Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker14
(Post 2306831)
I thought it would be a useful conversation to have, to discuss various products designed to make one's golf cart less attractive for thieves. The theory being, of course, that we can't make it impossible, but a little deterrence will make it more likely that a thief will move on to someone else's cart.
I was going to post links to all of the products, but that's really a PITA, so anyone who is interested in finding more information online needs merely to GOOGLE a few keywords to educate themselves.
1. "unique" keys, vs. "common" keys, vs. "uncommon" keys. From what I've gleaned on searching "Buggiesgonewild" ( golf cart forum), an "uncommon" key might be what you have if you've had a headlight kit installed on your Yamaha. While it is harder to find than the "common" keys, it is more easily defeated than a "unique" key. As I understand it, to get a "unique" key ignition you have to buy a new one, so labelled, and have it installed.
I am not absolutely sure I understand all of the nuances of this, and would welcome more discussion from someone more knowledgeable. I think I do understand , however, that even such a system can be defeated by someone willing to put the cart in neutral and pull it onto a trailer. Certainly not as easy, and certainly more likely to arouse suspicion, than merely acting like you own the cart with a key that works and driving off in a matter of seconds.
Which leads me to another set of products that in one way or another immobilize the cart mechanically, such as:
1. A wheel boot.
2. A pedal to steering wheel lock bar (which can be used to fix the steering wheel to a part of the frame if the pedal hook doesn't fit the pedal for your particular cart).
3. A pedal lock, which fixes the gas pedal in one spot, and some of them fix the brake in the "set" position making rolling it onto a trailer even more difficult, if not impossible.
My inclination is to get a pedal-to-steering wheel lock bar. Simple, not too expensive (around $30-$40), and immediately obvious to the causal thief that there is easier prey available.
Thoughts?
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I did two things which I believe gives me as much protection as possible.
1. I installed an ignition "lockout" in the dash between the ignition key and the gas gauge. This was an electrical "barrel lock" which has a unique key. You'll often see them on vending machines and electrical panels The key is round, the size of a pencil eraser, with serrations on the end. You'll find one on Amazon. All you need to do is cut the wire leading to the ignition switch and connect the two ends to the terminals on the barrel lock. The chance of a thief having the correct barrel key as well as the correct ignition key are next to nothing.
2. I installed a lock on the brake pedal which prevents the cart being towed or pushed. I drilled a hole in the top right corner of the pedal and a corresponding hole in the floor board. Next, I installed an eye bolt through the floor board with fender washers on both sides of the floor and nylock nuts on each side. With nuts on each side, you can adjust the length of the eye bolt so it is close to the brake pedal when it is fully depressed. Then, I bought a decent padlock with a slightly longer shackle and put it through the eye bolt and then through the hole in the brake pedal. Finally, just to be ultra-careful, I bent the end of the eyebolt under the floor to prevent the locknut from being removed.
The brake lock took no more than 10 minutes time to install. You need to be careful to get the two holes properly aligned. Although not necessary, I bent the eyebolt 90 deg to make it easier to insert the shackle of the padlock. Finally, you adjust the distance between the eyebolt and the brake pedal so the padlock will fit and will not allow the brake to be "kicked off" by pressing the gas pedal.
The barrel ignition took a little more work, perhaps 20 minutes. On a Yamaha you have to remove the top of the dash and then cut the wire leading to the ignition switch. You'll need to splice in some wire as you will connect the two ends to the barrel lock after the wires have been pushed through the hole you've drilled in the dash. Finally, I had to solder the ends of the wires to the barrel lock, although I expect you can find one with screw terminals.
The result has the appearance of a professional job.
I frequently use the ignition cut-out as the most common thefts are done with duplicate ignition keys. The brake lock I use when I have parked the cart in one of the parking lots behind the buildings at the squares or when I am at a restaurant or store outside The Villages where a thief might push or tow the cart away, particularly so at night.
I doubt that you can use a "brake pedal to steering wheel" lock as you need to lock the brake pedal in the "down" position. All of these locks I've seen go behind the pedal and keep it in the "up" position, which is the opposite of what you need with a golf cart.
I have seen several carts with tire "boots". Those would be effective, although they are messy to install, are heavy, will fill the basket on the cart, and will rattle around in the basket when the cart is in motion.
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