All In One MP3 Relay Motion Sensor Board

In this video I show you how to use an all-in-one MP3 Board with motion sensing to activate prop with a relay
Sound Board:
gravedecor.com/product/mp3-pl...
Heavy Duty Relay:
gravedecor.com/product/1-chan...
USB Power Cable:
gravedecor.com/product/usb-ty...
Dupont Wires
amzn.to/3uzhlnH
Wire Strippers
amzn.to/384867r

[@WilliamRutledge]

To anyone looking to build a prop with a wiper motor... (motion, sound, PIR trigger) this is a fantastic solution. I bought two of these boards to rig two different style of props and they were perfect for my needs. Steve was awesome helping me figure out attaching the wiper motor correctly when I had a brain fart on wiring. Get the "done for you" board.. Plug and play. I bought a cheap sd card and found some cheap speakers to go with it. 100% recommend this solution!!

[@TheMakersCave]

Always glad to help!

[@EdG407FL]

FANTASTIC VIDEO! This is exactly what I was looking for! No one else on KZbin explained it so eloquently as you just did! Awesome job! 👍

[@TheMakersCave]

Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!

[@lulujarre1420]

merci beaucoup je suis français et je trouve vos vidéos très constructive pour des personnes comme avec des difficulté dans la langue de votre origine encore merci bonne continuation thank you very much I am French and I find your videos very constructive for people with difficulty in the language of your origin thank you again good luck

[@Frightline777]

Steve, Keep the videos coming...Awesome just awesome!!

[@TheMakersCave]

The Haunting season is coming to a close so I have some good winter projects coming to the channel. Some good ones are taking a static Spirit Halloween Sinister Doll and adding sound and movement via servos, a haunted radio, and how to make a inexpensive $30 button banger like the PIcoBoo.

[@Sawlytee]

So glad i found you! Great content!😊

[@TheMakersCave]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching!

[@fs-3416]

Steve, Enjoy your videos. These are going to make our Haunted House for Halloween and the Christmas display so much more exciting.

[@TheMakersCave]

Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful!

[@Theogwill]

Thanks for sharing this video, I received my order and wow!! works like a charm hooked it up to a basic speaker and it sounds pretty loud I must say. I did extend the motion sensor cables for my purpose, I got neighbors getting scare every time they go by it activates with some creepy sounds.

[@TheMakersCave]

Great to hear! If you have any problems just let me know :)

[@HobbyLinkInternational]

This is awesome!!

[@TheMakersCave]

Thanks!

[@JA-gm7yj]

Your videos are the best! I am a novice to this but love your work! Do you have a video about connecting a sound board/relay switch to a remote and receiver? My dream is to make a flux capacitor and would like to add some sound to the prop.

[@kristopherchinander3461]

This is great! When plugging in desktop speakers, will it play through both? I was thinking of editing different sound files onto L/R channels so it would play multiple sounds at once.

[@TheMakersCave]

Hi, thanks for watching. If you use the 3.5mm jack it will play in stereo. if you use the the speaker pins for the built-in amplifier it is only mono. I almost only use the 3.5 jack as I like the sound computer speaker produce, especially if you use the kind that have treble and bass adjustments.

[@crazybirdlady522]

Hey Steve, sent you an email today with a video of my prop. Thank-You for your help!

[@TheMakersCave]

I was busy all day with a new video. I'll check it out now. Thanks.

[@TheMakersCave]

That is too cool. The sound effects are perfect for that prop! So glad I could help. I wish I was closer so I could visit the haunt.

[@crazybirdlady522]

Ya, wish you could come see it, it gets better every year!

[@arnolfodesign]

Thanks for sharing your wealth of experience with these excellent instructional videos. I'd like to ask if instead of a light on the relay, can I wire in a regulated power supply that has a 3v-12v voltage regulator. The power source I use controls the speed of the motor and runs on AC but coverts to DC for the motor. So the relay would turn on the power supply and that would be connected to the DC motor. Possible?

[@TheMakersCave]

Thanks for watching, I really appreciate. Yep, that's why on that video I used a heavy duty relay because I was using AC current. The Mega Kit for that board comes with the HD relay.

