I need help with a car anti-theft device circuit schematic

In summary, the goal of the project is to create a circuit schematic that will disconnect the car battery shortly after the car alarm goes off in order to prevent the car from being stolen. The new student is inexperienced in electronic engineering, but he is confident in his ability to navigate simple schematic diagrams.
  • #1
BoatingJoe
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Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
I'm working on a school project and I have to find and/or make a circuit schematic to a car anti-theft system that will disconnect the car battery shortly after the car alarm goes off. I am new to the electronic engineering field but I can differentiate a few different components on a schematic diagram but I would say that I can navigate simple schematic diagrams with some ease.
 
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  • #2
BoatingJoe said:
I'm working on a school project and I have to find and/or make a circuit schematic to a car anti-theft system that will disconnect the car battery shortly after the car alarm goes off. I am new to the electronic engineering field but I can differentiate a few different components on a schematic diagram but I would say that I can navigate simple schematic diagrams with some ease.
Welcome to PF! :smile:

But if your circuit is powered by the battery, won't it stop working when it cuts off its own power? And the battery circuit is a very high-current circuit, so it will take a monster relay to do the disconnect. Can you post the full text of the project assignment? Thanks.
 
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I feel safe throwing out some hints. Yes the battery is a very high current source but there are ways to disable a vehicle without disconnecting the complete battery. The question is: Is there a specific requirement?
 
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  • #4
Averagesupernova said:
I feel safe throwing out some hints. Yes the battery is a very high current source but there are ways to disable a vehicle without disconnecting the complete battery. The question is: Is there a specific requirement?
Well we don't have a specific requirement since we have to come up with a product that has something to do with security and if we make something that already exists, we have to improve it in some way. My group decided with preventing the car from being hot-wired and the whole car being stolen and we want to disable the power completely.

I have not made a circuit schematic with anything but a DC power source, resistor, and LED light. So I have no clue how to do anything complex.
 
  • #5
berkeman said:
Welcome to PF! :smile:

But if your circuit is powered by the battery, won't it stop working when it cuts off its own power? And the battery circuit is a very high-current circuit, so it will take a monster relay to do the disconnect. Can you post the full text of the project assignment? Thanks.
"won't it stop working when it cuts off its own power?" Yeah, that's the idea. After a certain amount of time of the car alarm going off, I don't know how but maybe some kind of IC will trip some kind of switch— like a circuit breaker— that would have to be manually reset after the device system cuts the power.

"Can you post the full text of the project assignment?" Since I'm still in school, so the assignment is for the class to design something that has to do with security and my group decided to prevent the car itself from being stolen. We thought of a suicide circuit that can just disable the car battery so the car cannot be hot-wired and started.
 
  • #6
BoatingJoe said:
so the assignment is for the class to design something that has to do with security and my group decided to prevent the car itself from being stolen. We thought of a suicide circuit that can just disable the car battery so the car cannot be hot-wired and started.
Well, think this through a bit farther (you may have already done so)... Somehow the car owner needs to be able to reset the system so they can still drive their car after the failed theft attempt. But what will prevent the thief from using the same reset mechanism? If it's just a mechanical reset switch under the hood, the thief will be able to pop the hood and reset it just like the car owner wood.
 
  • #7
Back in the 80's our Manitoba provincial gov't owned Vehicle Insurance company (Autopac) had the best service and non-profit rates and gave rebates year-end, if they made a profit. I wish we had this in Ontario.

Then due to rising car thefts but modern vehicle anti-theft RFID's but before modern theft tools, they gave a free offer of a wireless Interrupter that would disable the front hood unlock and ignition supply. Older vehicles were eligible.

Now they have cheaper version that just cuts off the fuel pump. So it must be installed where it is hard to guess.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B091TPXY3D/
 
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FAQ: I need help with a car anti-theft device circuit schematic

What components are typically required for a basic car anti-theft device circuit?

A basic car anti-theft device circuit typically requires components such as a microcontroller or timer IC (e.g., 555 timer), relays, transistors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, a piezo buzzer or alarm, switches, and possibly sensors (e.g., vibration or motion sensors). These components work together to detect unauthorized access and trigger an alarm or disable the ignition system.

How does a relay function in a car anti-theft device circuit?

A relay in a car anti-theft device circuit functions as an electrically operated switch. It can be used to control high-current circuits (like the ignition system) with a low-current signal from the control circuit. When the anti-theft system is triggered, the relay can interrupt the ignition circuit, preventing the engine from starting.

Can I integrate a remote control feature into my car anti-theft device circuit?

Yes, you can integrate a remote control feature into your car anti-theft device circuit. This typically involves using a remote control module with a receiver that can communicate with the control circuit. The remote control can be used to arm or disarm the system, providing added convenience and security.

What are some common troubleshooting steps if the car anti-theft device circuit is not working?

Common troubleshooting steps include checking all connections for loose or broken wires, verifying that all components are functioning correctly (e.g., using a multimeter to check resistors and capacitors), ensuring that the power supply is adequate and stable, and reviewing the circuit schematic to confirm proper assembly. Additionally, checking for software issues if a microcontroller is used can be crucial.

How can I test the effectiveness of my car anti-theft device circuit?

To test the effectiveness of your car anti-theft device circuit, simulate an unauthorized access attempt by triggering the sensors or switches that activate the alarm. Ensure that the alarm sounds or the ignition system is disabled as expected. You can also test the system's response to different scenarios, such as varying the sensitivity of the sensors or testing the remote control functionality if applicable.

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