Thread: Something in the Duct--need help finding it

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During a "Psych" episode the other day, Shawn, who loves TV shows and movies, brought up something scampering in the ductwork in a movie he was referring to (Alien I think) and my mind immediately went to an industrial hall/lab that I want to construct for a haunt (looks like next year as this year seems set on something else). I think adding some metal ductwork suspended or anchored to a side wall and adding something in the duct would be a terrific addition to my theme. I'd love to take a "tour" group through a lab and have something sound like it's moving above. I'd like to be able to control it's movement...it's quiet and you hear some scampering, then it stops, you move further down the hallway and then something can be heard moving towards you in the ceiling.

I'm thinking something remote controlled maybe? that I could hide the remote with me and activate when appropriate or maybe include the remote in a lab desk set up where the mad doctor sits and works on formulas for example. His manipulations of the controls might be able to be disguised that way and he would have full view of the tour group coming towards him. Anyway does anyone know of any remote controlled toy suggestions that might be able to be used? This might be the easiest way to approach it and if it works, great. Most RC's I've seen run on wheels however and I don't think this would make the sound I'm after. If not, well open to other build suggestions.

You ever notice in "Psych" Shawn refers to millions of Tv and movies yet you never see him ACTUALLY watch TV....
anyways, You could attach something to the sides or botttoms of the tires of the RC truck to make the noise. I dunno what, maybe nails or screws or something.

I like this idea. Maybe use a wire suspended above the bottom of the duct. Then, somehow, have your item travel along the wire and drag a mockup along the bottom. I can see this in my head, but how to materialize it is tricky. The soft item would drag along with a rubbing or wiping sound.

I'll have to keep thinking this one. Good idea, though.

How about a remote and a three way plugin from Hobby Lobby. The remote has three settings. May along with it a fan moter or a windshield wiper moter to help move the parts?

Maybe solder wires from a weasle balls motor and run those leads to an rc motor.

My daughter used to have a remote control momma and baby duck. She would wear the baby duck on a bracelet and the momma would follow a couple of feet behind. It kinda freaked her out so we donated it. It was from Target probably 5+ years ago. I bet if you could find one it be easy to add parts to make noise as it travels in the ducting trying to follow the tour guide.

How about snow chains for the RC or one of those ZHU ZHU hamsters?

How about...
Have the duct be level with one end fixed to a pivot, the other end to a wiper motor that would raise and lower the duct just enough to cause a spiked rubber dog ball to roll. You could even skip the motor and have your assistant use a small fishing wire to raise and lower the duct from a pulley set up.
Maybe a vent that would allow:
led eyes to peer down.
air blast
blast horn - not too loud to avoid ear damage
water spray
fog rolling down.
strobe flash
drop down snake, spider, arm, head, confetti.
A rat in a can type prop would be good, they have sound sensor that would actuate, and it could sit on a grate above the TOTs.
Have your scientist muttering about missing rats, snakes, experiments on the loose. Look at the duct with fear.
Have fun.

this is a good idea, i might even add it myself!!

i would go for one of those remote control cars where the wheels are bigger than the car, therefore the car cannot tip over. i would attach something to the back and front of the car that would scrape on the ductwork, this would then work in both directions.

my original idea was to have a piece of rubber glued to one wheel so its hanging off to the side and when it turns it would "flap" .(on your remote car)
or what about one of the cars that go over bumps and flip over, you could make a chicken wire cage so it doesn t go too far or fall out. or
maybe have a small hole in the duct work that would break the motion sensor on something that would bump around?