Okay, I just built a killer card fountain for about $10.

It's battery operated (3-9V), but I have to activate it with a switch -- on and off. What suggestions do you have for either a remote control to start/stop it, or a timer that can start/stop it (battery operated please, nothing AC plug in.)

Here is a link

http://www.rapidalarm.com/visonic-wirele......ces.html

I use a visonic remote for my snake basket. It is battery powered and is very reliable.
Check it out.

Mark, How did you make it? What parts are needed?

Isacc, What receiver and remote did you use?

Here is the link for the receiver http://www.rapidalarm.com/vis-wr200.html
and the link for the remote http://www.rapidalarm.com/vis-wt201.html

The only problem with them is that they are 12 volt but I used a small 12v battery that is smaller than a "AAA" battery

I would be interested in the parts and building instructions as well....

Bryan

I used a 24V DC motor, which runs at 3500 rpm (a little faster since I'm running 27 V). The motor cost me $1.95. I mounted it to a piece of wood about 1-1/2" x 5", which I attached to the base with a small hinge. I used a mousetrap spring to keep tension on it against the deck of cards. I used a 1-1/2" diameter rubber stopper as the wheel. Works great; shoots card 4'-5' high, which is plenty high for my needs ... and a lot cheaper than the $350 price tag I'm seeing at magic sites.

If I make a second one -- which I likely will -- I will make it from aluminum to reduce the bulk by about 1/3.

Thanks for the link to a remote ... seeing as it will cost 6-7 times more than the fountain itself, I might try to develop a manual timing device first!

Mark,
Where did you get the parts?

Isaac,
How do you hook these up? Does it have input and outputs?

Thanks

Here is a link that gives all the details about hook up and specs.

http://www.smarthome.com/7412.html

I went to a store in my area called "American Science and Surplus." There are a few of them in the Chicago area; they are like giant geek warehouses, with bins of motors and test tubes electronic stuff nobody understands

http://www.sciplus.com/

This is the "Holy Grail" for me... I've been wanting to make a card fountian for a long time... Does your fountain have the "kill switch" as well... so when it launches all the cards, it kills the power?

Bryan

Hey Starrpower - How about posing a few pictures of the Fountain.. Sounds amazing!!!

Thanks!

sd

No kill switch, but I've been thinking about it. I could use the traditional "short circuit," but I don't want to burn out the batteries. It's gotta be something that actually turns off the device by disconnection. I'm still working on getting a picture up, but I've been VERY busy.

Maybe a button.. when pushed shuts down the unit? Like a 2-way switch or something?

Just a thought....

Bryan

Mine uses a microswitch behind the stack of cards wired to be "normally closed". All the power to the unit (motor and timer) goes through the switch. When the actuator wheel ejects the last card, the wheel goes through a hole in the back of the holder and activates the switch, cutting the power.

Hmmmm, let me think...
a mechanism with , a well toothed rubber covered wheel that has good traction...
Something not too large that can operate on batteries...
Something that can be controlled by remote....
Oh! Wait, I am not supposed to put it on the floor to chase the cats about the house?
Well, I guess it is back to Radio Shack then! ;}

k

You forgot one important element ... the wheel's gotta turn FAST enough! Mine is 3500 rpm and I wouldn't go any any slower or the cards won't go high enough. I'm guessing your idea, while GREAT thinking (it must be, as I thought the same thing), won't have enough "oomph" to fire the cards ... but I could be wrong. Try it and get back to us.

Yeah, a simple kill switch that just opens the circuit will work. I was looking so hard for ansers taht the easy one passed right by me!

BTW, how do I post a pic? Using html code doesn't work here ...

If you want me to set up a link to your picture, I would be happy to. Just send them to rtgreen8972@msn.com and I'll post them for you.

Thanks,
Richard

But I'd rather learn how so I can do so in the future.

And, just to keep this on tipic, had anyone else made one yet?

To post an image simply type:
(image)http://your_url/picture.jpg(/img)

but substitute [ for ( and ] for )