Monitoring New Construction

[royalj7]

I have a builder friend that has experienced some thefts at new construction sites that aren't yet under roof. It's pretty common in the area unfortunately, especially the price of copper being what it is. They asked me if there was some way to monitor the site to provide both a deterrent and help provide any evidence after the fact. Of course there is no power out at these locations, so that is the biggest stumbling block I can think of. There would need to be a battery and some type of solar? charging mechanism, which starts to get both complicated and expensive. I know of the hunter cameras mentioned in this thread http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=6745 but I need something that is either always recording or triggered off motion, not at regular intervals.

So, anyone have any ideas how to best accomplish this? I was thinking of just using dummy cameras at highly visiable locations, but that only does so much.

 

[CollinR]

Ask them how long from slab to complete and how much they would be willing to kick out monthly.

What they desire is fully possibly however not on the cheap. I have been developing a system like this specifically for the construction and oilfield industries. Actualy purchase is only viable to large organizations even then leasing seems to be the norm.

 

[royalj7]

I would call my friend a small builder...4 to 7 houses a year, so I would think anything that Exxon or Shell lease, would be out of their budget They typically run about 4 months I would say from slap to complete. Something portable would be a plus, as they could take it to whatever site they have materials sitting around, etc. No ones rigged up a solar powered DVR system that they like to share the plans for have they ?

 

[CollinR]

I would call my friend a small builder...4 to 7 houses a year, so I would think anything that Exxon or Shell lease, would be out of their budget

Yes but getting your tools/materials stolen or recovered just once can pay for it.

My system is more focused towards larger developers, specifically those who develop entire neiborhoods. The cameras sit atop tall poles and scan the entire area for motion. The cameras are only really open to gunfire and trucks running over the poles.

They typically run about 4 months I would say from slap to complete.

Cool. 8)

Something portable would be a plus, as they could take it to whatever site they have materials sitting around, etc. No ones rigged up a solar powered DVR system that they like to share the plans for have they ?

Well it depends on what you mean by portable... Forklifts can make lots of things portable.

Seriously though if it's too small and portable it's too easy to be defeated/destroyed or STOLEN. Think about that, lease a $20k setup and it gets stolen.

I have thought about systems for the smaller builder too, but the development costs will make the product cost. Still I have smaller builders that are losing 5 figures to theft annually.

No ones rigged up a solar powered DVR system that they like to share the plans for have they ?

Not the professional ones, it costs bunches to develop this stuff to be reliable. What the materials claim on paper and what they actually do are two totally different things. You can easily blow $30k just getting a functional prototype, then more to make it production ready. Few are willing to invest that and then give it away publically.

Also imagine spending $5k and it only works half the time or is incapable of providing evidence...

 

[judge_l]

Some of the hunting camera's are trigged by motion or IR. The main drawback might be their short range. I have a very simple film version that works from motion and it takes pretty good pictures, good enough to recoginize a face or license plate. Cabela's, Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain and many others carry them.

 

[royalj7]

Thanks Judge, I'll talk a closer look at them.

--Jamie