Driveway chime?

[DocsMachine]

Looking to add a driveway chime (visitor bell thing) to the shop.

I know they make units with two sensors (I have two driveways) but does anyone make a unit with two bases?

That is, I want to put a sensor across each of the two driveways, but I also want the chime to sound both out in the shop and the house.

I'm sure I could put up two separate systems (though I don't know how the "beams" might interact or interfere with each other) but obviously I'd like to have an "all in one" unit.

Or would it be as easy as buying two kits, and one sensor would cause both base stations to ring?

Anyone know?

Doc.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

We have a Chamberlain CWA2000. I just checked the manual and it said that a single base could learn up to seven sensors. It looks like you could easily have multiple bases learn the same sensor, so it should do what you want. We have had ours for a couple of years and the only issue ended up being low batteries in the sensor unit. It does trigger on deer and larger animals which causes some "false" alerts. It uses heat instead of a light beam which means you only have one outside unit for each location monitored. However if the sensor gets covered with snow there will not be any alerts.

 

[DocsMachine]

I suppose that's another question: I want a unit that will alert for either car or walking traffic, and don't care if it false-alerts on a dog or moose or something.

Not sure how heat alone would work here in Alaska- I'd assume that a wintertime scene would actually kind of add contrast to either a vehicle or human passerby. But I'd likely have to keep the sensors cleared of snow build-up.

Doc.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

While Illinois is not Alaska, we do see below zero temps. The only time the snow build up was a problem was a blowing snow from just the right direction. I would think a heavy snow fall would interrupt the light beam.

 

[Ray-CA]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NNECX0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Old time gas station bell

Ray

 

[sixty4]

I have a dakota alert at the end of the driveway. One station at the house one in the detached garage. Works ok on batteries, just hate when the deer walk through at 4:30 in the morning.

 

[glider]

This is the one I use. It has a magnet buried next to the driveway.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003765W0W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[47jlk]

I've had the below for a few month. I installed it in Jan., be sure to orient it towards the south so it will recharge enough to last successive cloudy days. Ditto on the deer at 4am comment . . .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3TFM2G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wssix99]

I just place these at the end of my driveway. They don't miss a thing.

 

[Gigem]

You can do this with a Nest camera. And a heck of a lot more.

 

[CJseven]

We have a chamberlain battery unit, works great other than eating batteries like candy. I’ve been looking at the solar ones a bit.

 

[CJseven]

I've had the below for a few month. I installed it in Jan., be sure to orient it towards the south so it will recharge enough to last successive cloudy days. Ditto on the deer at 4am comment . . .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3TFM2G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So have you been pleased with this unit? Our current one is battery only and eats them like candy, so been looking at solar ones and had not seen this one yet.

 

[chase237]

I have a Guardline driveway alarm with two sensors for two driveways. I have it programmed to sound two different tones so I know which driveway it's alerting to.
Ive had it for a couple yrs, heat, cold, snow, ice, no issues. I will occasionally get an alert for a squirrel, cat, etc.

Available on Amazon if you so desire.

 

[Innovate1]

This is the one I use. It has a magnet buried next to the driveway.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003765W0W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I put in the wired version Mighty Mule. It's intended to be used with a gate opener but has a simple contact output. Works well. Was not aware of the wireless version. How long do the batteries last?

 

[buthfarms]

Guardline works the best of all that I have tried. I have 3 sensors with 2 bases, a different tone for each sensor. I have the system with 1/4 mile range, one of my sensors is 900ft. from base and it works fine. It does get set off by anything larger than a squirrel. They recommend the use of Energizer Lithium Batteries, but they last at least 9 months.

 

[SGKent]

Bell on a rope. "Please ring for service."

 

[Jeepster04]

Dakota alarms can do all of that. They have 3 different types, motion (I dont recommend, lots of false alarms), hose, and a sensor you bury under the drive. I recently purchased the hose that go across the drive for my parents since they have paved driveway. Its possible that you could bury the sensor along the edge of the asphalt but I didnt want to waste time and $$ trying it out. The hose has been working great for several months now.

The only bad reviews I could fine were about the hose. You can purchase a milton hose to replace it for $30 on amazon when/if the time comes.

