home security trip wire

Want To Prep But Not Sure Where To Begin?

Sign Up for Our Newsletter and Get Your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

You are here: Home / Defense / 6 DIY Trip Wire Alarms for Off-Grid Security

6 DIY Trip Wire Alarms for Off-Grid Security

Estimated reading time: 28 minutes

A lot of folks have never put together a trip wire alarm, and there’s a good reason. There are just not a lot of occasions where a trip wire is necessary. However, when those occasions do emerge, it’s at least worth understanding the concept of what works and what doesn’t.

What Exactly is a Trip Wire?

But who needs them now, do it yourself versus buy it yourself, trip wire 101, electrical wire, monofilament fishing line, bungee cord, lasers, infrared, and motion detectors, rocks in cans, firecracker poppers, .22-caliber blanks, air horns, sirens, and other noise makers, what about light, this is not about the use of lethal force, location, location, location, 1. bungee marbles, 2. monofilament on the rocks, 3. paracord pull-string fireworks, 4. thin wire .22-caliber blank, 5. winter white trip wire, 6. back gate avalanche, is this a good idea.

A trip wire is a long length of thin wire, monofilament fishing line, or any other type of cordage that is usually connected to something that makes noise. The idea is that when an intruder either human or animal steps into the wire, the alarm is sprung, alerting you to an intrusion.

The trip wire concept was developed in wartime as a way to alert troops of an enemy incursion. This was particularly needed at night and was often used in the dense island jungles during the war in the Pacific in World War II.

The usual configuration was a thin length of rope suspended low to the ground between trees with empty C-ration cans filled with stones to rattle the alarm whenever the wire was “tripped.” And while booby traps were sometimes used to maim or kill, there was always the concern that an innocent civilian or friendly soldier wandering off to go relieve himself would trip the wire.

Want to save this post for later? Click Here to Pin It On Pinterest!

The usual reason someone considers a trip wire is when they are in an area with the potential for any number of unknown threats. The idea is usually to make noise to signal an intruder .

• The threat could be from wild animals like bears or wolves approaching a camp in a remote area.
• In countries ravaged by civil wars and civil unrest, no night is safe and trip wires are sometimes used to at least alert the local population if a covert threat is approaching.
• Following a disaster , many people find themselves isolated and alone with the potential for looters or worse. That’s when a trip wire may at least scare them off, if not serve as a warning of an unwelcome approach.
• In times requiring a bug-out to a distant but safer location, there are occasions where a night must be spent on the road in unknown territory where the threat is equally mysterious. Trip wires would serve as a perimeter defense to at least alert anyone spending an unplanned night on the road of any approach.
• And yes, they’re still used in war zones, although the technology of trip wires in those areas is usually defined by lasers, electronic signals, or infrared beams connected to electronic alerts through cameras or video or in extreme cases: explosives.
• In fact, the concept of contemporary home security systems connected to motion-detector technology to turn on lights; sound an alarm, record video, or alert the local police are the 21 st century versions of the trip wire concept.

It may seem unnecessary to build your own trip wires when so many options appear on the Internet , but if a situation makes the Internet undependable or unavailable, or deliveries or the purchase of many things is difficult or impossible, that might be a good time to know how to improvise a trip wire.

There’s also the fact that in some instances, the electricity is out or unavailable, and most modern security solutions require at least some level of power. In a worst case scenario with a total grid failure, technology will quickly diminish and old-school, analog solutions will offer the most dependable options. Those are the types of trip wire concepts we’ll cover.

We might as well start with the wire. There are a variety of options . Usually, the wire or cord is low-profile and hard to see. It also needs to be relatively strong. If someone or something walks through the wire or cord and it easily breaks, little is accomplished except alerting the intruder to the fact that you’ve setup some trip wires.

Here are options to consider:

Electrical wire comes in a variety of gauges, but the smallest (and most inexpensive) gauges are referred to as 14 and 16 gauge. They’re more than strong enough to serve as a trip wire.

They’re all coated with a flexible plastic coating that comes in a range of colors. White, black, red, and green are the most common, and those colors present camouflaged, stealth characteristics, depending on the time of year, time of day, and natural surroundings. Floral wire is another option and also comes in a variety of colors.

Fishing line is thin, strong, and also hard to see. Buy one of the heavier weight tests of at least 50 pounds or more. Avoid any of the brightly colored lines. Go with a neutral, plain monofilament.

Paracord is another surprisingly strong option, but you have to think about the color of the cord. During winter, a white Paracord might makes sense if the ground is snow covered. A green or camo cord could work well in a forest or field. Black is an obvious choice for night.

You don’t see bungee cord mentioned in a lot of the write-ups about trip wires, but it has a characteristic that could make sense if you think about it. If the idea of your trip wire is to rattle a bell, cans, or other noise maker, a bungee cord will certainly make that happen.

In fact, a bungee cord may cause more noise to occur than any of the other options we’ve mentioned due to its flexibility and springiness. A black bungee makes sense. Green if you’re in the woods.

If your trip wire is designed to trigger a mechanism, bungee is not the best choice, but if you’re rattling cans the old-fashioned way, it’s a good option.

You can buy these things and improvise a trip wire yourself, but make sure they’re battery or solar powered or have a way to recharge the batteries . These are complicated solutions, so we’ll mention them but we’re not going to spend a lot of time covering ways to make technology work in a primitive environment.

Some websites offer tips and solutions to improvising trip wires with technology, but it’s a lot of work and you have to consider how and when you’ll need any trip wire, and for how long.

The idea of most trip wires is to make a lot of noise when someone trips over the wire. Noise makers vary depending on what you have available or may have bought in advance. We’re going to assume your situation caught you a bit by surprise and that you have to improvise from available materials.

It’s believable that a lot of us would have wire, cords, and fishing line lying, around but things that make noise require a bit of creativity or at least some pre-planning , especially if you require a very loud alarm.

How loud your alarm needs to be depends on your distance from the trip wire and whether you are inside or outside. Someone camping in a tent will be more likely to hear a rattle of rocks in a can than someone sleeping in their home or cabin.

If you are at a distance from your trip wire or indoors, you may need to plan and buy ahead to acquire louder alarms like blank cartridge firing mechanisms, firecracker poppers, air horns, or anything else that will be heard under most circumstances.

And if you can, paint your alarms to match the environment. If you don’t have paint, you can rub some mud or clay on the bell/can/noisemaker so it is somewhat camouflaged. Black is good at night, camo combos for any natural forest or field, and snow white for winter.

If you’re trying to keep animals at bay, the colors are less of an issue. Animals only see in black and white, but keep an eye on the contrast. They can still notice highly contrasting shades.

A lot of us have bells around for various reasons including cowbells, Christmas bells, antique bells, and collectible bells. And then some of us don’t. If you have any assortment of bells, you’re off to a good start with a trip wire.

Even if you’re not a bell collector, there’s a good chance you have access to tin cans and rocks. No rocks? Anything that makes noise in a can will do from bolts to nuts or better yet, marbles— although marbles may jostle around in your can in the wind, so maybe stick with the pebbles.

You only want a few in the can but enough to make noise when the can is jostled. Smooth, rounded stones and marbles are best. Look for rounded stones in river and creek beds.

Drop a few in and give the can a shake. Adjust until you think you have the most and best noise for a shake. And if you don’t think a rattling can is going to work, then you’ll need to think about stocking some very loud alarms like the next few items.

There’s a type of firework that has two stings emerging from either end of a firecracker. When you pull the stings, the firecracker pops. They’re loud, and you can tie them onto a number of trip wires around your area.

Some of them are made out of paper and will get wet due to rain, snow, or morning dew, so wrap them in plastic cut from a black or neutral garbage bag. They’ll most likely scare off a wild animal and might scare off an intruder. Either way you’ll certainly hear it.

This isn’t about setting up a full loaded .22 caliber round on a trip wire. That’s a really bad idea. Trip wires are indiscriminate and when tripped, the wire fires. Most .22-caliber blanks are used for nail hammers to drive nails and pins into concrete.

The firing mechanism for trip wires and .22 blanks can be bought online , although the blanks are available at most hardware stores next to the nail guns . There are also 12-gauge blank variations on this concept.

As a trip wire, they’re mostly designed to deter wild animals, but the people who sell them offer all sorts of reasons to use them . You’ll certainly hear it, and it will scare most anyone and anything away.

However, it may cause a response you don’t necessarily want. If someone is approaching and they are armed, they may perceive the detonation of a .22-caliber blank round as actual gunfire and return fire. Up to you.

If it makes noise, it’ll work on a trip wire. The only challenge is figuring out how to trigger the noise. Things like sirens need power, but if you’re handy with a little wiring, you can make a trip-switch to set off the siren.

There are also solar powered options available . There’s some advice out there about setting up a rock over an a ir horn that will fall on the air horn button when tripped. That requires some precise setup and once that rock is on the air horn, it’s going to make a lot of noise until you lift the rock.

You’ll also probably use up all the air in the horn by the time you get out of bed or your sleeping bag to lift the rock.

There are solar powered motion detectors that will illuminate an area. These are best hung high in a tree out of sight and out of reach. It’s a variation on the trip wire concept, and it’s usually used to dissuade animals. It could also deter an intruder, but if you’re using something to trip an alarm that will notify you of an intrusion, a light in the night will do little good if you don’t see it while you’re sleeping or otherwise occupied.

Most trip wire concepts are designed to make noise to let you know that someone or something is approaching, and improvising a light to a trip wire can get a little complicated unless you have some good skills with wiring and trip switches. We’re going to skip the lights and stick with noise.

Booby traps have often been used in times of war and they are designed to kill. That’s a really bad idea. The whole idea is to either scare something or someone away with sound or to at least be alerted to the presence of something approaching.

Even a blank .22-caliber cartridge should be pointed towards the ground. Otherwise, the blast could send shrapnel from a tree trunk or branch in someone’s direction, and you don’t want it to be one of your children or an innocent wanderer lost in the night. This is about making noise, not war .

Where you place any trip wire is as important as the design of the trip wire itself. You want it far enough away to give yourself some time to observe the direction of the alarm and see what’s coming plus prepare to respond. But you also want it close enough so you can hear it.

Another location factor is the height of the trip wire from the ground. If you’re concerned about human intruders or large animals like a bear , you’ll want your trip wire about a foot above the ground. 6-inches above the ground is about the minimum or someone or something could step on the wire without tripping it.

Also, if it’s any lower than 6 inches, every random squirrel, raccoon, possum or most any other rodent could trip your wire repeatedly. If that happens enough, you may take to ignoring the trip wire noise while assuming it’s just another passing rabbit when it’s the intruder you were so worried about in the first place.

Support for attaching a trip wire is something else to think about. A lot depends on what’s available at the location and what kind of trip wire you’re using. Two tree trunks could work, but they will create a very taut trip wire that may not ring any bells for long. They could also cause an intruder to literally trip which may be an effective deterrent–or not.

The branches of two trees or two saplings give some flexibility to any trip wire and could result in a sway in the wire, causing the noise to persist a little longer.

Two stakes in the ground are another solution, but if you’re trying to raise your trip wire to a foot of height, you’ll need long and large stakes deeply imbedded in the ground.

The number of trip wires you set up is another location consideration. Think in terms of avenues of approach. Around a home or dwelling, any open area like a gap in a fence, a gate, an open back or front yard, approaches to doors or windows, or approaches to outbuildings are worth thinking about.

A lot depends on what you’re worried about, the location, and the immediate threat level.

A remote survival camp or any campsite for that matter might require a number of trip wire setups, but even then –animals prefer open paths and clear terrain. A human intruder may do otherwise and stick to the cover of scrub, brush, and trees, so you just have to do your best to estimate what could be coming and from where.

Check your trip wires if you have them in place for any length of time. Improvising an alarm with some rocks in a can is a good idea, at least until it rains or freezes and the water or frozen rocks in the can fail to rattle.

It’s also possible one of your trips has worked loose; been tripped without you knowing it, and loose on the ground, or something as simple as a knot that has worked loose. It’s actually somewhat of a “set it and forget it” approach, but it’s worth checking them from time to time if you need them for any duration.

Remove your trip wires when you don’t need them anymore or when you move on. They will cause you or anyone else to trip, including family members, as long as they’re in place. You also may need them again.

The DIY Trip wires

The advantage of a bungee cord as a trip wire is its springiness. Think of it as a rubber band on steroids. In fact, the interior of a bungee cord is just that. Long strands of rubber encased in a flexible fabric braid.

You can attach anything that makes noise to a bungee cord. The advantage is that a bungee will rattle and shake longer while making more noise.

• Bungee cord of sufficient length for your trip wire area. You can buy coiled bungee cord in various colors and cut them to length. If you only have packaged bungee cords of varying lengths with hooks, you can connect them together, although the hooks will be somewhat visible during the day.
• Various soup cans painted to match the terrain or time of day. They should also have holes punched towards the top of the can on either side.

• (You can substitute bells for the cans.)
• Choose a bungee cord color that you think will blend in the best with the surrounding areas.
• Wrap the one end of the bungee around a tree trunk, branch, sapling or stake. Tie it off with two half-hitches and pull tight.
• Thread your can or cans onto the bungee.
• Stretch it tight to another tree trunk, branch, sapling or stake and wrap and knot with two half hitches until tightened.

• Add marbles to the can and test it with a few pulls on the bungee. Add or remove marbles depending on the sound.
• Test your bungee trip wire again with someone in camp or in the house and ask them if they can hear the cans? If not, move the trip wire closer or add some more cans.

Monofilament is an excellent trip wire source. It’s hard to see during the day and totally invisible at night. The key is to have a strong enough weight test to activate the noise without breaking. It can be used in most any trip wire setup in any location.

• Monofilament fishing line.  50 pound test or higher is best, but any weight test will do if it’s all you have on hand. You could even double or triple up the monofilament if you’re worried it will break or snap.
• Empty tin cans. Soup cans are a good size. Peel off any colorful labels and either paint them or coat them in a thin film of mud so they are less reflective. Paint the cans black or do a camo pattern depending on the surrounding area.
• Smooth, round rocks, nuts, bolts, marbles —anything hard that can easily move around and rattle in the can.
• Cordage or wire to attach the cans to the monofilament.
• Wrap the one end of the monofilament around a tree trunk, branch, sapling or stake. Tie it off with an improved clinch knot (a fishing knot perfectly suited to monofilament) and pull tight.
• Punch 4 holes in each can.

The holes should be punched in pairs towards the top of the can about a ½ inch apart and opposite each other at the rim of the can. This is so the can is bound tight to the monofilament as it is threaded through the holes to ensure a good shake.

• Thread the monofilament through the holes.

• Add the can or cans along the monofilament, but try to place them in spots that are obscured by brush, tall grass, or other natural camouflage. It makes no difference at night, but take a look when it’s dark to be sure.
• Stretch it tight to another tree trunk, branch, sapling, or stake and wrap and knot with another improved clinch knot and pull light.
• Try to locate the cans in a location that is hard to see during the day.
• Drop a few rocks in the can and shake the fishing line wire to see if the cans rattle. Add more or less rocks until the cans make a racket. Continue to add cans where you can. Tighten the cans to the monofilament if you need to.
• Test your monofilament trip wire and have someone in camp listen and ask them if they can hear the cans. If not, move the trip wire closer or add more cans.
• Thin paracord . A type I or type II is thin enough to be obscure but strong enough to function as a trip wire. Choose the color that best matches the terrain and time of day.
• Pull-string fireworks. They’re legal to buy in most states and can also be purchased online. You’ll need to have them on hand because they’re very difficult to improvise.
• Choose a paracord color that will blend in with the surrounding area.
• Wrap the one end of the paracord around a tree trunk, branch, sapling, or stake.
• Find a location that is hard to see along the paracord and tie one end of the pull-string firecracker to the cord.
• Tie the other end of the paracord to another tree trunk, branch, sapling, or stake and wrap and knot with two half hitches until tightened.
• Carefully tie the paracord to the other end of the pull-string using a square knot or any knot you can improvise. You have to do this delicately. You want the paracord tight, but you don’t want to accidentally detonate the firecracker. If you want to get the best tight line, you could tie the final end of the paracord to the tree or stake with a trucker’s hitch . This will give you a little more control over the slack, but be gentle.
• You don’t want to test your popper trip wire or you’ll have to retie another one. If you want to test the distance and whether or not you’ll hear it, have someone in camp or in the house listen while you pull a spare popper. If they don’t hear it, move the trip wire closer. Don’t be tempted to add multiple poppers to the same trip wire. What will most likely happen is that one popper will trip, leaving any others unexploded.
• Unlike bells and tin cans, you have to rearm your firecracker trip wire whenever it goes off. That’s not a bad idea to at least see if there are any footprints or paw prints to tell you if your intruder was human or a stray dog.