[@vegetachiva]

Hi! Thank you for this amazing video! I have a question, I want to use some CCFL light bars that use a AC/DC adaptor of 5v 1a instead of the lamp, does the 5v 30a relay you are using is ok for this? 🙏 thank you!

[@TheMakersCave]

If all your pushing is 5V 1A either the standard or heavy duty relay will work. I prefer the heavy duty terminal version and use them almost exclusively now, then I never have to worry if I upgrade a prop. BTW, thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!

[@robjara3469]

Great I love it

[@TheMakersCave]

Thanks for watching!

[@crazybirdlady522]

Hey Steve, enjoyed your video. I sent you an email a couple weeks ago, but I think you missed it. My rocking chair child skeleton is working well, thanks to your videos. I rigged a remote control to it by using a purchased plug-in cord with remote. I’ll try to email you a video when I get finished corpsing and dressing the skeleton. Our first haunted lighthouse is on the 22nd, so I don’t know that I’ll have the time to wire the motion sensor for this year, but hopefully next year.

[@TheMakersCave]

I'm so sorry I missed your emails. The last one I have from you is 8/13/22, is that the one?

[@crazybirdlady522]

Looks like my last email was 8/24. I was still trying to wire a push button to trigger it, but didn’t quite understand how. Then I went to the remote, which didn’t need any additional wiring, simply plug in the USB block and good to go. Motion sensor would be better yet, but at least it’s working!😂

[@mikethompson9013]

I'm looking to make an electrical chair prop. So I'd like to add sound, a flashing light, and run a wiper motor (to agitate the body). do I need 2 relay switches? I'd also like to run it off a 12v 5a power supply.

[@TheMakersCave]

you could use this board to detect motion which would then play a sound and activate the relay. You could have this activate two relays if you wanted to. I would probably go this route since a wiper motor can draw quite a bit. You would still need a 5V power supply for the sound card and the relays.

[@MrGregsRnR]

Would love to see how to mod the sound files. Is there a limit on how long the relay can be triggered? Or how long a sound file can be?

[@TheMakersCave]

I believe as big as the internal flash (4MB) or the SD Card.

[@CardiacCat]

Great video. At first I was thinking this was only to trigger lights. But you can trigger anything that is plugged in, even a circuit that operates an animated figure as well as lights, is that correct? For instance, activates the sound board which turns on the relay, which in turn activates a circuit that turns on a motor and light shining on an empty rocking chair that rocks while the sound is playing.

[@TheMakersCave]

Hi, thanks for watching!! To play it safe I would have the sound card activate a dual relay board. It's just like the board in the video but it has two separate relays. You could use one to activate the motor and the other to activate the lights.

[@18psutton]

Hello great video .any more information on an mp4 version please

[@JB-kj9yy]

Is it possible to use this same setup or a similar setup to have reactive LEDs when sound plays? This setup has everything I have been looking for but I am wanting to see how you could integrate reactive LEDs. Thanks for the videos!

[@TheMakersCave]

I'm thinking yes but I'm not quite sure what you mean by "reactive LEDs". Do you have better description or product name.

[@JB-kj9yy]

The LEDs will flash to the beat/sound to the audio that plays. I know a PIR sensor and small MIC is involved just unsure how it would tie into this circuit.

[@sergionunez6426]

So do you need 2 separate power sources? One for the light and one for the sound board?

[@TheMakersCave]

For what was in the video yes. The board and relay worked off of 5 volts DC. The lights were AC. The two shall not meet :)

[@MrTmartindale]

Hey Steve, Love your video, Can you use more than 1 relay say 3 or 4 relays?

[@TheMakersCave]

Sure can, just split the trigger wire to go to each relay. We have relay boards that have 3 and 4 relays on them, we just didn’t put them on the site yet. GraveDecor.com. I can put them up today so you can at least see what they look like

[@MrTmartindale]

@@TheMakersCave Can the extra relays be triggered independently of each other?

[@TheMakersCave]

@@MrTmartindale If your asking about the 2, 3, or 4 relay boards, then yes, there is an individual trigger for each relay.

