Choosing the Best Solar Driveway Alarm

Solar driveway alarms are a low-cost and straightforward way to ensure your home is safe from intruders.

When installing one, it’s essential to think about the following:

• Where you plan on placing it.
• Whether it will be used as an alarm or just as a driveway marker.
• How much money you’re willing to spend.

Where to place a solar driveway alarm?

For a solar driveway alarm to work, it must receive direct sunlight. When you’re selecting where to place an alarm, the most crucial factor is ensuring that it gets at least four hours of full-strength sun each day. A good rule of thumb is that an asphalt driveway needs to be sloped towards the street or sidewalk. This allows for better drainage and ensures that the driveway is not too steep for the sun’s rays to reach it.

Solar How do they work?

A solar driveway alarm is a device with a sensor that detects when a car drives over it, turning on a series of loud sirens. They are a simple and economical way to secure a driveway or parking area. A solar driveway alarm works by using a small solar panel. It charges a battery, which powers the device whenever it detects motion from cars driving over the sensor grid. The alarm’s noise is typically very high-pitched and can be as loud as 110 decibels.

Solar driveway alarm placement: What to keep in mind

Keep the following tips in mind when deciding where to plant a solar sensor:

Place it on a level area. If you place a driveway marker on a slanted surface, the sensor will not respond to cars driving over it and will consequently not trigger the alarm.

Plant it in a location where it will receive direct sunlight at least four hours per day. The battery won’t have sufficient power to sound the alarm when cars drive over it if you don’t.

Consider installing an additional solar panel by your garage if needed. This way, you’ll have two separate sources of power.

When installing a solar driveway alarm, consider having an electrician wire it directly into your home’s electrical system instead of using solar power alone. While wiring it directly to the house might void any warranty you have on the unit, it will give you more options for arming and disarming the device because you’ll be able to access different circuits in your home.

If you decide to use solar power alone, keep in mind that the total wattage of the lights on your property should not exceed 2 watts. Otherwise, it could cause problems with the sensor system.

How much should I spend on a solar driveway alarm?

Consider what features are most important to you when looking at different driveway alarms. Most driveway alarms are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $50 to $200+.  A simple sensor with an antenna will cost less than a more complex system with additional features such as remote control arming/disarming and text message alerts.

Check the warranty before you purchase a solar driveway alarm. Some guarantees cover parts, while others only cover labor for six months. Check the warranty details carefully to make sure they will cover any issues you might have with your unit over time.

When determining how much money to spend, keep these factors in mind:

Consider matching the number of sensors in your solar driveway alarm to the number of entrances you want to protect. If you have only one door leading to your house, a single sensor will do just fine.

If you’re planning on installing multiple driveway alarms, consider getting ones with adjustable decibel ratings. This way, you can set your alarm  loud enough for your needs.