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Problem, Solution = gerbils??

  • Thread starter Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\
  • Start date
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
I and probably a lotta other people have a chronic problem that is in
need of a simple solution. We're about to move into a new bldg and I
have to do a lotta install'ns of PCs, etc., so I'm under the desk a lot.
Every room in the new bldg has the motion sensors that turn off the
lights after a few minutrd, and I have to continually get up and wave my
arms to reactivate the sensors.

Some of the sensors are PIR motion detectors, and some are ultrasonic.
The US ones could be fooled with a fan in front of the sensor, But how
can I fool a PIR motion sensor? I have to have a warm, moving body in
front of the sensor, maybe a caged animal? Or a long wave IR generator
that moves or generates an intermittent output. I've ruled out candles
or other flames for safety reasons. A friend suggested a Lavalamp might
work, but I don't think I want to wait ten or twenty minutes to warm it
up. Maybe one of those old lamps with the rotating picture and fan
blades on top, that turns by convection currents from the light bulb
heat. I know that the IR output from IR LEDs is much too short a
wavelenght. Any ideas? Thanks.

--
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J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I and probably a lotta other people have a chronic problem that is in
need of a simple solution. We're about to move into a new bldg and I
have to do a lotta install'ns of PCs, etc., so I'm under the desk a lot.
Every room in the new bldg has the motion sensors that turn off the
lights after a few minutrd, and I have to continually get up and wave my
arms to reactivate the sensors.

Some of the sensors are PIR motion detectors, and some are ultrasonic.
The US ones could be fooled with a fan in front of the sensor, But how
can I fool a PIR motion sensor? I have to have a warm, moving body in
front of the sensor, maybe a caged animal? Or a long wave IR generator
that moves or generates an intermittent output. I've ruled out candles
or other flames for safety reasons. A friend suggested a Lavalamp might
work, but I don't think I want to wait ten or twenty minutes to warm it
up. Maybe one of those old lamps with the rotating picture and fan
blades on top, that turns by convection currents from the light bulb
heat. I know that the IR output from IR LEDs is much too short a
wavelenght. Any ideas? Thanks.

3' long board with incandescent light bulbs on each end, plus a timer
to cycle them appropriately ???

...Jim Thompson
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Randy Day said:
Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover" wrote:

[snip]
up. Maybe one of those old lamps with the rotating picture and fan
blades on top, that turns by convection currents from the light bulb
heat. I know that the IR output from IR LEDs is much too short a
wavelenght. Any ideas? Thanks.

A candle? Or would the flicker not be enough?

As I stated, and you deleted, I would *not* consider candles and flames
because of safety and fire concerns. Thanks, anyway.
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim Thompson said:
3' long board with incandescent light bulbs on each end, plus a timer
to cycle them appropriately ???

...Jim Thompson
--

I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives the lamps
alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching will keep the PIR
sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR would come from a lamp
that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull glow. Since the IR
all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR sources really
needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a single lamp..
 
P

Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Watson A.Name -
I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives the lamps
alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching will keep the PIR
sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR would come from a lamp
that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull glow. Since the IR
all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR sources really
needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a single lamp..


** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement** detector - so they do
not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in the usual way. They
might respond to a flashing light though - if you get the rate right.





......... Phil
 
B

Bill Garber

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
:
: : >
: > "Watson A.Name -
: >
: > > I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives the
lamps
: > > alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching will
keep the
: PIR
: > > sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR would
come from a
: lamp
: > > that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull glow.
Since the
: IR
: > > all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR sources
really
: > > needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a single
lamp..
: > >
: >
: >
: > ** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement**
etector - so
: they do
: > not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in the
usual way.
: They
: > might respond to a flashing light though - if you get the
rate
: right.
:
: Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a lamp
reflected off a
: moving mirror?

Why not just remove the cover and flip
the override switch?

Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)
Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
Email - willy46pa @ comcast DOT net
Change DOT to a dot to contact me
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil Allison said:
"Watson A.Name -



** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement** detector - so they do
not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in the usual way. They
might respond to a flashing light though - if you get the rate
right.

Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a lamp reflected off a
moving mirror?
 
P

Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Watson A.Name "
"Phil Allison"
they do not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in the usual way.
They might respond to a flashing light though - if you get the rate
right.

Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a lamp reflected off a
moving mirror?