• Floral wire . Black is the default color, but if you have a green or white color that can match the terrain or time of year (snow), that’s a good idea.
• A .22-gauge firing capsule. You can buy these online. They’re hard to find in stores.
• Blank .22-gauge loads. Buy these online where you bought your firing capsule or at a hardware store in the nail bun aisle.
• Wrap the one end of the wire around a tree trunk, branch, sapling or stake. Choose a color that matches best with the surroundings.
• Attach an unloaded .22-gauge capsule in an obscure spot.
• Attach the other end of the wire to the .22-gauge firing capsule.
• Stretch it to another tree trunk, branch, sapling or stake and pull until you have tension on the .22-gauge firing mechanism.
• Test the unloaded .22-gauge capsule by pushing on the trip wire to see if the pin fires. If not, adjust the tension. If the pin fires, rearm the firing mechanism and carefully add a blank .22-gauge cartridge.
• If appropriate to the situation, do a test. It will be loud and attract a lot of attention. If the firing pin is firing when unloaded, you should be good to go if a test causes local problems or concerns. Anything that sounds like a gun shot in the neighborhood may attract some unwanted attention.

This setup uses a white length of electrical wire attached with overlapping loops through two holes in the top of a can painted white. Obviously, it’s a winter trip wire and it uses marbles or pebbles to create the alarm. The overlap of the wires causes the can to shake and rattle more than a conventional wire or line passing through the holes.

• White electrical wire
• A can or cans painted white
• Marbles or pebbles

Directions:

• Attach one end of the wire to a tree branch.
• Run the wire through the can in a discreet location, but overlap the wires so the can shakes when the wire is tripped.

• Attach the other end of the wire to a branch and test.

If trouble is close to home and you need to come up with a trip wire fast, this is one option. This is a trip wire connected to a gate, causing an avalanche of large rocks to fall onto a large piece of sheet metal or even a metal garbage can. It makes a lot of noise and can also be staged so the rocks fall onto the metal when the gate is pushed rather than pulled open.

You can improvise this kind of setup anywhere someone may enter uninvited, from a barn door to a back door to a door on a wood shed. This is not a stealthy trip wire. It assumes that a gate or other barrier is obstructing any view of the setup.

• Bucket to hold the ro cks.
• About two dozen large rocks from 1 to 2-inches in diameter.
• A large metal surface or object that will make a lot of noise when rocks land on it. Sheet metal, metal garbage cans, metal ductwork, any type of metal that’s relatively thin and will create noise.
• A wood platform 12” square to support the bucket
• Three wooden dowels about 3 feet long. (You can use old broom handles or even 1×2’s can work).
• Cordage . Any type and any color. The trip wire will also be obscured by the gate or barrier.
• Fill your bucket with your rocks and dump them on your metal sheet, can or whatever else your using to assess the noise. Ask someone inside your home or camp to determine if they can hear it.
• If you’re satisfied with the noise level, fill the bucket with your rocks.
• Pound the 3 support sticks into the ground in a triangle that will support the 12” square platform.
• Set the 12” platform on top of the support sticks. You don’t want to drive the support sticks too deep into the ground. You want this to be a precarious balancing act.
• You have two options. If your gate pulls open towards you, attach your trip wire to the gate and to the front support stick or your three sticks setup far enough away to allow the rocks to fall on the metal. Place the metal in the best location for the rocks to fall. You might want to put some rocks under the metal to lift it off the ground to increase the noise and hold it in place to some degree. When the gate is opened, the trip wire will pull out the support and the bucket will fall forward onto the metal.
• If your gate opens away from you, set up the support sticks and the platform right next to the gate. When someone pushes the gate open, it will topple the bucket with the rocks onto your metal plate or can.
• Test either option to see where the rocks fall and place your metal sheet or container in that location.
• Test again and ask someone inside the house to assess the noise level.
• If satisfied, set the trip or add more rocks or adjust the metal location or type of metal. It’s an easy set up and will create enough noise to cause most intruders to jump out of their boots.

Are There Other Approaches?

No doubt . Trip wires have been around a long time, and what you choose to improvise is only limited by your imagination and materials on hand . What we tried to do here was explore the concept so anyone could take the basic idea and adapt it to their needs, available supplies , and their location. It’s all a question of finding stuff that will make a lot of noise when someone trips over your wire.

In an emergency, it’s good to know how to do this stuff. In an ideal scenario, you would have sophisticated electronic devices that are solar powered and connected to motion detectors and all manner of alerts and alarms. Complicating things further is that any device with any level of electronics will also need to be weatherproof.

But this isn’t about an ideal scenario with a house surrounded by lasers . It’s about a sudden and surprising time when things rapidly become dangerous or threatening. Anyone in that situation would have plenty to think about and the ability to quickly improvise something as basic as perimeter alarms with trip wires not only makes sense but simply seems like a good idea. Just don’t throw way any old bells.

Like this post? Don't Forget to Pin It On Pinterest!

You May Also Like:

• 11 Home Security Tips for Life After SHTF
• How to Build a Bicycle Generator
• 20 Survival Uses for Wire Coat Hangers
• 5 Ways to Minimize Generator Noise
• 3 Things To Know BEFORE You Go Camping

Related Posts:

Best Trip Wire Alarm to Set a Perimeter

A trip wire alarm is an extremely versatile tool. Not only can they help with intruders breaching a perimeter, but they can also scare off wildlife and signal for help. There are many brands and types of alarms to pick from and they don’t all perform the same.

This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best trip wire alarms, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and a versatile battery-powered pick. If you need to set a perimeter quickly and easily, one of our suggestions will hold down the fort.

Contents (Jump to a Section)

The Best Trip Wire Alarm

Budget trip wire alarm, electronic trip wire alarm, everything we recommend, the alarms we compared, what to look for, how to set a trip wire alarm, who needs a trip wire alarm.

Fith Ops Camp Safe

Versatile, Durable, and Dependable

The classic trip wire alarm has great versatility and dependable quality to go the distance in any environment.

*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.

Fith Ops isn’t a misspelling- Fith stands for ‘fire in the hole’. This small company has been pioneering the trip wire alarm recently, developing versatile solutions and new products that push the boundaries of what is possible.

Their flagship Camp Safe model is an example of this since you can configure it for a wide variety of blanks with different adapters. It also has multiple attachment points for screws or zip ties and the classic pull-pin trigger.

Here is what you get with this alarm:

• 6061 aluminum
• 308 blank adapter
• 209 blank adapter
• 22 blank adapter
• 1-1/4″ D x 3″ H
• Made in the USA

With solid American quality and a smooth spring action firing pin, it’s easy to see why the versatile Fith Ops Camp Safe 12 Gauge Trip Alarm tops the rest.

Inexpensive, Effective, and Durable

The smaller 209 primer alarm will get the job done for those just starting out or on a budget.

This smaller tripwire device from Remfly can raise the alarm while using smaller primer caps and having a smaller profile itself.

Here is how the trigger alarm measures up:

• Aluminum/Nylon
• Use 209 primer blanks
• 3/4″ D x 4-1/4″ H
• Made in China

If you need to set some perimeter protection without breaking your budget, the Remfly 209 Perimeter Alarm is what you’re looking for.

BASU Emergency Alarm

Loud, Portable, and Dependable

This alarm rips an ear-splitting shriek at over 130db to really send a signal to everyone in earshot.

Prevent intrusions by setting this tiny tool up as a tripwire alarm. But that’s just one of the many uses. You can use it on your keychain for personal protection or to keep somebody from walking off with your backpack or other gear. Simply hook one loop to your gear and the other loop to a fixed object, and when they are pulled apart this device will let you know .

The versatility of a simple, solid noisemaker that can be reusable is underestimated by most people. For its weight and low profile, it is almost an auto-include for most mobile survival kits.

Here are the specs:

• Matte black rubber
• Uses Lithium CR1632 batteries (5-year shelf life)
• 3-1/2″ L x 1-1/4″ W x 0.5″ H

With great versatility, reusability, and a long-lasting battery, the BASU Emergency Alarm is up for any security task.

$22* at Amazon

$37* at Amazon

Our research narrowed the field down to a few brands and types of alarms that we compared with various gauges and loudness: Fith Ops, Trip Alarm Co, Remfly, ASR, BASU, Fast Guard, Camp Guardian, and more.

You can see our full list of review criteria below in the  What to Look For  section, with an explanation for each.

We considered a wide range of alarms ranging from traditional blanks to electronic ones. Although our results seem one-sided, performance spoke for itself after extensive testing. We quit looking at many of the temporary films since we were looking for permanent security and safety enhancements.

We’re always looking for new and better supplies, so if you have a trip wire alarm that you trust, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested supplies annually so we can try to get it in the next roundup round and see if it will beat out our top picks.

The best trip wire alarms have a few features to look for:

Noise Level

Size & weight, versatility.

When you get the right blend of these, you can find an alarm that will alert you in a wide range of situations. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the alarms that truly set themselves apart.

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something as niche as a tripwire alarm shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. There is a wide range of prices depending on the features you are looking for, so it shouldn’t be too problematic if you just stick to a plan. If it’s not likely that you’ll use the alarm in a practical setting, there is no need to pick one up if it’s beyond your budget.

You never want to spend too much money on one resource when it comes to security. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.

Not much point to an alarm if you can’t hear it. Sure, there are silent alarms that can notify you or blink a lot for you, but those have niche applications.

We want our perimeter alarms to be LOUD and deter whatever animal is coming through or let us know anywhere on our property of an intruder.

Depending on the ambient noise in your area, 120-130 dB should be heard up to a mile away. When you go below that you are hampering the potential distance and effectiveness of the alarm.

Most trip wire alarms are set up outdoors. This means they’ll need to be able to handle the elements.

Aluminum rust-proof designs are popular because they can be machined easily and accurately with less weight.

Size and weight shouldn’t hold you back if you plan to keep the alarm in a mobile kit or bring it with you camping. Most tripwire alarms are lightweight, being at or less than an ounce.

You’ll also need to account for the ammo and the wire itself since it is part of an alarm system and not as useful on its own.

Tripwire alarms and remarkably versatile. You can set perimeters in any conditions or areas to alert to incoming vehicles, intruders, or animals. They can also be used to signal for help or for communication within your group.

The basic components of a trip wire alarm are the firing pin, the pull pin that trips the alarm, and a detent to hold the charges. While we certainly don’t condone it, these can easily be worked into flare launchers or to use other ammunition. There are many reports of homemade firearms being made with these, though those are certainly dangerous and probably illegal in most places. (See our sources and references )

Tripwire alarms are relatively simple to set up but can be dangerous if done improperly. In Europe and Russia, there have been many documented cases of tripwire alarms being converted into homemade firearms. They have a firing mechanism (pull pin), a firing pin, and a detent to hold a wide range of rounds.

Warning : Using live ammo, or any unintended ammunition (like flares) can be extremely dangerous in a trip wire alarm, regardless of whether it is unattended. Even with blanks you should practice firearm safety and avoid pointing the business end at people. Do not set the trap until you are ready for it to be live- anticipate accidental discharge.

Here are the quick and easy steps to setting a tripwire alarm:

• Pick a Spot – Pick a site where the approach fits a tripwire well, and possibly obscures the wire so it is easier to hide. You will need a solid mounting point for the alarm itself.
• Mount – Mount your alarm securely using zip ties or screws. Make sure it is not visible from the approach side. Be sure to not load it yet.
• Set Perimeter – Run your tripwire from the alarm across the perimeter approach line. Depending on whether you are using USGS tripwire or fishing line, there is some difference in how far you can run the line.
• Set Alarm – Pull the firing pin ring, set the pull pin, and tie the perimeter line to the alarm.
• Load Alarm – Always load the alarm last. No reason to misfire as you are setting it up.

Lastly, have a plan for when the alarm goes off. Being alarmed without a plan of action won’t do you much good.

Nate Polson (Canadian Prepper) has a solid video showing how to use trip wire alarms:

Tripwire alarms are by no means necessary for survival, but they are a convenient tool to have in a wide range of situations. For the size, weight, and price, there is very little drawback to having one available. Because it isn’t essential, you won’t find it on many of our checklists.

If you are running snare wire (or trip wire) in your kits- which is on many of our checklists , you should definitely consider adding an alarm to go along beside it.

Tripwire itself is remarkably versatile and we have a whole guide recommending the best snare or trip wire for your kits.

How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test .

Sources and References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best trip wire alarm are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:

Cobb, J. (2012). Prepper’s Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary. Ulysses Press; Berkeley, California. ( Source )

Dobrin, G. (2022). Alarm and Signal Weapons Easily Converted into Lethal Firearms. Romanian Journal of Forensic Science. Volume 23. Issue 131. Pages 180 – 188. ( Source )

Storm, J., et al. (2000). Trip wire detection using polarimetric IR. Proc. SPIE 4038, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets V. ( Source )

The Final Word

Tripwire alarms are very versatile and fit in a wide range of survival kits. Keep your perimeter safe or come up with creative solutions for specific situations.

Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:

• Best Survival Zip Ties for Emergencies and Prepping
• Best Emergency Flares for Distress Signals
• Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials

We presented quite a lot of information, but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our testing found the Fith Ops Camp Safe Trip Wire Alarm to be the best option given its value, noise level, durability, size/weight, and versatility.

Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.

You’ve Been Missing Out

• Practical guides and tips
• Useful survival giveaways
• Free, forever
• < 0.4% of people unsubscribe

I am an engineer, Air Force veteran, emergency manager, husband, dad, and experienced prepper. I developed emergency and disaster plans around the globe and responded to many attacks and accidents as a HAZMAT technician. I have been exposed to deadly chemical agents, responded to biological incidents, and dealt with natural disasters. Check out my full story here: Sean's Story

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Updated May 4, 2024

Discover the Best Trip Wire Alarm Devices for Ultimate Security

tom.baldridge

August 31, 2023

Trip wire alarm devices are an effective way to secure your property and alert you to any intruders. These devices are designed to detect movement through the use of a trip wire, which triggers an alarm when it is disturbed. Trip wire alarm devices are commonly used in outdoor settings, such as gardens, farms, and construction sites, but they can also be used indoors.

When choosing a trip wire alarm device, it is important to consider the sensitivity of the alarm, the length of the trip wire, and the range of the device. A sensitive alarm will detect even the slightest movement, while a longer trip wire will provide greater coverage. Additionally, the range of the device will determine how far away you can be from the alarm and still hear it.

We tested several trip wire alarm devices to identify the ones that provide the best combination of sensitivity, coverage, and range. Our top picks offer reliable detection and a loud alarm, making them ideal for securing your property.

In the following sections, we will provide an in-depth review of each of our top picks, as well as a buying guide to help you choose the right trip wire alarm device for your needs.

Best Trip Wire Alarm Devices

We’ve researched and tested various trip wire alarm devices to bring you the best options available on Amazon. These devices are perfect for securing your home, office or any other property you want to keep safe. Whether you’re looking for a simple and affordable option or a more advanced device with additional features, we’ve got you covered. Check out our top picks below and choose the one that fits your needs and budget.

MTCTL Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm Device

If you’re looking for a reliable and reusable perimeter trip wire alarm device , the MTCTL Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm Device is a great option.

• Made of high-quality 6061 aluminum and endlessly reusable
• Easy to use and deploy quickly
• Versatile and can be used with a wide range of applicability
• Not meant to harm anything, just to create a loud noise
• The .22 adapter may not set off the alarm
• Outdoor use only and must be used with caution

We recently purchased the MTCTL Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm Device for camping and security purposes. We were impressed with the high-quality 6061 aluminum material that makes the device spring triggered, reloadable, and endlessly reusable. This feature ensures that the perimeter alarm will be reliable for thousands of uses.

The device is easy to use and can be attached to trees, posts, or frames via the screw holes or zip tie notches. The alarm signaling device uses a low-placed and concealed trip wire, tethered to the device itself which creates a loud audible alert when the activator pin is pulled. We found that it was easy to deploy quickly across paths and entry zones, attached to doors, gates, and more. The device is also cost-effective and can be installed around campsites, farms, barns, or restricted areas for protection against unwanted intrusions.

The MTCTL Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm Device is versatile and can be used with a wide range of applicability. The device activates a 12ga blank or optional pepper gas and flash bang rounds. It is also available with 209 primer and .22 Ramset adapter, although we found that the .22 adapter may not set off the alarm.

