Need a remote douser ?

[Ross]

My former boss created a projector douser out of one of our spare wybron forerunners and some black wrap. Since it worked so well we now have 2. We use it on every show that has projections. I have to resize some images but I'll post them later. Promise!

[dramatech]

I just finished building a douser that is being used in our current show. I used a DMX to servo board that I purchased from Northlight DMX products in Tempe, AZ $49 and shipping and a $12 servo from some online hobby store. The board can operate up to 8 servos and can be either DMX or 1-10vdc analog. I cut a piece of lollypop shaped plastic out of the bottom of an old Makita case, and attached to a round servo horn. Put it all in a project box and gaff taped it to the top of the projector. I made mine to last in a metal project box from mpja.com, but a platic box from radio shack will also work. I used pomona 5 pin xlrs from Mouser.com and built the basic power supply with a Radio Shack transformer and components. The whole thing cost me about $80, but it every bit as good if not better built than the City Theatrical unit. You can find Northlight DMX with a google search. James the owner is incredible at answering questions and service. He has many other products for DMX that can be used in the theater, but keep in mind that his products are just boards. You still have to do the mounting and connectors.

[Van]

I like eveybodies responses, but remember I built mine in under 45 minutes, and it cost me nothing.


"It's Crap!"
"The parts are crap, but you put 'em together and you got yourself a firefly."

[dumaisaudio]

Out TD just hacked apart 4 or 5 CD drives to make the two dousers we're using. Overall, the concept is good, but I have two complaints. First, they're pretty loud, especially for our small theatre. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that he gutted most of the original circuit boards, or something else. The second is, one of the drives gears will grind if the switch is pressed for too long. And it's hard for our PSM to tell if she's pressed it enough sometimes, since she's so far removed from it. Overall, it was a very cheap solution to our problem, but sometimes cheap isn't better. I'm wondering how easy it would be to build sometime similar to the City Theatrical douser. It doesn't have to be DMX controlled, just a on/off switch for someone to operate. I'm not too familiar with electronics in this capacity, so I'm not sure where to start. Is there a certain type of motor that should be used? Does it need some sort of circuit board to tell it how far to go forwards and backwards. I don't want to spend $250 for one of these, but it seems like it shouldn't cost too much. I've seen the DMX controlled ones that many of you are building, is that the best way to go? I guess I need to beef up on my DMX knowledge.

[Charc]

Originally Posted by dumaisaudio

Out TD just hacked apart 4 or 5 CD drives to make the two dousers we're using. Overall, the concept is good, but I have two complaints. First, they're pretty loud, especially for our small theatre. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that he gutted most of the original circuit boards, or something else. The second is, one of the drives gears will grind if the switch is pressed for too long. And it's hard for our PSM to tell if she's pressed it enough sometimes, since she's so far removed from it. Overall, it was a very cheap solution to our problem, but sometimes cheap isn't better. I'm wondering how easy it would be to build sometime similar to the City Theatrical douser. It doesn't have to be DMX controlled, just a on/off switch for someone to operate. I'm not too familiar with electronics in this capacity, so I'm not sure where to start. Is there a certain type of motor that should be used? Does it need some sort of circuit board to tell it how far to go forwards and backwards. I don't want to spend $250 for one of these, but it seems like it shouldn't cost too much. I've seen the DMX controlled ones that many of you are building, is that the best way to go? I guess I need to beef up on my DMX knowledge.

Just did what I did, use a momentary DPDT switch ON(MOM)-OFF-ON(MOM).

You won't have an issue with binding up because when you let go of the button, the circuit break.

Let go of the button when the image is fully hidden, or fully open.

[coolbeam]

I'm pretty sure this one predates City Theatrical's. DMX Video Projector Shutter