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Old 09-05-2008, 12:53 PM
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Default push to activate prop button hack

Any easy way to hack a prop that either motion activated or button activated to make it run continuously?

Did a search but since it's an awkwardly worded request, I didn't find anything.

thanks.
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Old 09-06-2008, 12:42 PM
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As far as motion activated I can't help you, because it depends on how the motion activation is actuated (and actaully relates a bit to a question I have of my own in another thread.) If you have a prop that is button activated and you wish it to run continuosly that's no problem and has two very simple solutions (as well as a third more complicated solution which would be the proper solution of parrelel wiring a switch with the push button).

the less invasive (and possibly more ghetto) solution, depending on the button's position and size, as well as wether it is recessed, would be to take a small hard object like a metal nut that must be smaller that the button, then tape the nut/object over the button with a high friction tape like duct tape, making sure it's tight enough to keep the utton depressed. So long as the surface you taped to holds the tension on the tape the prop will activate whenever it is "plugged in/ or batteries present". This is very makeshift but is completely non invasive and removeable if you later need the push button feature.

If your willing to be more invasive (but still simple), or perhaps theres no surface to use tape, physically remove the button. (how to do that differes drastically depending on the prop, you may need to unscrew screws, use a pry bar to seperate a glued seam or even just cut it out of a latex section. The push button will have two leads going to it (2 wires). one is positive the other negative, but none of that matters because all you have to do is splice them together. Cut the leads free from the button, use wire strippers to get some metal from under the insulation and use one of any number of connecting devices like butt conectors or twist connectors to secure the wires together. You could even just twist them and solder (I wouldnt recomend twisting them and just taping them with electrical tape as it is likely to produce intermitent contact and make for an erractice operation of the prop.) the only possible difficulty in this procedure would be at getting at the buttons leads (give me more details of the specific prop and I may be able to help) and the fact that many mass produced halloween props operate on extremely low voltages and use insanely thin wire making it tough at times to work with.
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Old 09-08-2008, 02:31 PM
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Thanks.
Seems like the easiest and most obvious solution
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Old 09-08-2008, 05:45 PM
Gym Whourlfeld Gym Whourlfeld is offline
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Default The Ravens Grin Method

If the activation switch pulls in a relay, wiring the leads together will make it come on and remain on when the voltage is applied. (Usually) Then what?
Interupt the voltage to the unit ...you might as well have left it hooked up if you have to bend down and pull a plug everytime.
I use a motion switch and a push button to override the motion switch so I can "get" certain people in a group.
Being really tricky you could have more than one such switch hidden around the room to really befuddle the close observer (who might be returning and thinks they know it all!)
I set up my place to give ME the maximum opportunitys for the FUN!
There. I admitted it.
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