Solar Panel - Prevent Theft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpJwpYX73xM

good video on youtube.Maybe worth mentioning to people who are new to the site to lock their panels up on chains etc..

you never know!!!

[Gotwind Ben]

I agree Vic.
If crime is a concern, mounting panels as high as possible would be advised.
i.e on the roof for example.

If low level siting is the only option, certainly, somekind of lock would work as a deterent.

The guy in the video should have used a wooden block underneath the Alu frame and panel, as he admitted

While not fool proof, I like to use 'tamper proof' fasteners along with nylock nuts. If you have an allen head bolt with the teat in the middle of the allen female head, set low into the frame of the solar panel, and a nylock nut fastened to the bolt I somehow doubt your average thief will be equipped well enough for the situation at hand.

Could use pan head screws, then file off the top.
Couldn't get the screws out with a screw driver, not enough head left to grab it with pliers.
Could grind off the remaining head to remove the screws, which wouldn't be that difficult in daylight with a Dremmel.

Pretty sure thieves will bring bolt cutters, negating the chain.
G-

Hello Bolt Cutter Thief, Welcome To A Previously Un-Earthed 415V Phase, which was isolated and costing me zip right up to the point where you completed the circuit.......

I wish.

Edited to add: I know, I know, but parents recently got burgled, and one of their neighbours got threatened with a knife by some tosser who was calmly trying to break their garage door lock, and then equally calmly walked off.

Darwin enforcer, please!

While non-PC, I am a firm believer that magnetic stainless steel, when properly machined and bored to .45" or 11.43mm, is a dandy theft deterrent.

I know Exactly where Tim is coming from. This is not the most desirable neighborhood any more.
"Birds of a feather..." talk when they are together. If I am on my front porch, those birds actually cross the street now, and never make eye contact.
I'm just saying within 300 meters of here, there are a lot less frequency of incidents than there used to be. That's all.

My example of properly machined magnetic SS, which by the way has proven extremely effective in the generally partially exposed, legal, and licensed manner in which it is utilized.
http://www.fieldlines.com/images/scimag ... CT0404.JPG

Nice bit of metal there Ghurd, but why is it magnetic? Unless it's a special holster-free design and sticks to your belt buckle all by itself.....

"why is it magnetic?"

NON-magnetic SS is pretty crappy stuff.
Peanut brittle and peanut butter are non-magnetic, but not suitable for much more than eating.
High quality stuff made of SS is usually magnetic and also rusts (corrodes) to some extent.

NON-magnetic SS is rare enough to be expensive.
Even if someone has it available for free, it is a nightmare to work with.

NON-magnetic SS is common in US kitchen sinks. Like mine.
Wife thought the sink needed a "5th hole" for a soap dispenser. Seemed like a good idea, at the time.
I stood on the counter, smoke rolling all over, burned up several hole-saw bits, just to punch through maybe 1/32" of SS.
NON-magnetic SS is a bugger. NON-magnetic SS is TWO buggers!

It rides in a Fobus Roto Paddle, which seems to me to be over rated for Gov't 45 applications. It is not secure and 'clicks' as I walk. I tried it in different Fobus models, even specific to Kimber. No change.
None of my other Fobus' do that!
Tried the Fobus with Govt pattern Kimber, Colt, AMT and Philippines 45ACPs with no change.
G-