12v PIR cat detector and squirter :advice sought please!

[nick]

Dear All,

In a bid to stop the local cats killing our nesting birds, I have decided to make a cat deterrent device.

Having read mixed reports regarding the ultrasonic repellers and high cost of water mains connected cat squirters, I had an idea to make one using a windscreen washer pump, 12v transformer (both which I happen to already have) and a 12v PIR switch.

I found this and phoned them up asking if it would detect cats:

read the box and said they didn't think it would detect cats.

It is capable of switching up to 10A so I'm confident it will operate the pump, but am unsure whether to take a gamble and buy one anyway.

In your experience do PIRs readily trigger by passing medium sized animals such as cats?

Or are there any alternative 12v PIRs?

Thanks in advance!

[newshound]

I'm pretty sure they will, at a metre or two. I have a PIR sensor to detect people at the door (the wireless signal gets through my rubble stone walls much better than "cordless" bell pushes). It's masked to view a fairly narrow beam, but I get false positives from small birds in the bushes by the path.

[root]

My neighbours have an outside PIR light and bloody millions of cats (well, OK, two). Their light is going on and off constantly during the night as the moggies wander past. So it can be done.

I've seen some recently (can't remember where :( ) that were a) battery operated b) used an aerosol of something

So I presume they had a solenoid in the mechanism that activated the spray. IIRC the device used some sort of custom chemical, not just water in the sprayer. Has the advantage that it would also work at < 0°C when a water based one might freeze up.

[Mr Pounder]

Yes, but the cats don't care.

Antifreeze.

[NoSpam]

I've been told that Antifreeze is HIGHLY toxic to cats, with a very small amount causing a painful death. On the assumption that you want to deter rather than kill I suggest that antifreeze may not be a good idea

[Graham.]

pull them out of a tree etc. Mind you, they bite less

Can't help thinking there must another kind of pussy that keeps you going back ;)

BTW I liked the short bus euphemism, Hadn't heard that before.

[ARWadsworth]

Did the school have sign outside saying "Slow children crossing"

[Mr Pounder]

Can I use that one?

Mr Pounder

[ARWadsworth]

If you want to. I stole it from viz.

[Mr Pounder]

HA! I used to read that. Are The Three Fat Slags still in it.?

Mr Pounder

[Mr Pounder]

Yes, some are very expensive.

[Mr Pounder]

I am no longer trusted to go to the local Chink takeaway. The last time I was sent there I said please and finished up with a load of mushy peas.

>

[ARWadsworth]

Three?

Only Tracy and Sandra. But yes, they are still there.

[ARWadsworth]

:-)

[Mr Pounder]

I seem to remember three. But it was a long time ago and maybe one retired.

Mr Pounder

[Tim Streater]

I only ever saw two. Then there was Sid.

[Mr Pounder]

I have bowed my head in my magnificent new thread.

Mr Pounder

[Appelation Controlee]

-----------------------------8><

Indeed!