33
votes
Accepted
Where to check for neighbors stealing power?
Understand how much power you are using
4000 KWH per month... 720 hours per month... that's 5600 watts on average all the time.
This is the equivalent of a dryer running continuously... 24 x 7...
If ...
32
votes
I turned a breaker off, and now the security alarm system won’t stop beeping
Most alarm systems have a backup battery.
It would appear likely that yours is indicating failure and need of replacement. I would expect a competent alarm monitoring service to advise you of that (or ...
- 134k
29
votes
Where to check for neighbors stealing power?
Below is my original answer - which is still valid when looking for hidden or stolen energy usage.
However, given that your house is all electric, it is quite possible that your usage is normal. ...
28
votes
Safe/professional way to transport lumber with just a roof rack
Almost all of the Home Depots that I do business with have short term rental trucks available right in their parking lots for very reasonable rates. Call in and reserve one for a particular time. ...
- 61.3k
24
votes
Accepted
Safe/professional way to transport lumber with just a roof rack
You didn't mention how you're using the ratchet straps, but from your concern about slipping, I think it's possible that you could be using them to better advantage. So I apologize if this is what you'...
- 407
24
votes
Detecting unauthorized access to storage room
Search for "trail camera" in aliexpress, Amazon, or any other retailer.
These cameras are meant to be left in the forest to take videos of animals. They are activated by a low power motion ...
- 5,840
21
votes
Accepted
Detecting unauthorized access to storage room
What country are you in? If you are in North America and the light switch is inside your locked space and there is a normal E26 light bulb socket, you can BUY an adapter that will allow you to take ...
- 17.2k
20
votes
Detecting unauthorized access to storage room
Balance an open bucket of yellow paint on a small platform above the door on the inside. Attach the bucket to the door with a piece of string. The string should be long enough that the door can be ...
- 17.2k
16
votes
Why is a steel security door safe if they can break the glass, slide their hand in, and unlock the door?
You could just chill out. Putting up bars or plastic on that door is truly ghetto.
Doors like this are not inherently unsafe at all. Your door is appropriate for your neighborhood. Your door ...
- 46.2k
16
votes
Where to check for neighbors stealing power?
I used to live in an 800sq foot apartment in Seattle which has extremely mild winters. It was heated with electric baseboards. We're billed bi-monthly and I was appalled to find out our bill was just ...
- 383
13
votes
Can I install a switch on my overhead door opener's circuit for added security?
Yes, a switch that shuts off power to the garage door opener would make it unresponsive to commands from a remote (or anything else, such as a hardwired button). In some models, it may be possible to ...
- 8,017
12
votes
Detecting unauthorized access to storage room
Wedge a dime or some small, thin object between the door and jamb and lightly mark the door where the object is. If the door is opened, the object will fall and if the person notices it and tries to ...
- 53.6k
11
votes
Accepted
Why is a steel security door safe if they can break the glass, slide their hand in, and unlock the door?
You could consider attaching a thick acrylic or other plastic panel that covers the interior of the glass and is firmly screwed to the door. The edges can then be covered with molding.
Such plastics ...
- 33.1k
10
votes
Accepted
How to leave low voltage wiring behind wall?
The common practice for future expansion is to install the box and put a blank cover on it.
That eliminates the requirement of chopping into the drywall to find the wire. It also eliminates the need ...
- 19.3k
9
votes
Accepted
What are best practices to run wires from outside in?
If you don't use conduit outside, make sure you leave drip loops - where the wire runs down lower than the hole and is screwed in there, then back up to the hole. You should see this on cable tv and ...
- 5,169
9
votes
I turned a breaker off, and now the security alarm system won’t stop beeping
This is typical. The alarm system is normally powered by your home AC power. It may be hardwired, though typically for small alarms use a plug in adapter with low voltage wires routed through the wall ...
8
votes
Safe/professional way to transport lumber with just a roof rack
I think you're overthinking this. I carry all kinds of lumber on my roof rack all the time.
The 2x4s are no problem at all. Just strap them down tight, one at the front bar and one at the back bar.
...
- 13.7k
7
votes
Accepted
How to attach a security camera to an existing box?
Many camera's like this popular Lorex model:
come with a small 2" surface mounting "Plate" that you can use if you don't have electrical box mounting. They also screw into a 1/2" weatherproof ...
- 4,140
7
votes
I turned a breaker off, and now the security alarm system won’t stop beeping
You need to find your user's manual for your alarm system, and see what it has to say. If you don't have one, then talk to your alarm company.
Yes, it's likely it's complaining about the battery. ...
- 2,432
6
votes
How should I run power wiring and Cat-5 to the perimeter of my huge yard?
Trenches are hard/expensive.
Conduit is inexpensive. Having dug the hard and/or expensive trench, investing a tiny bit into having conduit in the trench so you never have to dig that trench again is ...
- 134k
6
votes
Safe/professional way to transport lumber with just a roof rack
The MDF might be a problem. When driving at any appreciable speed the sheet will catch air and try to sail up and away. This is compounded by the air that is pushed up and over your hood and ...
- 1,015
6
votes
Accepted
Security door with lock guard
It's called a "Thumb Turn Cover", "Door Latch Guard", or "Cylinder Guard" and installs under your thumb turn mount plate, so it should be a DIY job.
It took me a very long time to pick out my ...
- 2,377
6
votes
How do I connect outdoor security camera to a power source?
Power cord method
Have an electrician install a power receptacle within cord's reach of the camera
Route cord from camera to receptacke
Plug cord into camera
Plug power block into receptacle
...
6
votes
Is this outside security camera wiring correct or lazy?
It sounds like you are near salt water, probably get a lot of sun. This is a bad place to cut corners on outdoor rated, corrosion resistant materials. I doubt that those white wires are rated for ...
- 24.3k
6
votes
Detecting unauthorized access to storage room
If the door opens inwards, then place a marble behind the door when you are closing it, with only an inch or so to go before fully closed. If someone opens the door it will roll the marble away and ...
- 303
5
votes
Why aren't my PIR security lights working through my window?
Passive infrared sensors (PIR), use Infrared (IR) light to detect motion. Unfortunately for you, infrared light does not travel through glass so well.
- 128k
5
votes
Accepted
Should I lock the door between my garage and my house?
If your garage door opener is made in the last 10-15 years, it's almost certainly impossible to "hack" the code. Modern openers use unique codes for each remote with 64- or 128-bit keys (which allow ...
- 28.3k
5
votes
Backyard shed with keyed hasp same as house key
A locksmith can order (if necessary) and set up padlocks or locking hasps that respond to your house key, unless the house lock is using a particularly uncommon key blank. They may be a bit larger ...
- 16k
5
votes
Suggestion to "Networkify" a dumb USB Security Camera
As I understand there is an USB option on the camera. The easiest solution I can think of is connecting it on a raspberry pi which you can connect to you wireless network and retrieve the data daily.
...
- 147
5
votes
Suggestion to "Networkify" a dumb USB Security Camera
Sell it (or leave it as a decoy/deterrent somewhere else you need that) and get a deer camera.
Deer cameras are designed for sticking out in the woods to surveil potential deer activity along ...
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible