Thread: Controllers for store bought animatronics

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Is it possible to control multiple store bought audio-animatronics, lights, and music with a single controller to create a scene...

Any ideas? Anyone.

Yes, you could buy this and do a bit of hacking: http://www.frightprops.com/controlle.../boobox-4.html

Depends on what you mean by 'control'. The animatronics you'll find in the store will be 'closed' designs, in that they'll be preprogramed to do only one thing. Without any modifications to the animatronics, most likely you wouldn't be able to control them at all.

If you decided to use a relay-type controller, like Terra had suggested, and you're willing to hack a little bit, you should be able to get the animatronics to execute their preprogramed show on cue. For example, you could open up the animatronic, pull out the wires for the switch that triggers the show, and hook it up to a relay instead.

If you wanted to control the prop to do whatever you want (sing the national anthem, instead of "This is Halloween", for example), you'd have to do more serious hacking to get direct control of the motors - or even replace the motors with servos, solenoids, etc.

Hope this helps
- Hook

Ahh, I see.

Well really I'm just looking to activate their pre-programmed show on "cue"

What I want to do is have several animatronics (store-bought) in one show/scene activated either by trigger or programmed in a loop. Basically I just don't want them talking over one another is all....

Hook, won"t your Medusa board operate relays? That would give room for later expansion and the ability to sync to audio through VSA. Just a thought. Keith

If you know how to manually trigger the store bought prop, you could use any prop controller to send timed signals to the character. The prop-1 (from EFX-TEK) could be used for such a task, but you would really need to know how to use the signal from the controller to animate your prop. I have never seen a post on here on how to do that function.

soundmankkc,
Yes, the Medusa DMX board would work for this, as well, provided you add the necessary interface to the props (relays, etc). Since Singingchris t just wants to have the props do their own thing, though, a keybanger might be a more appropriate type of controller.

VinceB,
People have done writeups on hacking specific props, but coming up with the hack for a new prop is like playing Jazz. You've gotta figure out what you're dealing with (how the prop works, out of the box), what tools you have (what are you going to use to try to control it), and then improvise from there. The simplest and luckiest hack is to find a 'GO' switch on the prop, grab its two wires, and hook them up to a relay. Then control the relay using whichever controller (Prop-1, BooBox, Medusa, BASIC Stamp, PIC...)

- Hook

Originally Posted by Hooked_on_Scares

VinceB,
People have done writeups on hacking specific props, but coming up with the hack for a new prop is like playing Jazz. You've gotta figure out what you're dealing with (how the prop works, out of the box), what tools you have (what are you going to use to try to control it), and then improvise from there. The simplest and luckiest hack is to find a 'GO' switch on the prop, grab its two wires, and hook them up to a relay. Then control the relay using whichever controller (Prop-1, BooBox, Medusa, BASIC Stamp, PIC...)
- Hook

You are on point. That is kind of what I was trying to get across. Once you learn how to hack each prop, you can then send them a signal from any type of prop controller. I do not think this would be an easy task, but doable for someone with good electronic skill. Unless, as you stated, all of the props were ON/OFF switched devices. Then it would not be too difficult.

Most controllers have a PIR input, so using motion is easily used to begin the cycle.

I think a Kit 74 relay board would work for triggering multiple props via the "Try Me" button or the light/dark (CdS) sensor wires. Use any extra relays for turning on MP3 players, lights etc.


http://www.electronics123.com/s.nl/it.A/id.446/.f