[JT5298]

I'm going to build a "Monster in a box" prop this year. Actually it will be a "Monster in a Coffin" but the effect will be similar. I want to use the prop controller from Monster Guts in my title. I don't want the controller however to be triggered, but to run continuously on a loop.

Fright Props has a PicoBoo controller that has similar functions but I don't believe it has the knob controller to adjust the speed and direction of the motor. The PicoBoo says in the directions that you can put a piece wire in the - and the IN trigger pins to run it continuously. Does the Monster Guts controller work the same? I emailed Monster Guts with this question but have not heard back.

Just wondering if anyone has this controller and has been able to do this.

This video shows how the controller can be used in this type of prop, but doesn't say if he runs it on a loop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKgKlzaLFMQ.

Thanks.

 

[JW Halloween]

You can run the Monster Guts board on a loop. It has a trigger input but you just use a wire to jumper the LO trigger input to the GND terminal then it will just continually loop. In the video you can see that this is exactly what they have done.

 

[J-Man]

Sounds like the Fright Props Picovolt is what you want.
https://www.frightprops.com/electric-motors/controllers/picovolt-39440.html

 

[JT5298]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't even notice the wire in the video. Will this controller also control lights to come on and off when the motor turns? I guess if it doesn't I can get the controller J-Man suggested.

 

[JW Halloween]

The Monster Guts board does not have the ability to control lights as well as the motor.

 

[JT5298]

The Monster Guts board does not have the ability to control lights as well as the motor.

Ok. Thanks.

 

[Ken F]

Personally I’m a big boo box fan. I love the ease and accuracy it has. I run a larger boobox and then run numerous props off of one saving the cost of an Individual controller per prop.

 

[JCO]

Yes, the PMW can be set to loop with a single jumper wire between two of the contacts used to hook up a motion sensor. Hit record, play with the potentiometer (fast, slow, pause, forward, backward, etc) to your heart's content, hit the record button again, and you're good to go for a continuous loop of whatever you just recorded. Look at my MIB video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKgKlzaLFMQ At the 7:30 mark, you'll see where the jumper wire should go.

 

[JT5298]

Yes, the PMW can be set to loop with a single jumper wire between two of the contacts used to hook up a motion sensor. Hit record, play with the potentiometer (fast, slow, pause, forward, backward, etc) to your heart's content, hit the record button again, and you're good to go for a continuous loop of whatever you just recorded. Look at my MIB video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKgKlzaLFMQ At the 7:30 mark, you'll see where the jumper wire should go.

Thank you! Great tutorial. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[JT5298]

Well I never got around to making this prop. I have the coffin just no animation yet. I have looked at several different controllers, but can't decide which one is best. I would like to use the wiper motor idea to make the lid go up and down randomly, then use lights and audio synced to the motion of the lid. The picovolt will allow to adjust the speed of the motor and also can use led lights, but no audio. I need the most inexpensive controller to just do the three things I listed.
I'm thinking of putting a skeleton inside, maybe corpsed, and having his hands trying to push the lid open. I would also have a led rope light or similar inside. Then use a zombie sound, maybe something from "The Walking Dead" synced to the motion of the lid randomly opening and closing. Any suggestions on which controller would be best?
Thanks.

 

[J-Man]

Not sure that syncing the audio to the lid is really necessary, that's gonna really over complicate things. If you're gonna use a wiper motor, the easiest method would be a cam with various size cogs to give the lid random up/down. Then you really wouldn't need a controller, just a timer relay module and a way to trigger the relay. The relay can energize the motor and your audio player.

 

[JT5298]

Ok, I get the cam part, but would like to be able to speed up and slow down the motor. I guess the Picovolt would work for the motor and the lights. I would need to get another device for the audio which I have. Just thought there was an all in one solution that would do the same thing.

 

[JT5298]

I'm probably over complicating things but if I get the PicoBoo controller it has the ability to control the motor, plus lights, and has an amp built in for sound. If I were to buy a wiper motor plus a PWM DC Motor Speed Controller could I in theory use the variable speed controller to adjust fast or slow and record that to the PicoBoo? If so I think this would be the most cost effective way to create what I want with this prop. Thoughts?

 

[Industen]

You could set the PWM to the speed you want but it will not record the changes you are making on the fly during programming. Like if you recorded at 80RPMs and turned it up to 120RPM during programming. It would just stay at the last setting you left it at.

If you want programming speed control you can use a Picovolt. You could also use the same trigger for both a Picovolt and Picoboo together if you want more options. You would just need to time them out separately.

If you just want a set speed get the PWM and picoboo.

 

[JT5298]

You could set the PWM to the speed you want but it will not record the changes you are making on the fly during programming. Like if you recorded at 80RPMs and turned it up to 120RPM during programming. It would just stay at the last setting you left it at.

If you want programming speed control you can use a Picovolt. You could also use the same trigger for both a Picovolt and Picoboo together if you want more options. You would just need to time them out separately.

If you just want a set speed get the PWM and picoboo.

I guess I will have to get the Picovolt to control the motor and the lights. Then get another device for sound. Not a huge deal probably cost about the same. Can the Picovolt animate the motor and lights in unison?

 

[Industen]

I guess I will have to get the Picovolt to control the motor and the lights. Then get another device for sound. Not a huge deal probably cost about the same. Can the Picovolt animate the motor and lights in unison?

Yes, but you are limited. You can fade or increase intensity when the motor slows or speeds up.

 

[JT5298]

Maybe I need to rethink this. The PicoBoo controller seems like it will be the best option for functionality. Maybe I should use a Pneumatic cylinder instead of a motor for the lid action. Looking at a video using the PicoBoo with a pneumatic cylinder and the Monster in a coffin looks pretty cool. https://www.frightprops.com/faq/con...cream-monster-in-a-coffin-_-initial-test.html. Will cost more, but maybe will look the most realistic?

 

[Industen]

Pneumatic is the way to go. Wiper motors are very repetitive and have a pattern.

 

[JT5298]

Yeah, think I'm going to change my design. Thanks.