My potential solution to boat and equipment theft

[ralexa6808]

Hi All,

Before starting this thread I did a search for “Security Alarm” and there were 19 posts all were of a varied nature and not exactly addressing my point /application, most ended up being about weapons. Moderators if this post is not appropriate please delete, because I am offering a service but it being of such a unique design I think it may not be construed as just a ploy to get business.

Some background about me, I am in the Security Alarm business, have been for over 35 years and my only motivation to write this is to inform, distribute a design solution that works, and help fellow boaters. The recent post about the stolen 53 MY in Daytona Fl, sparked my memory, and yesterday Seasalt said his neighbor had electronic equipment and the boats dashboard stolen. About two years ago I had done a design for some clients, built, programmed, and tested it and it worked beautifully. I didn’t have a boat then, and it did not occur to me to use this design until after I asked a question in the above 53 MY thread about securing the boat from theft. Back when I designed it, it didn’t occur to me that there could be a need for a system like this, thinking most people don’t have security issues or systems. Now make no mistake I will be making a profit with the design I put together, but you don’t have to use “my design’. The concept is somewhat simple enough that any DIY’er can find similar components on the Internet and put it together themselves (in other words, it’s not rocket science). In reading a lot of posts there are quite a few Do-It-Yourself People that are capable here.

We have less than 3 years before The Admiral can retire and I am waiting for Her in a semi-retired state. So, if you think this design works for you I am available to help with Tech Support (there is some light programming - but it’s mostly plug and play), and if needed I can set it up for you (in advance) and ship it all configured to your individual needs and you install it, or if really needed I can come to you and install it (like I said I’m semi-retired).

Here is the concept:
Ability to use wireless transmitters throughout the boat to monitor for Intrusion, smoke/fire, 24hr critical systems status, and x-10 type ability (turn on cabin lights / air-conditioning, etc.). Ability to contact owner (and up to 6 other cell phone numbers) via cell phone with up to four unique SMS messages, or prerecorded voice messages. Text message transmission is received at your cell phone within 10 seconds of input trigger activation. The GSM System can be activated/deactivated, Outputs /Inputs can be turned on or off from a cell phone with the correct security access code. The GSM System uses a standard SIM card that allows for text messaging. There is no contract, no monthly Central Station monitoring fees. The small design allows the GSM system to be placed anywhere on the boat, and because it is a wireless installation can be done the same day. Very low power consumption for the GSM Unit (in standby) and 200 MW current drain when GSM Unit is activated/transmitting. In the event of loss of AC power the backup battery(s) will work for at least 24 hours. The GSM Unit is self-diagnostic and capable of reporting via SMS to up to 7 cell phones for Low Battery, Low Cell Signal, and a host of other supervisory points.

If you already have a security system (wired or wireless) you can upgrade / enhance it by installing only the GSM unit for the SMS messaging, and save a few hundred dollars annually for monthly Central Station Monitoring fees (providing you have an output on the existing Security System Control for the GSM connection). Or if you don’t have an existing security system and don’t want to install one, you can use the four inputs on the GSM Unit for anything you want, Burglar, Fire, System Monitoring. Just connect any open or closed circuit wiring to trigger the four inputs.
Below is a drawing I put together yesterday to illustrate some of the applications this design can be used for. This is a simple drawing and each boat has its own requirements, so devices can be mixed and matched to meet that requirement. It’s worth repeating: You don’t have to use my design, you can use any off the shelf Security System and SMS Transmitter, figure out the programming /wiring /compatibility/feature set, and end up with something that works for you. This design is complete and ready to go.

I have no prices, for my time or the equipment. I don’t know if there is any interest in a design like this, so until there is a decent amount of interest I’m not going to bother to figure out equipment cost, labor, shipping and so on (I don’t need to start a business). Like I said earlier, I am not doing this for monetary gain (but I have to be real, everyone’s time is worth something), I believe this is a cool design and if there is enough interest I will take the next step.

Now that I am a boat owner and have joined the community, my perspective has changed from ignorance to “O boy I better do something”, well this is "my something" and I think it’s a pretty good /flexible solution.




Sorry I cant seem to get the image right...I will keep trying

 

[ralexa6808]

sorry about the crappy diagram, Ill redo it in Visio and post it.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

What is the ongoing cost of a system like this? There must be some sort of fee for the cellular use.

