Wilsons Sandbox

Hey, fellow T-types,
Has anyone figured out a way to install locks on either the bonnet or the
tool compartment of a T-type? (Hopefully, it would be inconspicuous, and not
cost too much to do!) I've developed this aversion to the mere thought of
some no-good SOB messing around in my engine compartment, or relieving me of
my tools if I have to leave my car unattended for a while. (I've had both
things happen!)
While I'm at it, how about installing an alarm system? Anyone done that?
If you have done any of these things, I'd love to hear about how you did
it, and the more details you can give me, the better.
Thanks in advance,
Carl Fritz

Carl... the only T car I ever saw with an alarm in it was a TD and the
fellow had installed it himself. The system had a motion detector in it and
the car was so light that every time the wind blew slightly, the alarm went
off. About drove the guy crazy at a GOF as it was in the parking lot and he
was on the second floor of the motel. I heard him running up and down
stairs all night long. I think he disconnected it the next day.
Neil Nelson
Orange Park, Florida

-----Original Message-----
From: CFritz7001@aol.com [mailto:CFritz7001@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2000 1:39 AM
To: mg-t@autox.team.net; mg-tabc@egroups.com
Subject: [mg-tabc] Security measures for a T-type

Hey, fellow T-types,
Has anyone figured out a way to install locks on either the bonnet or
the
tool compartment of a T-type? (Hopefully, it would be inconspicuous, and
not
cost too much to do!) I've developed this aversion to the mere thought of
some no-good SOB messing around in my engine compartment, or relieving me of
my tools if I have to leave my car unattended for a while. (I've had both
things happen!)
While I'm at it, how about installing an alarm system? Anyone done
that?
If you have done any of these things, I'd love to hear about how you did
it, and the more details you can give me, the better.
Thanks in advance,
Carl Fritz

In a message dated 5/12/00 10:39:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
CFritz7001@aol.com writes:

> Hey, fellow T-types,
> Has anyone figured out a way to install locks on either the bonnet or
> the
> tool compartment of a T-type? (Hopefully, it would be inconspicuous, and
> not
> cost too much to do!) I've developed this aversion to the mere thought of
> some no-good SOB messing around in my engine compartment, or relieving me

of

>
> my tools if I have to leave my car unattended for a while. (I've had both
> things happen!)
> While I'm at it, how about installing an alarm system? Anyone done

that?

>
> If you have done any of these things, I'd love to hear about how you

did

>
> it, and the more details you can give me, the better.
> Thanks in advance,
> Carl Fritz
>

Carl

I installed a battery disconnect switch and mounted it in the floor board
just in front of the drivers seat. The lever pokes up through the floor
board, so if I am going to leave it for any time, I disconnect the switch. I
painted it black and unless you look closely you cant see it. You can get
some that have a key in them as well. I go from the battery post directly to
the switch and then to the starter so the thing is completely isolated. It
makes the floor board more difficult to get out, but is not much of a problem.

The only possibility I can think of to secure the bonnet is to attach
brackets to the inside of each rear bonnet catch. Then, secure a cable from
each that would hang down. You could then, via a break in the cable, secure
it with a pad lock thus tying the two cable ends together. The cable would
loop under the engine and you could access by leaning under the wing. This
would not be visible and might work!

Joe Potter
Eugene, Oregon USA

Joe,
For years, I've had a master battery-disconnect switch, with a removable
key, on my TC. Used to use it (with the desired efect) whan I had to leave
Betsy in parking lots which required me to leave the ignition key with the
car "in case they had to move the car". Got several complaints from lot
operators that they had to push my TC since they could not start it. At that
point, I'd put on a big show of checking connections, etc. until they weren't
looking, then I'd turn the hidden switch back on, get in & drive off,
chuckling to myself. None of them ever seemed to suspect that they'd been
fooled.
Your cable & padlock Idea might be just the ticket to keep strangers out
of my engine compartment! I'll look into it tomorrow. At the moment, I'm
thinking in terms of using one cable and padlock for each side, using
padlocks with identical keys. It doesn't have to be absolutely
high-security, just good enough to stump the casual "target-of-opportunity"
type thief, or someone who's just too damned nosy.
Regards,
Carl Fritz
Gainesville, Fl

I am probably the only person with an alarmed T-type here in the UK with a
system that actually WORKS ('cos I made it myself!). Basically it is a box
containing various relays and lots of wires which fits unseen under the dash
- it also has an alarm, called a "Banshee" which emits 120 dBs. The main
advantage is that it has its own Yale type ignition switch, so I don't need
a whole bunch of keys jangling about on the dash, and is wired such that
anybody using a proper ignition key (have you noticed how helpful Lucas were
to thieves, the key # is stamped on the barrel!) or trying to hot-wire the
car will set the alarm off.

It would be a simple matter to add various other microswitches around the
car (I was going to put one on the hand-brake ratchet but never got around
to it) and one inside the tool box would not be visible from outside. Cars
at shows usually have their bonnets left open and there has never been a
case of a theft of under-bonnet parts (in the UK anyway).

I started making it because I wanted a relay to switch the rear stop-lamps
to flashing mode and thereby avoid hanging extra lights on the back. Then I
added a switch to give hazard flashing (i.e. all four flashers flashing),
then it seemed simple enough to add an alarm. But don't expect me to post up
a wiring diagram - the details are buried deep in one of the many cartons
still unopened from our monumental move a mere 18 months ago!

ocTagonally

Roger Furneaux
Lifton Devon UK TC0978 TC2365

PS no answers yet on how to get the signature thing to work on Outlook
Express!
----------

>From: CFritz7001@aol.com
>To: mg-t@autox.team.net, mg-tabc@egroups.com
>Subject: [mg-tabc] Security measures for a T-type
>Date: Sat, May 13, 2000, 6:38
>

>Hey, fellow T-types,
> Has anyone figured out a way to install locks on either the bonnet or the
>tool compartment of a T-type? (Hopefully, it would be inconspicuous, and not
>cost too much to do!) I've developed this aversion to the mere thought of
>some no-good SOB messing around in my engine compartment, or relieving me of
>my tools if I have to leave my car unattended for a while. (I've had both
>things happen!)
> While I'm at it, how about installing an alarm system? Anyone done that?
> If you have done any of these things, I'd love to hear about how you did
>it, and the more details you can give me, the better.
>Thanks in advance,
>Carl Fritz
>
>
>

hi roger,

are you an engineer for electronics?
since years i am looking for a proper hazard switch. i have connected a
switch to the flashers ralay box which sets all 4 direction lights at
once -- but as you may suggest, in half the intervall -- it flashes to slow
and is of some other reasons not very reliable.

any idea hin?

walter

> I started making it because I wanted a relay to switch the rear stop-lamps
> to flashing mode and thereby avoid hanging extra lights on the back. Then

I

> added a switch to give hazard flashing (i.e. all four flashers flashing),
> then it seemed simple enough to add an alarm. But don't expect me to post

up

> a wiring diagram - the details are buried deep in one of the many cartons
> still unopened from our monumental move a mere 18 months ago!
>
>