> Have a look at the vibration sensors from Signal Quest ( P/N SQ-SEN-
> 003P / 3PS / 3PS-XL)  http://www.signalquest.com/
>
> They're basicaly a ball in cage design, but all the parts are gold plated
> and sealed. I used some in another project - my only complaint would
> have to be price, about $5 US ea in low quantities. But I'm sure they'd
> send a few samples if you told them what you're doing

Good food for thought Denny, thanks.

Forgive me if I've mis-read the pdf,

http://www.signalquest.com/SQ-SEN-003P%20-3PS%20-3PS-XL%20Omnidirectional%20
Tilt%20and%20Vibration%20Sensor%20Datasheet%20and%20App%20Notes_2005-01-24.p
df

but don't these suffer from the same problem as a mercury switch ? Say
the cylinder is mounted horizontally in the veehickle. If it's then parked
on an angle (hill, verge etc) the angle could be great enough for the weight
of the ball to hold it steady and not respond to small tampering vibrations
?

A couple of other points - I've less than 3 weeks to get this marketable at
a sale price of NZ$40-$50. Wish I had more time. Really wish I had more.
Basically anything not OTS is out, the lead times are just too long

I'm wondering what I could do with something springy ............

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