It’s important to note that the device is not meant to harm anything, just to create a loud noise to alert you when you need it. Double check to ensure this is what you want. The perimeter trip alarm system is for outdoor use only, keep away from flammable materials, and use it with caution. The end user assumes all risks and liability for using this product.

Overall, we recommend the MTCTL Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm Device for anyone looking for a reliable and reusable perimeter trip wire alarm device.

12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm by Trip Alarm Co. Perimeter Defense Device 360° Coverage Quad 3.0, Camping and Security (Black)

If you’re looking for a reliable and effective trip wire alarm device, the 12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm by Trip Alarm Co. is definitely worth considering.

• The 360 degree “Quad” patent pending design provides comprehensive coverage and ensures that the alarm will be triggered no matter which direction an intruder approaches from.
• Made from high-quality stainless and aluminum, this device is durable, lightweight, and won’t rust over time.
• With the ability to be used multiple times, this is an excellent investment for anyone in need of a dependable alarm system.
• While the device is incredibly sensitive, it can sometimes be triggered by animals or other non-threatening movements, leading to false alarms.
• The need for 12 gauge blanks can be a bit of a hassle, as they may not be readily available in all areas.
• The firing pin may not pull back far enough, making it difficult to slide in the quad firing plate.

In our experience, the 12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm by Trip Alarm Co. is a reliable and effective device for anyone in need of a trip wire alarm system. The 360 degree “Quad” design ensures that no matter which direction an intruder approaches from, the alarm will be triggered, providing comprehensive coverage and peace of mind. Made from high-quality stainless and aluminum, this device is durable, lightweight, and won’t rust over time, making it a great investment for anyone looking for a long-term solution. However, it can sometimes be triggered by animals or other non-threatening movements, leading to false alarms, and the need for 12 gauge blanks can be a bit of a hassle. Overall, we would recommend this product to anyone in need of a reliable and effective trip wire alarm device.

HOZOL Perimeter Trip Alarm

If you’re looking for a reliable and effective early warning system to keep you and your property safe while camping, the HOZOL Perimeter Trip Alarm is a great choice.

• This trip alarm is easy to install and use, and it can be used in a variety of settings, including campgrounds, farms, entrance areas, gates, and restricted areas.
• The low-placed and concealed trip wire is spring triggered, reloadable, and endlessly reusable, making it a great investment for your personal and property security.
• The 12 gauge camping trip alarm is compatible with a variety of accessories, including 12ga blanks or 12ga flares, 209 primers with a 209 adapter, 22 primers with a 22 adapter, and 308 blank with a 308 adapter.
• This device does not come with the necessary accessories, so you will need to purchase them separately.
• The HOZOL Perimeter Trip Alarm is not designed to harm anything, it’s just designed to make a loud sound to remind you to keep safe.
• Using live ammo with this device is not recommended, so you’ll need to exercise caution when using it.

We recently had the opportunity to test out the HOZOL Perimeter Trip Alarm on a camping trip, and we were impressed with its ease of use and effectiveness. The trip alarm can be installed quickly and easily, and it provides a loud audible alert when the activator pin is pulled.

One of the things we liked most about this trip alarm is its versatility. It can be used in a variety of settings, including campgrounds, farms, entrance areas, gates, and restricted areas. We also appreciated the fact that the low-placed and concealed trip wire is spring triggered, reloadable, and endlessly reusable, making it a great investment for your personal and property security.

Another great feature of the HOZOL Perimeter Trip Alarm is its compatibility with a variety of accessories. We were able to use 12ga blanks with the device, as well as 209 primers with a 209 adapter, 22 primers with a 22 adapter, and 308 blank with a 308 adapter. However, it’s important to note that these accessories are not included with the device, so you’ll need to purchase them separately.

Overall, we believe that the HOZOL Perimeter Trip Alarm is a great investment for anyone who loves camping or needs to protect their property effectively. It’s easy to use, versatile, and effective, and we highly recommend it.

NFNSIG Perimeter Trip Alarm

If you’re looking for a reliable perimeter trip alarm, the NFNSIG Perimeter Trip Alarm is a great choice.

• Maintain You And Your Property: Our perimeter trip alarm is a trigger line activated trap alarm device that alerts you to any perimeter breaches through a trigger line activated alarm system. To protect houses, camps, and property, set up a perimeter around your area and set up a blank area to alert you when someone or something breaks into their area.
• Easy to Use: The alarm signaling device uses a low-placed and concealed trip wire, tethered to the device itself which creates a loud audible alert when the activator pin is pulled easily attached to trees, posts, or frames via the screw holes or zip tie notches. You can install the trip alarm device around campsites, farms, barns, or restricted areas for protection against unwanted intrusions.
• Simple But Effective: Depending on the signal equipment used, its volume can range from 125 dB to 175 dB. Each adapter has its own noise level, but they can all be used in the same device, providing you with more loading options.
• Loading The Signal Device: Install the signal device into the alarm and pay attention to the ball support. Keep any signaling device you use tight so that it won’t fall out when sitting in the environment for a long time: the ball bearing in the alarm.
• Make Sure This is What You Want: The perimeter trip alarm system is for outdoor use only, just to create a loud noise to alert you when you need it.
• Limited Features: Compared to other trip wire alarm devices, this product has limited features.

The NFNSIG Perimeter Trip Alarm is a great tool for anyone looking to protect their property. It’s easy to use and maintain, and it’s simple but effective. The alarm signaling device uses a low-placed and concealed trip wire, tethered to the device itself which creates a loud audible alert when the activator pin is pulled easily attached to trees, posts, or frames via the screw holes or zip tie notches. You can install the trip alarm device around campsites, farms, barns, or restricted areas for protection against unwanted intrusions.

One thing to keep in mind when using the NFNSIG Perimeter Trip Alarm is that you need to make sure the signal device is loaded correctly. You need to install the signal device into the alarm and pay attention to the ball support. Keep any signaling device you use tight so that it won’t fall out when sitting in the environment for a long time: the ball bearing in the alarm.

Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use perimeter trip alarm, the NFNSIG Perimeter Trip Alarm is a great choice. Just make sure you understand that it’s for outdoor use only and has limited features.

Brilucky Kevlar Trip Wire on Reusable Reel

If you’re looking for a compact and easy-to-deploy trip wire alarm device, the Brilucky Kevlar Trip Wire on Reusable Reel is a great option.

• The silicone coated Kevlar trip wire is strong and durable, with a tensile strength of over 50lbs.
• The reusable easy wind reel makes this trip wire alarm device compact and easy to store and deploy.
• The green color of the trip wire blends in well with natural surroundings, making it less noticeable to intruders.
• The trip wire is thin and may be difficult to see in low light conditions.
• The plastic reel may not be as durable as metal reels.
• The Brilucky Kevlar Trip Wire on Reusable Reel is a relatively new product and has not been extensively reviewed.

We recently had the opportunity to test out the Brilucky Kevlar Trip Wire on Reusable Reel on a camping trip, and we were impressed with its performance. The trip wire was easy to deploy and the reel made it simple to store and transport. We also appreciated the strength and durability of the silicone coated Kevlar trip wire, which gave us peace of mind during our trip.

One potential drawback of the Brilucky Kevlar Trip Wire on Reusable Reel is that the trip wire is quite thin and may be difficult to see in low light conditions. However, the green color of the trip wire blends in well with natural surroundings, making it less noticeable to intruders.

Another consideration is the durability of the plastic reel. While it held up well during our camping trip, it may not be as durable as a metal reel over the long-term.

Overall, we would recommend the Brilucky Kevlar Trip Wire on Reusable Reel to anyone looking for a compact and easy-to-deploy trip wire alarm device. Its strength, durability, and ease of use make it a great choice for camping, hiking, and bug-out-bags.

Buying Guide

When it comes to buying trip wire alarm devices, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you get the best product for your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Detection Range

The detection range of a trip wire alarm device is one of the most important factors to consider. You want to make sure that the device will be able to detect any potential intruders from a distance that is suitable for your needs. Consider the size of the area you want to protect and choose a device with a detection range that is appropriate for that space.

Sensitivity

The sensitivity of the device will determine how easily it is triggered. You want a device that is sensitive enough to detect any potential intruders, but not so sensitive that it is constantly going off due to false alarms. Look for a device with adjustable sensitivity settings so you can customize it to your specific needs.

There are different types of alarms that trip wire devices can produce, including sound, light, and vibration. Consider which type of alarm will be most effective for your needs. For example, if you want to be alerted to an intruder while you are sleeping, a sound alarm may be the best option. If you want to be alerted while you are away from your property, a light or vibration alarm may be more effective.

The durability of the device is also important, especially if you plan to use it outdoors. Look for a device that is weather-resistant and made from durable materials that can withstand the elements.

Ease of Use

Finally, consider how easy the device is to set up and use. Look for a device that comes with clear instructions and is easy to install. You may also want to consider a device that comes with a remote control or smartphone app for added convenience.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best trip wire alarm device for your needs and enjoy added peace of mind knowing that your property is protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tripwire alarm and how does it work.

A tripwire alarm is a security device that uses a wire or cord to trigger an alarm when it is disturbed. The wire is usually attached to a loud alarm or other alert system, which is activated when the wire is tripped. The wire can be attached to any object that can be moved, such as a door or window, to provide an effective security measure.

What are the best tripwire alarm devices for outdoor use?

For outdoor use, we recommend tripwire alarms that are weather-resistant and durable. Some popular options include the Dakota Alert BBA-2500, the Murs Alert Probe Sensor, and the Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm. These devices are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and provide reliable security for your property.

How can I build my own tripwire alarm using a 22 cal blank?

Building a tripwire alarm using a 22 cal blank requires some technical knowledge and expertise. We recommend consulting with a professional or following a detailed guide to ensure that the device is built safely and effectively. It is important to note that using a 22 cal blank can be dangerous and should be handled with care.

Are 12 gauge trip alarms legal for home security?

The legality of using 12 gauge trip alarms for home security varies by state and country. We recommend checking with your local law enforcement agency to determine if these devices are legal in your area. It is important to use tripwire alarms responsibly and only for legitimate security purposes.

What are some popular tripwire alarm devices for camping?

For camping, we recommend lightweight and portable tripwire alarms that are easy to set up and use. Some popular options include the Bushnell Bear Safe Security Case, the Cuddeback Trail Camera, and the Moultrie Game Spy Camera. These devices are designed to detect movement and provide an alert when wildlife or intruders approach your campsite.

How do I build a perimeter alarm using tripwire technology?

Building a perimeter alarm using tripwire technology requires careful planning and execution. We recommend consulting with a professional or following a detailed guide to ensure that the device is built safely and effectively. Some key considerations include choosing the right wire or cord, selecting a reliable alarm or alert system, and positioning the device strategically to provide maximum coverage.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

most recent

Wired vs wireless home security systems: making the right choice.

Top 11 Self-Defense Weapons for Personal Safety in 2024

Unlock Safety with JEPWCO: 5 Anti Spy Detectors You Need

Best Hidden Camera Detectors For 2024: Your Ultimate Guide

Perimeter alarm systems: a complete guide to fortifying your property’s boundaries, perimeter defense: a guide to home security barriers.

PH +1 000 000 0000

24 M Drive East Hampton, NY 11937

© 2024 INFO

Cove is actively dedicating resources to make our site, and our community, more accessible. While we make changes, if you need any assistance accessing the information on this site, please contact us at 855.268.3669 or [email protected]. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing or who do not use voice channels to communicate, please contact us via email or via 711 or other relay services. If you have any feedback or suggestions as to how we could improve the accessibility of our website, please contact us at [email protected]. Please be aware that our site may contain links to other websites, the accessibility of which is not under our control. Please contact us if you run into any difficulties with these sites, and we will do our best to help you.

Your $25 referral discount has been applied!

Your $25 discount has been applied!

What's A Trip Wire Alarm And How Can I Make One?

Link Copied

I remember as a kid, my little brother used to love playing tricks on me. One of his favorite shenanigans was to hide in a corner quietly and wait for me, the unassuming sister, to cross his path. When I did, he'd jump out and lay down in front of me quickly, causing me to tumble to the ground and start crying. He called his little game, "Tripper". Needless to say, I hated it.

So what does this little anecdote have to do with a trip wire alarm system? Honestly, more than you'd think. My brother had figured out a system (albeit using his body rather than a real wire) that has been around for over a hundred years now. He was using his body to topple me over, thus incapacitating me and making it difficult for me to get up right after I fell. All he was missing was an alarm. Although he probably didn’t want an alarm, or he would have gotten in trouble with mom.

You are probably familiar with the term “trip wire.” These simple mechanisms have been used in wartime, in hunting traps, and in security systems. The basic idea is to have something, usually, a wire (although, as you will see later, lasers can be used as well) stretched out across a path or doorway, Trip wires are attached to two fixed points, such as fence posts or trees. The tripwire should be firmly fixed in place, so that it is taut enough to trigger when a person or animal trips over it, or causes it to move at all.

The earliest trip wire systems were attached to bells instead of a modern alarm. When the wire triggered, it would pull on the bell, causing it to ring and notifying anyone nearby that intruders were in the area. These systems were also used to set off bombs when enemies encroached on home territory during WWI. Enemies approached, activated the tripwire and caused the firing pin to lose tension and go off. Despite the incredible damage these bombs did, the system was undeniably elegant. This system was also used to trigger an attack alarm, notifying soldiers to be ready to fight.

Trip wire alarms today

Today, trip wire alarms are much more technologically advanced. Many systems incorporate laser technology that will sound an alarm if someone were to step across the laser. That’s right, you read that correctly. Lasers. Not exactly like the rotating lasers in Get Smart or the James Bond films, because these laser systems are invisible. No glowy red lines crisscrossing all over your yard and house, just simple, understated, invisible technology.

This kind of technology has a couple of advantages:

While burglars or intruders may be a little bit less likely to run away if they can’t see the tripwire, police can be notified without their knowledge, making it easier for police to catch potential trespassers or intruders.

Invisible lasers , unlike wires, are much harder to find and disable than a more archaic trip wire alarm system

Let’s be honest, it’s pretty cool that laser technology is becoming a relevant part of home security. Technological upgrades like this mean that these kinds of alarm can be wireless and much more aesthetically pleasing.

So how do laser trip wire alarms work, exactly?

Well, there are a few different components. Obviously, there are your lasers. These are created using a laser diode (a mechanism by which laser beams are produced) reflected against a light sensor. These are hooked up to a circuit board of some kind, which then talks to a computer that has been coded to do an action (whether that is to sound a buzzer, to call the police, to lock the doors, or all three). When the beam of the laser is broken, a switch will flip on the circuit board, which will then trigger the computerized response, notifying you of any intruders in the area.

Who is this technology for?

There are many uses for tripwire alarms. Most often, you’d think of them in relation to home security. A tripwire system can make for a great perimeter alarm around your home.

There are also some fairly easy do-it-yourself alarm systems that you can put up just about anywhere. YouTube is full of DIY project tutorials on how to make simple tripwire systems out of a laser pointer. These simpler systems will require a battery to power them unless you want to plug them in. They are created by setting up the laser pointer and reflecting it against a light sensor. This sensor is hooked up to a circuit board of some kind, which then tells the computer that has been coded to do something (whether that is to sound a buzzer or to send you a text message). When the beam of the laser pointer is broken, (the equivalent of someone tripping over a wire) a switch will flip on the circuit board, which will then trigger the computerized response, notifying you of any intruders in the area.

The possibilities for these are endless. If you’re in a college dorm, and you suspect that your roommates are stealing your food, set up a device in the cupboard with your food. You’ll be able to catch them in the act (I fantasized about this as a freshman). Hackaday.com offers an alternative possibility: installing one in your office space so that if someone walks in, you can act distracted. If you’re a hunter, it wouldn’t be too hard to set one of these up as a trap. Below is a video of one way to make a trip wire alarm.

DIY trip wire alarm with fishing line

If you don’t want a tripwire alarm that’s quite as technologically advanced as a laser-run system, or you don’t trust yourself to be able to code a circuit board to do what you need, you can fashion your own tripwire alarm out of some very simple elements, including fishing line, some kind of lever, and a bell or alarm.

The first thing you will need to do to set up your simple tripwire is locate the area in which you hope to set up your system. This should be in an area that you feel is vulnerable, or an area through which, you are worried that an intruder might be able to access your home. You need to have two anchor points. These points could be trees, bushes, lawn light fixtures , or for a much better system, you could use hidden stakes that you drive into the ground. Next you will stretch the fishing line tautly between the two anchor points. On one side, you will need to tie the fishing line around the stake. On the other side you will twist the line around the stake, and you can tie it as well, but be sure not to cut the line, as you will be running the line up to a bell that you anchor in a tree near a window, or on the window ledge itself. Make sure the bell is loud enough that you will be able to hear it from inside your house.

