105Charlie Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 Hi guys, so still looking into security ideas and am now thinking about solenoid locks? Open via remote control from the outside so even if the old locks are a bit knackered, it shouldn't open. What are your thoughts on this and any reasons not to? Any kits or guides on this sort of thing? It'll be going on me Anglia (photos coming!) so if anyone has any advice I'd much appreciate it!
SmokeEm Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 Would love remote unlocking/opening on my mk5 Tina coz the locks are crap so I will be watching this thread with great interest
deltamal Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 A flat battery or blown fuse could make it interesting!
105Charlie Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 Oh no doubt! I was thinking maybe even running it off a separate mini battery? Problem is, I don't know if such a thing exists!
DT36 Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 I worked for BMW as a tech many many moons ago and I would often get called to the airport for flat batteries. Driver then couldn't open the door to get jump leads on. Solution was to rod the cable or pop the front kidney grill off and pull the cable. Then you would get access to attach jump leads. If your battery is in the boot, then consider remote jup points in your engine bay. I would think this is cheaper and easier than a back up battery. Also seen back up batteries put a parasitic drain on the main battery when fitted to industrial trucks and plant kit I work on nowadays.
105Charlie Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 Yeah I realise the battery going could be a major problem... It would only be on the doors so the boot would be accessible, so I suppose if I relocated the battery and fuse box there I could jump it or change a fuse if I had to? Also, since they lock with no power to them they'd stay locked if someone managed to get in the boot and tamper? 1
Admin Vista Posted February 12, 2014 Admin Report Posted February 12, 2014 The vulnerability of old fords isn't just for the fact that the old locks can be opened by many keys (though in fairness, the ones in mine seem pretty good) it's that the internal mechanism is also vulnerable to being tripped from the outside with a strap down inside the window rubber. You could invest a lot of time and money on solenoid locks and still not really improve your situation Fitting a set of dead locks might be a simpler and cheaper solution.
105Charlie Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 The vulnerability of old fords isn't just for the fact that the old locks can be opened by many keys (though in fairness, the ones in mine seem pretty good) it's that the internal mechanism is also vulnerable to being tripped from the outside with a strap down inside the window rubber. You could invest a lot of time and money on solenoid locks and still not really improve your situation Fitting a set of dead locks might be a simpler and cheaper solution. What sort of deadlocks are you talking about? Found it hard to find any info last time. I plan to have them act as secondary deadbolts, going from within the door with a simple piston going straight through into the body, don't see that getting tripped...
Admin Vista Posted February 12, 2014 Admin Report Posted February 12, 2014 What sort of deadlocks are you talking about? Found it hard to find any info last time. I plan to have them act as secondary deadbolts, going from within the door with a simple piston going straight through into the body, don't see that getting tripped... Sorry, I thought you meant replacing the existing locks with solenoid operating ones rather than fitting additional solenoid operated deadbolts. The latter should work ok.
katana Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 I'd be wary using solenoids as ones that are sized to be able to shift a reasonably sized 'bolt' will draw a LOT of current plus its a case of do you energise the soli to lock the bolt or retract it.....either way an energised soli could flatten a battery in a few hours. How about adapting a newer car's locking mechanism as once locked or opened they draw nothing so may prove a better solution?
rallyesport04 Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 a escort I owned had two locks one was original ford and the other a retro fitted kit ive had many works vans with similar additional locks fitted maybe try googleing automotive dead locks
Savvi Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 I used to fit a lot of solenoids on custom cars when they were affordable, you need a decent size one to open the door and they are a pain to set up and get working properly. I think id tend to use a wheel lock, or steering wheel or handbrake lock, at the end of the day if someone wants the car they will have it, most of the time they load it up anyway !!! Insurance companies tend to want trackers any high value cars these days cos at least they have a chance of finding and getting it back. 1
105Charlie Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 I did want to fit a tracker, but have been quoted stupid prices! Any recommendations? I did message you in regards to a system that you have supplied to others by the way Thanks for all the contents guys, still looking into this but will let you know if I come across anything that would be helpful!
KeighleyCapri Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 I'd be quite interested to know where you get with this as I've been thinking about something similar but not quite known where to start on it. Gav
Savvi Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 I've not been doing as many trackers recently because of a change in my circumstances, I can still offer them at £180 with a 12v charge lead, these are pay as you go based so once you buy the unit you will need to top up or pay an annual subscription of approx £150 for unlimited useage. www.savvitrak.co.uk
Savvi Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 This is roughly what's involved to fit a solenoid to open the door, bear in mind this is a newer car and also remember how hard it is to open your car door as it is !!!!! Tbh this is not something I'd want to do on an older car as I know how hard they are to get working properly.
105Charlie Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 I don't doubt it'll be easy, but I don't want it quite like that. Only a lock, then open using the original handle, like the solenoid will move a bolt which will lock it. Savvi, little confused about the tracker... Does it use the credit just sitting there, or is it just when I use it? I'd need a certificate for it being installed for my insurance, would this be possible? PM me if you can, cheers
Savvi Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Ok So what your looking for is solenoid deadlocks. I've fitted a fleet of young offenders vehicles with a system that coupled with either an alarm or remote locking kit shot a bolt into the door pillar so the door couldn't be opened when they turned up at a court. On these I also fitted a hidden release cable in case of a flat battery. In regards to the tracker mine are not insurance approved have a look at www.trackingmycar.co.uk as that's part of a group I belong to (mention Colin From Savvi and they will look after you on prices) and look at smart track or Cobra track .............. with all of these they do offer a lifetime subs as a one off payment whick works out cheaper if kept for over 3 years. These also apply to any normal car or van. I do offer a fitting service in the Oxford area or can arrange for fitting anywhere in the Uk. 1
105Charlie Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 That's the one! Something along those lines yeah. Do you fit these? If you don't, what sort of solenoid did you use? In regards to the tracker I'll give them a ring Saturday and see what they've got to offer. Thanks for all the help!
Savvi Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Yes I run a company doing all things electrical and security wise, I fitted the ones shown on 8 vehicles and done others since, I buy a kit in specifically designed for this use. 2 Door kit is approx. £200 plus fitting. Before you ring id have a look on the site as you can compare units and pricing, we get a lot of calls on trackers and it helps if you know what you want 1st !!! http://www.trackingmycar.co.uk/vehicletracking.php Personally id pay the extra for the smart track pro @ £229 fitted plus subs.
105Charlie Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 That's the sort of thing I'm looking for, I'll definitely do some more research before I phone! For the deadbolts, what do you think the fitting cost/time would be on an Anglia? And would it be very intrusive? She's a very original solid car so don't want to chop her around too much!
deltamal Posted February 18, 2014 Report Posted February 18, 2014 Electric boot lock modified to fit inside the door as a dead-bolt?
Herr Doktor Posted August 14, 2015 Report Posted August 14, 2015 Ok So what your looking for is solenoid deadlocks. I've fitted a fleet of young offenders vehicles with a system that coupled with either an alarm or remote locking kit shot a bolt into the door pillar so the door couldn't be opened when they turned up at a court. On these I also fitted a hidden release cable in case of a flat battery. Savvi, are these "invisible" from outside the vehicle or do they have a separate key hole? I'm looking for something that appears as "normal" from the outside so as not to interfere with the external appearance of the car. Also, if the price for the kit is about £200 how much would you estimate fitting to cost in a 2 door Mk1 Escort? Cheers
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