a diy security alarm design

[KEEYO]

I am trying to make an alarm setup for my Kenyan lady friend [30].
Last night 23 May 15 whilst in bed [in Kenya] the apartment was broken into and two very good laptops, all my camera equipment £1500 and many other things taken [I am not insured], she went to the hospital on the advice of the rubbish, corrupt police. She shower washed and had something to eat before she went to the hospital. The doctor and my good lady, do not know if she was raped, as over there in Kenya they spray stuff into the room to knock you out before they break in. I hope and pray and keep fingers crossed they did not. She has been tested for aids but will not have the result for 10 weeks being tested yesterday and then again in 8 weeks time. in the mean time she is on doxycycline just in case of any STD's which it will shift. Yes it kills them all by taking one in the morning and one at night for ten-12 days.
Now to what I would like to make, I am a young novice [born 1942] I have experience of soldering and following a circuit, but not much knowledge of the diodes, capacitors and transistors, I have a Maplins near so could buy all the components. they do not seem to have what I exactly want.
I was thinking of buying some 12 volt sirens, 2 pressure mats and simple spring clothes peg switch with a wooden pin attached to invisible cotton, that would pull out by someone crossing the balcony to make a connection to the noise makers. BUT the thing is I would want the alarm and flashing 12v lights to be only on for about a certain length of time say about a minute but preferable variable, then switched off then ready to be active again if the intruders came back and my good lady was away from the house for a week or two. Anyone good at this out there I would be eternally grateful.
Thank you very much if you can help. It would take a lot of pressure off my mind.
KEEYO.

 

[tombam95]

Based on your question, it sounds as though you would benefit from buying an ready-built alarm system directly rather than creating one yourself for the following reasons:

- Any system you build yourself is likely to be far less reliable (especially as you are inexperienced in electronics).
- It can be significantly more costly to purchase individual components.
- Producing a working system can take time, and rarely works first time.

Alternatively, if you still want to build a system yourself (perhaps for customization) then I would suggest you learn the basics of electronics on a site like www.electronics-tutorials.ws. You can then draw up a specification of exactly what you need, and if you're struggling with the circuit designs then you should post again in this forum.

Best of luck,
tombam95

 

[Tha fios agaibh]

Very sorry to hear about your lady friend.
Tombam95 is right. I would have a heightened sense of urgency to secure the apartment as soon as possible, and buy a reliable and proven system, rather than starting from scratch.
If for nothing else but the peace of mind.

 

[Arouse1973]

Absolutely disgusting behaviour if you ask me.
Yes I second what John and the others have said, although we could all design you a circuit to do this, the time and cost would be greater than a ready made unit. Because you have to think about windows also. If they know you have a door alarm then they will just target the windows. If you really still want to do your own then yes we can help.
Adam