Try me timer switch to activate Lemax items.

Ian Wright

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Sep 25, 2018
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4
Hi everyone.

This year I am setting up a winter village outside my house in a covered area and will be using various Lemax houses , figurines and animated items. Rather then run the animated items none stop each night, I am hoping to install a "TRY ME" button that activates the animated items for 5 minutes at a time. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Ideally I would like a big button that lights up went pressed and which in turn activates power to the animated items for a 5 minute count down.

Look forward to any advice. Thanks Ian
 

Mark_M

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Dec 30, 2018
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Christmas Light world
Hi Ian Wright,
Depending on what you're willing to do, I can think of 3 ways.
  1. Use an Arduino with transistors (or relays). - Requires programming in Arduino IDE (Variant of C/C++).
  2. Simple programming devices like a Halloween prop controller that you just press the programming buttons in time and it stores the sequence. Something like a PicoBoo ONE for example (even though this example supports up to 60 seconds):
    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHfKFsTQ7ps
    - Easy to program but is expensive!
  3. Timer module from eBay or Aliexpress. Like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Infinite-Cycle-Delay-Timing-Timer-Relay-ON-OFF-Switch-Loop-Module-Time/112308185789?epid=586288556&hash=item1a2616eabd:g:wsUAAOSwgY9XdQw - Low cost and easy to program, relay will have an audible click (or get a solid state relay).

Any of these I would then connect a large Arcade button (light up 'game show' type button).​

Different from these is to use a motion sensor, instead of a push button.
  • All can use a motion sensor and the timer module would instead be a motion sensor module with relay.

Add photos of the current switches/button on the Lemax houses if you can and share your opinions on what you're able to accomplish.
I'm interested in @David_AVD 's post above, does the houses play a song or something when switched on?
 
Last edited:

Ian Wright

New elf
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Messages
4
Does the try-me button currently only activate the item for as long as the button is held pressed?
I don't have a try me button yet. I've seen some of the Halloween animated items on sale that have a try me button. No doubt is a similar thing but with a much shorter timer (few seconds at most).
 

Ian Wright

New elf
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Messages
4
Hi Ian Wright,
Depending on what you're willing to do, I can think of 3 ways.
  1. Use an Arduino with transistors (or relays). - Requires programming in Arduino IDE (Variant of C/C++).
  2. Simple programming devices like a Halloween prop controller that you just press the programming buttons in time and it stores the sequence. Something like a PicoBoo ONE for example (even though this example supports up to 60 seconds):
    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHfKFsTQ7ps
    - Easy to program but is expensive!
  3. Timer module from eBay or Aliexpress. Like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Infinite-Cycle-Delay-Timing-Timer-Relay-ON-OFF-Switch-Loop-Module-Time/112308185789?epid=586288556&hash=item1a2616eabd:g:wsUAAOSwgY9XdQw - Low cost and easy to program, relay will have an audible click (or get a solid state relay).

Any of these I would then connect a large Arcade button (light up 'game show' type button).​

Different from these is to use a motion sensor, instead of a push button.
  • All can use a motion sensor and the timer module would instead be a motion sensor module with relay.

Add photos of the current switches/button on the Lemax houses if you can and share your opinions on what you're able to accomplish.
I'm interested in @David_AVD 's post above, does the houses play a song or something when switched on?


Hi Mark, thanks so much. I will check out the PicoBoo and see how that can be integrated into scene. I have quite a few animated items, so wondering how many can be linked to one PicaBoo unit? Will look into it. The motion sensor is a great idea. I wonder if I could link all the animated items through one standard 240V powerboard which is in turn icontrolled by a sensor trigger. Thank you for you great response. Ian
 

Mark_M

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Dec 30, 2018
Messages
914
Location
Christmas Light world
I wonder if I could link all the animated items through one standard 240V powerboard which is in turn icontrolled by a sensor trigger.
This is simple then.
Like @fasteddy mentioned, you can get a button that stays on for a certain amount of time and wire this in the middle of an extension cord.
I have wired a motion sensor in the middle of an extension cord and this works really well for my bubble machines at christmas.
I used one of these motion sensors and put it in the middle of an extension lead. https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-andreas-compact-movement-activated-sensor-security-light_p4370633
I will post a photo of what I have done tomorrow (I'm not currently at home).
Let us know if this seems like a reasonable idea but do be cautious with main voltage!. I can can provide detailed photos.
 

Ian Wright

New elf
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Messages
4
This is simple then.
Like @fasteddy mentioned, you can get a button that stays on for a certain amount of time and wire this in the middle of an extension cord.
I have wired a motion sensor in the middle of an extension cord and this works really well for my bubble machines at christmas.
I used one of these motion sensors and put it in the middle of an extension lead. https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-andreas-compact-movement-activated-sensor-security-light_p4370633
I will post a photo of what I have done tomorrow (I'm not currently at home).
Let us know if this seems like a reasonable idea but do be cautious with main voltage!. I can can provide detailed photos.
Hi Mark - great stuff. Thank you.
 

Mark_M

Annoying Elf
Joined
Dec 30, 2018
Messages
914
Location
Christmas Light world
Coming back to a thread from 2 years ago...
I have wired a motion sensor in the middle of an extension cord and this works really well for my bubble machines at christmas.
I used one of these motion sensors and put it in the middle of an extension lead. https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-andreas-compact-movement-activated-sensor-security-light_p4370633

I initially posted this while at a friend's house and I never got to posting an image...

Well, someone's done it for me!
A pop-up Christmas store at Botany Town Centre (Auckland, New Zealand) has done this exact same thing! Even for these animated ornaments!

Same black Bunnings piggy-back extension cord and motion sensor. Looks to be wired the same with the cord going in-out of the motion sensor.

1637410735414.png1637410746607.png

Coincidence or does @Ian Wright have contacts to a retail chain...? :)
 
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