Thread: Event trigger/timer

Tweet

Ok, Ive spent a couple hours searching and the very few relevant things I can find, seem to assume I know more than I do.... If there is already a topic covering this, I do apologize, I couldnt find it so please point me that way.
heres the deal-e-o:

Our fire dept is doing a haunted trail. I want to make an execution type animated prop with a trigger. Its my first one and I'm running out of time, so its just gonna be a simple drill motor causing shake, and a strobe, possibly sound and fog also. But we already have entirely too much crap on manual switches.

Now I've seen some nifty how-to's on motion detector triggers, but they still leave me confused on one thing. Lets say I want this thing to trigger, but run for 10 seconds before reset/power off/etc. How does one do that?
I thought about converting a PIR flood light w/ a simple light fixture to power outlet adapter, but the shortest timed flood light I can find is 1 minute, which would put us too close to the next group coming thru, if that makes sense. It seems there are options for making it run as long as someone is moving in front of it, but what if I want it to run a few seconds after they have passed by the sensor? I'm guessing there are some sort of controller devices out there for syncronizing such things, but I'm betting they are out of budget. I COULD theoretically use a pressure mat for a trigger, but it seems that would be even more confusing to set up lol. Any idiot proof ideas? I'm just a fireman, not an electrical engineer lol.

Thanks so much for your time!!!

Scurd, you've got it right. If the sensor you are using has a test position on the duration adjustment use that setting. "test" mode is around 7 seconds on.
If you need a delay between triggers, then it will get a little more complicated. For a simple reliable prop trigger try the motion light hack, it will do the Trick. You can turn a light on also by using a dual light fixture. Note: I use black tape to narrow the field of view of the sensor. Otherwise it can be set off prematurely. A narrow slit is all that is needed in some cases. You can experiment. Have fun.

Pete

Scurd....theres a ton of simple timers/controllers on the market that can offer lots of control as far as delays, triggering, sound etc. My personal choices include the Animation Maestro from Haunted Village which offers PIR SENSOR OPTIONS as well as lots of programability including simple sound options...also....any of the Fright Ideas ''''Picaboo" controllers offer good options and control for a decent price.....they sell them at Frightprops.dom. Lastly check out Efx-Tek products for ultimate products and customer service/help with use of product.. I have used all of them as a newbie in this industry with great results. Hope this helps;

Go with the motion detector that captpete mention, it's cheap, easy to install, and will do what you want. Since there's around one minute between each group of ToTs there really isn't a need to add anything to it to keep it off. After the last person of the group goes past the detector it will shut off 7 seconds later and stay off till the next group walks in front of it. Around 10 dollars at walmart.

If you want to add a screaming sound for little to no cost use a cassette player and record your scream and push the play button down and connect the power to the same outlet as your drill. When someone walks in front of the motion detector you drill will come on and so will the screaming on the tape. Low tech but it will work.

Useful info folks! thanks!

Do you happen to know the name of the specific motion light we are talking about? I dont think the ones I saw at Lowe's had this 7 second test option, but honestly I wasn't really looking for it to have one either lol. I think 7 seconds after last guest passes would work great.

For sound I was thinking about using my el cheapo mp3 player on repeat hooked to computer speakers and just plug the power for the speakers into the same outlet as drill. Computer speakers aren't very loud, but better than nothin (and easily hidden)