Game Show Buzzer Lockout System

Introduction

Looking for a cheap alternative for a GAME SHOW BUZZER LOCKOUT SYSTEM. In this project we use construction helmets for the fun factor instead of a box type console and create a very affordable game show buzzer system. The total cost will be about $50-$70 depending on what materials you find around your house. Check out the demonstration video.

Comment if you have any questions or if I missed anything.

Step 1: Materials/Tools/Cost

Materials:

• 3 Construction Helmet
• 3 Momentary Switches
• 3 Flashlights (or just use regular LEDs)
• 3 AAA batteries (came with flashlights)
• 4 Phone jacks (pulled them out from old phones)
• 4 Bolts & 4 Nuts
• 1 Arduino Uno Board
• Lots of Wires (I took apart and used left of ethernet cables)
• 1 ON/OFF Switch (any on/off switch will do)
• 1 Buzzer (RadioShack 6VDC Mini Buzzer)

Tools:

• Drill
• 1/4" & 1/2" drill bits
• Marker
• Sharp Kni fe
• Dremel
• Cut off bit for Dremel
• Sanding bit for Dremel
• Hot Glue
• Soldering Iron and Solder
• Electric Tape

Cost:

• 3 Construction Helmets @ $7.88 ea (ebay.com) = $23.64
• 3 Momentary Switch @ $5.49 for 5 (ebay.com) = $3.29
• 3 Flashlights & AAA batteries (HarborFrieght) $1 ea = $3
• 4 Phone jacks $3.16/old phone (Goodwill x 2) = $6.32
• 4 Bolts & 4 Nuts = FREE (had some)
• 1 Arduino Uno Board (amazon.com) = $27.97
• Wires = FREE (use ethernet cables or any other cable)
• 1 ON/OFF Switch = FREE (had some, can take it off an old device too)
• 1 Buzzer (Radio Shack) = $3.99
  
  My Total Cost: $68.21

Step 2: Programing the Arduino Uno Board

Program Basic Set Up

So the way the Arduino program is coded is as follows:

Switches: S1 = Pin 2
S2 = Pin 3
S3 = Pin 4

Lights: L1 = Pin 5
L2 = Pin 6
L3 = Pin 7

Buzzer: B = Pin 8

Arduino Code (feel free to copy and paste)

// define pins to be used

int S1 = 2; //switch 1
int S2 = 3;
int S3 = 4;
int L1 = 5; // light 1
int L2 = 6;
int L3 = 7;
int B = 8; //buzzer

void setup() { // initialize the digital pins. // assume switches will wire from ground to input pins
pinMode(S1, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(S2, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(S3, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(L1, OUTPUT); // leds wired from output pin to ground }
pinMode(L2, OUTPUT);
pinMode(L3, OUTPUT);
pinMode(B, OUTPUT); // buzzer wired from output pin to ground }

void loop() { if (!digitalRead(S1)) { digitalWrite(L1,HIGH); // turn on lamp 1
digitalWrite(B,HIGH); // turn on buzzer
delay(500); // wait 2 seconds
digitalWrite(B,LOW); // turn off buffer
delay(5000); // wait 28 more seconds
digitalWrite(L1,LOW); // turn off lamp 1 }
if (!digitalRead(S2)) { digitalWrite(L2,HIGH); // turn on lamp 2
digitalWrite(B,HIGH); // turn on buzzer
delay(500); // wait 2 seconds
digitalWrite(B,LOW); // turn off buffer
delay(5000); // wait 28 more seconds
digitalWrite(L2,LOW); // turn off lamp 2 }
if (!digitalRead(S3)) { digitalWrite(L3,HIGH); // turn on lamp 3
digitalWrite(B,HIGH); // turn on buzzer
delay(500); // wait 2 seconds
digitalWrite(B,LOW); // turn off buffer
delay(5000); // wait 28 more seconds
digitalWrite(L3,LOW); // turn off lamp 3 } }

Step 3: Actual Building/Wiring Schematic

For actual building instructions see the attached youtube video.

Attached is the wiring schematic that I used to set up the arduino board.

I don't have the phone jack in the wiring schematic since they act just like connectors from one helmet to another. If need any assistance comment below.