Thread: HELP! Timing a prop

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I want to be able to have an animated prop such as a grave grabber switch on for lets say 30 seconds and then be switched off for say 60 seconds, after that the prop turns on again.

Is this possible to achieve without the use of a controller or expensive software.

If so HOW ?

thanks in advance

Phil.

Well, by the sound of it, you dont' seem to electonic savy...but a relatively easy and extremely cheap way of doing this is using an astable, 555 timer circuit hooked up to a relay. Using different resistor and capacitor values you could get somewhere close to the values you are looking for. However, 555 timer circuits aren't usually too useful for anything over a minute. You could do this easily for about $5....depending on where you buy the components. The diagram for the circuit is here...

http://freespace.virgin.net/matt.wai...y/pinouts/555/

(it's the one at the bottom labeled "astable")

As far as something already built, and cheap, I'm not really sure. You could always fork over the dough and purchase a boobox or something of the sort. If you decide to attempt the 555 timer circuit, I could help if you need it.

Understanding electronics and being able to create your own, can go a long way in any halloween setup and save you money. I would suggest attempting to create this simple circuit.

You could do a manual switch, that would be the cheapest. You could also make a mechanical rely to turn it on and off. Finally how about a wiper delay from a car. You might be able to hack that. Check out this link:

http://www.scary-terry.com/wipmtr/wipmtr.htm

Hope this helps

Timer kits are plentiful and cheap. This one:

http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/MK111

would just need to have the potentiometer on the "pulse" timer changed to a higher value, likely the same value as the "pause" potentiometer, to get the times you want for your prop. Run the power for the prop through the relay (Common and NC) and you're done.

A fog timer has the on and off time you're looking for.

Fogger Timer/Prop Timer Hack

Thanks guys for all your great responces. I've decided to go with Otaku's idea.


Hallloween13 thanks for all the info on the 555 circuit, I will defiantly give that a go as we should be working with 555 circuits in school next year. Hopefully i will understand them more and will be able to use it for a prop

This site is a very good resource for 555/556 timer circuits:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM555.html

And the forum. www.allaboutcircuits.com, has good online textbooks covering tons of electronics stuff.

Nice little timer

Hey guys just wanted to update you on my progress, i also have some more questions

So as promised i have got round to making a 555 circuit, its only on a breadboard right now but it works. My questions are, how do i get this circuit permanently onto a PCB ?? I've tried twice before and both of the circuits haven't worked, so what is it im doing wrong ??? I would also love you guys if someone could tell me how i proceed to connect a prop to the timer.

If it helps at all, this is the pcb board im using http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-x-Vero-Style...#ht_1165wt_911

Thanks

Phil

I'd start with checking the solder joints. Whenever I've assembled a non-working timer, it turns out to be a bad junction. For your application, a kit really is the easiest way to go. You don't have to sweat the components, just drop 'em in and solder it up. With minor changes to customize the timing intervals, you can have your prop up and running very quickly.
Regarding your timers that aren't working - do you have a schematic?