[@afzalbabu0203]

I just got the pieces all together wired etc. but when I am using a mp3 with one sound in it , it's not playing it

[@tombonini7393]

Great board and I like its ability to sequence thru the sound files but without a manual trigger, it misses the mark for me. Perhaps that could be an update for a future version. Either way, keep up the good work.

[@TheMakersCave]

If you're looking for a manual trigger of this board vs the PIR sensor you can just cut off the PIR sensor and short the Yellow (PIR trigger) to the positive of the PIR sensor. You can use a wireless relay, a button, a regular relay to activate the board.

[@starwarsaddict77]

If I bought the mega kit what is the best speaker to use with it? Any recommendations? Going to have it for mostly dialogue

[@TheMakersCave]

The boards have two audio out methods. One is a 3.5mm(1/8") jack just like what you find on the back of a computer. You can use any amplified computer speaker. The other audio out are two pins for a single speaker using the board's internal amplifier. I can honestly say I rarely buy brand new speakers for this method. I just visit the local thrift stores as they always have small, mismatched speakers for a couple of dollars. If you want to buy a speaker, especially for dialogue, I suggest any CB external speaker rated for at least 5 Watts. They usually come with a 3.5mm plug but you can just cut that off. Here's one I found on Amazon: amzn.to/3eBnvjo

[@starwarsaddict77]

Thank you that’s helpful are the boards in stock or will they be soon?

[@EdG407FL]

Hi Steve, I have your MP3 Motion Sensor Board # FN-M2A. I placed the SD card inside the slot with the numbered audio tracks as you described in the video. For example track #1 is written out as "00001-sound.mp3" and so on. Altogether I have 7 sounds. My question is how can I make the sound card play off the SD card and not off the built in memory? There are other unknown sounds coming from it but my SD card with the preloaded sounds is not able to load or play. Is there a way to override this or reprogram the onboard memory card? I am using the micro USB plug for the 5 Volt power source. Please let me know what I am doing wrong and how to correct it, thank you.

[@TheMakersCave]

Hi! Confirm that the following is true: SD card is 32GB or less and that the card is formatted in FAT32. If all that is true then it should be playing from the SD card. Let me know.

[@EdG407FL]

@@TheMakersCave Hi Steve, THANK YOU! It worked! This little gem is fantastic! I connected it to a ground loop noise isolator, then to a stereo amp and out to my 4" speakers and it sounds amazing! Everyone should get this, thank you again!

[@fletcherwilliamsiii3030]

Can this setup power a home subwoofer with an aux input and a strip of LED lights? Thanks for any suggestions.

[@fletcherwilliamsiii3030]

I’m new to this arena but my biggest question at the moment is what are the power limitations? Thanks

[@TheMakersCave]

that board has two ways of getting sound out. The board has a 3 watt amp built in that is accessble via the two audio pins which provides mono sound, the volume is controllable by the volume button on the board. There is also a 3.5mm audio jack, like those found on the back of your computer. This jack needs powered speakers like computer speakers. From your description it's sounds like your system has a 3.5mm AUX input. Just use a male to male 3.5mm cable to get the sound from the board to the AUX input. Here's a link: amzn.to/3IjNR62. If you follow that link you can get one in 3, 6, or 10 feet. You can also find them at Five Below, Best Buy. Hope this helps :) If you have any more question please ask.

[@fs-3416]

Good Afternoon... I have of your MP3 boards with an mini sound card. I can not seem to load the sound card from my MAC. I have the sound bite downloaded to the MAC and when I plug in the sound board I do not see it appear on my desk top screen. Can you help me with what I may be not doing correctly. Thank you in advance...jeff....

[@TheMakersCave]

I just checked and we have a few Jeff's that bought something. What board did you buy?

[@fs-3416]

I bought the MP3 Player with the 5 w Audio. It was your package purchase from your How to Wire Lights and Motors to the Easy Prop sound project.

[@derkanerka]

Is there a method of saving and maintaining the volume setting everytime I disconnect power it resets the music volume low.

