Need Ideas on Installing Lock Bars On Meters to Cover Plug Locks

[akellums1]

Hey guys,

new member here and was hoping I could get some ideas on how to best prevent the Medco plug locks on my meters from getting drilled. I have had several break ins in the last few months and am getting tired of it. I see that several of you have installed a lock bar to cover the face of the plug locks. I am hoping to do the same thing but is likely not going to be easy. I am using Jim Coleman meters that are installed in a masonry enclosure. two of them are fully enclosed and two of them are mostly enclosed with the lower area open which is where the coin vaults are located. Any thoughts on ways of fitting the lock bar and puck lock on there to deter the idiots? Attached are a few pics of my wash. Thank you in advance for the help and suggestions.

 

[Randy]

The simplest thing to do would be to take out the bill validators and blank off the hole. Then install credit cards.

 

[STXCW]

Try plug locks from LAI. We kept getting break ins with Medeco and once we switched it stopped after a few failed attempts.

 

[MEP001]

LAI also has a housing that lets you cover the plug lock with a heavy puck lock. Layers of protection is always good.

You could add a lock bar but it's going to be very difficult with the brick extended out so far. You might be better off welding something inside the box with a tab that comes through the door for an additional lock.

I'd take out the bill acceptors.

 

[mjwalsh]

Akellums1,

You did not ask for alternatives to creating "on the coin or bill box barrier" but as long as others said to take the bill acceptors out completely ... I am betting that if your wash was amenable to being able to keep customers out during the likely slower hours ... it could help vs a 24/7 never close up wash. Milder climate areas tend to not have overhead doors but it seems some operators have fences as an alternative! We tend to have locking overhead doors on each bay here in North Dakota. Our doors lock from inside the equipment room ... I have been tempted to lock a few rascals in until the police came ... so far I have resisted that temptation.

 

[Earl Weiss]

LAI also has a housing that lets you cover the plug lock with a heavy puck lock. Layers of protection is always good.

I
I would try this first.

 

[Earl Weiss]

https://www.laigroup.com/pdf/pay-station-locks-2018.jpg

 

[Greg Pack]

Alarms and video, they'll go for the coin box after you take the bill acceptors out.

 

[mjwalsh]

Just to add to Greg's approach ... the proximity of the responder of the alarm is critical IMHO ... considering how fast the perps sometimes work ... response time is key! Alarm=>a second or two=>Cell phone call=>some of us &/or our help may live close enough so we don't have to always just rely on the local PD's response time. The way crime has recently been accelerating in some poorly run big cities ... us caretakers might have to have bullet proof glass as we approach with our vehicles.

 

[AZcarwashman]

Hey guys,

new member here and was hoping I could get some ideas on how to best prevent the Medco plug locks on my meters from getting drilled. I have had several break ins in the last few months and am getting tired of it. I see that several of you have installed a lock bar to cover the face of the plug locks. I am hoping to do the same thing but is likely not going to be easy. I am using Jim Coleman meters that are installed in a masonry enclosure. two of them are fully enclosed and two of them are mostly enclosed with the lower area open which is where the coin vaults are located. Any thoughts on ways of fitting the lock bar and puck lock on there to deter the idiots? Attached are a few pics of my wash. Thank you in advance for the help and suggestions.

What I do at all my locations is have custom fabricated outer door covers (attached to the surrounding wall and hinged) that cover the whole meter plate and coin box. Then I secure the hinged outer door with simple cheap master locks and alarm the door. Never had a break in since, the perps will take a bolt cutter to the $5 outer door locks and when they open it, the alarm sounds and they never get a chance to drill out the real locks. You will need to find a skilled welder/fabricator to do this, but you’ll sleep soundly at night thereafter.

 

[UtahYoutubeGuy]

What I do at all my locations is have custom fabricated outer door covers (attached to the surrounding wall and hinged) that cover the whole meter plate and coin box. Then I secure the hinged outer door with simple cheap master locks and alarm the door. Never had a break in since, the perps will take a bolt cutter to the $5 outer door locks and when they open it, the alarm sounds and they never get a chance to drill out the real locks. You will need to find a skilled welder/fabricator to do this, but you’ll sleep soundly at night thereafter. View attachment 4422

Thats looks like a slick setup.

Can you send more pics from different angles and maybe the inside?

Also what do you use for an alarm?