How to theft-proof solar panels?

[MyLady]

Hi,

 

Last time we left Milady moored to a towpath one of our solar panels got stolen - they're only fastened on by screw knobs to the triangle mounting plates that let us tilt them to and fro. They are safe in a marina now, but we want to go out again...

 

How do we fasten the remaining two on so they are still there when we leave her out again?

 

Can we buy some wire strops and if so how do we fasten those to the panels and the boat? Are there some tamper-proof bolts and what are they called?

 

Any other suggestions welcome!

 

TIA,

 

[W+T]

Hi there, how about a stainless steel bar/rod across the panel bolted down, use torx head bolts and fill with epoxy resin/glue to prevent them from being undone. Just a quick suggestion to get my mind going.

[MyLady]

Hi there, how about a stainless steel bar/rod across the panel bolted down, use torx head bolts and fill with epoxy resin/glue to prevent them from being undone. Just a quick suggestion to get my mind going.

 

Thanks for that, but remember these panels tilt towards the sun, so their mid point is about 6" from the deck and one or other edge is twice that. Which edge depends on where the boat is lying that day. and both ends of the bolt (i.e. head and nut) are accessible.

 

I accept that total theft-proofing is impossible but want to defeat those carrying only a Swiss Army Knife

[MyLady]

I think I've cracked it, simply a loop of stainless multi-strand wire, held shut with those compression swages

Edited August 16, 2016 by MyLady

[manxmike]

How about those computer security leads with locks on?

[Top cat]

How about a cable type bike lock, drill a hole in the frame and pass the lock through or under the bracket

 

Top Cat

[BargeeSpud]

If there is space, drill a hole through both mount & panel frame to take a padlock. You can get padlocks in sets with the same key & you might be able to drill the panel frame so that you can lock the panels in the desired tilt position.

[Tiggs]

Second nut tightened and glued to first one. Bolt head and nuts filed round.

[Jambo]

You can get security nuts that require a special tool to grip the nut. You can also get secuirty bolts but I quite like the idea of hexlox.

Edited August 16, 2016 by Jambo

[Dalslandia]

booby trap?

[matty40s]

booby trap?

Loosen it off, stand back a bit and re-tighten.

[MtB]