone was pretty straight forward. Got them up and working for the past several days when one sensor evidently went crazy and began alerting over and over again for no apparent reason.

Called the company this morning and it was suggested I re-pair the sensor to the monitor, which I did... four times. Still not working properly. They will be sending me a shipping label to send back the apparent defective sensor and they will be sending me a new 1/4mi sensor. Well, crap happens with electronics, and I hope this will all be straightened out with the new sensor. I'll keep everyone posted as to how it goes should anyone else be interested in something like this.

imacoonass01 · June 26, 2018, 15:43

Umm, is it near some tree branches? If they are in the line of sight and the wind blows, could be a "reason" for going off.

Karl_T · June 26, 2018, 18:36

I just happened to stop by here after a LONG absence.

These driveway alarms work great. Used them for 25 years now.
https://www.dakotaalert.com/store/ve...or-w-250-wire/

I suggest taking the trouble to hardwire. It completely eliminates false alarms. This sensor is buried and only picks up steel moving over it.

I use two, one with a different tone on the alarm. We run a roadside market and get a lot of traffic. Two alarms lets us know if its a customer coming or going.

wanneroo · June 27, 2018, 09:22

I can second the Dakota Alert recommendation. Installed one about 7-8 years ago and it still runs like a train on time.

Invictus77 · June 27, 2018, 09:41

Thirds on Dakota! I don't know where the OP lives, but for me anything with a motion detector would be a huge PITA due to deer, dogs, and other critters causing numerous false alarms.

Whydah · June 27, 2018, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by imacoonass01

Umm, is it near some tree branches? If they are in the line of sight and the wind blows, could be a "reason" for going off.

Yes, that could happen. However the sensor is set to no pick up any movement below 2 mph, which should cut down on that at least. But this one alerted every several seconds, even sitting on a table indoors. Just received the return shipping label, so it goes back tomorrow. Other sensor working great.

Whydah · June 27, 2018, 13:54

I'll keep Dakota in mind if these don't work out. I also want sensors to pick up foot traffic, especially from the woods at the rear of the house. Yes, deer do set it off.

Oh, its 225 yds from the house to the first gate. My driveway is .7 mi. long. Hardwiring might not work for me.

June 26, 2018, 15:12	#1
Whydah Registered FALaholic #: 74237 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mid-Atlantic Region Posts: 920	Driveway alarms/motion detectors Living in a remote rural area with a long driveway, I decided to increase my security a bit by installing a driveway alarm to let me know someone is coming in and not be surprised just when the door bell rings. I ordered a 'system' from this company after reading reviews, https://www.guardlinesecurity.com. Receive the indoor monitor and two outdoor sensors several days ago and installed both - one about 1/8 mi or a little more up the driveway and one behind the house near my tractor shed. Mating, or "pairing" each sensor to the monitor with each sensor having its own distinctive tone was pretty straight forward. Got them up and working for the past several days when one sensor evidently went crazy and began alerting over and over again for no apparent reason. Called the company this morning and it was suggested I re-pair the sensor to the monitor, which I did... four times. Still not working properly. They will be sending me a shipping label to send back the apparent defective sensor and they will be sending me a new 1/4mi sensor. Well, crap happens with electronics, and I hope this will all be straightened out with the new sensor. I'll keep everyone posted as to how it goes should anyone else be interested in something like this.

June 26, 2018, 15:43	#2
imacoonass01 Registered FALaholic #: 80275 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Vidor, TX Posts: 963	Umm, is it near some tree branches? If they are in the line of sight and the wind blows, could be a "reason" for going off. __________________ “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” - - Davy Crockett

June 27, 2018, 09:41	#5
Invictus77 1C 16:13 Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 74205 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Western, KY Posts: 6,321	Thirds on Dakota! I don't know where the OP lives, but for me anything with a motion detector would be a huge PITA due to deer, dogs, and other critters causing numerous false alarms. __________________ A 9 mm "might" expand A 45 will NEVER shrink!!

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June 26, 2018, 18:36	#3
Karl_T Registered FALaholic #: 68166 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 104	I just happened to stop by here after a LONG absence. These driveway alarms work great. Used them for 25 years now. https://www.dakotaalert.com/store/ve...or-w-250-wire/ I suggest taking the trouble to hardwire. It completely eliminates false alarms. This sensor is buried and only picks up steel moving over it. I use two, one with a different tone on the alarm. We run a roadside market and get a lot of traffic. Two alarms lets us know if its a customer coming or going.

June 27, 2018, 09:22	#4
wanneroo Registered FALaholic #: 74891 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tioga County, PA Posts: 1,298	I can second the Dakota Alert recommendation. Installed one about 7-8 years ago and it still runs like a train on time.

June 27, 2018, 13:54	#7
Whydah Registered FALaholic #: 74237 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mid-Atlantic Region Posts: 920	I'll keep Dakota in mind if these don't work out. I also want sensors to pick up foot traffic, especially from the woods at the rear of the house. Yes, deer do set it off. Oh, its 225 yds from the house to the first gate. My driveway is .7 mi. long. Hardwiring might not work for me.