Thread: HELP! How do I get a light sensor prop to work in low light

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Hello there,

As a first time homeowner I am new to the whole Halloween decorating thing. This year I am making a graveyard on my front lawn. Yesterday, I bought a cool looking animated gargoyle prop to go on my front porch but I can't get him to activate because the light is too low in the area (I think that's why anyway-he has a light sensor). Would simply putting a flood light on the gargoyle be sufficient to make him work? I bought the gargoyle from Sam's Club for $84.

Thank you for any help you can give me!!

-Heidi-

A lot of the light sensor props are using a simple photo-resistor, and you have the right idea to get it working.

Set up some kind of light source the sensor can see, but make certain the path between the light and the prop can be broken - once the resistance drops, the prop triggers.

most of these also have a noise sensor, try clapping your hands and see if that sets him off.

You might want to incorporate some mood lighting in the display. In the past I've put the prop on one side of the path and used a colored light on the other. The photo sensor gets enough light to work and when someone comes up the path they block the light and trigger the prop.