Once you have anchored the bell in place, you will tie the fishing line right above the bulge at the top of the bell. Your system is complete! Before you leave it, though, you should test it out. You will want to apply some pressure to the line. If you hear the bell ring loudly, your system should work great. If the bell only rings faintly, you will need to pull the line more taut. This should ensure that the bell rings loudly. Alternatively, you can attach the line directly to the clapper and see if that produces a louder noise.

This kind of alarm will go off no matter who crosses it, be it animal or human. If possible, you should run the line at knee-level, so many animals will be able to scamper under the line without triggering the alarm.

What are some other cool home security devices?

Laser security systems, while cool, are not the only way that you can protect your property from unwelcome visitors. Other gadgets are available as well. If you're a DIY kind of person, you might want to take a look at some of Cove's DIY home security system products . The idea behind Cove is simple: to enable you to install your own security system, using quality products for a great price.

Some of these products include:

• Central Control Panel : Cove's central control panel is the brain of the system. From this panel, you can arm and disarm the system, contact security personnel, and often also notify the authorities of any medical emergencies. It's easy to use, easy to install, and (especially great for the current climate) requires no interaction with any door-to-door salesmen. Social distancing, people!
• Security Cameras : These can be placed in many locations throughout your home, whether that be above your door or in your hallway. These will track who is in your house, and some can be set to run only when you are not at home. Cove's security cameras are especially great because they are backed up to the cloud, rather than to an SD card or similar technology.
• Motion Detectors : The name is fairly self-explanatory. These track movement and notify you of any human motion on your property. They are actually pretty similar to the laser alarms in this way.
• Window Sensors : A common point of entry for trespassers and burglars can be a window. Window sensors monitor the movement of the windows in your home. Glass-Break detectors can also be placed on windows to sense when a window has been broken, indicating an attempt at forced entry.
• Door Sensors : These track the opening and closing motion of doors in your home. This is a key part of preventing burglary, as burglars will often need to go through one or more doors, even if their initial entry is through a window.
• Key Fobs : These can control the system from a little device on your keys. They are also able to arm and disarm the system and are convenient for when you are outside of your home.

So, as you can tell, there are many ways for you to secure the perimeter of your home and protect your family and valuables. At Cove , we want you to feel as safe as possible. Please take a few minutes to check us out!

And if you're interested in other creative home defense methods, check out this article .

Ready to get started?

Take this short quiz to build your customized system today!

Takes less than a minute

Related Articles

An Emergency Alarm For Every Situation

How to Open A Padlock Without a Key

Keep up with cove.

Get new content, products, and promotions in your inbox!

Looking for something else?

Chat with our super friendly, knowledgeable support agents, who are waiting to answer your questions, 24/7.

• Terms of Use |
• Privacy Policy |

• All Articles
• Editor’s Pick
• Survival Knowledge
• How To’s
• About Claude Davis

How To Install A Tripwire Alarm On Your Property

How To Install A Trip Wire Alarm On Your Property

There’s nothing more important than keeping your home and family safe from intruders. While you can get a professional surveillance system anytime, they usually cost a fortune to install and may bring a lifetime of monthly fees.

There are cheaper yet very effective options available though. A survey among inmates who were serving time for burglary revealed that some of the most effective burglar deterrents are the cheapest, such as leaving your television or radio on while you’re away and setting up very loud alarm systems.

Most of the respondents to the survey questions said that they would leave immediately once a loud alarm sounded.

A trip wire alarm is a basic security system that has been used during wars, hunting, and camping and now as a burglar deterrent. The most popular trip wire alarms are radio-frequency trip wire alarm, laser trip wire alarm, and direct trip wire alarm.

The direct trip wire alarm is the cheapest and easiest to set up.

All you need is:

• an ultra-loud attack alarm or keychain alarm;
• several meters of thin wire or fishing line.

Find Out Other Methods To Protect Your Property, Preserve Food Without Refrigeration And Make Powerful Natural Remedies (Video)

You may also like:

You Won’t Survive A Looter Attack Without This (Video)

8 Things That Will Kill Your EMP Plan

What’s the Limit of Your Morality in a Crisis?

How To Prepare Your House Against Looters

Comments 51

Someatimes I think you are scaring me and I am not ready for this. I loved my country but the way things are going I will be happy to go also. I hope we aren’t loosing our country to others, This bothers me a lot. I don’t like the woman that are being voted into Washington D.C.

In two to three more election cycles there will be no more elections. When the communist party takes control that will stop. The people behind Taliq, Omar, and Cortez will have enough people to control the government in that time. You need to plan, have a plan. This is coming. Non assimilating immigrants are taking control and want a totalitarian fascist power hold. Plan as though your life depends on it.

Yup. Planning for just that…..

In two to three more election cycles there will be no more elections. When the communist party takes control that will stop. /blockquote> Perhaps I’m an optimist; but, I have seen these things swing in cycles for my nearly 50 years of voting, and this too will pass. Many thought it was the end of the world when BHO was elected and then reelected, with HRC standing in the wings for the finishing ”Coup de grace” ; but, enough people realized the predicament, like how we all got shafted with Obamacare and tossed HRC on her head, not electing a nontraditional swamp dwelling politician; but, a businessman who knows how to set and accomplish goals. The Dems haven’t gotten over their defeat; but, out here in fly over country, often ignored, we are still watching with eternal vigilance, which is the true cost of freedom. The people behind Taliq, Omar, and Cortez will have enough people to control the government in that time. You need to plan, have a plan.

While Ilhan Omar has some support in her district in Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib in Michigan, AOC just cost NYC 25,000 high paying jobs and lots of tax revenue with her ignorance, and there are those in NYC that are not happy with her. Quite honestly, seeing them tie Speaker Pelosi in knots is kind of amusing. I don’t see any support for them here in fly over country and we do still count the votes here AND ignore most of the PC crap.

Plan as though your life depends on it.

I do and it does, and those plans have been in progress for almost 50 years and coming together rather well.

https://newswithviews.com/green-new-deal-reveals-the-naked-truth-of-agenda-21/

It would be immoral to build this to keep poor needy people off your property. Just like the democrats feel about a border wall, and now some republicans it is just immoral. All the want is a better life and future and fleeing oppression and violence. Of course I am being sarcastic. Good idea to protect the perimeter of your home and a good idea to protect the perimeter of your country. A good watch dog is a great alarm. She woke me up barking two or three times last night.

I dont think she said that at all.

Jake d, I was just making an interjection on the subject at hand, home security because of the big debate about a national wall on southern border. That nasty old wall will help keep future Democrat voters at bay slowing down the one party system takeover politicians are trying to get done. You know, sanctuary cities, easy to get a drivers license, blanket amnesty. We are one state away turning blue for that to happen and it is my home state of Texas. And it is a huge avenue for illegals to take up residence. Did you know if you are at a residence long enoigh whether illegal or not you can apply for a drivers license? Did you know if your name is at a residence long enough it will show up on lists of residents to vote in that county? And did you know that if you produce a photo ID and it matches with your name and address you can vote in the state of Texas? It is that easy. That’s why I said what I said about home security and a wall

HELLO WANNABE. Yes I am well aware of the necessity of a wall on our southern border. I know how easy the Communists have made it for illegals to remain illegally in this country and how easy it is to get drivers licenses and vote. Actually I believe my reply ended up in the wrong spot. I live in Minnesota for now anyway and MN wants nothing less than to be a frozen version of California. Hell thy just elected a member of the Muslim Brotherhood to Attorney General and the idiot Ilhan Omar as a Representative.

The wall will save us multiple Billions of dollars, the aliens want to come into this country and say Feed me, give me free housing, free medical care, and I will do my utmost to destroy your country!!!!

What did she say when you woke up ?

Auge, Are you saying that women should not be in power?

well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if truly open your eye the answer would have to be yes … the second time we saw them dress and act like sorority sisters it was there for all to see in fact it scared me, now look at what they are voting for you can’t make this shit up I am sorry but these are the optics and I don’t really see other women standing tall against these women

It is certainly clear that sexism and racism is alive and well in the prepping world. When my ancestors came to this country their were placards in front of business that stated “No Irish need apply”. Other ancestors came down through Canada because the border was unsecured and they were denied entry to New York. In a time when we have a racist, sexist, obnoxious, hateful man in the presidency, who plays on peoples fears to keep himself in power, and behaves like a jackass, we have people fearing two political political women who dress and act like sorority sisters. Unbelievable.

Well RWM you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

https://newswithviews.com/green-new-deal-reveals-the-naked-truth-of-agenda-21/ seems you have been blinded by the god of this world. Get educated you, whose moniker says it all, a racist, sexist rich white male.

Are you delusional? What has the President said that is racist? Give me concrete examples POTG

Are you ignorant? Give me examples, not your opinion but concrete examples of where the President is a racist. Funny I’m not afraid of President Trump…I’m not afraid of the so called sorority sisters either. I do despise what they represent. You should too. But no you will wait until you’re under the bus and then your cries for help will go unheard.

Good point. Seems like all the women in congress are doing nothing to stand against those trying to help destroy America.

Hi Auge… As an older white male, I have absolutely no problems with a woman being president. Golda Maier of Israel put to rest any argument that women couldn’t be strong in politics and national affairs.

I just don’t want wackjobs like Pelosi, Waters, Cortez and Omar who all hate America being president. Oh gosh, I forgot the murder in chief Hillary Clinton.

We as a nation need to prepare for armed conflicts here in the United States as more and more illegals are being allowed here. I’m investing in precious metals… copper and lead. I hope we regain our sensibilities in this next election cycle. I also think Trump is doing a great job, he’s not perfect, but no one except Jesus Christ has ever been.

I would not mind at all a strong conservative woman as president who loves the United States. The four idiots mentioned earlier are invited to try and cross the busy interstate highway on foot as many times as they like.

I take that back… let’s keep Pelosi… she’s a poster child for the politically insane!

I might add that Margaret Thatcher was another example of a strong woman who was burdened with a sob sister country that lost its will in two wars that seemed to have sapped every bit of backbone from its denizens.

i’ve done similar with emptied party poppers that i painted desert-brown, or just brown, so forth so on,it was kinda funny how a couple years ago we got a convicted felon paper in the mail (one of the papers saying “hey a convicted felon moved into your neighborhood”) and it was actually for burglary, we have a fence around our property and only a so i had to get creative and make it work,which i cant really explain how i did that with text,but it kept our house from being robbed…..but a couple rabbits set our alarms off (we have a little more than an acre of land)

Pop flares & screamers work great. When the S H T F for real. That is when booby-traps & trip-wires come into play. Amazing what you can do with a little bit of knowledge and a few raw materials, both lethal & non-lethal.

You can build a trip wire alarm from: 1. Smoke alarm siren 2. Wooden clothes pen for trigger 3. Two tacks/screws as contact points 4. Piece of thin plastic to insulate contact points and attach trip line to 5. Length of clear mono-filament line 6. 9-volt battery 7. 9-volt batter connector

Details to assemblet is self-evident.

The very, very BEST ALARM ANIMAL is a GOOSE, not a dog. A goose is highly territorial and will not only sound the alarm, it will attack an invader. A pair of goslings is not expensive and after they are grown, they require little care and will be as devoted to you as a dog. I recommend a pair of Pilgrim Geese. Their average lifespan is 20 to 25 years, which is much longer than a dog. Of course, they are an “outside animal” as they cannot be “potty trained” and you may have to hose off your porch regularly.

or bronze breasted turckeys they can walk up and look threw the side window on a car and are sassy as geese

With regard to the question about women in power … I would not say that women should not be in power, but I will say that when you look at the ones who are in power; it seems there were better choices that could have been made. This Cortez woman is a child / moron who is fearless about being in love with herself and her 15 minutes of fame. Ilhan Omar is just this side of a Somali terrorist in her own right, and that Tahlib woman is the most vulgar person elected that I can remember. But when you look at the most “seasoned” women … Boxer [thank G-d she is gone], Murkowski, and the current female senator from California are easily the most dishonest people ever elected. Teresa May [current Prime Minister Of Great Britain] is a mental midget with every credential in the world to back that up. Angela Merkel wrecked Europe … and there are lots more but I have a birthday coming up in November so I am running out of time 😀 So should women be elected … I will leave the evidence to speak for itself rather than cast a shade over all women.

Pepper, While this may be before your time, the late Margaret Thatcher was a great UK conservative PM who understood the world and knew her place in it. Some of my favorite quotes and quips came from her, with things like: ”The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.” She understood that nothing is easy or taken for granted with: ”You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” And the most telling one for women in power like AOC and her ilk: ”Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

When we vote for candidates, regardless of anything except their honesty and qualifications for the job, then we will get good people; but, filling a quota like the attempt with HBO or HRC, almost never ends well.

To Spike … Thank You. To Left Coast Chuck … The Question here is “Why are we Preppers” ? I am NOT a Prepper because of illegal immigrants. They are a danger to Culture and Employment. Walls and effective immigration policy preserve Culture. They kill the bottom of the employment scale because they are paid under the table in many instances and therefore prevent people [illegally] who need that job from getting it . As for the moment we have Neither intelligent immigration policy nor a wall unless you consider that rusting aggregation of sheet metal the Democrats put up during the Obama years the Leftist idea of what a wall is … I wonder how much that crap cost Us … seriously ? Does that look like a kick back carnival or is it just me ?

We have plenty of de-comissioned military bases in the United States that could be turned into long term detention centers in a heartbeat, so “catch and release” is a product of intellectual sloth and political thinking [which are indistinguishable and inseparable]. As for a path to citizenship … Only if you are here legally. The rest can learn the fine art of pressing license plates for two years for every one year they have been here illegally.

As for my political leanings Yes I am a hard core iron fisted arch conservative Libertarian because I have NO TRUST in either party for two completely distinct sets of reasoning. a. The Republican party are just as corrupt as the Democrats, while having No Spine, and b. The Democrat party are just as corrupt as the Republicans while maintaining a rather oddly political Sociopathy. Before anyone hits a red hot lather lets start with Slavery, The KKK [terrorist wing of the Democrat Party], The First Nations American Indian On or not On Reservation [sovereign or not] … but as I said before I have a birthday coming up in November.

To The Ohio Prepper … I was a child in school in London when PM Thatcher was the Minister Of Education. I remember her with fondness and great admiration; even though as children we referred to her as “Old Iron Ass Maggy” 🙂 Finally … “Why Are We Preppers” ? … simple Because NONE Of US HERE … trust the education system, the raft of politicians of either party who can be identified with anything that rhymes with “A Can” and the fact that WE As a Group KNOW these people are corrupt. We prep (1) because we do not trust this leadership, and (2) because Shit Happens. There are natural disasters of all sort that have NOTHING to do with politics.

So those of Us who are waiting for Perfect Politicians to worship because they “May Or May Not have a Penis” or May Or May Not have Nicknamed” his political opponents into ignomy … You my friends are on a Fools Errand. You are A Prepper because you believe in Saving Yourself … because We Know there is no Cavalry coming over the hill.

Pepper, I will comment on most of your points, one by one, since as a retired engineer, that’s just how I do things; but, all in all, IMHO you are pretty much spot on an if you lived closer, I suspect we could be good friends..

Walls and effective immigration policy preserve Culture.

Indeed, as does a common language; but, we must have our forms in numerous languages to prove we are not racist, bigoted, homophobes just stepping on the already downtrodden.

They kill the bottom of the employment scale because they are paid under the table in many instances and therefore prevent people [illegally] who need that job from getting it .

It goes way beyond that. Those low paid immigrants around here are hired to run the Mega-Dairies putting the hurt on local family dairy farms.

As for the moment we have Neither intelligent immigration policy nor a wall unless you consider that rusting aggregation of sheet metal the Democrats put up during the Obama years the Leftist idea of what a wall is

The leftist have quite a good ability to build walls when they need them. The one running south to north in Berlin worked quite well for decades; but, then only to keep people in, and not to keep them out. It’s obviously a direction thing.

We have plenty of de-comissioned military bases in the United States that could be turned into long term detention centers in a heartbeat, so “catch and release” is a product of intellectual sloth and political thinking [which are indistinguishable and inseparable].

I agree and think these would also make better public housing than some of what we’ve seen since I was a kid. Make the adult’s work, either off site, or running the place onsite. Child care, cafeteria (mess hall), laundry, and landscaping come to mind, while the children and uneducated adults attend classes.

As for a path to citizenship … Only if you are here legally.

