Thread: can this sensor trigger a prop?

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Digi-Code Model CR2149 Universal Garage Door Opener Safety Beam Sensor

If wired correctly. You may need to play around with it to get it right.

As common as garage door senors are, someone around here should know how.

I hope so.

Great idea, wish I would have tried to use that to trigger my prop. I just went a a 12 volt remote control relay. Come with two keychain remotes. Got it on ebay for about $14.

guess these wont work....no responses.

I don't think that'll be very easy to use. I'm not sure what sort of circuit garage door openers use but it looks like both sides need power and it may not simply close a relay. It would be taking a chance unless you could get a wiring diagram.

If you need to provide momentary DC power or relay closure these Radio Shack units are great (as are the older big black models)...

Invisible Beam Entry Alert Home Office Security Alarm - eBay (item 320423930926 end time Sep-20-09 16:13:00 PDT)

If you can give us some more information on your prop and setup we can likely offer some tried and true ideas for triggering.

one is a monster in a box and one is a grave pop up. both currently on motion sensors and washing machine solenoids to activate them. looking for a more accurate way to activate as these sensors are so hit and miss.

When you say motion sensors are you talking about the ones from security lights that are simply switching AC? Those should work pretty well but can depend on the setup and environment. You may be able to improve the performance of your motion sensors by making a snoot. It's basically a tube mounted to the sensor body that restricts it's field of view. They become much more controllable and reliable with this configuration. You can point them where people will walk by and they won't trigger on movement away from that spot.

Since you're using the solenoids with no prop controller the electric eye won't work out of the box because most of them have an instant on and off as the beam is broken and then cleared. You'd need a time delay relay (which are easy to use and work great) or a prop controller/timer circuit.

do you have pics of this "snoot"? I am having a hard time imagining what this looks like. Do I need to remove the cover and put like a straw or tube over the sensor, this is what I am thinking.

I think the "snoot" he is reffering to is just a cone attached to the body of the sensor, think of it like a sno cone cup, cut off the bottom and attach the big end to the sensor, make sure it completly covers the sensor.

you could just experiment with some construction paper, if it works well for you.. id personally look for some thin plastic type sheeting.. like the dividers they use in school binders.

even a funnel made out of duct tape would work.