** Or maybe a lamp with a a row of dancing girls in front ??




........... Phil
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bill Garber said:
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
:
: : >
: > "Watson A.Name -
: >
: > > I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives the
lamps
: > > alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching will
keep the
: PIR
: > > sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR would
come from a
: lamp
: > > that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull glow.
Since the
: IR
: > > all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR sources
really
: > > needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a single
lamp..
: > >
: >
: >
: > ** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement**
etector - so
: they do
: > not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in the
usual way.
: They
: > might respond to a flashing light though - if you get the
rate
: right.
:
: Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a lamp
reflected off a
: moving mirror?

Why not just remove the cover and flip
the override switch?

I suppose I could do that for one room with a lot of PCs. But I'd
probably spend too much time diong that if I have a few dozen rooms to
do, each with a one or two PCs. The newer switches don't have
ON-Auto-OFF, just Auto and Off, so one can't defeat the sensor. I've
opened up switches to adjust the sensitivity or time, but I've never
seen one with an overrride. It sure would be convenient if I had a box
that I could just carry from one room to another. Thanks.
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil Allison said:
"Watson A.Name " usual


** Or maybe a lamp with a a row of dancing girls in front ??

Girls or gerbils, I'd settle for any warm body. Just as long as its's
moving. But I'd have to pay the girls for their time...
 
B

Bill Garber

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
:
: : >
: > "Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
: > : > :
: > : : > : >
: > : > "Watson A.Name -
: > : >
: > : > > I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives the
: > lamps
: > : > > alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching
will
: > keep the
: > : PIR
: > : > > sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR would
: > come from a
: > : lamp
: > : > > that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull
glow.
: > Since the
: > : IR
: > : > > all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR
sources
: > really
: > : > > needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a single
: > lamp..
: > : > >
: > : >
: > : >
: > : > ** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement**
: > etector - so
: > : they do
: > : > not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in
the
: > usual way.
: > : They
: > : > might respond to a flashing light though - if you get
the
: > rate
: > : right.
: > :
: > : Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a lamp
: > reflected off a
: > : moving mirror?
: >
: > Why not just remove the cover and flip
: > the override switch?
:
: I suppose I could do that for one room with a lot of PCs. But
I'd
: probably spend too much time diong that if I have a few dozen
rooms to
: do, each with a one or two PCs. The newer switches don't have
: ON-Auto-OFF, just Auto and Off, so one can't defeat the sensor.
I've
: opened up switches to adjust the sensitivity or time, but I've
never
: seen one with an overrride. It sure would be convenient if I
had a box
: that I could just carry from one room to another. Thanks.

True, most newer ones only can be set OFF.
How about a cheap pendulum clock on a stand?
It would constantly be moving over the sensor.

Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)
Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
Email - willy46pa @ comcast DOT net
Change DOT to a dot to contact me
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bill Garber said:
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
:
: : >
: > "Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
: > : > :
: > : : > : >
: > : > "Watson A.Name -
: > : >
: > : > > I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives the
: > lamps
: > : > > alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching
will
: > keep the
: > : PIR
: > : > > sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR would
: > come from a
: > : lamp
: > : > > that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull
glow.
: > Since the
: > : IR
: > : > > all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR
sources
: > really
: > : > > needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a single
: > lamp..
: > : > >
: > : >
: > : >
: > : > ** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement**
: > etector - so
: > : they do
: > : > not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off in
the
: > usual way.
: > : They
: > : > might respond to a flashing light though - if you get
the
: > rate
: > : right.
: > :
: > : Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a lamp
: > reflected off a
: > : moving mirror?
: >
: > Why not just remove the cover and flip
: > the override switch?
:
: I suppose I could do that for one room with a lot of PCs. But
I'd
: probably spend too much time diong that if I have a few dozen
rooms to
: do, each with a one or two PCs. The newer switches don't have
: ON-Auto-OFF, just Auto and Off, so one can't defeat the sensor.
I've
: opened up switches to adjust the sensitivity or time, but I've
never
: seen one with an overrride. It sure would be convenient if I
had a box
: that I could just carry from one room to another. Thanks.

True, most newer ones only can be set OFF.
How about a cheap pendulum clock on a stand?
It would constantly be moving over the sensor.

Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)

Well, if it isn't radiating IR, in other words a warm body, it shouldn't
trigger the motion sensor. My understanding is that the PIR sensors
were made to avoid problems that occured with ultrasonic sensors, such
as the wind blowing drapes and triggering the motion sensor. So I'd
still have to have some kind of warm body dangling from the pendulum.
That's why I suggested gerbils. But come to think of it, those little
critters are nocturnal, and sleep most of the day. So maybe not such a
good idea.
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
message [snip]
Portable light source, then forget the room lights.

