Catalytic converter anti-theft system

A system for warning when catalytic converter theft is occurring, comprising in combination:

• a voltage divider coupled to an output and a sensor port of a microcontroller and with a first resistor having a first resistance between the output and the sensor port;
• the voltage divider coupled to the catalytic converter via a conductive pathway having a second resistance, which conductive pathway is also coupled to the sensor port of the microcontroller;
• the microcontroller having a source of power and an alarm signal output which outputs an alarm signal when the sensor port indicates that the voltage divider senses a change in resistance of the conductive pathway, indicative of catalytic converter disturbance;
• wherein a washer of electrically conductive metal connects the conductive pathway to the catalytic converter;
• wherein a high temperature insulator is placed over the washer;
• and
• wherein a hose clamp girds the catalytic converter and at least partially covers the washer.

A system for protecting a catalytic converter in a vehicle from tampering, the system comprising in combination:

• a conductive pathway extending between the catalytic converter which is grounded and a sensor;
• said sensor configured to sense changes in resistance of said conductive pathway correlating with a high probability that the catalytic converter is being tampered with;
• an alarm coupled to said sensor, said alarm activated once said sensor detects a change in resistance of said conductive pathway;
• wherein said conductive pathway includes a length of nichrome wire;
• wherein a distal end of said nichrome wire is electrically coupled to an outer housing of the catalytic converter;
• wherein said distal end of said nichrome wire is encapsulated within a high temperature bonding agent, said bonding agent bonded to the outer housing of the catalytic converter.

A system for protecting a catalytic converter in a vehicle from tampering, the system comprising in combination:

• a conductive pathway extending between the catalytic converter which is grounded and a sensor;
• said sensor configured to sense changes in resistance of said conductive pathway correlating with a high probability that the catalytic converter is being tampered with;
• an alarm coupled to said sensor, said alarm activated once said sensor detects a change in resistance of said conductive pathway;
• wherein said conductive pathway includes a length of nichrome wire;
• wherein a distal end of said nichrome wire is electrically coupled to an outer housing of the catalytic converter;
• wherein high temperature insulator tape overlies at least portions of said nichrome wire holding said nichrome wire to said outer housing of said catalytic converter, and with a hose clamp on a side of said insulator tape opposite said nichrome wire, said hose clamp tightened down onto said insulation tape and said nichrome wire with said pipe clamp girding an entire circumference of the catalytic converter.

A system for protecting a catalytic converter in a vehicle from tampering, the system comprising in combination:

• a conductive pathway extending between the catalytic converter which is grounded and a sensor;
• said sensor configured to sense changes in resistance of said conductive pathway correlating with a high probability that the catalytic converter is being tampered with;
• an alarm coupled to said sensor, said alarm activated once said sensor detects a change in resistance of said conductive pathway;
• wherein said conductive pathway includes a length of nichrome wire;
• wherein a distal end of said nichrome wire is electrically coupled to an outer housing of the catalytic converter;
• wherein said distal end of said nichrome wire is free of an insulation jacket, while other portions of said nichrome wire have an insulation jacket thereon, and with said distal end of said nichrome wire coupled to an electrically conductive washer which in turn is electrically coupled to the outer housing of the catalytic converter.