My Zoo Needs Help!

ig-88 · 21st May 2006, 04:18 PM

Hi all. I usually hang out at the BYOAC forums discussing arcade related matters but I am wondering if someone here may have a solution.

The problem is our local Children's Zoo, which is run mostly on donations, needs some hardware additions/updating/maintenance. What they have are these "Boxes" for lack of a better word at some of their animal displays that are basically a push-button and a speaker that when hit, play a recording describing each animal, it's habitat, eating habits etc. etc.

Well they are in dire need of some help. What I would like to do is find an economical way to build new "boxes" for the animals with some of the spare parts I have lying around or can scrounge up. And then keep them up and running on my volunteer time.

What I have is alot of old computers, buttons, speakers, switches, wire, whatever.

Do any of you think there is an easy, somewhat inexpensive way to do this?

All it has to do is play recording over and over. The "boxes" are outside but/will be weather tight.

I had thought of adding extra buttons for "options" but who knows.

Someone also suggested hacking digital answering machines. I could probably get a bunch on eBay or something....tho I would have to boost the volume. Maybe with a cheap computer speaker amp hack???

Were looking at approximately 20+ "boxes" and all this probably coming out of my pocket so I can't go too crazy.

Any suggestions or help?

Spasticteapot · 21st May 2006, 05:18 PM

You could sell me some of the old computers, and spend the money at Mouser.

Seriously, though, I'd go for simplicity and reliabilty. Adding some more boxes might not be a bad idea; a RadioShack voice recorder unit connected to a simple amplifier and reasonably efficient speaker would give you up to a minute of voice time for about 15$ per box, not including enclosure. I've seen 'em on sale for 6$ per; you could use multiple units with seperate buttons for more options.

Also, a traditional "match the buttons" panel would be easy. Just wire the matching switches on each side (For example, "frog" and "amphibian") to the activation switch's leads on the voice recorder unit. You might want to wire something up where it would only allow one to work at once, though, or you'd get some nasty fuzz. (Alternately, use a simple buzzer, which will ignore multiple inputs in paralell).

If you REALLY want to go overboard, set up an old computer (the fruity iMacs work wonderfully for this) with a smallish monitor in a sealed plexiglass enclosure. Have someone make up a movie, and set it to sit at a screen whenever it finishes, and start over when the mouse is clicked. Then, just take a cheap mouse (1$ at Dollar Tree) and solder two leads to a large button. When it is pressed, the movie restarts.

Jack Crow · 25th May 2006, 08:59 AM

IG,
Don't depend on normal electronics parts to survive.

Switches take a beating.
Get some parts from the pin ball industry.

Just some advice
Jack Crow in Kuwait

Tall Shadow · 26th May 2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Crow
IG,
Don't depend on normal electronics parts to survive.

Switches take a beating.
Get some parts from the pin ball industry.

Just some advice
Jack Crow in Kuwait

Good Advice! Kids are Tough on equipment!!!!

I would go with:
The Digital voice recorder(s) off of Ebay.. 1 or more per box.

Heavy Duty (Large & Brightly colored) switches from Arcade games or an industrial supply shop. Arcade switches are tough & fairly cheap!

A simple weatherproof box with graphics on it, or next to it. Look at Home depot or lowes for what is available. (The graphics might come from a local print shop as a donation.)

Get local business people involved! Many will donate parts/cash/work for a nice bit of good publicity!
& Call the local news papers TV and Radio stations to "Spread the Word"!!!

Good Luck, and keep Us posted!!

Tall Shadow

karma · 26th May 2006, 01:44 PM

and kits are cheap, you could always go with a touchpad or proximity relays nothing to snap off

http://store.qkits.com/

for me that would be a fun project

21st May 2006, 04:18 PM	#1
ig-88 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: central u.s.	My Zoo Needs Help! Hi all. I usually hang out at the BYOAC forums discussing arcade related matters but I am wondering if someone here may have a solution. The problem is our local Children's Zoo, which is run mostly on donations, needs some hardware additions/updating/maintenance. What they have are these "Boxes" for lack of a better word at some of their animal displays that are basically a push-button and a speaker that when hit, play a recording describing each animal, it's habitat, eating habits etc. etc. Well they are in dire need of some help. What I would like to do is find an economical way to build new "boxes" for the animals with some of the spare parts I have lying around or can scrounge up. And then keep them up and running on my volunteer time. What I have is alot of old computers, buttons, speakers, switches, wire, whatever. Do any of you think there is an easy, somewhat inexpensive way to do this? All it has to do is play recording over and over. The "boxes" are outside but/will be weather tight. I had thought of adding extra buttons for "options" but who knows. Someone also suggested hacking digital answering machines. I could probably get a bunch on eBay or something....tho I would have to boost the volume. Maybe with a cheap computer speaker amp hack??? Were looking at approximately 20+ "boxes" and all this probably coming out of my pocket so I can't go too crazy. Any suggestions or help?

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21st May 2006, 05:18 PM	#2
Spasticteapot diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin....what did you expect?	You could sell me some of the old computers, and spend the money at Mouser. Seriously, though, I'd go for simplicity and reliabilty. Adding some more boxes might not be a bad idea; a RadioShack voice recorder unit connected to a simple amplifier and reasonably efficient speaker would give you up to a minute of voice time for about 15$ per box, not including enclosure. I've seen 'em on sale for 6$ per; you could use multiple units with seperate buttons for more options. Also, a traditional "match the buttons" panel would be easy. Just wire the matching switches on each side (For example, "frog" and "amphibian") to the activation switch's leads on the voice recorder unit. You might want to wire something up where it would only allow one to work at once, though, or you'd get some nasty fuzz. (Alternately, use a simple buzzer, which will ignore multiple inputs in paralell). If you REALLY want to go overboard, set up an old computer (the fruity iMacs work wonderfully for this) with a smallish monitor in a sealed plexiglass enclosure. Have someone make up a movie, and set it to sit at a screen whenever it finishes, and start over when the mouse is clicked. Then, just take a cheap mouse (1$ at Dollar Tree) and solder two leads to a large button. When it is pressed, the movie restarts.

25th May 2006, 08:59 AM	#3
Jack Crow diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Herndon Virginia	IG, Don't depend on normal electronics parts to survive. Switches take a beating. Get some parts from the pin ball industry. Just some advice Jack Crow in Kuwait

26th May 2006, 01:44 PM	#5
karma diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: hamilton,ontario	and kits are cheap, you could always go with a touchpad or proximity relays nothing to snap off http://store.qkits.com/ for me that would be a fun project

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