Comments on: Halloween automatic pumpkin http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/ Microcontrollers Electronics Hobby Sat, 17 May 2008 07:01:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: johnrdupree http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-23855 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:12:22 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-23855 Gandalf Parkerf, your idea gave me an idea. The walk leading to my door is flanked by a couple of bushes. I could use a similar rig to trigger a vibrating motor and a speaker in the bushes so when the trick or treaters approach, they get a scare from "the monster in the hedge." Ohh, and a couple of glowing LED eyes would cap it off nicely. Gandalf Parkerf, your idea gave me an idea. The walk leading to my door is flanked by a couple of bushes. I could use a similar rig to trigger a vibrating motor and a speaker in the bushes so when the trick or treaters approach, they get a scare from “the monster in the hedge.” Ohh, and a couple of glowing LED eyes would cap it off nicely.

]]> by: Chris http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-23830 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:13:43 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-23830 Very nice setup! I can se a lot of applications for this one. :-) Very nice setup! I can se a lot of applications for this one. :-)

]]> by: Michael S http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19526 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:19:25 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19526 Here is a video of it: http://coastermike.googlepages.com/100_2717.mov note: I made this video before I adjusted how fast the strobe light went, so the strobe looks a little strange. Here is a video of it:
http://coastermike.googlepages.com/100_2717.mov

note: I made this video before I adjusted how fast the strobe light went, so the strobe looks a little strange.

]]> by: sveden http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19480 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:51:45 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19480 Video?. Nice idea, BTW. ;) Video?.

Nice idea, BTW. ;)

]]> by: Gandalf Parkerf http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19477 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:52:23 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19477 Very cool. I might use some of this for an idea which I have had for a long time. I have a large rose bush which is determined to grow across the path leading up to the front door. I have been thinking of putting in a motion sensor to spot people coming up the walk, and then motor a line which would constrict around the plant pulling it back so that people can pass easily. Very cool.
I might use some of this for an idea which I have had for a long time. I have a large rose bush which is determined to grow across the path leading up to the front door. I have been thinking of putting in a motion sensor to spot people coming up the walk, and then motor a line which would constrict around the plant pulling it back so that people can pass easily.

]]> by: Michael S http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19475 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:28:13 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19475 A pressure switch may be easier to hookup, but you might need more than one so that it doesn't matter what path the people take (eg. they walk on the left vs walking on the right of the mat). Also, a pressure switch would have to be placed further away from the door in order to have the effect occur at the proper time. I used the ultrasonic sensor because the sidewalk leading to my door is wide (I would probably need more than one pressure sensor) and the placement of the sensor is close to the column. Depending on your setup, it may make more sense to use a pressure switch. Heres a picture with the complete setup (sidewalk, path leading to door, etc.): http://coastermike.googlepages.com/100_2748.JPG A pressure switch may be easier to hookup, but you might need more than one so that it doesn’t matter what path the people take (eg. they walk on the left vs walking on the right of the mat). Also, a pressure switch would have to be placed further away from the door in order to have the effect occur at the proper time. I used the ultrasonic sensor because the sidewalk leading to my door is wide (I would probably need more than one pressure sensor) and the placement of the sensor is close to the column. Depending on your setup, it may make more sense to use a pressure switch.

Heres a picture with the complete setup (sidewalk, path leading to door, etc.):
http://coastermike.googlepages.com/100_2748.JPG

]]> by: Bill Coleman http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19456 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:30:40 +0000 http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2007/09/03/halloween-automatic-pumpkin/#comment-19456 I like the effect, but it does seem very complicated though. Wouldn't a pressure switch under a door mat or runner be a lot easier? I like the effect, but it does seem very complicated though. Wouldn’t a pressure switch under a door mat or runner be a lot easier?

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