I might make an exception for the dreamers who came here at no fault of their own; but, that path would be rigid and arduous.

As for my political leanings Yes I am a hard core iron fisted arch conservative Libertarian because I have NO TRUST in either party for two completely distinct sets of reasoning.

I agree that both parties have failed us over and over again; but, for now it’s the best we have and I try to pick the best candidate from those offered, regardless of the letter after their name.

To The Ohio Prepper … I was a child in school in London when PM Thatcher was the Minister Of Education. I remember her with fondness and great admiration; even though as children we referred to her as “Old Iron Ass Maggy”

That’s good to know from someone who lived it, since I had similar thoughts on her and Reagan who seemed to be simpatico on knowing our common friends and foes and how to treat them.

We prep (1) because we do not trust this leadership, and (2) because Shit Happens.

Leadership? I see only a bit of that from the president; but, the children in congress seem to only be able to resist. Your comments on the education system are sadly correct; otherwise, the socialists would be thrown out on their butts at the mere mention of the word.

You are A Prepper because you believe in Saving Yourself … because We Know there is no Cavalry coming over the hill.

Amen!!! In the end we can only trust ourselves and close family and friends; however, at the local level there are great people who are trying.

To Ohio Prepper … there is nothing here that should be an impediment to us being friends regardless of distance and I would be proud to call you my friend. We do disagree a bit about Trump. I find him obnoxious, egotistical, having the most mild command of the English language that it serves mostly as vocal butchery … and I voted for him. I did not vote or him because I liked him. I voted for him because I wanted performance, and in that view I think he has performed … By The Numbers. I am an engineer [not retired] so my measurement of the man was By The Numbers. He has performed marvelously regarding the economy and that was needed. Unfortunately he is the same Debt Monster every other President has been, but his motives are different. Socially … I do not believe the Society can be repaired because I think this society is sick to it’s core and is beyond repair or reunification. That is the political part of why we are Preppers. I think there will be an inevitable showdown between Left and Right, Good and Evil as the Bible describes it and [I believe] that Prepping is the only way to preserve the way I was raised, and the values my family passed on to me. Any sense of being capable of surviving this is going to come from me and my family being Prepared. I do not think it will be political war or a race war or anything like that, but I am convinced that something that should be minor will graduate into our Black Swan. And that ladies and gentlemen is when SHTF. As for public housing … I do not believe in it. When you create “public housing” you create concentration camps. In that I mean that you are “concentrating” poor people together and they have no other frame of reference than other poor people. Chicago is my home town here [I no longer live there] in America and there is not a better example of what Not to do than the public housing there, but it is the same everywhere. Housing vouchers so poor people can live in the middle class, learn from them and emulate them is the best option … in my opinion. As for “dreamers”, they have an unfortunate situation but if their family is here illegally, they are here on equally illegal terms and “dreamers” must leave with them. They are “dreamers” because of a misapplication of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution to support “Anchor Baby” status. The 14th Amendment was authored to give citizenship rights to Slaves and the descendants of Slaves … not birthright citizenship to anyone who can drop a load of crotch droppings on American soil. The [dreamers] are an aggregation to that concept and “according to Constitutional Statute” are not availed to the rights of citizenship and there is no constitutional affect available to them remaining here According To Law. There is always an argument for humanitarianism which is a Lefty Camel’s nose under the tent because humanitarianism is misused for any and everything. The argument in their case is “they know nothing else” which is a claim of ignorance. Unfortunate though it may be the status of [dreamers] is a legal aggregation that only supports a political cause [the demographics of liberalism] and not necessarily the best interests of the nation.

You guys are Great and I welcome all of you, even if I do not agree with you … as friends.

To Ohio Prepper … there is nothing here that should be an impediment to us being friends regardless of distance and I would be proud to call you my friend.

I agree, and have made some great friendships with people all over the country (CA to MA & TN to FL plus a few in Ohio) on another forum I haunt. ( https://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/ ) , and especially the weekly “What I Did to Prep This Week“ column that has a lot of interaction between the forum participants, who called themselves “The (wolf) pack”. Anyone interested in direct contact via email can click on my name, and that very sparse website will allow you to send an email to me. Include a mention of this website and the name you use here. I do keep OPSEC and upon request have connected other members of that other forum, with permission / requests from both persons.

We do disagree a bit about Trump. I find him obnoxious, egotistical, having the most mild command of the English language that it serves mostly as vocal butchery … and I voted for him. I did not vote for him because I liked him. I voted for him because I wanted performance, and in that view I think he has performed … By The Numbers.

I’m not sure we disagree all that much, especially about Trump’s vocabulary and command of the English language. There are times he is talking and I’m just waiting for a word with more meaning than “Bigly” to be uttered. While I also voted for him, it was really more a vote against HRC, knowing her background and accomplishments vs. his, and for the most part, I have been rather satisfied with the results. His judicial appointments and treatment of taxes and regulation seem to have the economy on the right track His recent hold on use of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft has been touted as too late by some; but, like you and I, I think he went by the numbers and waited for the preliminary NTSB & FAA data to make the decision, which seemed reasonable to me, even though I don’t know when or if we’ll see the information from the black boxes, since they are now in the hands of the French, who could well have a vested interest in grounding the current primary competitor to their own Airbus product.

I am an engineer [not retired] so my measurement of the man was By The Numbers. He has performed marvelously regarding the economy and that was needed.

I concur; but, I think his one large miscalculation when trying to drain the swamp, was the size and depth of the swamp, and how many creatures it supported, who are fighting for their political lives.

Unfortunately he is the same Debt Monster every other President has been, but his motives are different.

I agree; but, we have to start somewhere and if you recall Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton did establish a balanced budget at least for a time, so it could be possible, assuming we get some real leader ship and that leadership stop using handouts to purchase votes.

Socially … I do not believe the Society can be repaired because I think this society is sick to it’s core and is beyond repair or reunification. That is the political part of why we are Preppers.

While I sadly suspect you could be right, living in our rural community we have much less division and more cooperation, and while most don’t use the “prepper” description, most here would fit the definition, since self reliance is still considered a virtue, and not something odd or out of place. My hope is that little pockets like ours may continue to thrive.

Any sense of being capable of surviving this is going to come from me and my family being Prepared. I do not think it will be political war or a race war or anything like that, but I am convinced that something that should be minor will graduate into our Black Swan.

I agree and think that perhaps the real estate mantra will be important: “Location, Location, Location” and our location and rural neighborhood, as large as it is, is filled with good people who have always had to be frugal, work hard, and work with neighbors on projects, large and small

And that ladies and gentlemen is when SHTF.

Which I think or at least hope, will be regional in nature.

As for public housing … I do not believe in it. When you create “public housing” you create concentration camps. In that I mean that you are “concentrating” poor people together and they have no other frame of reference than other poor people.

I agree; but, unless we close them down and turn those poor unskilled and uneducated people into the street, a boot camp environment with everyone given training and responsibility, could I think bring everyone out of the habits that keep them poor. Where I grew up I knew good people in public housing and while there were not the gang issues we may see today, the conditions were pretty bad, and trained too many people to take handouts, instead of expecting them to help themselves, in what has been called “The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations,”

Housing vouchers so poor people can live in the middle class, learn from them and emulate them is the best option … in my opinion.

That along with lifestyle coaching might do the trick; but, emulating middle class people with skills and jobs when you have none, would I think be a challenge. My wife was watching a show where they were taking some poor people shopping and those people walked right past the produce and meats, heading directly for the cold cuts & chips. The escort turned them back to the produce where they purchased some fresh fruits and vegetables and then some nice lean cuts of meat, and then back home showed them how to prepare those “new” foods. We all learn from our elders and if those lessons were for chips & Coke or Pepsi, then some mentoring might be required. For many politicians, that mentoring is too complex and they find it easier to throw money at the problem so they can sit back feeling good about themselves, thinking that the problem has been solved.

As for “dreamers”, they have an unfortunate situation but if their family is here illegally, they are here on equally illegal terms and “dreamers” must leave with them.

I think that should be on a case by case basis, since a dreamer who has been put through K-12 by the American taxpayer and has done well, should IMHO be allowed to stay and contribute; but, once again, this is too complexe for our “sound bite” political class.

They are “dreamers” because of a misapplication of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution to support “Anchor Baby” status. The 14th Amendment was authored to give citizenship rights to Slaves and the descendants of Slaves … not birthright citizenship to anyone who can drop a load of crotch droppings on American soil.

I agree and perhaps we should change the statutes to reflect that fact; but, for those already here and doing well under the current application, that “Ex Post Facto” change would seem to me (not a lawyer) to be against at least the spirit of that same constitution.

You guys are Great and I welcome all of you, even if I do not agree with you … as friends.

I agree, since it would seem that we are all at least attempting the same end, each in ooour own way.

What happened to Cabrini Green? The public housing project in downtown Chicago.

Actually the reason I am a Prepper is really simple. I want to be prepared for emergencies… makes since right… Well, my feeling is anyone that does not prepare for the unexpected is a fool and if that person has a family to take care of he/she is at best irresponsible. People get all caught up in preparing for the big one, the one that brings down our way of life and that’s ok. However, prepping to me is being ready to get snowed in, huge spring floods, a tornado that wipes out part of the town and the grid, riots etc. These are things everyone should be ready for. How will non preppers feed their family when there is 2 feet of snow on the ground and more coming, its 10 below and the power goes out for 3-4 days or a week. Prepping is an adult responsibility and common sense.

Actually the reason I am a Prepper is really simple. I want to be prepared for emergencies… makes since right… Well, my feeling is anyone that does not prepare for the unexpected is a fool and if that person has a family to take care of he/she is at best irresponsible

I agree and people should at least be able to mitigate the threats for which they are at potential risk. Here those are rather simple, with power outages or tornadoes being the most likely candidates. Others may have flooding, wildfires, earthquakes or other things.

People get all caught up in preparing for the big one, the one that brings down our way of life and that’s ok.

Actually I had the big one once when I was laid off from a job and couldn’t find full time work for about 9 months. Having savings and a paid off homestead along with 6 months of unemployment got us through that one. In 2015 I had an even bigger one, when a stroke (cerebral hemorrhage) put me in the hospital for a month, including rehabilitation time. Accrued vacation and paying the extra for disability insurance saved the day there; but, the insurance was optional, and I know of some that didn’t bother with it. Those incidents did bring down our way of life; but, acknowledging that it could happen and preparing, made all the difference in getting us through it.

However, prepping to me is being ready to get snowed in, huge spring floods, a tornado that wipes out part of the town and the grid, riots etc. These are things everyone should be ready for.

So true and why agencies like FEMA have pushed the 72 hour kit so hard the last few years. I’ve volunteered with my country EMA for almost 20 years, and while we have people, equipment, and skills to help our community in a disaster; but, the hard truth is that both volunteer and paid staff have their own families to care for, and getting all of the resources mustered in a large scale event, could easily take 2-3 days, so pushing the citizens to prepare for the first 72 hours on their own, is not some conspiracy; but, the reality of dealing with people, equipment, and supplies in less than normal conditions.

How will non preppers feed their family when there is 2 feet of snow on the ground and more coming, its 10 below and the power goes out for 3-4 days or a week / They may not, since I know people who should know better, that still stop at the grocery each evening on the way home from work to pick up dinner & breakfast, unless they are eating breakfast somewhere on the way to work in the morning. Egg McMuffin anyone? Prepping is an adult responsibility and common sense.

True for we who are actually adults, a sometimes all too rare situation.

I have noticed a lot of talk about AKs and shotguns and the like of late, and a bit of animosity in some of those comments. A quick note to those of us who are considering shooting someone for Any Reason. I am a former U.S. Marine Corps Sniper [decorated]. Killing someone is the LAST THING you want to do but if you have reason to Have A Gun, Do Not Pull It UNLESS You Intend To Kill Someone With It. There are No halfway measures and trust me, if you have a conscience you will Never outlive that moment. Enough Said.

I am really happy to see that we got something started here with “Why Are We Preppers” ?. To [My Friend] Ohio Prepper … I prep because of a hard lesson similar to yours. In 2009 I had surgery to partially correct a condition called spondylolisthesis which in my case was a progressive [and incurable] deterioration of my spine due to a progressive degenerative disc disease. I was subjected to an anterior lumbar interbody fusion [ALIF] at L5-S1 which is surgery with a very low success rate [27%] if you get past the 49% survival rate. There was no alternative but death. I had a long recovery and for me this was devastating because I am a former Marine Corps Sniper, horseman [Western], motorcycles, boxing, martial arts … then That Lot! I had Brilliant Surgeon(s) that got me walking [and running] again and my life is pretty normal except for residual pain. Look, spinal surgery is a Repair, not a Cure. When you have a second chance at your Future, I think it would be “less than Adult” to lie there and contemplate a life without Preparation. I now live in fly-over territory and there are floods, tornadoes, ice storms, Monster thunderstorms and the occasional lightning caused fire. In other words … Nature 🙂 I suggest that anyone who gets knocked on their ass after a lifetime of “tough guy stuff” and working off the edge of the world after the military … Any thinking person should come to the conclusion at the moment of truth that a bit more preparation might be a good idea. There is only one reason [in my mind] to be a Prepper. The Inescapable Reason One … Shit Happens !

I am a former U.S. Marine Corps Sniper [decorated].

Intersting. My youngest boy is a former scout sniper reservist.

Killing someone is the LAST THING you want to do but if you have reason to Have A Gun, Do Not Pull It UNLESS You Intend To Kill Someone With It.

That’s probably good advice after TSHTF; but, in modern society, at least in my state (and most others) the intent is never to kill; but, to use sufficient force to stop the threat. If brandishing does the job, then the fight ends; but, you must be prepared if the perp wants to “call your bluff” or escalate the matter, realizing that there are further consequences after the fight.

There are No halfway measures and trust me, if you have a conscience you will Never outlive that moment.

I can’t imagine; but, hope I’ll never need to make that decision or have to live with the consequences of doing so.

To [My Friend] Ohio Prepper … I prep because of a hard lesson similar to yours. In 2009 I had surgery to partially correct a condition called spondylolisthesis which in my case was a progressive [and incurable] deterioration of my spine due to a progressive degenerative disc disease.

Wow. My disease process has been going on for 30+ years, and is at least partly self inflicted, by my eating habits. From 1988 until 1998 I had several angioplasties, followed by a quadruple cardiac bypass in 1998. In 2007 I had a pacemaker implanted and a replacement in 2012 at end of battery life. In 2015 a cerebral hemmer age put me in the hospital for a month where I received my latest pacemaker and was taught to walk again. I was lucky to be in Ohio where we have Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital, which is part of Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center, and is a nationally known leader in rehabilitation. I was prepping long before my problems, because I saw too many unexpected things happening in the world to people who were unprepared. Both physical and mental preparations were not up to the problems they encountered. While I am aware of the world around me, my situation in it and work hard, I have been incredibly lucky, and know that to be the case.

I was subjected to an anterior lumbar interbody fusion [ALIF] at L5-S1 which is surgery with a very low success rate [27%] if you get past the 49% survival rate. There was no alternative but death.

You obviously survived, and from personal experience I know that it is at least in part, personal grit and determination. In my several weeks of rehab, learning to walk again, I saw people who whined and would not even try, preferring to sit in a wheel chair and be waited on. I was wheeled in and walked out 16 days later, determined to go home and be as normal as possible. One great thing I had on my side was a loving, caring, worried wife, and lots of great friends.

I had a long recovery and for me this was devastating because I am a former Marine Corps Sniper, horseman [Western], motorcycles, boxing, martial arts … then That Lot! I understand. I had a motorcycle for a while, giving it up for Ohio’s winter weather; but, I was a horseman, rock climber, spelunker, scuba diver, and even jumped out of a perfectly good airplane a few times. As a ham operator I used to climb my 50 foot tower on a whim, to make repairs and adjustments; but, at least for now, most of those activities are out of bounds. I still do martial arts and the wife and I do Tai Chi, so hope springs eternal. I had Brilliant Surgeon(s) that got me walking [and running] again and my life is pretty normal except for residual pain.

I had an equally good retina specialist who saved what vision I have with cutting edge experimental laser surgery that is now a normal procedure. Here are some details. Restoration of retinal blood flow via translumenal Nd:YAG embolysis/embolectomy (TYL/E) for central and branch retinal artery occlusion. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18301027

When you have a second chance at your Future, I think it would be “less than Adult” to lie there and contemplate a life without Preparation.

Aye Aye. Just looking at the intense commitment made by my wife to drive 50 miles each way daily through the snow to be at my side that month, means I owe her and others, more than I can ever repay.