 

[Fatboy148]

Dakota alarms can do all of that.

With ours, they aren't false alarms, those activations may be something other than a person or car/truck.

My sensor is almost 1/4 mile from the house and works great. Sometimes I will look down and will see a crow that has landed or some kind of other critter strolling through. Some summers I will have to go and cut a wild grape vine that has a tendency to grow in front of the sender. If I get constant alarms on a windy summer/fall day, I just head out with my clippers and the activations stop soon after.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Optex. We stock and sell a lot of the RCTD-20U.
https://www.optexamerica.com/security-products/rctd-20u

 

[glider]

I put in the wired version Mighty Mule. It's intended to be used with a gate opener but has a simple contact output. Works well. Was not aware of the wireless version. How long do the batteries last?

I would say about two to three battery changes a year. Bought a second unit for the barn. Both inside units work off one buried magnet.

 

[BruceMc]

I have a Guardline driveway alarm with two sensors for two driveways. I have it programmed to sound two different tones so I know which driveway it's alerting to.
Ive had it for a couple yrs, heat, cold, snow, ice, no issues. I will occasionally get an alert for a squirrel, cat, etc.

Same set-up here, but with the sensors installed and aimed such that small critters (including the dog) don't trigger an alarm. Two-legged and moose will, though. A single set of lithium batteries is good for a year and keeps things working through the coldest winter days.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NNECX0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Old time gas station bell

Ray

X2. I have one in the garage to tell me when to stop. I got it from one of the Exxons I ran when they razed it back in the late 80's. You can tee the hoses and hook them to two chimes.

Tommy

 

[TitusLloydPullo]

I use Ring spotlight cameras. Not perfect, cause you need power and wifi, but all these cheap modern cameras have programmable motion sensors. Some are battery or solar.

 

[Milzo]

This is the one I use. It has a magnet buried next to the driveway.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003765W0W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've been looking at the mighty mule, how do you like it/

I just returned this Guardline last week https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFZUKGM/?tag=atomicindus08-20. For my application I didn't care for it, too many false alarms.

But to the OP it would be perfect for your situation. You can have multiples of sensors & bases. Its reasonable priced and gets great reviews. It worked really well but the abundance of deer by us caused it to go off too much at the wee hours of the night. Drove my dog nuts.

 

[glider]

I've been looking at the mighty mule, how do you like it/

I just returned this Guardline last week https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFZUKGM/?tag=atomicindus08-20. For my application I didn't care for it, too many false alarms.

But to the OP it would be perfect for your situation. You can have multiples of sensors & bases. Its reasonable priced and gets great reviews. It worked really well but the abundance of deer by us caused it to go off too much at the wee hours of the night. Drove my dog nuts.

We have tried a few. This one works well but can defeat it if you drive too fast by it. Something to think about where you put the outside unit.

 

[Craig Balzer]

Optex. We stock and sell a lot of the RCTD-20U.

Jeff

I have a horseshoe drive in front of my house and a separate drive leading to a detached hobby shop; therefore a need for three sensors. I would like to have one receiver (if that is the correct term -- base unit?) that monitors all three sensors in the house and a second one in the hobby shop that monitors the same three sensors (being retired I spend a good amount of time in the hobby shop).

Does your system support that arrangement?
If not -- can you recommend a system that does?

Craig

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yes, the Optex unit supports multiple sensors.

 

[Craig Balzer]

But can one sensor report to multiple base stations?

 

[Fatboy148]

But can one sensor report to multiple base stations?

I know the Dakota Alarms can, because we have it set up with multiple senders (one on drive leading in and on shop people doors) and two receivers.

 

[PelicanPines]

Blink camera on mailbox... chimes my phone in my pocket... which is set to do not disturb at 4am for the deer crossing.

Still records the image at all hours.

 

[sr_tj02]

I use Ring spotlight cameras. Not perfect, cause you need power and wifi, but all these cheap modern cameras have programmable motion sensors. Some are battery or solar.

We use a ring too. On the barn, about 75ft from the house and it monitors about 350ft of flat level driveway. Have the PoE version due to the distance, so no wifi or battery. Works great, but you've got to tinker with the motion settings to make sure we capture and ignore the right things. Have an Alexa that announces visitors in addition to the Ring chime.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Blink camera on mailbox... chimes my phone in my pocket... which is set to do not disturb at 4am for the deer crossing.

