Motion Sensing Flasher with SFX

This instructable covers a moderately simply way to put a few electronics gadgets together to make an automated Halloween greeting device, complete with flasher and sound effect box!

For about 2 years I have wanted to put this thing together. Finally, I spent about half of my last Sunday and have it ready to show.

Step 1 Components

I am partial to Electronic Goldmine for various parts (www.goldmine-elec.com ). I am not an employee and have no financial relationship other than I have bought various parts from them over the years.

To make this thing, I used 3 main components;

1) Ultrasonic Movement Detector II kit (various sources, various types available).
The one I used has a seperate +/- output trigger for the relays.

2) Sound FX box. I used Electronics Goldmine's "HAPPY HALLOWEEN!" box.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G13681

3) Camera Flash Module. ***WARNING: HIGH VOLTAGE, NOT TO PLAY WITH****
Most common flash modules will work, as I routed the activation to a relay. These are NOT to be played with lightly, as they charge up to 100's of volts and have a large current discharge capacity. Mine charge up to 350 Volts
IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE FLASH MODULE, THEN DON'T MESS WITH THEM.
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR MISAPPLICATION OR MISUSE.

Now that THAT is out of the way....Electronic Goldmine has these as well! Many selections available at their site.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17610

The EXACT components you can use for this may differ. And the EXACT way you connect them may differ. This is just one example and is what I did. For example, you may also use an infrared sensor to detect when people walk up. And, you may have a different SFX that gets triggered. You could also add multiple flashers.

Other components include:
Box or frame to mount parts to. Even a shoe box would work.
Relays (see later)
Wire (a few feet should do)
Solder
Electrical tape
Battery connector for 2 AA batteries to flash module.
A few batteries (1 9V, 2 AA's)

And, some tools;
Wire cutter/stripper
Soldering Iron
DMM (for continuity and voltage checks)
Small perf board to mount relays on and wire to.
High Voltage Discharge Tool (see later).

Also, this is a very "quick-and-dirty" method of getting something to work. I may spend more time in the future to design my own ultrasonic sensor, have one power supply instead of each device working on it's own batteries, activate more systems, and all run off a microcontroller that has some specific actions in mind.

But, that is what also makes this project quick, simple and fun!

Now , off to put all these things together, then a short video showing how this thing works!

Comments

[cqi]

Good job!I think this Motion Sensing Flasher will be a great halloween toy.

[circuitmage]

Video has 1 flash in the dark at the end....kinda hard to see. My phone does not take the best video...a few frames droped out while shooting. :(

[antonku4erov]

Nice article and toy 83@K =0 B5;5D>=

[circuitmage]

Thanks. I have a bag full of flash modules and lots of sensors, so I think I may be doing more of these in the future.