I now live in fly-over territory and there are floods, tornadoes, ice storms, Monster thunderstorms and the occasional lightning caused fire.

You mean just normal stuff, LOL. Where I live in Ohio is relatively safe compared to some other places, since floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes are of no concern and even the Tornados give a bit of warning if you pay attention.

Any thinking person should come to the conclusion at the moment of truth that a bit more preparation might be a good idea.

Yes, and it baffles me why there are many that don’t, seemingly whistling through the graveyard and hoping all will be well.

There is only one reason [in my mind] to be a Prepper. The Inescapable Reason One … Shit Happens !

I’m betting that even those who don’t describe themselves as “Prepper”, keep their homeowner and vehicle insurance paid and up to date, since deep down, they all realize that Shit Happens.

Racist and chauvinistic comments have nothing to do with prepping, or the the great majority of Preppers. People making such comments shame themselves and embarrass the rest of us.

With regard to your wisecrack about racism … I AM BLACK !!! As for chauvinistic, if you are unwilling to look at the evidence in front of you rather than preside over some soapbox that women cannot be criticized … I suggest a does of reality with your morning coffee. Did you know that Senator Feinstein wrote a letter to HUD and got her husband a 250 million dollar housing maintenance contract from the government during the Obama years ? So I suppose it is chauvinist to bring that up. That Barbara Boxer left office with corruption lawsuits hanging over her head and could not be re-elected? That Murkoswski got her seat from her father ? That this freshman Tahlib called your President an M-F in public and on numerous occasions ? That Ihan Omar gave a speech at a fundraiser for a Terrorist Sponsorship Group THIS PAST WEEKEND ? Have you noticed that Europe is overrun with North African / Middle Eastern Men of military age … who are demanding free everything because Now they are in Welfare States ? Did you KNOW these same people are dumping their children in German hospitals DEMANDING they be cured of “whatever disease”, then walking off and leaving them to be wards of the state ? Of course you would KNOW that Merkel swung the doors of Europe open ? How about PM May’s getting shot down by Parliament TODAY since her Brexit Plan was a crap capitulation ? So fine … I am a chauvinist and a racist and women can do no wrong and to critique them is off limits. There are REASONS why We Prep for the worst and the Worst is brought to us by politicians and Some of them are WOMEN ! So … What’s it like being a Politically Correct Rocket Scientist ?

Pepper…..well stated and quite true. I admire your verbal skills and ability to see through the B.S. that so many consider to be “facts”. I’d be proud to ride the river with you and equally proud to call you my friend. Be well, be safe and be vigilant.

Well said and spot on. Mike

While I agree that political comments lead to name calling and other unpleasantness when it shouldn’t, I think the political situation is within the parameters of disaster preparation. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have kicked the problem of unregulated immigration down the road past whenever the next election is since the 1960s . I don’t think you have to be a bleeding heart liberal or an iron fisted conservative to believe that unregulated immigration, allowing unknown numbers of unknown immigrants, no matter what pejorative you want to attach to them into any country bodes well for that country.

There must be an orderly path to legal immigration and an orderly path to citizenship. Immigrants who come to this country in violation of our laws, in my view, start out as criminals. As a matter of law, someone who has been deported and returns to the U.S. commits a federal felony meriting confinement in a federal penitentiary.

I have often remarked that we don’t need to import criminals, we have a sufficient supply of our own home grown criminals. As a matter of fact, if we controlled our borders we wouldn’t have so many felons in our prisons. I have read that 38% of the felons confined in prisons in the U.S. are here illegally. That would certainly free up plenty of beds so that we wouldn’t be forced to early release “non-violent” felons from prison. By the way, I haven’t read the statute personally, but I have seen it reported in discussions about crimes that are “non-violent” and it is reported that merely shooting at an officer is considered non-violent for early release purposes. If the shooter is a sufficiently poor shot that he missed the officer here in the PDRK that is considered a non-violent crime. If that is the case, I’ll bet the boys in blue really love that one.

So, to tie this long discourse into prepping, I find the current political situation, together with the ever ballooning national debt which is also a political situation to be of utmost concern. Without naming names, it seems as if politicians on both sides of the aisle are trying to inflame the American people and goad them into unrestrained action. I am truly concerned about the possibility of armed conflict. Assuming one does not consider confrontation with 2x4s with nails and baseball bats and other assorted weaponry to be armed conflict.

With that, I will pick up my soapbox and steal away into the night.

you are both spot on I know some fine women and they have told me so shit about how women operate and they made no bones about what they were telling me. that said they are no better than men and maybe a little worse at least in my eye when you factor in menopause and there monthly… women know about this stuff men do not they can and do bullshit men all the time cuz they don’t know the facts like men there are shity men we all know who they are same with women and there are a lot of them to just because a man or women has a degree don’t make the m smart or not crooked either but I tell you what if your eyes are wide open you had better be preparing like no tomorrow pardon the punctuation you know our education system not soo good and that’s another matter altogether if not for spell check you would not be able to read this lol

Pepper… I like you. Keep up the good comments.

From the article:

I’ve been teaching classes on this subject for about 25 years and another good deterrent is a barking dog. Even a little pooch that makes noise when someone comes on the property is all you need. It comes down to having something on guard 24/7 whether it’s a dog or an alarm. Humans typically live in one of 4 states of consciousness. ”Unaware”, “Aware”, “Alert”, “Alarm” with sleep time being the unaware, and the time you most need an alarm. So a dog or the trip wire will do the trick. We use a combination of solar powered motion sensing lights and wireless motion alarms, both from Harbor Freight. The only problem with the physical trip wire in the article is that once tripped, you have to go out @ 3:00 AM in the snow or rain and reset it. These electronic wireless alarms automatically reset; but, do require batteries, that can be changed in the daylight, LOL.

Not scard: That only really works for sober folks who have a modicum of intelligence. For the real stupids and the folks whose mental acuity has been impaired by partaking of various substances that affect the central nervous system, they fail to recognize the inherent danger in having a loaded firearm pointed at them.

Ask any cop you know how many times in his career he has had some Inebriated Fool tell that cop that the I.F. was going to take the gun away from the cop and insert it in a body orifice. I can recall a case where the homeowner had a .44 magnum revolver pointed at the I.F. and the I.F. proceeded to attempt to do that. The homeowner proved to the I.F. that he was incapable of so acting by drilling him dead center with a 240 grain jacketed hollow point. Unfortunately, the lesson was lost on the Inebriated Fool as the lesson proved fatal to him.

People will say just racking a shotgun is enough to send bad guys running. That too has proved to be short of accuracy. You may have hear the term “liquid courage” during my time in the Marine Corps our favorite term was “stupid water”. Drugs also play an important part in acting with stupidity. How many times has a buddy of yours injured himself after consuming a quantity of beer. You know the famous words uttered just before waking up in the E.R. “Hey, watch this.” usually uttered at about .15 or higher.

Isn’t it interesting that Congress wont pony up 5 Billion for a wall that would easily save that much money in short order, but the IRS gives away 4.2 Billion to so called “Dependents” that not only live in Mexico but have never even set foot in the U.S. let alone are citizens. “Just the facts Mamm.”

Isn’t it interesting that Congress wont pony up 5 Billion for a wall that would easily save that much money in short order, but the IRS gives away 4.2 Billion to so called “Dependents” that not only live in Mexico but have never even set foot in the U.S. let alone are citizens.

Worse than that, in 2016 we flew a cargo plane with a palate of cash to Iran, at which point they released some hostages. This was of course not a ransom payment.

I appreciated the 2 or 3 comments which were on topic. Thanks for sharing your tips for making alarms.

Amazing how quickly these threads deteriorate.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Policy Agreement * I agree to the Terms & Conditions Terms & Conditions .

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

FOLLOW US ON:

Prepper recommends.

IF YOU HAVE THIS ON YOUR PROPERTY, HIDE IT IMMEDIATELY

THE ONLY HERBAL REMEDIES YOU NEED TO ADD TO YOUR STOCKPILE

WHY YOU SHOULD BURY A TRASH CAN IN YOUR BACKYARD

HOW TO STOCKPILE ANTIBIOTICS WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION

YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE AN EMP STRIKE WITHOUT THIS

IF YOU SEE THIS PLANT IN YOUR BACKYARD BURN IT IMMEDIATELY

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON:

Copyright © 2014-2024 Ask a Prepper

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

5 Best Trip Wire Alarm Devices [2023 Guide]

Disclosure: When you buy something through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Securing your property or campsite shouldn’t have to be a bothersome task. With the right trip wire alarm device, you can effectively deter potential intruders and maintain peace of mind. To help you determine the right one for your needs, we’re sharing our picks for the best trip wire alarm devices currently available. Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

• The Trip Alarm Co 12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm impresses with its 360-degree Quad design and multiple trip line options.
• The Trip Alarm Co .22 Ramset Micro Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm stands out with its ultra-portability and the use of easily accessible .22 Ramset blanks.
• The Fith Ops Camp Safe Full 209 Perimeter Trip Alarm Kit offers a comprehensive solution with its included 85-foot Dyneema trip line and loud 114 dB alarm sound.
• The Dahszhi Dual Laser Detector Alarm excels in minimizing false alarms with its twin infrared beam technology and fast response speed.
• The Lewis N. Clark Travel Door and Window Alarm is the go-to choice for travelers, featuring a built-in LED flashlight and suitability for both doors and windows.

Each of these alarms provides a unique set of features, ensuring there’s a solution for everyone, regardless of your specific needs. Let’s dive into the reviews to provide a deeper understanding of their features, pros, and cons. Although you could use a personal emergency alarm with some fishing line, these options are trip-wire specific.

Trip Alarm Co 12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm

Key features:

• 360° Quad patent-pending design
• Rust-resistant stainless steel and aluminum build
• Multiple trip lines on a single device
• Versatile, reusable, and adaptable design

As an innovative solution to perimeter security, the 12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm by Trip Alarm Co. offers unmatched detection ability, ensuring peace of mind. Housed in a compact 3 x 1 x 1-inch shell, this lightweight 5-ounce device is expertly crafted from rust-resistant stainless steel and 6061 aluminum. Sporting a 360-degree Quad patent-pending design, it provides comprehensive coverage, alerting users to any breach via a tripwire-initiated system. We like that it gives you the option to set up multiple trip lines on a single device.

It creates a wide-reaching early warning system that’s versatile enough for various settings – from campsites and farms to private properties. Another key highlight is the reusability factor. It can be deployed time and again across different paths and entry zones, secured easily to doors, trees, or gates via screw holes or zip tie notches. We found either to work well. This convenience is further enhanced by the alarm’s compatibility with 12-gauge blanks or optional pepper gas and flash-bang rounds, adding an additional layer of deterrence.

The American-made device’s sensitive trigger and diverse adaptability make it a reliable choice for property owners and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The use of rust-resistant stainless steel and aluminum grants it durability, potentially surpassing the other options in terms of lifespan. However, unlike the Fith Ops Camp Safe Full 209 Perimeter Trip Alarm Kit, it doesn’t come with a trip wire, and the reflective parts might require camouflage to blend into the environment.

What we liked:

• Lightweight and compact
• Highly sensitive trigger
• Durable and long-lasting
• Easy to set up and use

What we didn’t like:

• Tripwire not included
• Reflective parts may require camouflage

Trip Alarm Co .22 Ramset Micro Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm

• Ultra-portable design
• Rust-proof construction
• Uses .22 Ramset blanks
• Loud alarm activation

The .22 Ramset Micro Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm from Trip Alarm Co. delivers reliable and effective perimeter security in a portable, easy-to-carry package. This compact unit measures only 4.25 inches in length and 9/16 inches in circumference. Additionally, it’s exceptionally light at just 1.5 ounces. But despite the small size, it packs a formidable punch in terms of noise output when paired with .22 Ramset blanks, ideal for camping safety or securing private areas.

During our tests, it proved to be straightforward to set up, and it consistently gave a high-decibel alert upon activation. It’s also quite sturdy and durable, thanks to its high-quality, rust-proof aluminum materials. These are designed to resist wear across multiple uses, ensuring longevity and reliable performance. Speaking of which, it worked without issue when we tested it in various weather conditions. That said, users planning to place it outdoors for extended periods may want to consider weatherproofing the cap’s crimp for added reliability.

One of its defining features is its utilization of readily available .22 Ramset blanks. This avoids the need for potentially expensive and hard-to-find materials. It’s a practical approach that underscores Trip Alarm Co’s commitment to simplicity and convenience without compromising functionality. It should be noted, however, that these blanks aren’t included in the package and must be acquired separately. On the whole, the .22 Ramset Micro Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm offers a well-designed and effective solution for those seeking compact, loud, and durable early warning systems.

Compared to other alarms, its use of .22 Ramset blanks makes it slightly more straightforward in operation. Plus, it sports a significantly lighter weight than the Dahszhi Dual Laser Detector Alarm and a smaller circumference compared to other items on the list. If versatility is what you’re looking for, this one is sure to meet your needs.

• Easy to set up
• High-quality materials used
• Available .22 blank use
• Weather-resistant
• .22 blanks not included
• May need cap weatherproofing

Fith Ops Camp Safe Full 209 Perimeter Trip Alarm Kit

• Includes 85’ Dyneema trip line
• 114 dB alarm sound
• Made in USA

From Fith Ops comes the Camp Safe Full 209 Perimeter Trip Alarm Kit . This is a well-thought-out piece of equipment, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts. For starters, it boasts a compact and lightweight design, measuring 4 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches and weighing just 2.78 ounces. This makes it an ideal companion for backpacking or camping trips. Yet, despite its small stature, there’s a lot of bang for your buck packed into this alarm.

Crafted in the USA with machined aluminum and steel, it gives you the confidence of a sturdy and reliable solution. It shows meticulous consideration for the outdoors with the included 85-foot Dyneema trip line and silicone primer caddy, which can attach to the spool for convenient access. Testing it during a camping trip, we found setup to be straightforward and unproblematic. We secured the trip wire along the unobstructed perimeter of our campsite and mounted the alarm vertically to a tree.

When triggered, it emits a clear and loud 114 dB alarm, which is more than effective in deterring wildlife and trespassers. In an era where security is a must, the Camp Safe Full 209 Perimeter Trip Alarm Kit proves its worth immensely. But as with other similar systems, this kit does not include primers. Still, the fact that this unit is reusable and reloadable makes it a smart buy. Even better, the included 85-foot trip line sets it apart from the Trip Alarm Co. devices that require separate trip wire purchases.

• Sturdy and reliable
• Reusable and reloadable
• Excellent customer service
• Primers not included
• Slightly pricier than others

Dahszhi Dual Laser Detector Alarm

• Twin infrared beams for reliable detection
• Environmental adaptability increases durability
• Indoor 300m, Outdoor 60m detection range
• Fast response speed 50-700 milliseconds

The Dahszhi Dual Laser Detector Alarm is an exceptionally robust and precise security device. Weighing 835 grams and measuring 6.7 x 3.1, it exhibits a compact yet weighty feel, hinting at its solid construction. Its mounting type is a convenient wall mount, making installation straightforward. Using twin infrared beams, it provides reliable perimeter security. One aspect we appreciate is that it minimizes false alarms caused by falling leaves, birds, or even inclement weather conditions such as rain, snow, or mist.

The alarm also boasts an intelligent automatic adjustment design that adapts transmit power according to environmental conditions. This feature increases the lifespan of the launching tube and reduces power consumption, enhancing durability and energy efficiency. We put the alarm through its paces in both indoor and outdoor scenarios. Indoors, it easily covered a range of 300 meters, while outdoors, it performed well over 60 meters.

But what impressed us most was the speed response, which clocked in between 50 and 700 milliseconds. Combined with its holographic spot real-time report, all of these features contribute to rapid detection and alarm triggering. Despite some initial challenges with instructions that seemed a bit complex due to language translation issues, we successfully installed the alarm after careful review.

Plus, it comes with its own set of installation accessories, so the process wasn’t that big of an issue once the instructions were deciphered. It should be noted, though, that its weight and size are considerably larger than other options, potentially limiting its portability. But its ability to minimize false alarms gives it an edge over the other devices.

• Minimizes false alarms effectively
• Efficient power consumption
• Solid build quality
• Excellent for a variety of premises
• Initial setup instructions unclear
• Reported quality control issues

Lewis N. Clark Travel Door and Window Alarm

• High-pitched 91 dB alarm
• Portable and lightweight design
• Built-in LED flashlight
• Suitable for doors and windows

Lewis N. Clark’s Travel Door and Window Alarm stands out as a compact, user-friendly device designed to enhance personal security wherever you go. Its simplistic design belies its effectiveness: when triggered, the unit emits a high-pitched 91 dB alarm, powerful enough to alert neighbors and deter potential intruders. It is tailored for ease of use, fitting seamlessly into the doorframe gap, with a cord looped around the door handle to ensure firm placement.