I come armed with a couple flashlights with LEDs replacing the light
bulbs, so I'm good to go in that respect. It's just that I've got only
two hands and they're usually occupied with something, so I can't hold
the flashlight on where I'm working. And besides, when one sets up PCs,
one often just sits waiting for the damned things to restart, and the
lights often go off while one is waiting. That's mighty inconvenient to
have to type in the dark. I got some LED headlamps, maybe I'll try one
of those. But they don't always shine light where it's needed, like
around a corner, or whatever.

But thank you for the idea. I just got a new brainstorm. I'll grab one
of the 375W floodlights from the maintenance dept, you know, those big
yellow things on a yellow tripod, with the big reflector that holds a 4"
tube of tungsten, might be halogen, or whatever. The construction crews
use them for doing their thing when there's no power for lights in a
building. I can just drag it from room to room and plug it in, and
screw them silly sensors! Probably a much quicker solution than trying
to fool the sensors.
 
B

Bill Garber

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
:
: : >
: > "Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
: > : > :
: > : : > : >
: > : > "Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover""
: > : > : > : > :
message
: > : > : : > : > : >
: > : > : > "Watson A.Name -
: > : > : >
: > : > : > > I take it you mean an astable flip-flop that drives
the
: > : > lamps
: > : > : > > alternately. I'm wondering if the abrupt switching
: > will
: > : > keep the
: > : > : PIR
: > : > : > > sensor triggered. I'm thinking that long wave IR
would
: > : > come from a
: > : > : lamp
: > : > : > > that's not even glowing visibly. Maybe just a dull
: > glow.
: > : > Since the
: > : > : IR
: > : > : > > all goes into the same sensor, are two separate IR
: > sources
: > : > really
: > : > : > > needed? Maybe I should experiment with just a
single
: > : > lamp..
: > : > : > >
: > : > : >
: > : > : >
: > : > : > ** A PIR sensor is a passive infrared **movement**
: > : > etector - so
: > : > : they do
: > : > : > not respond to fixed lights being turned on and off
in
: > the
: > : > usual way.
: > : > : They
: > : > : > might respond to a flashing light though - if you
get
: > the
: > : > rate
: > : > : right.
: > : > :
: > : > : Maybe a lamp behind a slowly rotating fan? Maybe a
lamp
: > : > reflected off a
: > : > : moving mirror?
: > : >
: > : > Why not just remove the cover and flip
: > : > the override switch?
: > :
: > : I suppose I could do that for one room with a lot of PCs.
But
: > I'd
: > : probably spend too much time diong that if I have a few
dozen
: > rooms to
: > : do, each with a one or two PCs. The newer switches don't
have
: > : ON-Auto-OFF, just Auto and Off, so one can't defeat the
sensor.
: > I've
: > : opened up switches to adjust the sensitivity or time, but
I've
: > never
: > : seen one with an overrride. It sure would be convenient if
I
: > had a box
: > : that I could just carry from one room to another. Thanks.
: >
: > True, most newer ones only can be set OFF.
: > How about a cheap pendulum clock on a stand?
: > It would constantly be moving over the sensor.
: >
: > Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)
:
: Well, if it isn't radiating IR, in other words a warm body, it
shouldn't
: trigger the motion sensor. My understanding is that the PIR
sensors
: were made to avoid problems that occured with ultrasonic
sensors, such
: as the wind blowing drapes and triggering the motion sensor.
So I'd
: still have to have some kind of warm body dangling from the
pendulum.
: That's why I suggested gerbils. But come to think of it, those
little
: critters are nocturnal, and sleep most of the day. So maybe
not such a
: good idea.

Not only that, but they are dirty little buggers and
stink to the high heavens if you don't keep their
traps cleaned out regularly. :eek:)

Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)
Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
Email - willy46pa @ comcast DOT net
Change DOT to a dot to contact me
 
T

The Real Andy

Jan 1, 1970
0
I and probably a lotta other people have a chronic problem that is in
need of a simple solution. We're about to move into a new bldg and I
have to do a lotta install'ns of PCs, etc., so I'm under the desk a lot.
Every room in the new bldg has the motion sensors that turn off the
lights after a few minutrd, and I have to continually get up and wave my
arms to reactivate the sensors.

