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Any tilt or movement alarms for cat protection?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Steelholder, Feb 28, 2023.

  1. Steelholder

    Steelholder Junior Member

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    Anytime I see vids of priuses getting jacked up and their cats stolen (happens often around here) I wonder if my cat shield is enough. Have you guys found a solid alarm that goes off when the car is being jacked up and tilted? Please post links.
     
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  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I would think of Google search would turn up something seems like a perimeter alarm would need to go off from around the car I guess just activated it night when it's in the driveway or folks that live on the street I don't know how this is going to work anytime somebody walks by it's going to go off but sitting in a driveway where nobody should be walking by should be good till the neighbor's cat and all that sort of thing. They used to have these in the '80s cobrine folks like that made them but they were constantly going off You remember those days. I wonder if they've gotten any better. Proximity alarm is what you're looking for . Mite be hard to retrofit for all the sensors.
     
  3. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Tilt sensor connected to factory alarm triggered when car is lifted for CAT theft -- total cost $35

    If you do this, please return and describe any problems/hurdles and give pro-tips. I'll be doing the install when the weather warms up so anything you can say that would be helpful = much appreciated. Allegedly it's about a one hour job.

    Sensor:
    Directed Electronics 507M Tilt Sensor (amazon.com)

    Installation:
    Prius 3rd gen 2015 Plug In DE504D shock & DE507M tilt sensors installation PART1/4 READ DESCRIPTION - YouTube

    Different installation:
    507m Tilt Sensor Alarm 2nd gen Prius Install Toyota Catalytic Theft Converter Protection Prevention - YouTube
     
    #3 Johnny Cakes, Mar 1, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2023
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  4. Steelholder

    Steelholder Junior Member

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    Did you already buy all the materials needed? Do I need extra wire or other materials? Or does it all come with the tilt sensor?
     
  5. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    I think the tilt sensor is just that, no wires. But the video would probably be the best bet to answer the question.

    In the video, the tilt seemed to be pretty good -- alarm sounds even before the tires leave the ground. Obviously, CAT thieves aren't exactly worried about noise, but whereas they are grinding for only a short period of time, an alarm before they even get started might make them move on for lower hanging fruit.
     
  6. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    There is also the CatEye alarm system.

    Check my post on it and my install.

    You can also get a discount using my link and promo code, you can find it in my profile.
     
  7. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    I hadn't heard of CatEye but read your post in the other thread.

    You said it was "a motion sensor not a tilt sensor." What motion is it sensing? I went to their website also and there's no indication.

    You also said "The point of the alarm is not really to attract attention from others but to get the thief out of there because it will hurt their ears." I gotta think the thief must have excellent ear protection since they are cutting steel with a Sawzall in a confined space. Does the CatEye add much more to that?
     
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  8. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    The Cateye system is a motion sensor.

    Any movement under the car will set the alarm and it is loud, so a thief will not want to stick around while it is going off.

    Very simple system, just make sure you screw the motion sensor onto something.
     
  9. DPri

    DPri Junior Member

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    Best Prius tilt alarm would be wiring tilt sensor to your toyota oem security system (if you have one) or built-in passive alarm if you can turn it ON via techstream. ( I heard you can in Gen3 Plugin models) In my case I can turn passive security On in techstream but i have no option to set the horn warning on so it's basically does nothing..
    Second choice would be inexpensive and reliable aftermarket security system + tilt sensor but i hate an idea to carry second remote not to mention i will forget to turn alarm On many times during the day because of second fob/remote.

    Anything else except cat shield waste of time and money.
     
  10. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    I installed a motion sensitive (IR) alarm about a year ago. It will definitely be triggered if some one tries to steal the CAT. However, if another car gets close to the sensor (parking, starting, driving by), the exhaust will occasionally trigger the alarm. It becomes kind of annoying so that I disabled it.
     
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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Added to quotes archive.
     
  12. Steelholder

    Steelholder Junior Member

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    Regarding the tilt sensor. Does it detect if the car is jacked up on the passenger side too or just the driver side?
     
  13. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Tilt sensors should detect either; it depends on sensor placement.
    I just use a remote self contained motorcycle alarm. This requires a secondary FOB, but it's cheap, quick install, less than an hour. I cranked the sensitivity way down to avoid nuisance alarms. Used my floor jack, to make sure it triggered properly. Tested both passenger and drivers side lift. I was 99% sure it would work, since I centered the alarm sensor; but tested to make sure.
     
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  14. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Another for the archives.
     
  15. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    From viewing the video (I haven't done the install yet), it wires to the OEM door jam switch. It triggers an "open door" condition that sets off the OEM alarm.

    PETA is gonna get you for pissing off all the cats and squirrels. They love going under cars.

    Good info -- I was wondering about that also. I like the fact that a tilt-sensor alerts at Step #1 for the CAT thief, before he has invested any time or effort. Especially coupled with a CAT shield, the goal is to make the thief look for lower hanging fruit.
     
    #15 Johnny Cakes, Mar 5, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2023
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  16. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    @Johnny Cakes; I haven't looked at what your trying to do - I've also thought of that. The problem I'm having is errant triggers while the car is in motion. I could wire in a N.O. relay that closes when the car is on; but parts cost, hunting down the wires, and labor time would be adding up. It was cheaper and faster to go the motorcycle alarm route. The other down side is the car lights don't flash - just an audible alarm. I just wanted to get it done - already installed a CAT shield. Just wanted the "stoners" to think twice, if they though they could work around the shield and quietly steal my CAT.
     
  17. Steelholder

    Steelholder Junior Member

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    Could you please post more details about your parts and installation. Links if possible, thanks.
     
  18. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    here you go: 2017 Prius Prime Factory Alarm | PriusChat

    ebay or amazon search for "12vdc remote motorcycle/moped alarm"; be careful - some are 48VDC alarms for electric mopeds. The 9V battery alarm is literally a 2 minute install with double stick tape. down side is replacing that 9 volt battery when it get low. You can just stick it in the hood latch tray area, with your hood open.
     
  19. DPri

    DPri Junior Member

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    After trying few different options I went with full blown aftermarket security system., tilt/glass/shock sensors/remote start. The best thing i can almost fully operate that thing with toyota oem fob - minus remote start and 2 way long distance communication.