This feature also extends to windows, thereby amplifying its utility. Designed for portability, this petite and feather-light device – measuring only 7.05 x 3.19 x 1.14 inches and weighing a mere 3.2 ounces – makes it an essential companion for travelers. It can snugly fit into a suitcase, backpack, or even a handbag, making it readily accessible.

An additional built-in LED flashlight feature adds an extra layer of convenience, especially in unfamiliar or poorly lit environments. During testing, the setup process proved effortless, so it’s a breeze to use, even for novices. Its ear-piercing alarm promptly activated upon breach, demonstrating the alarm’s reliability. Moreover, the LED flashlight provided ample illumination in dark surroundings, further reinforcing its worth as a travel-friendly safety tool.

Comparatively, its suitability for doors and windows potentially offers more versatility than some other alarms. The built-in LED flashlight is also a unique feature not seen in the other solutions we reviewed. However, it falls short in terms of sound level compared to the Fith Ops alarm. But its simple setup procedure, like the .22 Ramset Micro Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm, can make it an easy choice for those looking for hassle-free operation.

• Loud, attention-grabbing alarm
• Simple setup procedure
• Compact for easy travel
• Multi-functional use
• Requires careful placement
• No adjustable sound levels

Trip Wire Alarm Device FAQs

What is a trip wire alarm device?

As its name implies, a trip wire alarm is a security system that uses a trip wire trigger mechanism to alert you when someone or something crosses a designated boundary or perimeter.

How does a trip wire alarm work?

When the wire is tripped, the alarm is triggered to create a loud sound, alerting you to potential threats. Some models use infrared beams to produce the same result.

Where can I use a trip wire alarm device?

Trip wire alarms are versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, including homes, farms, campsites, hotels, and private properties. They’re an excellent way to secure your perimeter and deter potential intruders.

Final Verdict

Securing your space for peace of mind is easier than you think, and our top picks are evidence of that. Trip Alarm Co’s 12 Gauge Trip Wire Alarm , for instance, boasts an innovative and adaptable design, offering a comprehensive perimeter security system ideal for various settings. Further solidifying its place in the trip wire alarm market, Trip Alarm Co earned another spot among our reviews with its .22 Ramset Micro Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm . This one is favored for its use of .22 Ramset blanks and a weather-resistant design that ensures ease of use and durability.

The Fith Ops Camp Safe Full 209 Perimeter Trip Alarm Kit is notable for delivering a comprehensive kit. It consists of a trip line, a loud alarm, and an easy setup process, making it an excellent choice for camping enthusiasts. Dahszhi’s Dual Laser Detector Alarm provides reliable detection with its twin infrared beams, fast response time, and the ability to minimize false alarms. And lastly, the Lewis N. Clark Travel Door and Window Alarm deserves its portability, simplicity, and multi-functionality. Each of our picks offers unique performance and benefits, ensuring that there’s an option for most needs.

Meet Derek, “TechGuru,” a 34-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.

Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, Derek enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Free Shipping Over $99

• Primers & Blanks Trip Alarms
• Intruder Buster Trip Alarm
• Tripwire & Accessories
• Infrared Trip Alarm
• Flash Bangs & Blanks
• Tweaker Pepper Spray
• Foam Fire Suppressor
• Questions? (888) 878-6637

Your Cart is Empty

• $0.00 Subtotal

Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout

Fith Ops™ Perimeter Camp Safe™ Trip Alarm - 12 Gauge OD Green 6061 Aluminum USA-Made

• Money Back Guarantee
• Ships Within 1 Business Day

🚚 Ships to all 50 states

Great reasons to buy from us:

FithOps™ Camp Safe™ 12 Gauge Perimeter Trip Alarm*

Our newest, updated version of our 12 gauge perimeter trip alarm. Made of 6061 Aluminum, this unit utilizes a spring-loaded firing mechanism and a trip trigger. When the trigger pin is disturbed while loaded with a 12 gauge Flash Bang/Training Blank, the unit will discharge. This device is compatible with blanks, adapters, flares and pepper gas depending on situation and requirement.

UPC : 861209002659

WARNING: For outdoor use only. Keep away from flammable materials. NEVER USE LIVE AMMO.

• PLEASE NOTE: We are not able to ship Internationally. Your order will be automatically deleted and refunded.  

* Flash Bang Not Included

Customer reviews.

I have not yet put the 12 gauge trip alarm into use. I did purchase trip twine from Amazon and will pickup 12 gauge blanks.

Great product, fair prices, and accurate shipping dates! Highly recommend their products!

Safe and effective notification of breached perimeter.

I already had 4,got 3mor to deter animals and zombies.great quality

I bought this because of a bear problem and unfortunately he hasn't been around lately to test it out. But the quality Is amazing and set up is a breeze. I'm actually considering on buying a few more. Currently waiting on my tester to return and give his opinion

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Privacy Policy

[email protected] | 865-454-8905

• Create an Account

12 Gauge Perimeter Alarms (Trip Wire Devices)

Q. Can you use a loaded shotgun shell in the 12 ga. perimeter alarm ? A. Yes, it will go off but it is NOT recommended. We recommend only using shells we have designed for the 12 ga. perimeter alarm.

Q.What can the 12 ga. perimeter alarm be used for? A. The 12 ga. perimeter alarm can be used for signaling and/or deterring intruders of all kinds of human and animal around your home, farm, garage, and campsites.

Q. What kind of shells can be used in the 12 ga perimeter alarms? A. We sell Popper blanks for signaling, Pepper gas blanks for deterring intruders and Flashbang blanks for signaling as well as deterring and disorientation of the intruder.

Q. Can you use other types of signaling devices with the 12 ga. perimeter alarm? A. Yes, we have created a Primer Adapter for our 12 ga. perimeter alarms that allow for use of any 209 shotshell primer by itself.

Click Here to Begin Shopping For Your Perimeter Alarms

• Your Cart is Empty
• What is a Trip Wire and How Do You Use It?

February 03, 2021

Recent Articles

• What the COVID-19 Pandemic Teaches Us About Being Prepared
• What are my rights during a state of emergency?
• Why did a pandemic result in almost 2 million gun sales?
• Is your internet connection secure? Why you need a VPN

What is a trip wire? 

As its name suggests, a trip wire is a thin line of wire (or other material) that is intended to cause an intruder to trip over it, thus triggering a mechanism elsewhere that will activate an alarm. The wire is stretched tight and low to the ground between two fixed points, where it will be unseen. When an unwanted visitor trips over the wire, it activates an alarm system, which can be as crude or as elegant as you have the time and materials to construct. Trip wires have been used for hundreds of years by military, police, and civilians alike.

Trip wire comes in a variety of materials. Wire is often preferred due to its rigidity, but multifilament silicon coated Kevlar is also an excellent and more flexible option. In a pinch you could even use fishing line or string.

How do you use a trip wire?

A basic trip alarm system is essentially a simple booby trap. The alarm signaling device will be tethered to a length of trip wire. When the wire is pulled hard enough (presumably by someone tripping over it), it activates the device which alerts you to the presence of an intruder. It couldn’t be simpler! 

Trip wire can also be used independently of a signaling device as an all-purpose wire for whatever purposes you need.

When might you need a trip wire?

Trip wires are often used, with or without a signaling device, for applications such as:

• Perimeter alarms
• Boundary setting
• DIY animal trapping 
• Securing gear

Where can I get a trip wire?

Although just about any kind of string or wire can work in a pinch, the Kevlar Trip Line included in our Tripwire Alarm Kit makes excellent trip line (it’s not actually wire) due to its flexibility and ease of deployment. Get yours here:  https://tihk.co/collections/urban-survival-gear/products/tripwire-alarm-kit

Instagram Feed

Facebook feed.

• Affiliate Program
• Press & Media

Copyright © 2024 TIHK. U.S. Patents Pending.

DISCLAIMER: Our products may contains certain features that may be regulated in your state. You are solely responsible for complying with local, state and federal laws. Your use of the product is at your risk and discretion. Don't be stupid. We are not responsible for your use of the product in any way including complying with any application laws or regulations in your state.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Last Updated:  October 10, 2017

Welcome to http://tihk.co/, owned and operated by Quampton LLC (“TIHK”, “we”, “us” or “our”). We are makers of urban survival products, designed and manufactured in the USA. Please read these Terms of Service (“Terms”) carefully because they govern your use of the website http://tihk.co/ (the “Site”), and the content, services, and products available at or through the Site and associated social media profiles. If you have any questions, please contact us . To make these Terms easier to read, the Site, and our products and services and are collectively called the “Services.”

Agreement to Terms

By accessing, or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, simply stop using the Services.

Changes to Terms or Services

We may modify these Terms and our Services at any time, in our sole discretion. If we do so, we’ll make it known on the Site. It’s important that you review the Terms whenever we modify them because continuing to use the Services after we have posted modified Terms on the Site indicates to Us that you agree to be bound by the modified Terms. If you don’t agree to be bound by the modified Terms, please discontinue use of the Services immediately. Because our Services are evolving over time we may change or discontinue all or any part of the Services, at any time and without notice to you, at our sole discretion.

Privacy policy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy for information about the data we may collect and use. Our Privacy Policy is incorporated in these Terms, and is available at http://tihk.co/pages/privacy-policy .

We welcome feedback, comments and suggestions for improvements to the Services. You can submit feedback by emailing us at [email protected]. You grant to us a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, fully-paid, royalty-free, sublicensable and transferable license under any and all intellectual property rights that you own or control to use, copy, modify, create derivative works based upon and otherwise exploit the feedback for any purpose

TIHK Content

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, TIHK grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable license to access and view the content we create, post, upload, or otherwise make available to you (“TIHK Content”) solely in connection with your permitted use of the Services and solely for your personal and non-commercial purposes. You may not: (i) copy, modify or distribute TIHK Content for any purpose; (ii) transfer, sublicense, lease, lend, rent or otherwise distribute TIHK Content to any third party; (iii) decompile, reverse-engineer, disassemble, or create derivative works of TIHK Content or the Services; or (iv) use the Services in any unlawful manner, for any unlawful purpose, or in any manner inconsistent with these Terms. You acknowledge sole responsibility for and assume all risk arising from your use or reliance of any TIHK Content.

Application of Products

Application.

Certain of our products may feature sharp objects, or objects with an inherently elevated risk of physical injury. None of TIHK’s products are designed with testing and components for a level of reliability suitable for use in or in connection with surgical implants or as critical components in any life support systems. None of TIHK’s products are intended as a medical or life saving device.

In any application, including the above, where a product use would create a risk of harm to property or person (including the risk of bodily injury and death) it is the sole responsibility of the persons contemplating such use to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, codes and standards. To avoid damage, injury, or death, the user must take reasonably prudent steps to protect against failures. The user is ultimately responsible for verifying and validating the suitability of TIHK products whenever you intend to use any such product.

Compliance with Local, State & Federal Regulations 

Certain of our products may contain features that may be regulated in your state. You are solely responsible for complying with local, state and federal laws. Your use of the product is at your risk and discretion. We are not responsible for your use of the product in any way including complying with any application laws or regulations in your state. 

Payment & Delivery

Price & payment terms.

TIHK products are intended for your own personal use and not for resale, unless authorized in writing by TIHK. In order to make a purchase (or two, or three...!), you will need a valid credit card. You agree to provide only information that is accurate and current, and that you have authorization to provide. You may choose to save the information you enter for the next time you visit the Site or make a purchase. You may be charged additional fees, taxes or other costs, in addition to the retail price of our products. For more information about how we handle credit card and other personally identifying and sensitive personal information you may provide us, please read our Privacy Policy at http://tihk.co/pages/privacy-policy . Please note that you are subject to the terms and privacy policies of, and proceed to use at your own risk, any payment processors we may offer for your use, such as Stripe and PayPal. All transactions are secure and encrypted, and we never store your credit card information.

TIHK offers you the several shipping options to ensure delivery of your purchased items. TIHK does not and cannot control the delivery carrier’s estimated or actual time of delivery of the items, and TIHK does not and cannot take the responsibility of ensuring that you have received your items. Please enter an accurate and accessible shipping address to ensure prompt delivery.

Back Ordered Items

Orders that contain a combination of in-stock and back ordered items will ship once all products are in stock.

Returns, Exchanges & Refunds

If you are unsatisfied with your items for any reason, you may return it within thirty (30) days from delivery. Items must be unused and in original packaging. Please contact us with your order number to initiate a return. Any custom/built-to-order items are not returnable. To return your product, you should mail your product to:

1941 1st Ave S #3E

Seattle , WA 98134

You are responsible for your own shipping costs for returning your item(s). Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We do not guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

TIHK warrants its products from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty (30) days from delivery.  This limited warranty shall not apply to damages due to: a) abuse, misuse, or neglect of the purchased item(s); b) modifications or repairs made to purchased item(s), other than those made by TIHK; c) improper use; or d) excessive mechanical, physical, electrical stress, or environmental stress on the purchased item(s).

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. If you are approved for a refund, it will be processed, and a credited to your original method of payment automatically.  If you have requested an exchange, we will notify you of shipment of the items upon shipment.

Links and Advertisements of Third Party Websites

The Services may contain links to or advertisements of third-party websites or resources. We are not responsible for the content, products or services on or available from those advertisements, websites, resources or links displayed on such sites. You acknowledge sole responsibility for and assume all risk arising from, your use of any third-party websites or resources.

Termination

Upon any termination, discontinuation or cancellation of Services to you, all provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive will survive, including, without limitation indemnification, warranty disclaimers, limitations of liability, and dispute resolution provisions.

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless TIHK, or its officers, directors, employees agents, suppliers and partners, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, debts, or expenses (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees), to the extent allowed by applicable law, that arise from or are caused by: a) your use of and access to the Services; b) your violation of these Terms; or c) your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, moral or privacy right. This section shall survive these Terms and your use and termination of the Services.

Representations and Warranties; Disclaimers

THE SERVICES AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS,” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, WE EXPLICITLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, QUIET ENJOYMENT OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. WE MAKE NO WARRANTY THAT THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR BE AVAILABLE ON AN UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE BASIS. WE MAKE NO WARRANTY REGARDING THE QUALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, TRUTHFULNESS, COMPLETENESS OR RELIABILITY OF ANY CONTENT.

Limitation of Liability

NEITHER TIHK NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING THE SERVICES, PRODUCTS OR TIHK CONTENT WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR GOODWILL, SERVICE INTERRUPTION, MOBILE DAMAGE OR SYSTEM FAILURE OR THE COST OF SUBSTITUTE SERVICES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR FROM THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES OR CONTENT, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT CLASSPOP HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, EVEN IF A LIMITED REMEDY SET FORTH HEREIN IS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL TIHK’S TOTAL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR FROM THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES OR CONTENT EXCEED THE LESSER OF THE AMOUNTS YOU HAVE PAID TO TIHK FOR USE OF THE SERVICES OR TIHK CONTENT OR FIFTY DOLLARS ($50), IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS TO TIHK, AS APPLICABLE.

Waiver of Liability 

TIHK is in no way responsible or to be held liable for any claims, including for physical, bodily or financial injury, arising out of your use of TIHK product(s) on the whole, and your use of TIHK product(s) in your state, and you are subject to the additional terms and policies of each applicable private venue, local, state and federal laws as applicable.

Dispute Resolution

We prefer to resolve things amiably when possible therefore, you agree to the following dispute resolution policy in connection with any potential claims or disputes arising from your use of the Application. Start by notifying us of your dispute by sending a notice via our contact form .

• Informal Negotiations : Parties to a dispute concerning the Terms, the Privacy Policy, or the use of the Services will attempt to informally negotiate a potential settlement or resolution to the dispute;
• Arbitration : In the event that informal negotiations are unsuccessful, the parties agree to follow the arbitration procedures set forth by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) to resolve the dispute.
• Binding Arbitration : If for any reason arbitration is unsuccessful or unavailable to the parties, parties agree to submit to binding arbitration in the State of Washington. Each of us is responsible for paying our own filing, administrative and arbitrator fees. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, and any future updates we make, constitute the entire and exclusive understanding and agreement between you and TIHK. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of these Terms invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the other provisions of these Terms will remain in full force and effect. You may not assign or transfer these Terms, by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent. Any attempt by you to assign or transfer these Terms, without such consent, will be null and of no effect. If we provide certain notices or other communications to you, we will place the information on the Site. 

