DIY Security Systems
Some people say that a door alarm adds another layer of security in your home. If you can’t afford to install a door alarm for home safety, why not try the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) steps to save money. You can customize your door alarm based on you. Some people put household items with it. If you are inspired to learn how to make a door alarm with household items DIY version, read on.
How Does a Door Alarm Work
I know that aside from knowing how to make a door alarm with household items, you are also curious how it works and if you are still unsure what a door alarm can do. A door alarm works well if you use a sensor and a magnet.
Doors come with many different shapes, sizes, and types. A common distinction for door sensors is if they are surface-mounted or recessed. Use screws and double-sided tape to install the surface-mounted on the outside of the door. It makes the surface-mounted contact very easy to install.
On the other hand, some owners do not want their door alarm is visible outside their door. The recessed sensor and magnet are inserted into the holes drilled into the door and its frame. It makes them invisible or hidden from the outside. However, the installation procedure might be difficult since the holes need to be drilled. It is advantageous if you are knowledgeable about how to make a door alarm with household items so the burglars won’t easily recognize your alarm.
Easy Steps to Make a Door Alarm with Household Items
These simple and easy steps procedures are perfect for those who don’t know how to make a door alarm with household items.
Prepare All the Materials
Before you start making a DIY door alarm with household items, you must prepare all the materials that you will be needed. All the supplies that you need should be available at your local hardware store or home center. You can try to look in an electronics store if the 1.5-volt buzzer is not available at your local hardware. The following supplies or materials will cost around $30, and these are the following:
- 1.5-volt battery
- 1.5-volt mini buzzer
- 1 Cardboard, a cereal box can do if the cardboard is not available
- 1 Electrical tape
- 1 Glue stick
- 1 Glue gun
- 1 Wooden clothespin with spring
- 2 Wall hangers, it should be glue-based or at least removable
- 3 Strands, small gauge insulated wire
- 3 to 5 ft of string
- 4×12 inches or 10.2×30.5 cm or larger piece of plywood
- Tape measure or measuring stick
- Wire snips or strong scissors
- Wire strippers
Attach the Plywood
You can use the removable hangers or tape to attach the plywood on the wall. It will be the base of your door alarm. Also, you need to drill holes in the wood so you can hang it from the hangers.
You may attach the plywood close to the top of the door, within a foot from the door frame. It would also work if you place the alarm flat on a desk, bookshelf, or nightstand near the door, so it is easy to access. If your alarm is in a high place, the tendency is it will become harder to reach and deactivate. Doing so, it might require more strings.
Cut the Insulated Wire
Use a pair of sharp scissors or wire snips to cut three strands of wire each one to 30.5 cm long. Use a tape measure, and if you don’t have, use a measuring stick to measure and bend the wires where you will cut them. It will make it easier to cut accurately. Make sure to sharpen your scissors before starting. If not, a sharp knife, such as a utility knife, can also work.
Strip Each Strand
Each of the wire should be covered in an insulated coating. It can be stripped off with your wire strippers. Place the two inches with 5 cm of wire into the slot on the strippers marked for the gauge of wire that you are using. Close the strippers firmly and then pull the wire through to remove the insulation. Perform these steps for both ends of each strand.
You can also use scissors or a utility knife to remove insulation. You should cut the insulation until you hit the metal wire inside, and then peel off the insulation. Use pliers to grip the insulation firmly and pull it off when the insulation doesn’t come free.
Build the Alarm
To build the alarm, follow these steps:
- Tape the battery and buzzer on your wooden board. You can use electrical tape to attach these to the wood. Remember, the tape should not interfere with or cover any connections for the electrical circuit for the buzzer. Also, do not cover the positive (+) or negative (-) ends of the battery.
- Wrap the stripped wire around the ends of the clothespin. Wrap one stripped end of the two pieces of wire around the topmost divot of the top of the clothespin clip-end. Twist the stripped wires around the pin until it tightens.
- Connect the bottom-pin wire to the battery. Put the wire in the right position to directly touch the battery’s positive (+) end. Use the electrical tape to fasten the wire in place.
- Connect one non-battery wire to the buzzer. Leave a small opening in the buzzer so you can insert the wire. There would be two connectors, a positive (+) and a negative (-). Touch one of the top clothespins directly to the positive input for the buzzer.
- Break the circuit using a piece of cardboard. Cut a medium-sized piece of cardboard, then insert it between the wires wrapped around the clothespin.
- Connect the remaining wires. You can attach the stripped end of one of your remaining free clothespin wires to the negative (-) end of the battery.
- Complete the circuit to test the switch. Lay your alarm on a flat surface, and then open the clothespin and remove the circuit breaker.
- Check connections and the battery. When the buzzer is not active, one of the connections might be loose. If so, reinsert the breaker and refasten all the connections.
Install the Alarm
Follow the following steps to install the alarm:
- Glue the clothespin into the board. Remove the board from the wall. Position the clothespin closely to the battery and buzzer before putting the glue.
- Manage the excess wires with tape and hang the board.
- Connect the string to the piece of cardboard in the clothespin.
- Fasten the other end of the string to your door. You can attach the string to the doorknob or tape it to a part of the door.
Conclusion
You now know how to make a door alarm with household items. You can add protection and another layer for the security of your home using a door alarm. If you are on a tight budget, no worries, as you won’t need to spend hundreds of dollars because you can make a door alarm with less than $50 on a budget. Know more about Door Alarms.