Driveway Car Sensor?

[programmergeek]

Some where I saw a thread on this. I want to install 2 drivway car sensors next to the drivway, which ones are good? I remember seeing some that where not to expensive that where simple tubes you burried next to the driveway. There was a thread somewhere but can't find it now.

 

[pete_c]

I purchased one Cartel (tubes) but need two as they cover only about 15 feet from placement. You can also try a DIY using a Geophone. Today I utilize a combo of Xap, IR and RF-ID. I have yet to install my Cartel setup. (need it to go underneath the front walk and not sure that I want to tackle that yet).

 

[programmergeek]

I thought I saw some that just burried along side the driveway? You need 2 to tell the direction of the car.

 

[znelbok]

I thought I saw some that just burried along side the driveway? You need 2 to tell the direction of the car.

Banner Engineering make a unit called the m-gage that is installed i a tube under the ground/drive. Not sure about beside the drive. Possibly would work, but you would need to test it first.

It would not be hard to get it inder a drive without digging it up anyway, a little digging aloing the side and underneath should do it.

Mick

 

[pete_c]

Yes the Cartel goes along the side of the driveway with a 15FT footprint into the driveway. (my driveway is 30' wide) and to get the back and forth direction I would need to install 4 of them. One side is easy to run the cable the other side is more difficult.

Found the Banner Engineering sensor:

Banner Driveway sensor

Where would you purchase these and how much are they?

 

[Mark S.]

I've been using 2 Winland VAL-1 units for about 15 years. I use two for determining direction, as you suggest. They work very well, as long as you have a good ground on the control unit. The only problem I've had is that they trigger in any kind of lightning storm - can be very annoying.

I've never used one, so I can't speak for it, but Sure Action makes a unit with two probes so the direction determination is built in. Sure Action is also supposedly less vulnerable to false triggers by lightning.

Mark

 

[Lagerhead]

Some where I saw a thread on this. . .There was a thread somewhere but can't find it now.

Did you do a search?

Driveway sensors
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...driveway+sensor

Driveway sensor recommendations
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...driveway+sensor

Help trobleshooting Cartell vehicle probe
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...driveway+sensor

Driveway Probes, Entrances to driveways
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...driveway+sensor

Need Some Driveway Sensor Advice
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...driveway+sensor

 

[jay]

I picked up Mighty Mule driveway alarms from Lowes. They were on sale for $55 in a special display in the lighting section.

It's magnetic and is designed to detect vehicles. It's wireless. You trench the sensor which is connected to to the transmitter which sits on top a PVC pipe. Detection range is 3-12 feet adjustable.

The receiver can be up to 400 feet from the trany according to the mfg. Mine is about 50 feet.

Out of the box, it was useless as it just sounds a beeper and turns on the 'visitor' LED.

I modded it.

The beeper is DC powered so I measured the activated voltage (12 VDC) and found it was in the input range of a X-10 Powerflash. I soldered 2 wires across the beeper, cut a slot in the enclosure to pass the wire and connected the Powerflash. The beeper volume control changes the voltage; I keep mine on full. The HS2 event associated with it switches a camera, flashes outside lights and causes a property-wide visitor announcement.

There are dip switches in the trany and rcvr to change the code so you and your neighbors don't trigger each other or in my case, to define which drive a vehicle is moving in.