Thread: Computer chip to trigger chip hook up help

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Hey all!
So I purchased a computer chip/board from Cowlacious Designs in Nevada. The board and sound work good, but he sold me a seperate chip/trigger board for my 'trigger' which then, I'm assuming goes to my MAC valve, thus allowing air to flow, when triggered, to my prop.

This is a first time for me doing this on my own, but thought it would be fun to get started.

I'm a huge visual learner, so if anyone is up for a phone call, I'm off Tue and Wed this week. I can email photo's if that helps clarify.

I've come to the forum since the folks at Cowlacious Designs have decided to never return my phone calls regarding how to hook up their own stuff, since no instructions were sent. Not impressed at all so I've come to the pro's!

Thanks for any assistance! Fall is here!!!!!
Spence

Can you link the exact products? I have alot of them from past years before I switched to EFX-TEK controls.

Also, you should be able to find your manuals here http://www.cowlacious.com/support.html

I've got a few cowlacious products but to be honest they are obsolete to what is available today as gadget-evilusions kind of pointed out.....I've since switched to Fright Ideas product line....To make the cowlacious designs board work takes a contact...Look in the manual and you'll find a point that takes 2 wires...Touch those wires together and it plays....So basically you need a contact switch type- foot pad,relay,etc to make it work....Or you could do like I did when I built my clock (2004)....I just set it to loop and let a timer control turn it on long enough to play through and then cut the power ......Actually what I'm using right now is overkill (picaboo 105) to control it because the 105 could do everything that the cowlacious gadget is doing....I've got a few of their timers laying around that I've never used and probably never will now that I'm using that Fright Ideas stuff.....ZR

Hi all,
THanks. Yes, at this point, I'm about to ditch this all together, but alas.

The photo attached shows the audio chip. The red/black/brown cable attaches somewhere to the smaller chip (trigger chip?). The two black cords are going to the MAC VALVE, but I don't know if they're in the right spot. I've done several trial and errors, but nothing works.

This is a good reason why I buy my props, but I thought I'd give it a shot. If I can't get it to work, I'll ditch the whole project. Lesson learned: Don't buy from Cowlacious designs.

Thanks for any help.
Spence

What power does your mac valve take?...24 Volt or regular 110 voltage is the standard usually....Just hooking the mac valve up to the relay isn't going to do anything to power it....The relay is just a switch but you've got to make sure the relays are rated to handle it...But you need to have a power supply or a standard 110 Volt to power the mac valve....Also, I can't tell what player board that is....They never use the same components from year to year so it really depends on which one you have and the revision....There's nothing wrong with cowlacious stuff, it's just there are better options now.....It sounds like your not very technically oriented on this stuff so I would DEFINITELY check out the picaboo line from Fright Ideas.....It has relays/sound built into one box so you don't have additional wiring and it is the most simple to program of everything I've ever tried.....Get back to us on the model/revision....ZR

It's interesting that you posted this... I haven't wanted to really complain publicly. But I am also having problems contacting Cowlacious about an order placed over a week ago and I have not received any type of invoice, shipping information, receipt, and they haven't responded to me. The only thing that I have to support my order is the paypal transaction. I understand they are a small company, but they should at least offer some sort of order and shipping confirmation.

Zombie Radier: I believe it's a 110 or 120. The larger computer chip as a few options for voltage (5V, 120, etc), so I'm assuming I just connect the wires from those pins to the mac valve? I for some reason thought the mac valve had to go through the secondary chip. The cowlacius large chip is a 110 power, and says it can 'power other triggers' through the voltage pins. I have plenty of piccaboo items, but I was trying to make this work as a different, lower cost prop....as we all know, we get what we pay for. Nope, not too oriented on this stuff. Running a haunt, yes, running electrical components, nope. If you're more oriented about this stuff than I am, email me at spencerterry@hotmail.com. I'd love to connect via phone and trouble shoot this, if you're up for it.

RedSand: sorry to hear this. My shipping came incredibly fast. It's the service and support I'm not satisfied with. I'm hearing from more and more people that other options are better options. Oh well. 'Tis the season to move forward!

Thanks all. Happy haunting.

I couldn't really help over the phone because I still don't know exactly which model # and revision of board you have....It's printed right on the circuit board but the pic you showed us blocks it out by one of the components...We need that info so we know which one of the 20 manuals to look at to figure it out.....Thanks....ZR

Excuse me but you guys give me some different places that sell sound player boards? I want to look at my opions and prices because I need some sound for my plc. Thanks guys

Originally Posted by JoeyOSoGood

Excuse me but you guys give me some different places that sell sound player boards? I want to look at my opions and prices because I need some sound for my plc. Thanks guys

Obviously Cowlacious Designs are who we are talking about here has them....Hauntbots maybe.....I personally use all Fright Ideas products....Their version of a sound box is here
http://www.frightideas.com/audio/bootunes.html I recommend Fright Ideas to everyone because they do what they are suppose to do and they do it easily....I included the audio box link but definitely check out the entire product line.......ZR


EDIT- Fixed Link