How We Wire Our Haunt

[@torsloke]

Perfect thing to watch before I head to the garage to work on my cemetery (not graveyard - thanks for that info!) gate project. I’m hoping I have time this year to work toward a more cohesive electronics setup like yours. Mine is rather patchwork. My dream is to get everything hooked up to a series of motion sensors. We’ll see. Thanks for the constant inspiration!

[@susanowen1709]

So many speakers! We really need to up our ambient sound game; this gives me some ideas for sure.

[@roosevelthillscemetery]

Love the behind the scenes look in the setup let's me know I can do so much more with chord management. I def need to change the LED over to the mini spots going forward. I'm looking to comic book these days.

[@matthewgordon799]

Thanks for sharing! Excited to see your setup next year

[@thegamethemovie9605]

That was YOUR yard with tombstones in the Paperboy video game! 🎮

[@VanOaksProps]

Guilty as charged!

[@scout4962]

Very nice, have a good time this year. ❤ from Berlin

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! You too!

[@raymitchell9736]

I like the behind the scenes look at haunts. RCA is fine for the LEDS you're running which is mostly a static display, so it's perfect for that... Audio cables can't handle props that take a bit of current, if you hit that limit they'll "tell you" LOL everything will sag or malfunction when you hit the limit... As for my situation, Long ago I stopped with the RCA for powering props because I needed to have a trigger signal in addition to power, so unfortunately I used TRS (stereo) 1/8" and 1/4" don't ever do that, it was a bad idea! What I now use the power cables that have the 5.5mm barrel connectors on the ends and I run everything at 12V, I use stepdown DC converters if it needs 5V... But as you probably know (if you looked at my channel) I do a bit more in my haunts, I have active props that do jump scares such as my pneumatics or motorized props, so recently I've hit on using inexpensive cat5 cables, I must to run one cable to each prop back to a central controller panel. I've assigned the wires as follows: 2 pairs for powering the logic controllers (Arduinos) and maybe some simple LEDs (that's 2 for +5V and 2 for ground), leaving 4 other wires for the control signals: Run status (ready/Running), manual "TRIGGER", "ENABLE" / "STOP", and a "RESET" in addition to those two connectors, I also have standardized on a round 4-pin DIN for my PIR triggers so I can build up modules and use them in interchangeably in other props or replace them if one should fail during my haunt. (Red = +5V, Black= Gnd, Yellow= PIR Trigger, Green not used/future use)

[@haunt-in-the-hills9096]

Derek just bought a gemmy skull radio, a speaker upgrade for better sound is all the rage. I'm raging because I might break it. Is it easy? Speaker size for upgrade? Have you done this with your radio? Thanks for any instruction! Haunt in the Hills

[@VanOaksProps]

I have no idea. I’ve never opened up on of the Gemmy radios and I can’t compare mine because it is a scratch build. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

[@haunt-in-the-hills9096]

No worries, I've got confidence now, can't be too difficult. Lol 🥜

[@WhiteysWickedWorkshop]

Wow that's a pretty elaborate graveyard you got there. Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks!

[@vickiemullen660]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@drod883]

Can you share some info on what powers the entire haunt? Are all the lights connected to a single power supply, or multiple? It would be awesome to understand further, and thanks SO MUCH for all that you share!!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Check out my video on plug & play LED lighting and that should help to illustrate how its all powered.

[@drod883]

@@VanOaksProps I'll check it out, your expertise and creativity are awesome, thanks again for sharing!

[@theadvernaut7704]

Thank you for this!

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure!

[@PropGuru702]

Hey Derek, love the setup. Just out of curiosity, why isn't the front "rats nest" (as you called it) hidden within one of your stellar brick columns and along the back side of the fence? I assume you've never had any issues with people messing with stuff but it seems in today's world, would be best to eliminate as many potential issues as possible.

[@VanOaksProps]

It's all excess cording and there's no good way to do it since the columns are so heavy once they're in place.

[@PropGuru702]

@@VanOaksProps gotcha. I thought you had access panels on the rear of them. Must have been mistaken

[@VanOaksProps]

I do now. Also, sometimes after pulling everything out of the rafters and running cables I just get lazy. Lol

[@roosevelthillscemetery]

Finally just ordered one of your shirts. Can't wait to rep it soon!!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@JesterLaughs]

Very nice setup - when do you guys start setting up for this year?

[@VanOaksProps]

2nd week of October.

[@TheXerosyn]

TY for this, I really want to improve my lighting, currently just using some RGB Floods. Do you have a walk around at night for this setup too?

[@VanOaksProps]

Yes! There’s a link at the end of the video.

[@TheXerosyn]

@@VanOaksProps ty guess i missed it

[@TheXerosyn]

@@VanOaksProps I guess follow up question would be what is all this plugged into, how is the weather proofing on the wires etc. We get alot of rain in OCT here in KY.

