Solar Panel Theft - Prevention

Hi Matt, have included a link to a Myswag forum post. Garrick there makes lengths of security cables for solar panels fridges etc. He has improved the design after feedback. Read the forum as the suggestions and positive feedback is impressive. Best wishes Ted

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=fc5d2ca6df68120e6bb0d2fbec897d24&topic=6942.0

I don't know if this is a good anti theft device, but micro dot it?? its a spray on paint thats not visible to the naked eye!!! you need infra red (black light) to see it. so if your panels are stolen all the police do then is put a black light over it, the paint is highlighted and then they check to see if they have micro dots, each can is marked indiviually so there are no two cans with the same number, you can also specify that you want more cans of same number when ordering, i think???

they supply stickers and stuff to say its protected by an anti theft device.Micro dot/ data dot.

the other suggestion, if you are around a few other campers would be a quell magnectic alarm. i call them screamers, screamers

Dick smith electronics uses them in there cabinets. nice and loud, 120 db, noise travels far when in the bush!!! and especially with light fingered thevies.

So i hope i gave you some ideas.

G'day Matt

I don't think there is an effective way of preventing anything being swiped by a "low life" who is intent on thieving. It is the opportunistic rat that you need to deter from thinking your property would look better in his/her hands.

A simple wire strop (braided lifting sling) with swaged eyes at each end capable of being locked to gether will possibly make the evil thinking bugger just keep walking.

These images are of a mining companies fruitless efforts in hanging on to their property, sadly the broader community is now left in the dark.Image Could Not Be Found

The Solar panels were housed in a fairly substantial cage mounted on a strong post concreted into the ground ~ in full view ~ on a hill top, it still did not stop the determined parasite.Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found

Judging by the damage to the lock area of the battery box, they tried to knock them off too, but were they foiled by the padlock ?

In 3 yrs on the road we never had any issues with this, quite the opposite. We often had people move the solar panel for us while we were out so we got full day sun. When we first started we were worried about it but never had an issue and got used to it. I know this doesn;t answer your question just thought it might help put your mind at ease.

Josh

Hi

All you can do is lock it with a cable so that then if it goes, you can claim it on insurance. I think if it is not somehow locked ot attached, if stolen then the insurer could say you made no attempt to stop a theft, ie similar to not locking the house. My panel was damaged by a stone and CIL replaced with no problems as covered by trailer insurance for theft, breakage etc

However, as other have said, we have camped all over and never had a problem in any parks etc. Biggest concern is in some towns that have a bad reputation for petty theft but mainly alchohol and small very saleable items.
Also, if leaving the trailer parked O/N in a street could be an issue in some areas.

cheers

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