How to Trigger Halloween props with wireless PIR from Harbor Freight

Video shows how to use cheap Harbor Freight driveway alerts to activate Halloween props, these can let you know when someone comes near them at other times. The wireless sending units can be placed anywhere, simply place one or more where you want a guest to be when the prop is activated.

[@tkguess]

Came upon this again. It's still golden information. Hope you'll do some more again.

[@Sandcem]

Helpful but lots here so hope I can get a detailed explanation on this for prop triggering. Very cool concept.

[@GrahamToal]

A word of warning: Harbor Freight sell this under 4 different SKUs depending on their supplier. I've used multiple units of 62447 and 93068 and they have all transmitted different codes for individual units - however model 61910 appears to use the same code for all units. (I've checked using rtl_433 where you can see all the bits being transmitted)

[@originaLkomatoast]

The 93068 is the only model that was available with different channels. It is made with conventional circuit board design with an IC chip that allows for different channels via jumpers on the pins. The newer models are all surface mount technology with no provision for multiple channels. They all operate on the same frequency which prohibits the use of multiple units. One sensor will set off multiple receivers. Bunker Hill really screwed the pooch with this needless change.

[@jershaus]

How did you wire it up? A diagram would be cool???

[@jerrymcguire9240]

Great video! Question: Is there ANY way to make the alarm continue for at least 10 seconds? I am trying to use these to trigger a relay switch for a 12VDC pneumatic arm... I've tried attaching a couple small capacitors but that did not make any difference... I've got the relay working, but I don't want the switch continually activated when people walk by... So I figured if I can keep the 3VDC ON for say 10 seconds, it would allow the pneumatic cylinder to retract to set up for the next victim... Lol Thanks!

[@TheHoopster]

hello bobby, great video, very entertaining and educational! not sure if you would answer this but i have a few animatronics, you know the cheap crappy ones from home depot, but they are all the same with motion detector or button to activate. my question is how or what do i need to have one of my crappy animatronics activate using a smart plug, be wonderful if i can turn it on withing my smart plug app...appreciate the feedback.

[@OakProperties]

Very informative and well done video. I want to modify the same HF alert for use as a mailbox alert. Would like the lights to remain on after triggered until I switch them off. How easy to add a switch / whatever else to accomplish this?

[@BobbyDotNet]

+OakProperties I would add a small (so it doesn't use much current) DPDT relay, a diode, and a small switch. Take one of the LEDS off the board. Use the one side of the relay contacts to apply power to the LED. Connect the relay coil so when the leds flash your relay closes, do it through the relay so it can break that connection when the relay fires. Use the other side of the relay contacts to apply power to the relay through the switch, but only when the relay fires. This holds the relay on until the switch is opened letting it reset. So the Alert fires the relay when the relay is off, and the relay keeps itself on after that. The switch briefly breaks the connection to the coil so the relay contact is no longer providing a connection to power, which resets the system for the next alert. The diode goes across the relay coil pins, so voltage spikes are kept away from the power source.

[@OakProperties]

+Takai2012 Thank You !!

[@jerrymcguire9240]

I'm lost... Is there ANY way to make the alarm continue for at least 10 seconds? I am trying to use these to trigger a relay switch for a 12VDC pneumatic prop... I've tried attaching a couple small capacitors but that did not make any difference... I've got the relay working, but I don't want the switch continually activated when people walk by... So I figured if I can keep the 3VDC ON for say 10 seconds, it would allow the pneumatic cylinder to retract to set up for the next victim... Lol Thanks!

[@BobbyDotNet]

You are on the right track with capacitors, but perhaps done a little differently. I would use a FET or a small logic gate like an OR gate. When the alarm triggers, it's voltage goes to charge a capacitor that is connected to the input of the gate which turns the gate on). A resistor is connected across the cap to make it discharge (to below the voltage needed to flip the gate logic) in 10 seconds. The output of the gate (or a FET) controls your relay. Hope this helps.

[@jerrymcguire9240]

Thank you but my ITT training in the early 80s failed...LOL (Rip off) I understand the logic, but to create the circuit is a bit beyond my intelligence... I'm looking for a low voltage wireless (2 separate pieces) motion detector that HAS an adjustable delay. Much like all those 110VAC motion detector lights. I really don't want to wire 110VAC across my front lawn because of safety concerns, so I'm either going to find 12VDC and/or solar powered devices along with the pneumatic props. The elec. devices will be for lighting and sound only... The only 110VAC devices(power supplies only) will be under my front porch mounted to a control board along with the 12VDC pneumatic solenoid valves. I have TONS of electrical adapters and PC power supplies to create pretty much anything... haha God bless you for your expertise... :)

[@shebert29]

the video ended without additional information. It ended at 9:40, is that right?

[@BobbyDotNet]

Ah, the video tells you briefly (perhaps too briefly) at the beginning of the video that I moved the part about using them to the front of the video. It seemed to make more sense to show why you would want to use this, before showing how it's made.

[@louietheswan9689]

Pir spelt backwards is Rip

[@maytag1964]

Why make a part of a video and then make an excuse that you'll finish it? After several years and over 9K views, you should either FINISH IT OR DELETE IT!!!!

[@BobbyDotNet]

LOL I did finish it, that is the part you saw first. When I said I'll finish it I intended to make a video showing how to use it with a prop. But then I thought, why make people watch the whole video about the alerts, just to figure out if they were even interested in using the alerts at all. So I moved that second part to play first. You get to see what it does, and decide you want one before having to watch me modifying the alerts. Hope that clears it up for you.