Thread: Need help with timer

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I am looking for a timer that will set off a prop - let’s say every 5 mins or whatever time I choose. I want to be able to set a time and have the prop activate. I want to use this timer on a Monster Guts - Monster-in-a- box kit. I would like to be able to set different times for different prop year after year and not a onetime deal. A link to any help would be grateful and thank you in advance.

Do you need a controller that activates the pneumatic solenoids/sound, etc?

I helped a friend with a Monster Guts MIB kit and we used this - http://www.frightideas.com/picoboo-fi-104s.html

This controller includes programmable sound and is of the "key-bang" type of controller: Easy to program and use.

I have 3 of the picoboos and they are great. PLUS they have a sound board built in. Not sure if there is anyway you can set them to go off other than with a trigger though.

Thank you- thisain'tmayberry and Lynn.

I have a nerve center from Monster Guts that controls the whole prop itself. What I should have said in my previous post, I want something to turn the whole prop/controller on every 5 mins. A PIR won’t work due to all the TOT walking by. The box would run all the time. I want the prop to turn on – do its thing – then turn off. 5 mins later, the prop runs the cycle again.

I think what you are looking for is a repeat cycle time delay relay. McMaster Carr has some and an explanition that is easy to understand. Hope this helps


http://http://www.mcmaster.com/#elec...relays/=8kwq9c

What about a motion sensor? I made one out of an outdoor light sensor. Works pretty well and is very affordable.

You could use one of these:

http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...ew/?id=350686#

The high and low times are independently adjustable. I know the details say the max off time is 60 secs, but that can be changed by using a different capacitor/poteniometer combination. Here's a good example of the circuit with a timing calculator:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM555.html#3

Scroll down the page to Circuit 4.

Why not just use a timer with a delay time of a couple minutes? Then I wont be triggered all the time just every couple minutes or until a Tot goes by to trigger it again. I set mine so the 'off' time is around a minute or so... that way the prop is triggered only once per group of people that goes by rather than by each person. This way it also doesnt 'run' when no one is around.