Still records the image at all hours.

If you lived closer I'd start coming by at 03:50 and waving my hand in front of your mailbox.

Tommy

 

[Craig Balzer]

I know the Dakota Alarms can, because we have it set up with multiple senders (one on drive leading in and on shop people doors) and two receivers.

Thanx Fatboy -- I'll check them out

 

[DocsMachine]

Quick update for those interested: The Dakota Alarms kit, I can say with all qualifications, is a worthless *************.

Bought a kit off eBay, two base stations and four sensors. (The only kit that came with multiple bases.) Cost something like $340.

One sensor might detect one out of five vehicles. There is nothing in the way of the sensor, and cars pass within eight feet of it.

And it's not a sensitivity issue, as it detects the neighbor's dog without fail, promptly at 7:00 am every weekday morning. (I'm presuming said neighbor lets him out for a sniff before heading to work.)

On the other hand, it missed a 32' motorhome towing a 20' enclosed trailer. Didn't make a peep.

The other sensor has detected exactly one vehicle that I know of, in the last two months or so it's been up.

Batteries are brand-new, name-brand. Neither base is more than 120 feet from a sensor, and inside conventional stick-frame buildings. (Not steel.)

Basically it's a $340 alarm clock, and worse than useless as a driveway chime.

Doc.

 

[mudcat]

I have started to look into these for my new place. I will have a 1200' driveway and would like at least 2 sensors and 2 bases. Appreciate all the first hand experiences.

 

[bbxlr8]

I have the exact opposite feedback re the Dakota alerts.

Had for 11 years and use the magnet set-up about a foot off the drive about 75' in (to not pick up turn arounds). It is 500' to the sensor in the house and DEAD NUTS reliable for any vehicles large or small. Never picks up animals (unless deer are full of lead) I can only speak for the 1:1 setup, but you can rig for multiple sensors or receiver. I wouldn't be without it.

Only false alarms come from lightning strikes within a couple of miles.

 

[DocsMachine]

Final Update: My Dakota Alarms kit, using motion sensors, has been taken down, the batteries removed, everything carefully repacked, and the box stomped on and thrown in the goddam trash. Utterly ******* worthless hunk of ****.

It has totally ignored every single vehicle that has come through in the past three months- I can't remember the last time it actually detected one. Car, truck, box van, UPS truck, septic pumper, the dude checking gas meters... Not one goddam peep.

Neighbor's dog at 5:00 am? Every ******' time. Without fail.

The kit came with four sensors- I've tried all four, with all the different sensitivity settings, tried different mounting heights, no change. I'm not sure this thing could detect a friggin' armored division passing by.

And for those that will say I must have somehow set it up wrong, the instructions are literally four, 4" square pages: One on how to install/replace the battery, one on how to handshake the remotes to the desk units, one on how to adjust the volume and choose a tone for said desk unit, and one on how to mount the remote using screws.

Zero on tuning, aiming, adjusting, etc. They're plug and play. If the "eye" is aimed toward where the car will be, it should detect it. Period, end of story.

Well, it doesn't. Unless my box came with all four "lemons" for sensors, this thing's utterly worthless.

Tell me more about this 'magnetic' thing. I wanted something that could detect people too, as I had an issue with neighbors wandering in as they felt like, but at this point, I'd settle for just being able to reliably detect the friggin' cars.

Doc.

 

[Bretny]

The $20 ones harbor freight sells worked well for years for us. I bought two with the same code so got 2 receivers and 2 sensors for $40. One was 350ft from the sensor and through my house.

Unfortunately my dogs also knew what the chime ment and would bark like a murderer was knocking down the door. We did use them for quite a few years though.

 

[haveissues]

I have this one and it is amazing. Lasted 2 years on batteries and is very reliable. It is about 700ft from my house.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y41NVZC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[67CarGuy]

I've always wanted to install these: https://www.miltonsbells.com/

Haven't had a driveway that could use them yet, but I've had the website saved for some time now... maybe on the next house?