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Post by andrew on Apr 10, 2014 12:39:06 GMT -5
Okay so after my last scooter got stolen right out of my car port in the middle of the night I have vowed never to let this happen again. I will at least do everything in my power to prevent it. In the event the some how get past my disc lock w/alarm, and chain lock I plan on installing a GPS tracker hidden on the bike. Now there are only a few options as to how I do this I have discovered. Option 1 would be to buy an expensive $100-$200 GPS tracking device. Option 2 is to make a DIY GPS system. I purchased a "Tk-102" off Ebay for $30 from a US seller (otherwise they are about $10 less from China). The way this tracker works is you install an active GSM Sim card (prepay or not) into the device. Then in the event of you wanting to locate it you simply call the number the SIM was given, the device picks up and then hangs up and automatically sends you a Text message with its GPS coordinates and speed of travel. It also has some other neat features like a microphone that will allow you to listen in remotely to whatever is going on around it. Now obviously the GPS needs to be charged every now and then. It has a 96 hour Standby time on the battery. My plan is this. I purchased the "Hard Wire car charger kit" in which you can hard wire it to the battery of the bike of vehicle you are installing it on. Now the problem with that is it would be a constant drain on your battery and you would end up with a dead battery. What If I were to hard wire it to the Head light circuit on the bike so it will only charge the device when the bike is running? Does anyone have any experience with this particular device or any others that they can share some tips or knowledge? Below is a link to the ebay page with the device I purchased. I will keep you updated with how it turns out. www.ebay.com/itm/111320790610?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 |
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Post by JerryScript on Apr 10, 2014 12:58:54 GMT -5
I have been thinking of doing something similar with an old android phone I have. The battery drain has been the only thing holding me back. Unless you ride for hours at a time, you will not get much of a charge by only having it charging when the scooter is on. The only solution I've been able to think of is hooking up to a battery tender when parked at home.
The advantage to using an old android phone is you can use Android Device Manager to locate the phone from any other device, and turn the ringer on full blast for 10 minutes at a time, acting as an alarm of sorts. You can also install remotely operated webcam apps that will allow a properly positioned android phone to grab pictures or video of the thief!
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New Rider
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Post by andrew on Apr 10, 2014 15:45:38 GMT -5
That is another option.So you dont think occasional charge when riding will keep it charged enough? You might be right. I just looked though and the hard wire charge I purchased for installation says that it only charges when the ignition switch is on. So it "claims" it wont drain your battery. What do you think of a solar power charger of sorts? I know they make them for the micro USB port which this tracker has. I wonder if they have one out there that is small enough and inconspicuous enough that it wont look stupid and will charge it at all times?
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Been scooting since July 2013
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Post by kevbailey on Apr 10, 2014 20:58:45 GMT -5
Even if it was conspicuous, putting a solar panel on the scoot would be a good way to keep the battery topped up. Most people would assume it's to keep your battery charged, so I do not think it would be obvious.
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Post by JerryScript on Apr 10, 2014 23:25:15 GMT -5
A solar panel could work very well, but you have to be sure the circuit includes a charge controller so you don't get back feed into the panel destroying it. There was a video on youtube a couple of years ago where a guy took those solar panel yard lights from the dollar store, removed the solar panels and wired them up to a usb plug, and it did show charging on the phone when plugged in.
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