[@TheMakersCave]

I’ve never had that question before and never really gave it any thought till you mentioned it. Sorry, no, I tested it too, and there seems no way to keep the selected volume once the power is removed

[@derkanerka]

@@TheMakersCave appreciate you testing that theory, was curious if I was missing something on a setup function.

[@Brookyt00]

How do you add sounds to the board

[@TheMakersCave]

The board has 4MB flash RAM on board and it has has an micro SD card slot. for either one you just plug the included USB cable in to your computer and they will show up as drives. Simply copy your file to either the onboard flash RAM or to the SD card if you are using one.

[@garybuzen8482]

Can it play ambient sound until triggered?

[@TheMakersCave]

That's the second most asked question. I'm desperately trying to find a board that will do that. I can offer a kit that does but it would have an Arduino Nano.

[@AstanaxKnight]

I'm stumped right now. I am trying to power 5 volt LEDs. I tried the two relays that I have with the same result. Measuring from the DC- and Busy signal on the relay (switch clicks but does not put out any voltage), I am getting around 1.29 volts when not triggered, and 3.7 volts when triggered. DC voltage input was reading just under 5 volts. I took the relay completely off the circuit and wired the busy signal and ground to a 5 volt LED. My board has a weld circle for busy and ground right next to each other, with busy not in the same location at the PIR sensor wires as seen in the photo that came with the boards. As predicted, the 5 volt LED was dim due to only having 3.7 volts to it. The LED lights up during the sound and then turns off. Unfortunately, halfway through the second or third sound effect, the 5 volt power pack shuts off as if it is not getting a signal from the sound board. I found that wiring the 5 volt LEDs directly to the power bank of course keeps the lights lit. I am using a LED strip that was USB powered 5 volts. The sound board activates and deactivates as normal, does not lose power and the power pack works as normal. However, I bought the set up to have the lights turn on and off when the sound goes on and off, not to stay lit all the time. I have not tried to second board that I bought from you.

[@TheMakersCave]

Hi! The "Busy" pin on the sound card is there to activate a relay module or be read by a microcontroller, like an Arduino. In the video you'll see how I wire the "busy" pin to the relay to make it activate during the sound playback. As you figured out, the busy pine doesn't have enough voltage to drive 5V leds and the current is in the low milliamps. You would use a seperate power source for the LEDs and use the relay to control that voltage to the LEDs, the relay would act like a switch. Negative of LEDs to negative of LED power source, positive of LED power source to relay COM terminal, positive of LEDs to NO (normally open) terminal of relay. Now when the relay activates it completes the circuit and the LEDs light up. Maybe this will better explain it, if not just get back to me :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3_NgWNtma2Ifas

[@AstanaxKnight]

@@TheMakersCave thank you for your help reminding me. I realize that I haven't wired up a relay in many years. Brain is kind of fried as well after having to solder wires for two stereos. One for my Jeep, one for my mom's truck. I also had to replace a light pod on our station wagon Ecto-1 as well as install a DC to DC Charger for the back battery that activates all the lights. So a lot of electronics stuff needing wired in less than a month. So I get what you are saying. I just need to let my brain recuperate.

[@AstanaxKnight]

@@TheMakersCave I have a follow up. For the power bank cutting off halfway, I wound up getting a different power bank which fixed that issue.

[@tomgrabowski3493]

The MP3 player is on backorder. Will there be a new supply?

[@TheMakersCave]

I apologize for the backorder. The boards were really popular and we sold out quickly. Unfortunately, the batch we have on order won't be here until the week after Halloween, really bad timing.

[@davidmclevain1244]

@@TheMakersCave what is the name of the board

[@rogeliodelarosa7927]

Can I add a fog machine to the board instead of using a controller thx

[@TheMakersCave]

Sorry for the late reply, I just saw this. It all depends on how the fogger can be activated. Do you have a model number?

[@raygoza69]

Can this be used on a 3v light kit?

[@TheMakersCave]

If you're only talking about a single LED then I think the busy pin would light it. But you can use a relay, like in the video, and you can wire anything to it.

