Animated skeleton with speaker

[OzAz]

sadly no costco nearby
but found this on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Animated...peaker-Halloween-Decoration-Prop/161805893409
very tempting

Update on the animated skeleton (see my previous post), bought one ( a bit cheaper than that link) but couldn't get the so called "Aux Speaker" to work.
Found out it's actually an AUX Input. I sent an email to the supplier to let them know to change the description of the product.

So you could create your own sayings and input them from whatever device you have with a 3.5mm audio output jack. Opens up a few more possibilities.

Have also purchased some parts to replace the current switch, which activates the built-in three sayings, to have it activate by a PIR sensor (probably next year project).

 

[OzAz]

In answer to a question from @djgra79 on chat: Yes the standing animated skeleton can be seated.

There is a metal pole that goes up it's spine and this can be easily pulled out (and re-inserted if required).
It sits in a standard chair quite well.
One thing to note, the elbow, knee and ankle joints are very loose; I placed some blue-tac behind the elbow joint to help it stay in position, There's probably a better way of doing this, I'm open to suggestions.
It seems to look better in the chair as the joint in the pole tends to make the skeleton lean forward and the head tilts down too much.

I've attached two photos, one of it standing next to my new workbench and the other seated in a chair.
The two cables you can see in the sitting photo are the (white) trigger button that when pressed plays 1 of the 3 built-in sayings, the other (black) is the AUX IN line.
There is a switch on the back of the head AUX/Off/Loop(demo)/Trigger



and then we can all play spot the ...

 

[OzAz]

Another update on the animated skeleton

Following discussions on chat about the jaw banging into the spine (see movie) I removed the head by unscrewing the two screws and then popping head off (there's a ball joint at top of spine). Re-positioned the head and screwed it back on, with one of the screws re-positioned (also had to put a small clear bumper under chin to get proper elevation) the jaw barely touches spine now.

Also did some minor brain surgery
Opened up the panel on the back of the head and took some photos of the circuit board and inside the head.
Wondering if I could tap off the speaker points to obtain external audio output so I could have a louder volume?

Link to video (pre orthopaedic surgery) https://www.dropbox.com/s/fcvhzmjyrqwy2ja/20170908_183251.mp4?dl=0

Link to video (post orthopaedic surgery) https://www.dropbox.com/s/1pzmn8im4uvx0vd/20170909_143159.mp4?dl=0
Note: hardly any chatter (banging) now.

So after finding out AUX speaker is actually AUX IN and some great suggestions from @djgra79 and @David_AVD and some minor surgery, I'm quite happy with my purchase now.

 

[David_AVD]

You can certainly tap into the speaker circuit to get a feed for an external amplifier.

The safest way would be via a small transformer (Jaycar MM2534 or similar off eBay) so that there's no chance of you damaging the audio out of the PCB.

Connect one side of the transformer across the speaker wires and the other to your amplifier input.

 

[djgra79]

Or if you are going to use a mini mixer as your audio input, could you connect it to another speaker system that is better than the on board speaker? Clearer audio then??

 

[bbayjohn]

Nice Oz, load him up with a few jokes, he will be the star of the show

Q: What do the skeletons say be for eating?
A: Bone appetite

Q: Why didn't the skeleton go to see a scary movie?
A: He didn't have the guts.

Q: When does a skeleton laugh?
A: When something tickles his funny bone

Q: Why do skeletons drink milk?
A: To help their bones!

Q: What do Skeletons like to eat?
A: Ribs

Q: What did the witch say to the skeleton when he was lying?
A: "I know your lying because I can see right through you."

Q: Who was the most famous skeleton detective?
A: Sherlock Bones.

Q: What do you give a skeleton for valentine's day?
A: Bone-bones in a heart shaped box.

Q: Why did the skeleton cross the road?
A: To go to the body shop.

Q: What did the skeleton say to the vampire?
A: You suck.

Q: Why did the stay out in the snow all night?
A: He was a numb skull.

Q: Why didn't the skeleton dance at the party?
A: He had no body to dance with.

Q: Why did the skeleton go to a BBQ?
A: For the spare ribs.

Q: What did sans say to papyrus?
A: Nice to meet you i have a skeleTON of jokes for you. Undertale

Q: Who was the most famous French skeleton?
A: Napoleon bone-apart

Q: Why was the skeleton a bad archer?
A: Someone stole his bone and marrow.

Q: Why did the skeleton go disco dancing?
A: to see the boogy man.

Q: Why is the skeleton never mad?
A: Because nothing gets under his skin!

Q: Why did he skeleton go to the barbecue?
A: To get another rib.

Q: What is a Skeleton's favorite song.
A: Bad to the Bone

Q: Who won the skeleton beauty contest?
A: No body!

Q: Why did the skeleton give a dog a bone?
A: Because he had spare ribs.

Q: Why was the boy afraid of a skeleton?
A: Because it had a bone to pick with him.

Q: What do skeletons say before they begin dining?
A: Bone appetit !

Q: What kind of key does a skeleton use?
A: A skeleton key.

Q: What instrument do skeleton play?
A: Trom-BONE.

Q: Why did't the skeleton cross the road?
A: He had no guts.

Q: What's a skeletons favorite part of the house?
A: the living room

Q: Why do skeletons dislike wind?
A: They don't. It goes right through them!

Q: What Does A Skeleton Do Before Sex?
A: He Gets a Boner

Q: Where did the skeleton park his horse and buggy?
A: At a dead end.

Q: Why can't a Skeleton Lift Weights?
A: He's all bone & no muscle.

A: Why can't skeletons pick a fight?
B: They don't have the guts to do it.

Q: Why dident the skeleten go to the halloween party?
A: Because he had no body to go with.

Q: Why don't skeletons ever go out on the town?
A: Because they don't have any body to go out with...

An annoying skeleton was being chased by a dog, the dog lost track of the skeleton and told someone "I have a bone to pick with him."
the man asked "Which one?"
The dog then replied " I don't know he has so many."

 

[LightsOn81st]

Dropped by Home Depot and got excited because there were huge piles of these skeletons for $29 each.

However, on closer inspection I found that they were just the skeleton with all the electronic innards in the head missing, replaced with just some light up eyes.

Maybe a good platform for a future project, but a bummer.

 

[OzAz]

Update:
Purchased, mixer and wireless microphone. Skeleton is now going to sit on a small pa speaker covered in black cloth with a foam tombstone in front.
Using wireless mic I can be hidden from view and be able to say random things to trick or treaters. have started a second thread with full Halloween set up.