Security for observatories

[DIYman (Doug)]

Hi all

I am in the planning stage to build an observatory and am considering security issues. As far as I know this issue has not been discussed on this forum.

I am thinking of a steel frame with colourbond cladding.

Living on a rural property on the outskirts of a large city means we have the usual hoons and shed breaks in the area.

I have been told that even the most robust shed can be broken into given time especially where creating noise is not an issue. Yes, I can go and have an alarm system fitted, but who is going to respond to it when activated.

I have also been told that even with the best locks and bolts on all openings, thieves simply use an axe to cut through the cladding. Not very encouraging to hear.

I hope in having an ob does not also mean having sleepless nights etc

Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.

Cheers everyone

[Ric]

Hi Doug, I live in a rural area as well so I share similar concerns as you do.

Try to make your Obs look as much like a garden shed as possible and not like an Obs. Thieves generally want stuff they can flog of quickly down the local pub so forks and shovels in a garden shed probably wont attract as much attention.

A good option is to make sure you are well insured as well as has been reccomended to me, it won't get your equipment back but it will make the pain more bearable.

[citivolus (Ric)]

Originally Posted by Ric

A good option is to make sure you are well insured as well as has been reccomended to me, it won't get your equipment back but it will make the pain more bearable.

Also watch your policy per-item limit on valuables. This has gotten us in the past with camera lenses and laptops, but fortunately they left the scope behind.

[DIYman (Doug)]

Thanks Ric and Ric

A friend of mine also suggested making the observatory look like a ordinary shed.

Another sugestion put to me was if I could fit heavy guage mesh used to reinforce concrete against the interior walls. This would slow down the breaking in process enough to discourage a would be thief.

Anyway, as pointed out, at the end of the day that's what insurance is for.

Cheers
Doug

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Everyone that's been to my house has instantly guessed what the building is, the roll of rails are a giveaway....

Just take a photo or two and register all the details with your insurance company.

If people want to break in they will.

More of an issue is a cranky neighbours throwing a bucket of water over the fence while it's open, I moved mine to the centre of my property right in front of the house.

[Amunous (Michael)]

your neighbors threw a bucket of water on your gear when the shed was open? i would have chucked a molly on their roof.. who the hell does that stuff. its not like you would be out there bashing around and talking loudly at 3am taking pics.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by Amunous

your neighbors threw a bucket of water on your gear when the shed was open? s.

No but it was heading that way, we had issues over the 4 yes thats 4 floodlights pointing at my observatory, they then got audited by the council for their construction ( which they wrongly blamed me for), then their was the issue where their dog stuck itself into my property and apparently got a hiding from one of my blue heelers ( I subsequently filmed their dog on my property for the council as we got hauled in which wiped any responsibility) , we copped a verbal over the fence for their own negligence ........ You can see where this is going.... Lots of issues caused me to move it. Including the fear of petty behavior such as a bucket of water...... It has happened to others on this forum

[Amunous (Michael)]

i would go rank if someone threatened my gear like that.. just cause he wants to be an asshole.. i cant stand petty people like that. a good BB gun to his lights would have solved that issue.. or set up some floodlights pointing into his bedroom.and have them switch on at random times in the night. with an accompanied air horn warning sound.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Take up Amateur Rocketry and do the test firings during the night. They have a tendency to self destruct rather violently and with much noise.

( I gave up AR after the third explosion Figured I wasn't having much success so why bother )

[g__day (Matthew)]

What about a few large kennels, warning signs about hungry dogs, a back to base alarm and a motion detector that triggers a german shepards bark as you approach the observatory.

Better still paint a sign on the astro lab calling it "Snakes Astro dome: be careful where you stand in the dark! Anti-venom available in the house"... that might do the trick!

[CDKPhil]

Try to electrify the shed with a cattle fence pulser.
Use a remote to turn it on and off.
That should keep most thieves out.

Cheers
Phil

[Paul Haese]

Use deadlocks heavy duty interior linings and steel mesh on the inside. A heavy external door is also the go. Other than that insurance. I have my observatory on a semi rural property in a small township. Everyone knows who I am and everyon looks out for each other. God help anyone who breaks in around these parts.