Thread: Method for making noises

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I'm working on a few homebrew systems. One thing I'm going to do is a tree shaker. I'm going to use a 110v drill with an offset weight attached to a small tree and bushes. It'll be activated by a motion sensor. Also on the circuit will be a light.

I'd like to activate a noise at the same time. It would need to be triggered by the application of AC or DC power. I could also use DC power to trip a relay.

Does anyone have a suggestion for what kind of device I could use? I want to get some decent volume and I could run it through an amplifier if needed.

The triggering a repeatability are my big concerns.

Thanks!

I've seen people hook up a motion sensor light like for a house to get things to work that way. Use the light bulb screw ins that you can plug a cord into. Then when the person sets off the motion detector the power starts the things plugged into it. Then after a while they shut off again. Seems like a pretty simple and cheap way to go.

You can use a motion sensing light and a 30 second sound recorder from radio shack. You will need to run the sound through an amplifier, a set of amplified computer speaker works great. The sound quality is not great but what can you expect for $10. There also is a thread on here about using a cheap MP3 player. You could also purchase a cowalious sound chip, better quality and longer recording time then the Radio Shack. Both the radio shack and MP3 player require some modification to get them to work, Do a search and I'm sure you'll find a lot of info on Motion Dectors and the sound options.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm either going to use a modified motion sensor light (setup to plug in and with outlets instead of lamps) or a plug-in motion sensor like the "Sensor Plug". The plug-in is easier but the light is probably more sensitive.

I saw some of the modified MP3 designs and I even have an existing logic controller that I could use but I don't think I'll have the time. For the shaker, I think I'll just come up with a sound that I can repeat and that works anywhere through it's sequence. I'll hook the MP3 player (on repeat) up to speakers plugged into the motion controlled AC circuit. When the power kicks on, so will the speakers (along with the shaker and a light).

Thanks again!

its a small world - i'm doing the exact same thing - shaking a tree and huge spider web while playing spider sounds - all activated by a motion sensor

How are you planning on doing the shaking? Have you zeroed in on a motion sensor?

I ran into an unexpected snag with the motion sensor. Most don't have a short turn off time. I found one at a Halloween web site that went down to one second but they want way too much. I found the RAB LS300 sensor that goes down to eight seconds and that should do the trick. I just need to make up a junction box with a plug and an outlet.

Originally Posted by geoffm

its a small world - i'm doing the exact same thing - shaking a tree and huge spider web while playing spider sounds - all activated by a motion sensor

i use the cheapest motion detector from lowes - then used the screw in plug ins - I plan on using an offset wooden circle with a string attached to the edge on a drill. put the motion sensor on 'test' it only stays on while someone is moving - otherwise theonly option is 1 minute.

I went to our local Dixieline home improvement chain store on Friday and picked up two 300 watt motion detector lights (Homeland Security brand... I kid you not!) for $15 each. They go down to five seconds. I'm going to re-mount them into junction boxes and change out the outlets for a plug.

One problem I see is the recycle time. These reset right away so the effect can end up repeating which is not what I want. I think I'm going to use a timer relay or microcontroller to trigger a relay. Then I can set the motion sensor for ten or fifteen seconds and the relay for two or three seconds. That will get the effect going and then allow a minimum time until it can be triggered again.

Now to work some more on the mount for the drill!