Found this for vehicle security

[user 36441]

www.nohotwire.com

$700 installed and never been defeated.
I'd say it's worth it. For me, anyway.

 

[wayne49]

Do you get a lot of failed attempts?

 

[jacqueg]

www.nohotwire.com

$700 installed and never been defeated.
I'd say it's worth it. For me, anyway.

Yes, it would be worth it. As the victim of the Great Van Heist of 2021, the theft of my 20-year-old van cost me far more than $700, even though the van was found not chopped up. (I had the money, but I still resent being forced to pay...)

Thanks for posting this.

 

[user 36441]

Do you get a lot of failed attempts?

I haven't bought it yet. I wrote the company and asked, what if the right plug connection points were jumped. He said that's been tried many times and the most that has ever happened is the wiring shorted and the car wouldn't start. He said he's been in business for 45 years and no one has stolen a car yet.

 

[tradesman]

It looks like a very good system. I think it could (possibly) be done with some off the shelf components and clever thinking.

 

[Gr8ful]

A hidden switch will do the same thing. The Ambo has a Master switch that shuts all engine elect off. It's on the door side of the seat but could be hidden & a key switch added for way less than $700. I'd like to be an installer.

 

[user 36441]

A hidden switch will do the same thing. The Ambo has a Master switch that shuts all engine elect off. It's on the door side of the seat but could be hidden & a key switch added for way less than $700. I'd like to be an installer.

Gr8ful - I'm looking for the Ambro and can't find it.

 

[Gr8ful]

https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/ambo-for-sale.48158/

 

[user 36441]

https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/ambo-for-sale.48158/

I still don't know what an ambo is.

 

[Gr8ful]

It's an ex ambulance. Replacement cost is about $500,000. Click on the green link on to & it will go to the ad with all the details & pics, Thanks!

 

[user 36441]

It's an ex ambulance. Replacement cost is about $500,000. Click on the green link on to & it will go to the ad with all the details & pics, Thanks!

Ok, I got the spelling wrong, ha.
You say the ambo has a master switch that shuts the electrical works off. Does it shut off several systems, or just a single line leading from the battery which, in turn, shuts everything else off?

 

[jacqueg]

A hidden switch will do the same thing. The Ambo has a Master switch that shuts all engine elect off. It's on the door side of the seat but could be hidden & a key switch added for way less than $700. I'd like to be an installer.

I thought about a "hidden" switch. The problem is that pro car thieves know about them too. And know where to look for them. Just where can you hide a "hidden" switch that is handy TO YOU when you go to start your car? I'm not keen on hiding a switch in a spot where I have to move things or pop the hood every time I need to start my car.

The appealing thing about the Ravelco is that you carry the part that makes the ignition work right with you.

 

[Gr8ful]

The master shuts everything 12v off.

 

[user 36441]

Ok, that implies that the master switch is a single-pole, single-throw switch that interrupts the 12V somewhere right after it leaves the battery. A pro can find this point of interruption.

The Ravelco plug is several switches in one, and the odds of a pro figuring out which pins to jump are slim. So slim that it has a 100% track record.

Go here to look at the plug:
https://www.ravelco.com

 

[Overland One]

I think I could cut into the power wire going to my in tank fuel pump and put a switch in a cabinet or behind a shelf in the back of my van and nothing they could do under the dash would ever get that van to start and run. Cost, about $5 for the switch and wire and a few connectors. I was already under there repairing a damaged wire coming from the sending unit to make my gas gauge work again and the power wire for the pump runs right next to it. Easy to do but, yes I would have to flip that switch both on and off each time I wanted to activate/deactivate it but, I many times enter my van by the side doors anyway so I could just flip the switch on my way to the driver's seat. Not a big deal in my opinion. Yes the $700 system is easier but not worth the money to me. To each his/her own. For the folks that do not work on their own vehicles I am sure it is a fine system and works very well.