TIHK’s failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. The waiver of any such right or provision will be effective only if in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative TIHK. Except as expressly set forth in these Terms, the exercise by either party of any of its remedies under these Terms will be without prejudice to its other remedies under these Terms or otherwise.

Questions & contact information

If you have any questions regarding these Terms, please contact us.

Laser Tripwire Alarm

Introduction: Laser Tripwire Alarm

Step 1: Safety Note: Working With Lasers

Cheap laser pointers that you find in most stores are generally restricted to 5mW or less. These are generally considered safe. However, it is still possible to damage your eyes if you are not careful. When working with lasers, it is a good idea to wear the appropriate eye protection.  Avoid looking directly at the laser diode.  Also never point lasers at aircraft. 

Step 2: Parts

Here are the parts that you will need for this project: Laser Pointer Printed Circuit Board 555 Timer IC IC Socket (optional) 3-12 Volt Buzzer Switch CdS Photoresistor 2 resistors 3 AA Batteries 3 AA Battery holders Jumper Wires Heat Shrink Tubing

Step 3: How the Circuit Works

This alarm circuit is yet another way to use a 555 timer IC. The light sensor that detects the laser is a CdS photoresistor (R3). This is wired in series with standard fixed resistor (R2). These two resistors form a voltage divider that is used to activate the IC. The value of R2 should be approximately the same as the resistance of the photoresistor when you are shining the laser pointer directly at the light sensitive face. Because the output characteristics of photoresistors varies considerably from one to the next, you need to measure it with a multimeter. So connect the photoresistor to the multimeter and shine the laser pointer directly at it. In my case, its resistance was about 100 ohms. So I used a 100 ohm fixed resistor for R2. When the light beam is interrupted, the resistance of the photoresistor increases dramatically. As a result, the voltage at pin 6 also increases and goes above the reference threshold. This causes the output pin 3 to go LOW and activates the alarm. To turn off the alarm and reset the system, a (single pole double throw) switch disconnects the speaker and sends the LOW signal from the output pin 3 to the trigger pin 2. The system is now deactivated. To reactivate it, flip the switch back to the original position. The alarm will remain off until the next time that the light beam is interrupted. The supply voltage can be anything from 4.5V to 18V. I chose to use 4.5V (three AA batteries) because this is the same voltage that is used by the laser pointer. This gives you the option of powering the laser pointer with the same battery pack as the alarm circuit. The resistor R1 acts as a pull-up resistor for pin 2. It helps to prevent false triggering from static electricity. This can be any value. In many cases it can be left off without causing any problems. The alarm that I am using is a piezo buzzer. Any buzzer can work as long as it is rated to operate at the appropriate voltage.

Step 4: Assemble the Circuit

First assemble the circuit on a breadboard to test it. Set the switch to connect the buzzer. Without the laser shining on the photoresistor, the alarm should sound. Flipping the switch the other way should turn off the alarm. Now shine the laser pointer on the photoresistor and flip the switch one more time to reactivate it. As long as the laser is centered on the photoresistor, the alarm shouldn't sound. But when you move the laser away, the alarm should go off again. If everything is working properly, solder it all together on a printed circuit board. The board that I used is a general purpose IC board. These are really convenient for circuits that are built around small ICs like the 555 timer. I also used an IC socket to attach the IC. This makes it easy to change out the IC but it is not necessary. The batteries are mounted in individual AA battery holders. The three battery holders are soldered together in series and the end leads are soldered to the circuit board.  When attaching the photoresistor, I mounted it with the leads sticking out about one inch from the board. This makes it easy to make small adjustments to the position of the photoresistor after it has been mounted in place. Once the whole circuit is soldered to the board, test it again to make sure that everything is working properly. 

Step 5: Secure the Loose Parts to the Board With Hot Glue

The switch and the batteries are connected to the board with wires. I used hot glue to secure them to the circuit board. This helps to keep the whole circuit neatly together. If the wires from the battery holders are too long, you can tie them down with either tape or a rubber band. 

Step 6: Mount the Laser Pointer and the Alarm Circuit to Form a Single Beam Tripwire

The simplest way to set up your alarm is as a single beam tripwire. In this configuration the laser pointer is mounted to one side of the walk way and the alarm circuit is mounted to the other. For the tripwire to work, the laser pointer needs to be constantly on. The easiest way to accomplish this is by tightly wrapping a piece of tape around the button. To secure the two pieces in place, you can use tape or a temporary adhesive putty such as Sticky Tack. First mount the alarm circuit in place. Then mount the laser pointer to the opposite side. Carefully adjust the position of the laser pointer so that it is pointed directly at the photoresistor.  Once you have the light from the laser pointer centered on the photoresistor, you are ready to arm the alarm. Flip the switch to connect the buzzer and activate the alarm. Whenever someone walks through the beam, the alarm will go off. 

Step 7: Use Mirrors to Make a Multibeam Tripwire

A single tripwire beam works but with the addition of a few mirrors, you can have the laser crisscrossing all over the room making it impossible for someone to avoid detection.  To accomplish this, you will need a lot of mirrors. There are a number of places where you can get small cheap mirrors. One place is the auto section of your favorite big box store. They often sell plastic sheet mirrors that are designed to replace car mirrors. The major advantage of these is that you can easily cut them to any size and shape that you want. Another good source for mirrors is a craft store. Many craft supplies have a mirror finish. However, the surface is not perfectly uniform. So you won't be able to get as many reflections before the beam starts to disperse.  To set up a multibeam tripwire, start by mounting the laser pointer. Then at the point where the beam hits the opposite wall, mount a mirror. You can use tape or a self adhesive putty. Position the mirror at a slight angle so that it reflects the beam in a different direction. Continue this process adding more mirrors until you are satisfied with the number of beams or the light beam is starting to disperse too much. The last mirror should direct the light to the alarm circuit.  Because this system is using one continuous laser, if any of the beams are interrupted, it will cause the alarm to go off. 

Step 8: Optional: Power the Laser Pointer With the Alarm Circuit's Battery Pack

Most laser pointers also run on 4.5V (three button cell batteries). If your alarm circuit is powered by 4.5 volts (three AA batteries), then it is possible to power the laser pointer from this battery pack as well.  All you have to do is connect the terminals of the laser pointer to the batteries of the alarm circuit.  One terminal of the laser pointer is a spring that sticks out of the internal circuit board. The other terminal of the laser pointer is connected to the inside of the metal barrel. You can easily connect to both of these with a pair of alligator clips. The alligator clips can be connected to the positive and negative lines on the circuit board, or you can connect them directly to the terminals of the battery pack.  By connecting the laser pointer to the larger battery pack you can extend the battery life and you only need to worry about changing one set of batteries. 

Step 9: Optional: Connect Your Laser Tripwire to a Larger Security System

The buzzer on the alarm works to alert you if you are nearby. But you can also connect the tripwire to a larger security system. As part of a whole house security system, you have more options in how the system alerts you. If also lets you confirm the alert with other sensors.  To connect your laser tripwire to another circuit, connect the grounds of both circuits. Then connect the wire that was attached to the negative terminal of the buzzer to the signal input of the second circuit. Set your monitoring circuit to look for a LOW signal. For example, if you are using an Arduino, wire it to a digital input pin and use the digitalRead function monitor the wire. When it detects a LOW signal have it activate the alarms. 

Second Prize in the Hardware Hacking

Participated in the Make It Glow Contest

Participated in the Workshop Contest

Recommendations

Green Future Student Design Challenge

Remake It - Autodesk Design & Make - Student Contest

For the Home Contest

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $99.99

Camp Guardian Electronic Trip Wire Alarm Kit

$ 29.95

Description

• Reviews (0)
• MULTI-USE ELECTRONIC CAMP GUARDIAN / PERSONAL SAFETY ALARM – do you want an alarm accessory that can be used in any location or situation by all your family members? The emergency alarm that looks like a key chain can be used by joggers, students, kids, women, and the elderly. This accessory is a must have if you’re a night worker, or usually travel or go out hiking/camping.
• ARM YOURSELF WITH A QUALITY, PORTABLE, LOUDER personal alarm – Do you sometimes wonder what you would do if faced with a personal safety situation? Keep safe with our new key chain disguised alarm system is designed to produce a loud 140dB sound that will deter any attacker and alert others in the case of an emergency. It is small enough to fit in your pocket along with your keys for on-the-go use.
• VERY CONVENIENT, EASY TO USE ALARM FOR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS – do you sometimes worry about your safety, or that of your kids? The siren song is a superb way to raise the alarm if you are faced with a security situation. This personal alarms for women features a convenient key chain that can be used with your house or car keys. What’s more? It’s ideal for kids, adults, the elderly, and just about everyone else so your entire family can improve their safety.
• THE ALARM FEATURES AN LED FLASHLIGHT – are you looking to upgrade to a modern safe sound alarm that also features a bright LED light for illuminating dark walkways and finding the keyhole. Take advantage of it that will draw attention even from a far distance. Simply activate it for an ear-piercing sound whenever you’re in an emergency situation. This alarm can be used by anyone, from kids to the elderly.

There are no reviews yet.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your review  *

Name  *

Email  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Quick Links

Our products.

• 12 Gauge Trip Alarms
• Micro Trip Alarms (209 & 22)
• Electronic Trip Alarms
• Trip Alarm Accessories
• Trip Alarm Ammo

Copyright © 2024 | Trip Alarm Co™ | Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy

6 Easy Arduino Projects For Beginner Coders

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you have an interest in electronics and have been hanging around DIY tech forums for a while now, chances are you already know what an Arduino is . This microcontroller is at the heart of countless impressive projects like RFID door locks, automated plant watering systems, and even robot cars.

Compared to single-board computers like Raspberry Pis and ODROIDs, which might be too overwhelming and complex for beginners, Arduinos are relatively easier to understand. You simply connect your components to the board, use a software called Arduino IDE to create your code, upload the code, and you're essentially done. No need for complicated OS installations and setups. 

That makes Arduinos the perfect tool for practicing your programming skills. With the thousands of Arduino projects you can find online, which ones are the ideal starting point for beginners? We've compiled six of the best projects you can take on as a beginner coder.

Read more: Major Motherboard Brands Ranked Worst To Best

Lie Detector

While lie detectors aren't as useful in real-life crime scenes as they are in movies and TV shows, they're pretty fun to have for less serious reasons. However, if you're mainly using it for kicks and giggles, you probably don't want to spend as much as $100 for commercial models, especially when you can just build one yourself.

This DIY lie detector project  costs you only around $20 to make. Save for the Arduino Nano , it requires pretty basic electronic components you might already have on hand, including three different colored LEDs (green, orange, and red), a 10k-ohm resistor, and a few cables. 

The principle behind the project is the fact that the skin reacts to our emotions. Changes in what you're currently feeling can also mean changes in the skin's conductivity, which is then measured and analyzed by the Arduino Nano. These fluctuations in skin conductivity are displayed on the Arduino IDE's Serial Plotter, and indicated by the three LEDs. The green lights up when the conductivity is in the person's normal range, orange when it's starting to spike up, and red when it hits a level that can suggest the person's nervousness.

On the software end, the Arduino code is pretty simple, with only less than 50 lines and basic functions used. Beginners can readily understand and tweak the code to more accurately set the different conductivity ranges.

Laser Tripwire Alarm

Aside from the dramatic car chases and fighting scenes, another cool thing about spy and action movies is the laser tripwire alarm. Sure, it might look like an overly complex system on screen, but there's actually a basic version you can easily build right at home, even without extensive coding experience.

Powered by an Arduino Uno, this laser tripwire alarm project works much like those in movies. There's a tripwire — made up of a laser directed at a light sensor — that's placed somewhere the intruder can easily trigger, such as a door or hallway. As soon as the light from the laser to the sensor is blocked, the sensor will detect a drop in light intensity and subsequently activate the buzzer. The alarm only stops when you press the push button connected to the Arduino. 

For this setup, the program uses only 27 lines, and you'll mostly be dealing with "if" statements, perfect for when you're just starting out with Arduino programming. If, however, you find this too basic, there's a second version of the project with twice as many lines of code. 

In this version, you'll be using a keypad instead of a simple push button to deactivate the alarm. After the buzzer goes off, you need to press the star (*) button on the keypad before inputting your four-digit code. As you type the passcode, the buzzer's tone switches to a continuous but still equally annoying sound. If you enter the right code, the alarm will deactivate. Otherwise, it will start blaring again.

Solar Tracker Sunflower

Sunflowers, particularly the younger ones, like following the sun as it crosses the sky. This DIY solar tracker project mimics this behavior using three simple main components: An Arduino UNO board, a servo motor (with a sunflower paper decoration attached), and two photoresistors facing the opposite direction. 

Each of the photoresistors monitors the light inputs coming from the direction they're facing. Once one detects a spike in light intensity, it sends a signal to the microcontroller, which in turn triggers the servo motor to twist toward that light source. If the other photoresistor senses light coming from its respective direction, the board then adjusts the angle of the servo accordingly to point in that new direction. And that's pretty much all there is to it.

The code for the project is self-explanatory and easy for beginners to understand, too. You'll be working with analog readings from the input (photoresistor) and an Arduino library for the output (servo motor). The entire program is just 33 lines long, and you can opt to modify it to add more photoresistors to monitor for light sources from other directions.

Trash Bin Waste Level Detector

Making an Arduino-powered automatic trash bin that opens and closes the lid for you is a great way to get started with electronics and sensors. If you're looking to make your garbage can even smarter, you might want to take on this trash bin waste level detector as an easy weekend project. 

What this project does is pretty straightforward. It continuously monitors the inside of the trash bin and tells you how full it already is by displaying the waste level (measured in centimeters) on the Arduino IDE's serial monitor. It also has a convenient feature that automatically opens the lid once it senses a presence within a 10-centimeter range (about four inches), and closes the lid after a brief interval of four seconds.

Hardware-wise, the garbage can is outfitted with a servo inside the bin for opening and closing the lid, an ultrasonic sensor in front of the bin for sensing approaching people, and another ultrasonic sensor on the inside of the lid for detecting the trash level. 

On the software side, things are just as straightforward. The code includes two Arduino libraries: one for the servo and another for the ultrasonic sensors. The main code is a simple 14-line piece with a simple if-else statement you can readily modify. As an upgrade to the project, you can add an LCD monitor to the setup and change the code to display the waste level on the LCD instead of just the Arduino IDE's serial monitor.

Bluetooth-Controlled Car With LEDs

Probably one of the coolest Arduino projects out there is a remote-controlled car, but they're also one of the most daunting projects for beginners to undertake. However, you'll be glad to know that there are RC car versions that don't require being a coding expert.

This Bluetooth-controlled car may seem too ambitious for a beginner project at first glance, but it's actually an easy build. It's run by an Arduino UNO board, and includes several key components: four gear motors with wheels for moving the car, four LEDs for signaling the active status of each motor, a motor driver for operating all the motors, a Bluetooth module for remote control, and a battery for powering the car. 

Upon powering up, the car automatically becomes visible to external Bluetooth devices like your phone. You can then connect it to your device using the project developer's Android app , and start controlling the car with the joystick. Press one direction, and the motors for that particular direction will be activated. The LEDs connected to those motors will also light up to show which ones are in action.

Unlike the other projects in this list, the code for this setup is a little over 100 lines, but it's an excellent introduction to working with custom functions that can be called within other functions, like the loop function. You generally wouldn't need to modify anything in the code, except perhaps to change the pin configuration of the motors if they happen to run opposite to your command.

Light-Dependent Bulb

Smart devices are everywhere these days, and when it comes to smart bulbs in particular, they're readily available off Amazon for as cheap as $8 . However, they might be a bit overkill if you're only after something like a bulb that automatically switches on and off depending on the ambient light at certain times of day. In that case, this Arduino-based smart light might be more your cup of tea.

The idea behind this project is to build a lightbulb controller using a light-dependent resistor (LDR). The LDR continuously monitors the intensity of light in the room. When it's dark like at night, or when the blackout curtains are drawn, it triggers the bulb to switch on. In contrast, when the room is well-lit, say during the day, the bulb is kept off. 

Aside from the Arduino UNO microcontroller, LDR, and the bulb itself, the hardware for this setup is pretty minimal: a relay for the bulb, a resistor for the LDR, and some wires to connect everything together.

As for the code, it's really straightforward and easy to understand. You have less than 30 lines, with the main code sporting a simple "if-else" logic. You can readily use the project developer's code as is or change the pin configuration and the LDR's threshold to better suit your needs.

Read the original article on SlashGear .