Some of the sensors are PIR motion detectors, and some are ultrasonic.
The US ones could be fooled with a fan in front of the sensor, But how
can I fool a PIR motion sensor? I have to have a warm, moving body in
front of the sensor, maybe a caged animal? Or a long wave IR generator
that moves or generates an intermittent output. I've ruled out candles
or other flames for safety reasons. A friend suggested a Lavalamp might
work, but I don't think I want to wait ten or twenty minutes to warm it
up. Maybe one of those old lamps with the rotating picture and fan
blades on top, that turns by convection currents from the light bulb
heat. I know that the IR output from IR LEDs is much too short a
wavelenght. Any ideas? Thanks.

Now I am not quite sure what devices are being used, but all the PIR
movement sensors for lights I ahve seen can be toggled into an 'always
on' mode by quickly switching the light switch off the on.
 
C

Clint Sharp

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Watson A.Name - \"Watt said:
I suppose I could do that for one room with a lot of PCs. But I'd
probably spend too much time diong that if I have a few dozen rooms to
do, each with a one or two PCs. The newer switches don't have
ON-Auto-OFF, just Auto and Off, so one can't defeat the sensor. I've
opened up switches to adjust the sensitivity or time, but I've never
seen one with an overrride. It sure would be convenient if I had a box
that I could just carry from one room to another. Thanks.
How 'bout something like a Scalextric with a filament bulb mounted on
each car's roof. Not only do you fool the sensor, you can have fun at
the same time.
 
S

Spehro Pefhany

Jan 1, 1970
0
I and probably a lotta other people have a chronic problem that is in
need of a simple solution. We're about to move into a new bldg and I
have to do a lotta install'ns of PCs, etc., so I'm under the desk a lot.
Every room in the new bldg has the motion sensors that turn off the
lights after a few minutrd, and I have to continually get up and wave my
arms to reactivate the sensors.

Some of the sensors are PIR motion detectors, and some are ultrasonic.
The US ones could be fooled with a fan in front of the sensor, But how
can I fool a PIR motion sensor? I have to have a warm, moving body in
front of the sensor, maybe a caged animal? Or a long wave IR generator
that moves or generates an intermittent output. I've ruled out candles
or other flames for safety reasons. A friend suggested a Lavalamp might
work, but I don't think I want to wait ten or twenty minutes to warm it
up. Maybe one of those old lamps with the rotating picture and fan
blades on top, that turns by convection currents from the light bulb
heat. I know that the IR output from IR LEDs is much too short a
wavelenght. Any ideas? Thanks.

I suggest trying a single automotive tail-lamp bulb modulated at 2-3Hz
(555 + MOSFET driver). You don't really need to simulate motion with
the pyroelectric sensors- in fact they have to turn motion of the
target into an AC signal with their Fresnel lens.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
 
W

Watson A.Name \Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
The said:
On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 16:11:43 -0700, "Watson A.Name - \"Watt Sun, the


Now I am not quite sure what devices are being used, but all the PIR
movement sensors for lights I ahve seen can be toggled into an 'always
on' mode by quickly switching the light switch off the on.

Well, thank you for that information. The usual new bldg has these
sensors installed by the electricians, and then all the instructions are
discarded along with the leftover packaging, so absolutely *no* one has
a clue as to how these work and what to do with them. Isn't that
crazily amazing..
 
W

Watson A.Name \Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Clint said:
In message <[email protected]>, "Watson A.Name - \"Watt
How 'bout something like a Scalextric with a filament bulb mounted on
each car's roof. Not only do you fool the sensor, you can have fun at
the same time.

Now that takes some chutzpa. Using the PIR excuse for playing around
with toys. But, yeah, that's a good idea. Gotta figure out how to
power the light bulb, tho.
 
W

Watson A.Name \Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Spehro said:
On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 16:11:43 -0700, the renowned "Watson A.Name -


I suggest trying a single automotive tail-lamp bulb modulated at 2-3Hz
(555 + MOSFET driver). You don't really need to simulate motion with
the pyroelectric sensors- in fact they have to turn motion of the
target into an AC signal with their Fresnel lens.

I've got an IRF630 and a 2SK2135(?) laying around, maybe I'll make up a
power flasher. I guess a 555 isn't really needed, just a flip-flop. I
don't need full brightness, so I guess 6 to 9V would be enough supply V,
assuming that the FETs will turn on enough at that voltage. The bulb
should last about forever. Maybe a wall wart would handle the power.
I might connect two lamps in series to get lower brightness.
 

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