The biggest item was our Big Mable tube, which was inflated at the time. They also took a cordless drill, some swimming fins, a remote control boat, and even our fireworks.

We are not really sure if it was broken into during the week, or sometime during the early morning h0urs Saturday.

I now know we need some type of alarm inside the shed. Here is what I wanted.

• Ran off batteries, since shed power could be easily turned off by an intruder
• Was motion a motion sensing and did not require any major installation
• Alarm sets off very quickly once motion is detected.

Many of the more popular motion sensors on the market make no sense because once motion is detected it gives a warning beep and flash for 30 seconds! This gives away the location of the alarm, and also gives an intruder plenty of time to disable the alarm. Useless.

I finally found goes off right away, it only gives about a 5 seconds warning and a small led right light flashes (which can be easily hidden, or even covered with a piece of tape). It has 2 remote controls for arming and disarming. Also includes a wall mount bracket,  but it can also just be set in a corner somewhere.

I bought this motion alarm off amazon, actually was a 2 for 1 deal so I have 2 complete motion alarms and remotes,  so one will go in the shed, and one will go in the camper.

Here are some pictures of what you get with this motion alarm package.  For a cheap security system, you can’t beat it.

The back side of the package.

The alarm takes 4 AA batteries, or can use a 6 volt adapter. I like the battery option since it will work anywhere, and even if you lose power.

The alarm also has a “chime” mode which is for a store or business to alert when a customer walks in the door. Note: the remote does not arm/disarm the unit when in chime mode. The chime is actually quite loud.

The wall mount.

The remote control. (includes batteries)

Motion alarm setup with no installation (on a table)

This motion alarm is the perfect alarm for a shed or garage, the alarm is very loud, and it is really simple to setup and use.  I got 2 motion alarm units from Amazon for shipped for under $25.

(This model happens to be called “US Patrol”, but I see this same model sold under lots of different names.)

Motion Alarm Directions:

JB5532 2 in 1 Motion Sensor Alarm and Chime

Directions:

1. Set the switch on the main unit to Alarm or Chime mode as desired.
2. Insert four (4) AA batteries in the main unit (or use  a 6 volt adapter).
3. Once the batteries are inserted in the main unit, a light will appear in the red sensor cell indicating it is in standby mode.
4. Pull the plastic tab out of each of the remote control units to activate (3 button cell AG13 batteries included).
5. Point the remote control towards the main unit and push the button once.
6. The main unit will “beep” and a green light will appear for about 18 seconds allowing you to lock up and leave the room before it activates.
7. Once the green light disappears, the main unit is now in monitor mode.
8. A sound will go off if a person passes the main unit within 16 feet.

If the main unit is set to Chime mode, a “Ding Ding” sounds immediately.

If the main unit is set to Alarm mode, the red indicator light will blink and if the remote control is not presses within 5 seconds the Siren Alarm will sound. It will stop after about 45 seconds and return to “Monitor” mode.

]]> http://mikevandermolen.com/2010/07/25/motion-alarm-for-shed-security/feed/ 0 http://mikevandermolen.com/2010/07/24/eastern-box-turtle/ http://mikevandermolen.com/2010/07/24/eastern-box-turtle/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:25:52 +0000 Mike VanderMolen http://mikevandermolen.com/?p=421 There are a few turtles like this in our neighborhood, we often see them crossing the street or going through a yard. Very interesting looking turtles.

I am guessing this is an eastern box turtle.

I spotted the turtle crossing the street from our window, so I grabbed the camera. As soon as he spotted me, he froze.

I slowly got closer, trying no to frighten the turtle.

Looking right into the eyes of the turtle.

A view of the turtle from above.

A close-up of the great patterns and colors of the shell. You can see he has at this point retreated into his shell, so time to leave him alone.  I am guessing this turtle is pretty old, so hopefully he has many more years to go.

]]> http://mikevandermolen.com/2010/07/24/eastern-box-turtle/feed/ 0 http://mikevandermolen.com/2010/06/21/in-the-direction-of-his-dreams/ http://mikevandermolen.com/2010/06/21/in-the-direction-of-his-dreams/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:58:03 +0000 Mike VanderMolen http://mikevandermolen.com/?p=405 if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

This what started the amazing story of Apollo 13.

Does it have to be spring or fall? What do you think??

After 20 years, you analyze a lot. You remember people, heroism. “The Miracle of the Andes”, that’s what they called it. Many people come up to me and say that had they been there, they surely would have died. But it makes no sense, because until you’re in a… situation like that… you… you have no idea… how you’d behave. To be affronted by solitude without decadence or a… single material thing to prostitute it elevates you to a spiritual plane, where I felt the presence of God. Now, there’s the God they taught about me about at school. And there is the God that’s hidden by what surrounds us in this civilization. That’s the God I met on the mountain.” (from the movie, Alive)

Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t buy one of these years ago! It works so well, it almost makes picking up the stuff fun. Yes, I mean it! I bought mine at PetSmart.