[ruggerz]

Im trying to find switches where in you stand on them it will switch a socket on or something like this.

I thought of those switches where you just step on them and it turns on christmas lights or something like that.


HELP PLEASE

Ruggerz

 

[darryl]

Start here:
http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/68771-pressure-sensitive-alarm-mat.html

 

[ruggerz]

ive had a look at the harbour freight ones,

but i am now wondering how to wire them to an electrical socket so i can plug in a cd player and motor?

Help again

Ruggerz

 

[craigsrobotics]

...Mats

No mat that I know of on the market is capable of switching more than 24v. We carry 6"x23" commercial grade water/moisture resistant mats that will switch low voltage DC up to 24 volts, so if you want to switch 120V AC, you'll need to use relays. Check Price Sheet for Animatronic & Pneumatic Supplies and Accessories .

 

[Diabolik]

No mat that I know of on the market is capable of switching more than 24v. We carry 6"x23" commercial grade water/moisture resistant mats that will switch low voltage DC up to 24 volts, so if you want to switch 120V AC, you'll need to use relays. Check Price Sheet for Animatronic & Pneumatic Supplies and Accessories .

Not to mention the fact that having Tots step on a pad containing 120V AC could make for a hair raising experience if something goes South. I think I'd be a little more comfortable sticking to low voltage controls....

 

[The Pod]

ive had a look at the harbour freight ones,

but i am now wondering how to wire them to an electrical socket so i can plug in a cd player and motor?

Help again

Ruggerz

You could wire the harbor freight mat to a X-10 powerflash module. That way you use the contact closure of the mat to activate the X-10 powerflash module and have it turn on what ever X-10 lamp modules or X-10 applicance modules you want to activate.

The Pod

 

[Otaku]

Yeah, definitely do not wire 110VAC through a mat switch. The way I use them is to tape a 5VDC relay to a 9 volt battery and wire the battery in series with the relay coil and the mat. Use the relay to switch power to the big stuff. This setup works even with 50 ft. cable runs from the mat to the relay using 18 ga. lamp cord. You also get the portability of not having the mat relay powered by a wart.

 

[Dr Morbius]

Yes, a 9V battery is perfect for momentary dry contact switching. Thanks Otaku!

 

[Terra]

I know this is an old thread - the new trend this week

I have a question. I have the DMXorcist controller which uses the eXorcist input box.

It says I can only use dry contact-style switches. I want to get two pressure mats and plug them into those inputs but DO NOT want to fry the box. Anybody know what brands of pressure mats have dry contact-style switches? I have no idea what that means except perhaps there is no voltage?

Here's what I was looking at: http://www.frightprops.com/controll...ssure-sensing-mats-pressure-sensing-mats.html

Thanks so much for the help.

 

[undeadrevenge]

http://www.frightprops.com/controll...ssure-sensing-mats-pressure-sensing-mats.html

for use with picaboo or other relay based prop controllers

 

[Terra]

But I don't know what that means....

 

[Otaku]

I know this is an old thread - the new trend this week

I have a question. I have the DMXorcist controller which uses the eXorcist input box.

It says I can only use dry contact-style switches. I want to get two pressure mats and plug them into those inputs but DO NOT want to fry the box. Anybody know what brands of pressure mats have dry contact-style switches? I have no idea what that means except perhaps there is no voltage?

Yes, a dry-contact switch is one that does not switch any voltage; it just completes a circuit. This mat from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/pressure-sensitive-alarm-mat-96481.html

is low-cost and would work. Just cut off the alarm box and attach the stripped wires from the mat to your controller's trigger inputs.

 

[Terra]

Thanks so much! Off to the Harbor Freight website.

By the way and just to clarify, would have the one from Fright Props worked? I see that "for use with picaboo or other relay based prop controllers" all the time but I don't know what that means. Is it a voltage input?

 

[Otaku]

Yes, it would work. Dry-contact triggers inputs are just looking for a switch closure, like pressing a momentary pushbutton switch. The controller is triggered by a change of state at the input, from open to closed.
Just curious - what happens if the trigger is repeated while the controller is running the routine? This can happen with switch mats if several people step on it in succession or someone stands on the mat.

 

[Terra]

Yippee, I'm getting a handle on this now

The software program that comes with eXorcist (and DMXorcist) has a setting where it will ignore continued triggers (more people stepping on and off the mat) for the amount of time you designate or until the next prop is triggered (as they continue through your maze).

 

[Otaku]

Perfect. Sounds like you're good to go!

 

[Terra]

Hey, I just thought of a good rule of thumb for determining dry contact triggers. If it doesn't need to be plugged in (in a wall socket or battery) then it doesn't need nor have any voltage. Duh! It just took me a while to wrap my head around this. heheh.