[@3218675309]

So no HOA in your area I’m guessing? Lucky you. 👍

[@HLR4th]

HOAs- now those are really scary!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Nope.

[@Peter_Enis]

Now a small projector in the back of a tombstone and a small smokemachine ;)

[@VanOaksProps]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIKueaJ5d5t8fZI

[@shawnmedders8016]

Keep up the good work

[@ryanbarclayguitar]

I’m curious, what wire do you use for your long runs of RCA? Just cheap 2 strand wire? I’m looking to begin using the RCA system this year in our haunt. Cheers!

[@VanOaksProps]

Speaker wire.

[@kenmcevoy1119]

Hey Derek, will you be at Midsummer Scream?

[@VanOaksProps]

I will! I'll be teaching workshops on the show floor at booth 665.

[@stebstebanesier6205]

How do you run wires and or cables"Safely" across walkways?

[@VanOaksProps]

Tape or floor mats are my goto, although we don't allow people into our yard. So we're the only ones who have to watch out for cables.

[@ianvolker2751]

Could you attatch a link for the video with the flicker circuit project on it. I think I somehow missed that one. Thanks!

[@VanOaksProps]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3SViI2ViZ2Nr7M

[@wolfman75]

Cool!!!! Thank You!!!! 👍🔥😎🤘

[@andrewgee5608]

Where did you get that large kneeling hooded statue in the back? Did you make this monument or find it somewhere?

[@VanOaksProps]

We made it. Here’s an overview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqSrqY2ZorqagKc

[@stafdehat]

Is your front gate actual permanent masonry & iron, or is that another decoration?

[@VanOaksProps]

It's all decoration. Only the white vinyl fence is real.

[@ssskids123]

Do you have all the speakers running off one audio source? I.e. are some of them specific sound effects, and if so how are you driving the different sound files? Thank you great video.

[@VanOaksProps]

We run multiple amps with built in SD card readers that play different audio programming.

[@cybermike33]

@@VanOaksProps Mind sharing the amps you use and speakers? Maybe links. Thank you for any assistance.

[@jvanamb]

How do you waterproof your various junction connection? Jim in N.Y.

[@VanOaksProps]

Hey Jim! Because we rarely get weather I've never had to, but you can use any kind of small food storage container with small openings for your wires to help minimize exposure to the elements.

[@jvanamb]

@@VanOaksProps Nice idea! I will. Thank you. Jim

[@toowace01]

What Wattage Novastella flood do you uses?

[@VanOaksProps]

I use the 25w.

[@Carmelo4456]

Gracias amigo!!!

[@GeoFry3]

Lol, getting started in July? Sounds about right.

[@VanOaksProps]

Lol nope. This was filmed October 2021.

[@Countryboy246]

Hi do you have a link to Charlotte the statue tutorial plz

[@VanOaksProps]

It’s not a tutorial but shows kind of how it’s built. BEHIND THE SCARE: DIY Halloween Life-size Statue with PVC kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqSrqY2ZorqagKc

[@Countryboy246]

@@VanOaksProps ty sir :)

[@m.maclellan7147]

So, inside the gates there are cords running across the walkway ?! Trip hazard ? Or do you lay a "welcome mat" over them ?

[@VanOaksProps]

There's a mat, but we also don't let people up the walkway and we pass out candy at the gate.

[@m.maclellan7147]

@@VanOaksProps ah, good idea. Less chance of issues !

[@ljmike1204]

So no green or blue

[@VanOaksProps]

That’s what the flood lights are for.

[@Peter_Herrman]

Your "rat's nest" is everyone else's (at least mine) "Picture Perfect!" Looks great! I'm curious, do you kill your lawn every year for Halloween? Not a lot of grass there. :o)

[@VanOaksProps]

Nope. California is in a pretty serious drought and we just stopped watering.

[@Peter_Herrman]

@@VanOaksProps , oh yeah, forgot you were out there. Good for you. The tombstones look better than grass anyway!

[@GHILLIESARCADEANDMORE]

Cool

[@IrieFiery]

Have you ever had anything stolen from your set up? I have 50 paper mache Jack O Lanterns that I've made, tombstones, and a couple spooky trees that I set up on Halloween day only because we have a problem with people 'helping themselves' to Holiday decorations where I live.

[@VanOaksProps]

That sucks. We’ve been extremely lucky and nothings been messed with.

[@IrieFiery]

@@VanOaksProps That's great. It's nice that you haven't had any problems. Hope it stays that way for you.

[@StoneE4]

Can I hire you for lawn maintenance? 😏

[@VanOaksProps]

Absolutely. I’m very affordable

[@Carmelo4456]

Tengo cosas hechas gracias a ti para halloween

[@Carmelo4456]

Soy seguidor tuyo