Thread: Need ideas for light sources for motion activated props

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Last year I was sadly disappointed when all my motion-activated props didn't work on the walkway to my front door because it was too dark outside! I did manage to jury-rig a flash light aimed at one of them, (which was very hard to do as I'm the only one handing out treats and we get over a HUNDRED TOTr's!) and I noticed if the TOTr's shined their flashlights on him he would work -- so apparently these need a beam of light that is broken in order to work. I was thinking about purchasing some cheap flashlights and shining them on them from the other side of the path, but I thought I'd check here because I know a lot of people here have come across the problem before and must have some good suggestions! thanks!!

You are right, those props are activated when they see a sudden change from light to dark.
I made a flickering light using a florescent light starter & a Christmas tree light. I plugged that into a cheap motion sensor security light - $8.99 at Menards. Works great. Also helps light up props with a nice random flickering light.

here i use lots of flood lights or smaller lights further away from the props stacked on the ground so when people pass in the light ray it triggeres the sensors of the props .

or like this year i am trying to use a motion detector (like the outdoor lights) so when the detector is activated by movement it will do it's run for 4 or 12 min i dont know if that wil work yet i am suppose to test that idea this week but i think it will .

I thought the motion sensors were really passive infrared sensors (PIR), and detect the change in heat (not necessarily motion);

If this is the case you just need to adjust the sensitivity on the detector to its lowest setting, so that it will pick up the slightest change in ambient heat.

I think the store bought props use a cheaper system that only senses light changes, & sometimes sound. That is why they don't work well in the dark.

I have had the same problem with some of the store-bought props. I usually just placed them in view of a porch light or something like that so when people walked by they broke the "beam" and caused the prop to trigger. Rather than using a flashlight you could also use a strategically placed colored flood light to create the 'beam' and add some ambience as well. Most of the animated props I have now I have either built from scratch or hacked in one way or another and I have been using IR sensors from Sharp. These are the same sensors that are used in commercial restrooms for automatic flush toilets, sinks and paper towel dispensors! For the most part they are very easy to use but you would have to hack your props to remove the sensor that is in there and replace it with the IR sensor. If you are interested you can purchase them from different places but I usually get them from here:Sensors
I would recomend starting with the one that has a fixed sensor range of 31" as this simply gives you a 5V signal when someone is within the range and goes low when there is nothing in range. The nice thing about these sensors is they are uneffected by ambient light or temperature which can effect the PIR sensors.

Will a rope light on both sides of the walkway provide enough light, w/o ruining another effects?

I think it could work - don't know if the rope light is bright enough but it probably is - maybe you could buy some red rope light and if it doesn't work then you already have a head start on Christmas lights.

Wow, there was a lot more to this than I realized! I did purchase a few of more expensive props online this summer, but I didn't even know to check if they have IR sensors or not -- I just assumed all the props were the same and that they wouldn't work in the dark either! All my other props are the cheaper store-bought ones so that explains the sensor problems. I really like the suggestions to use a regular motion sensor security spot light -- I was thinking maybe I'll try one of those with a colored bulb this weekend to see if it works. Or maybe just a regular flood light with a colored bulb! The rope lights are also a great idea -- if they work they would also outline & illuminate the pathway, which is something I wanted to do anyway! I want to make a pathway through my yard to the front door with the props lighting up and speaking up as the TOTrs pass by. . . . Lots of ideas that are much better than using flashlights! Thanks, everyone!!