 

[user 36441]

I think I could cut into the power wire going to my in tank fuel pump and put a switch in a cabinet or behind a shelf in the back of my van and nothing they could do under the dash would ever get that van to start and run. Cost, about $5 for the switch and wire and a few connectors. I was already under there repairing a damaged wire coming from the sending unit to make my gas gauge work again and the power wire for the pump runs right next to it. Easy to do but, yes I would have to flip that switch both on and off each time I wanted to activate/deactivate it but, I many times enter my van by the side doors anyway so I could just flip the switch on my way to the driver's seat. Not a big deal in my opinion. Yes the $700 system is easier but not worth the money to me. To each his/her own. For the folks that do not work on their own vehicles I am sure it is a fine system and works very well.

p

 

[user 36441]

Overland One: if a thief manages to get into your van and hotwires the ignition, the engine will turn over but not start. He might think it's either the fuel supply, which is under the van, or the ignition system, which is under the hood. He's liable to first get under the van with a flashlight and look for your switch or the wires leading to it.

 

[Overland One]

There are many wires under the van and a few of them go up into the channels of the structure so there is no way anyone is going to notice another wire in a wire loom that is taped closed. They would have to spend hours cutting open every wire loom under there and car thieves have to get in and get out in a matter of minutes. Why would they not think my van is parked there because the fuel pump went out on it? This happens all the time so I think after they tried this and tried that, they would just move on to an easier mark. They would never find my wire and it would take them literally hours to locate the switch. The sad fact is, many modern car thieves just pull up with a roll back or a wrecker, hook up and are gone in 30 seconds. Then back at their shop they can take their time and figure out anything and neither the $700 system nor my idea would stop that. PS hotwiring the ignition does not turn the engine over, you need to run a hotwire from the battery directly to the starter or short the pins on the starter relay under the hood to do that, but that still does not activate the fuel pump nor defeat the steering wheel lock. The thieves, of course, know how to do all of these things but, they take time and if it does not work like it usually does when they do all of this, they move on to another car.

 

[user 36441]

There are many wires under the van and a few of them go up into the channels of the structure so there is no way anyone is going to notice another wire in a wire loom that is taped closed. They would have to spend hours cutting open every wire loom under there and car thieves have to get in and get out in a matter of minutes. Why would they not think my van is parked there because the fuel pump went out on it? This happens all the time so I think after they tried this and tried that, they would just move on to an easier mark. They would never find my wire and it would take them literally hours to locate the switch. The sad fact is, many modern car thieves just pull up with a roll back or a wrecker, hook up and are gone in 30 seconds. Then back at their shop they can take their time and figure out anything and neither the $700 system nor my idea would stop that. PS hotwiring the ignition does not turn the engine over, you need to run a hotwire from the battery directly to the starter or short the pins on the starter relay under the hood to do that, but that still does not activate the fuel pump nor defeat the steering wheel lock. The thieves, of course, know how to do all of these things but, they take time and if it does not work like it usually does when they do all of this, they move on to another car.

I don't have to run a wire from the battery to the starter when I start my van. I just turn the key. Did I say it wrong? I was thinking if the thief manages to get the engine to turn over, however that's done. I guess I've seen too many movies where the thief gets in, shorts a couple of wires, and drives off.

Your method sounds like it would work fine. If a person is willing to get under a car and do the work, more power to him/her. I guess I'm very lucky that I can afford the $700. It's going to hurt, sure, and I'll have to eat beans for a while, but my van is all I've got in the world and I'm willing to spend it.

The only other scenario I can think of is if you were out in the boonies and went for a long hike, and there were two thieves, one to get under the van and the other to watch for your return. But that's pretty unlikely.

As for the rollback or wrecker, I'm glad you mentioned that, because it makes me wonder if maybe I should get an AirTag too.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Some observations:

1. You need to do what it takes to feel safe. If that makes you safe or not is different (and lengthy) discussion.
2. As with any defense you must define who is attacking and their methods of attack.
3. Your best protection is good theft insurance.
4. Professional car thieves are not interested in the junk most of us drive. They are interested in high return vehicles, not standard vans with DIY interiors.
5. Professionals are very tech savvy.
6. As Overland One said: "many modern car thieves just pull up with a roll back or a wrecker, hook up". Gives them legal cover.
7. Unless a thief knows (s)he is going to be undisturbed for a while they won't waste time looking for hidden switches, etc. If it's not 'gone in 60 seconds' they grab what they can and move on to the next target.
8. Airtag may or may not protect you. Airtags can be easily found by anyone with a smart phone. It may scare them off or indicate you have something valuable to steal.
9. Most thefts are cars that were left unlocked with key in. Most smash and grabs have valuables in plain sight.