WARNING - Lock it Up!!!!!!!

[TLR]

My 10 ton outdoor condensing unit was destroyed by "copper vandals" Friday night. The unit was behind my store - in a "fenced in" area with barb wire across the top and and chain locked on the fence door. They hit several businesses in my area the same night. They loosened the bolt on the hinge of the fence door - slipped the door off the hinge just enough to get inside the fence and then took the unit apart and carried it out.

BEWARE - Copper salvage prices have skyrocketed as new copper prices have gone up. If you do not have your condensing unit locked up - I suggest you take measures now!!!!!

I am trying to figure out the best way to scure my unit better next time.

There are no lights on the back side of my building - and a Power Company security light costs about $60/month.

I went and bought 8 floor fans and am giving away FREE water to keep people from walking in and leaving - thanks goodness for loyal customer and a mild last few days in middle Georgia - mid 90's.

Any one with suggestions on securing the unit better would be appreciated.

TLR

[Ken]

install on the roof?

[Silent Roo]

We always suggest Chains and lock on all corners of fences of a location of value or entry. However this probably would not have helped as they would have cut it.

It is difficult to stop a theif as they are so adaptable. We have seen the same type crimes. Even have seen donation sites for Charities that collect cans hit this summer.....

[anonymous]

Simple - Enclose it with an electric Fence :)

[SmartCard]

I'm located on a shopping center. 3 rooftop units were hit last month. (not mine) The landlord paid for new ones, I'm sure that I'll pay next year through increased CAM charges.

[pete f]

Is there a way to wire for electric shock? I have mine on the roof, lots of light and cam, but if that is not an option must be a way to high volt fence it. Maybe a fence within a fence. Post the warning signs of course!

man it sucks when people steal your stuff!!!

[TLR]

My quick fix was to go to Lowes and buy $350 worth of 1/4 chain and 30 locks. I cut the chains at Lowes into sections - so I could wrap the unit 3 times acroos the top, 3 times around the short side of unit, and 2 times around long side of unit. Wherever the chains crossed - I put a masterlock. Looks funny - but it has worked so far - and my insurance company will re-imburse me for the added security.

Hopefully - a future thief will see this unit as a problem and go on to easier units somewhere else.

TLR

[Clothes_Tyme]

In the new the other day they were talking about thieves here in Cali stealing stuff for the copper.

UNBELIEVABLE!!! What people will do for money!

Do whatever you can to protect your things.

[The wizard]

It will only get worst. We are as a world running low on new metal and salvage prices are; therfore, going up. Why this nation does not place a mandatory recycling law into effect force all used recyclable items to be reclaimed is unknown. But will that stop the thiefs do not know but if we recycled more maybe the salvage prices will come down. I wish if I caught a thief which distroyed a working ac for the petty salvage of some copper I would repipe their internals with the tubing they got.

[pete f]

My quick fix was to go to Lowes and buy $350 worth of 1/4 chain and 30 locks. I cut the chains at Lowes into sections - so I could wrap the unit 3 times acroos the top, 3 times around the short side of unit, and 2 times around long side of unit. Wherever the chains crossed - I put a masterlock. Looks funny - but it has worked so far - and my insurance company will re-imburse me for the added security.

Hopefully - a future thief will see this unit as a problem and go on to easier units somewhere else.

TLR


Definately get a reduction for hurricane insurance! It won't blow away.