 

[Boatsb]

add in the gps locator and you have it.


Lojack is a good idea that way the thiefs are tracked and caught in the act.

Shot too if your lucky

 

[madhatter1]

sorry about the crappy diagram, Ill redo it in Visio and post it.

I am also in the security industry (although limited now that I do mostly controls work) and was quite interested in "boat alarms" before and after I moved to FL. Here is what I have learned from trying to pitch it and more so what I have learned as a boater. A very low percentage of boaters really worry about what insurance will take care of. I could go into that more but just more details on the same statement. The big picture is to use todays smartphone and tablet apps and come up with an "EXPANDABLE POINT" monitoring and output system. CAPS are because I found what looked like a nice system that lacked simple the capability to monitor more than one battery bank. I travel for work sometimes months at a time. The family "says" they check on the boat but who knows. I think the market would be to only proud owners of irreplaceable vessels of all types (classics, one-offs, racing boats). In controls we can monitor and control anything either directly or through a transducer. What I would think would sell would be a marine controls system that also provided GPS and security in the background. Please see below potential inputs and outputs. Some outputs could be local alarms or transmitted.

Inputs (some points would be multiple depending on size of vessel)

high water
ac power (present)
battery voltage (different thresholds would show good, bad, charging)
intrusion points
ignition on position
engine running
temperature of interior
interior humidity
temperature of engine room (pre freeze alarm)
temperature of engine (freeze alarm)
manual input to show "someone is aboard to respond"
bilge pump run count


Outputs

Alarm light (for intrusion or vessel peril)
alarm sounder (same)
AC stop/start (including setpoint change from de-humidify to comfort level)
any enable/disable point (think engines)
any lights
any other creature comforts an owner would like to be on prior to arrival
ability to lock a shaft and run on one engine (may or may not be possible)

All from an IPAD or Android locally or though the net. You can see how a "base" communication gateway needs to be connected to a programmable and expandable I/O system to meet each individual owners needs and capture just some of every market. I would expect many to chime in with additional points of input or output. I was an o 68 YF a few weeks ago and he had big bucks worth of food in a freezer on his bridge that a simple temp probe could sense impending thaw with many hours to spare. As a disclaimer to all I have said this is IMHO! Good luck.

 

[ralexa6808]

Skycheney – You are correct, there is no ongoing cost for the system except for the SIM card. There are prepaid SIM cards that only need replenishment of “airtime” when needed/ used, so costs would be quite low compared to a conventional system. The only other cost would be the initial purchase of the equipment and your labor/time to install it. BTW, I have used this system at my home and used my SIM card from my phone when the Wife and I go out (the kids call Her 95% of the time anyway), so my costs are zero.

Boatsb – Yes it would be easy to add a relay point to the system to remotely activate a GPS Locator via your phone. Pretty much anything you can connect to a relay can be incorporated.

Madhatter1 – Hello fellow Security Associate!! I agree with you whole heartily, the system as it is currently described /illustrated is only a basic config. I choose 16 zones thinking most people wouldn’t want/need more, but you are right there are a lot more things that can be monitored on a boat. The basic design concept of this system allows for expansion of up to 64 zones (or monitored points and relays combined). If needed 128 monitored points and relays can be achieved by using a different alarm control, and yet there is another control that would enable up to 256 points and relays. The only limitation (or shortfall) is that there are only 4 inputs on the GSM, and as you add monitored points/relays you have only 4 choices to route the devices signal to. For example, loading up with let’s say 20 zones for Burglar Alarm notification (door contacts, motion detectors, pressure mats, etc.) to input #1 on the GSM will result in one text message if any of the 20 alarm points are tripped. Yes you will get multiple text messages every time any zone is tripped but it will be the same generic text message (ex: “BOAT BURGLAR ALARM”) , and you won’t know if it’s a door contact or a motion detector until you look at the alarm control keypad.

If a higher capacity system is wanted I think it would be less likely that you would want to use this design. Heck if money is no object you could install a bank of these GSM units and go crazy monitoring everything in and around the boat. But as I said earlier this is a basic design that everyone can benefit from and with “a onetime cost” enhancement to provide security at this level is IMHO worth it.

 

[ralexa6808]

Any other intrest on this idea? I have another project I am about to start and I won't have the time for both.

 

[krush]

What about using simple inexpensive PLCs for the brains of the system? They can be had with many I/O for 100-200bucks