Nice video, I am always afraid that someone is watching my every move and looking to steal what I work hard for. I secured my panels to the board/stand I built. Nothing like yours but it gives me a chance to get the would be criminal off my property. LOL. Thanks for sharing
@nomoreremakes Good thinking... A laptop cord would protect the solar panel as if the panel were a laptop. I think the chain I'm using is thicker than that, though, and harder to get cutters around it to cut. Anything can be cut, of course, so we're trying to just make it more difficult to steal the panel. I like your idea though - it would offer the same protection for a panel as it would for a computer.
Hi Field, I just bought a 60 w miracle panel off ebay. It's a miracle panel because it got to my house in one piece (box has big hole in it.) Can you design something that administers a mild shock to would be thieves when they touch the frame? You always see these gadgets that can give a person a shock when the trickster shake hands with you.
Now, I'm afraid to put my new panel out. They'll probably leave my homemade panel and steal the factory made one.
Hi, Paul, I personally have not ever installed an electric shock device, but I know people do make them. They can run off a 12V battery... could be the same battery you are charging with your panels. I like your idea, but with a couple small kids, I can't install something like this, so I chose the lock idea instead. Hope your panels don't get stolen!
nice video, I also was on the edge of my seat watching you drill into the backside of that panel. to bad you have to take these measures to keep your stuff I have wired 120 AC into the frame and put a ground lead into the dirt, seems to work well.
You had me on the edge of my chair When you started drilling Im glad it worked out. I am glad we dont have much of a crime problem here but if we did I think I would hook the frames of my panels to a large electrick fence transformer since they are isolated from the panels electronics. Sound like fun I hate a thiefe
Yeah, I was lucky with the drill this time. Next time, I'll shield the panel from the drill bit using a piece of wood.
I like your idea of an electric fence circuit. Unfortunately, I can't do that since I have small kids that would get zapped. Your idea would be good for a remote area free of children.
I heard a similar story, specifically about stealing panels from a school. A truck can pull up at night, posing as maintenance workers, and unload a roof filled with panels. Seems easier to steal panels than to rob a bank these days.
I had 2 thefts last year (and one attempted one); they got a $400 solar panel, and about as much in inverters, battery packs and tools. My first electric bike was latter stolen from work. Last year really was an expencive year.
I will follow your lead and lock up my panels in the spring. Welll, I will lock up the expencive ones and leave the cheap ones unlocked as they were only $1 a watt.
I will also have a sign saying "If you can read this, you are on video".
Yes, I watched your video about your stolen panel. I also saw a video about another guy that had panels and batteries stolen. It's heartbreaking to hear these stories and that helped motivate me to make this video. As criminals begin to understand how valuable these panels are, this problem could get more widespread. Lock em up! (The panels AND the criminals.) :-)
Will do. Have dug the hole and am continuing work on this. Will have to wait for warmer temps before pouring the concrete, though. Thanks for your feedback!
May I suggest a trip wire or a cut me and I will set off an alarm wire? : ) You might try a recording of a 12 gauge bolt action Mossberg.
urgentcareguy3 3 months ago
Nice video, I am always afraid that someone is watching my every move and looking to steal what I work hard for. I secured my panels to the board/stand I built. Nothing like yours but it gives me a chance to get the would be criminal off my property. LOL. Thanks for sharing
awomansworld123 1 year ago
@awomansworld123 Thank you.
field16 1 year ago
I have an idea... How about using that cord that is used to secure laptops?
You could drill holes in the panel and thread it through and wrap it around the mounting frames. That stuff is pretty strong, isn't it?
nomoreremakes 1 year ago
@nomoreremakes Good thinking... A laptop cord would protect the solar panel as if the panel were a laptop. I think the chain I'm using is thicker than that, though, and harder to get cutters around it to cut. Anything can be cut, of course, so we're trying to just make it more difficult to steal the panel. I like your idea though - it would offer the same protection for a panel as it would for a computer.
field16 1 year ago
Hi Field, I just bought a 60 w miracle panel off ebay. It's a miracle panel because it got to my house in one piece (box has big hole in it.) Can you design something that administers a mild shock to would be thieves when they touch the frame? You always see these gadgets that can give a person a shock when the trickster shake hands with you.
Now, I'm afraid to put my new panel out. They'll probably leave my homemade panel and steal the factory made one.
Paul from NY
wtam69 1 year ago
Hi, Paul, I personally have not ever installed an electric shock device, but I know people do make them. They can run off a 12V battery... could be the same battery you are charging with your panels. I like your idea, but with a couple small kids, I can't install something like this, so I chose the lock idea instead. Hope your panels don't get stolen!
field16 1 year ago
nice video, I also was on the edge of my seat watching you drill into the backside of that panel. to bad you have to take these measures to keep your stuff I have wired 120 AC into the frame and put a ground lead into the dirt, seems to work well.
VWRabbitdiesel 1 year ago
So anyone trying to remove the panel gets
shocked? Thanks for your comment.
field16 1 year ago
superb we started a froum post at gotwind about this..hopefully add a few video responses soon...
vicmeuk 2 years ago
You had me on the edge of my chair When you started drilling Im glad it worked out. I am glad we dont have much of a crime problem here but if we did I think I would hook the frames of my panels to a large electrick fence transformer since they are isolated from the panels electronics. Sound like fun I hate a thiefe
Great video
KEVIN OBX NC
OBXSOLWIND 2 years ago
Yeah, I was lucky with the drill this time. Next time, I'll shield the panel from the drill bit using a piece of wood.
I like your idea of an electric fence circuit. Unfortunately, I can't do that since I have small kids that would get zapped. Your idea would be good for a remote area free of children.
field16 2 years ago
@field16 can you say bolt cutters at lowes $22 .....
tonmagicwon 1 year ago
@tonmagicwon There is a way to steal anything. This is a deterrent to help make it more difficult, not impossible, to steal a solar panel.
field16 1 year ago
They just caught a guy out west here who had got off with more than $250,000 in panels of a public schools. He got caught selling them on craigslist.
doug2877 2 years ago
I heard a similar story, specifically about stealing panels from a school. A truck can pull up at night, posing as maintenance workers, and unload a roof filled with panels. Seems easier to steal panels than to rob a bank these days.
field16 2 years ago
Hi;
I had 2 thefts last year (and one attempted one); they got a $400 solar panel, and about as much in inverters, battery packs and tools. My first electric bike was latter stolen from work. Last year really was an expencive year.
I will follow your lead and lock up my panels in the spring. Welll, I will lock up the expencive ones and leave the cheap ones unlocked as they were only $1 a watt.
I will also have a sign saying "If you can read this, you are on video".
Love your videos
Glenn
gaburley 2 years ago
LOL! I love your sign idea!
Yes, I watched your video about your stolen panel. I also saw a video about another guy that had panels and batteries stolen. It's heartbreaking to hear these stories and that helped motivate me to make this video. As criminals begin to understand how valuable these panels are, this problem could get more widespread. Lock em up! (The panels AND the criminals.) :-)
field16 2 years ago
I agree with you on making it just a little harder for a thief to "grab and run" Please make another video of the outdoor installing.
Thanks,
RL Atlanta GA, USA
rlewis1946 2 years ago
Will do. Have dug the hole and am continuing work on this. Will have to wait for warmer temps before pouring the concrete, though. Thanks for your feedback!
field16 2 years ago