[@raygoza69]

@@TheMakersCave Thanks, but to be more specific, it’s a Darth Vader Chest and belt box light kit that run on 3v. I’m assuming the other half of the power cable that goes connected to the relay is just to interrupt the current that in my case, draws power to turn the light kit on and off. I’m just afraid that the relay will produce 5v to the light kit and fry it. Thanks for your help and I’ve learned so much from your videos. Opened up a new world for me. YOU ROCK!!!

[@TheMakersCave]

The relay doesn't provide any power at the COM (Common), NO (normally open), or the NC (normally closed) terminals. The 5V is to run the board and the logic electronics of the relay. The relay acts as switch that completes a circuit. Take your 3v power negative and wire that to the negative of the lights. Take the 3V positive and run that to the COM relay terminal. Take the NO relay terminal and run that to the positive of the lights. Now when the relay activates it will allow the positive voltage to flow to the lights, hence turning then on for the duration of the sound.

[@dakman5136]

I purchased a MP3 Player with 5W Audio Amp from you, emailed you but alas, no response. I saw some sample Arduino code on your site and wonder if that will work with the MP3 board I purchased? Tag, you're it!

[@TheMakersCave]

Let me get some samples together for you. I didn't see any email but that doesn't mean i couldn't have missed it with all that comes in.

[@dakman5136]

Maybe I had the wrong email, what is your email where I can contact you ? Thanks

[@TheMakersCave]

@@dakman5136 for Grave Décor support use [e-mail]. I’ll keep an eye out for it.

[@66boogie]

Trying to contact you about purchasing

[@TheMakersCave]

Looking at your email now :)

[@66boogie]

@@TheMakersCave ok. Let me know.

[@66boogie]

@@TheMakersCave I wanted to ask a couple questions but I ordered anyway

[@TheMakersCave]

@@66boogie ask away 😀

[@afzalbabu0203]

I used a micro SD card with 1 Mp3 in it, but whenever I am turning it on, it's playing a Fanta advertisement (haha), not sure where it came from , How can I make it play my file?

[@TheMakersCave]

Did you delete the Fanta sound? That's the sound the manufacturer puts on there.

[@afzalbabu0203]

@@TheMakersCave How do i delete? From where?

[@TheMakersCave]

That sounds like it's not recognizing the SD Card. The board has memory on it for sounds if you don't want to use an SD card. If you bought the board from us (GraveDecor.com) it should have come with a micro USB cable about 5" long. If you use that cable to plug the board into your computer the board will show up like a thumb drive. There should be one file listed, that's the Fanta ad. Delete that file and add yours. Make sure you don't have the SD card in and then apply power. If your sounds play then we know it's the card. Remember that the SD card can't be any bigger than 32GB, I usually use a 16GB card.

[@bu55c]

Or simply use a time delay relay

[@TheMakersCave]

that would work for the relay but there would be no sound

[@bu55c]

@@TheMakersCave Sure there would, the circuit would act the same way but with either an on delay or off delay in the relay itself, we use them in automated equipment to control product flow.

[@18psutton]

Mp4 player please

[@TheMakersCave]

Are you trying to play sound or video?

[@18psutton]

@@TheMakersCave video mp4

[@18psutton]

@@TheMakersCave nobody has done a simple DIY mp4 media with sensor trigger ? You have to pay alot of money for sprite media and its not available everywhere. If you can make one it would be useful to alot of people

[@TheMakersCave]

I just found something, have it coming in on Friday, will immediately do a video.

[@18psutton]

@@TheMakersCave great thankyou it would be great especially for advertising haunted mirrors etc thankyou

[@mvvoegrenovatiewerken6408]

why don't you send to belgium

[@TheMakersCave]

All of Europe should be open to shipping.

[@MegaEpicGamingGuy]

Would this work the same wiring it to a jst plug to activate the eyes on one of those 5 ft skeletons from home depot so it keeps the eyes lit while the sound is playing?

[@TheMakersCave]

Sure would. Just find the power lead going to the eyes. Cut it and put one end of the cut to the COM (common) terminal of the relay and the other end of the cut into the relay's NO (normally open) terminal. Then when the sound file plays the eyes will light up for as long as the sound is playing.