Thread: need prop help

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I need some ideals on how and what props ,other than static ones,Icould make for my haunted trail that would run on some sort of power other than 120v.No electricity availible.Ireally need some help.I used many actors last year(our first year)and plan on doing it again this year.Problem is always getting them to show up.So I thought a combination would be best.Thanks,rick

do you have access to a Gas powered generator or three? Maybe a friend with a hunting cabin would loan you his?

Props activated by releasing a Bungee cord work good, but someone has to be there to operate it and reset it each time. That someone could walk up and down a section of the haunt, activating several of these in "his area". We did that with a JayCee Haunted trail back in the 80's. Several of us would walk along with the tour, but in the trees where they couldn't see us. We'd release up to 6 of these "gravity / bungee cord" sets, then we'd jump out to 'scare them along', then reset each of the prop effects as we walked back to our starting point, to wait for the next group. Gets tiring after awhile, you'll need dedicated people.

If you can park your cars and trucks near the sets, you could power some of the effects off the car battery. Just be sure to start the car every now and then, or you'll all be walking home, as your cars sit with dead batteries. Maybe cover the car with Camo netting, some brush, small trees, whatever, to conceal it.

Are there any houses nearby? Within maybe a hundred yards? You can get extension cords to cover that length, and maybe work a deal with the homeowner to pay a fair share of the electric bill if you can run several extension cords. Just keep in mind that cords that long tend to be pricey, and connecting many together to make one long cord could be a fire/safety hazard.

How about something like this...





One person would be able to work or activate multiple props. Maybe attach bungicords to anchor them to ground for resetting. Just an idea.

Marine batteries or car batteries work well supplying 12VDC power for sound boards and to power triggers......you can use a power converter to convert 12VDC to 120VAC....to run a compressor but it will drain....you'de have to test the longevity.

Gravity props are a good idea. The person at the back of the group can reset the prop and catch back up.

You need a little lighting and sound .....marine batteries are good for this.

CHUK,There are no house in a good half mile of this trail.I think I would need a long,long extension cord the path is semi paved in the beginning and runs thru awwods,It then turns onto a grass hiking trail about 5' wide(park calls it a mouse trail) surrounded by wait high shrubs and weeds. Then the staff mowed a 5' path for me where a deer trail existed,between a woods and pond are.It wasn't exactly grass they mowed,but the bush hog made quick work of it.Ther are many high weeds and shrubs between the path and the water.The deer made guest appearences both nights the trail was open.Thanks for the ideas and please I need all I can get.MORE, MORE PLEASE!!!On props too.Thanks,Rick

Perhaps you could have some operated by the guide or guests. For example the guide may say you may need to pull this lever or rope to open the gate....but instead some thing pops up. Or you could put a door way in and attach a rope to the door which would cause something to happen. Maybe try some type of pressure mat that could release a spring operated device when steped on. The guide could reset it.

1. Tie high-test fishing line to a couple of tin cans.
2. Place the cans on one side of the trail.
3. Run the fishing line through some tree branches to the OTHER side of the trail.
4. Hide. When your victims get close, jiggle the cans to make noise.
5. Scare them from behind with a college basketball-type airhorn-in-a-can.
6. Sincerely apologize for making them soil themselves.
7. Repeat.