Something like this might work:

http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=27335&highlight=garage+door+sensor

 

And here's a thread where a driveway alert system was used to trigger props, which might trigger an idea for you:

http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=33105

 

You can use a motion sensor. A motion sensor is easy to hide.

 

You can use a flood light fixture that has a motion sensor. Just use a plug adapter in the light fixture so you can plug in a strobe. I've seen them pretty cheap and you can adjust the time and sensitivity. I bought two wireless flood fixtures for 12.50 a piece on sale several years ago. The wireless motion sensors were battery operated so you can hide them anywhere. I've seen many variations on this concept.

 

You can buy strobes that plug in? I've always used those cheap walmart strobes that just run off batteries.

 

Very cool! Thanks for the idea's and i like what you said Lunatic. I might go that route.

 

A lot of the strobe you see at halloween run off batteries. However, yu can find a lot os strobes that are an older design that plugs into the wall. Quite oftne they have large cases and are found where you find other navelty style light such as lava lamps.

However, your cheapest option would be to go to any outfit that sells christmas lights. They will have strobes that are not adjustable. They operate at a fixed rate and the supplier should be able to tell you how fast. These strobes will screw into a sockets for eather c-7 or c-9 light bulbs. They oftne come wit a socket that will fit the SPT2 wiring that you find on most of the brown extension cords that sell for $1-$2. If the strobe does not include the socket, then order it seperatly for about a buck each.

The advantage to using these bulbs is pure price. You can get them for about $6-$8 each.

The ones I have run $6. They flash at a rate of 4 times per second and2 times per second. I have red, green, white and blue. I use them in groups so the strobe that I use in my halloween stuff comes from different location around the haunt, at different rates, and I use blue and white. I use several fo them at once closely spaced. This makes for a very different effect from what people are used to seeing.

 

walmart sell these motion porch lights: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Heath-Zen...-Zenith-110-Degree-Motion-Sensing-Security-Light-with-Alert-Flash-Gray/13029276
screw in a adapter:

and wire a plug onto the white and black wires, set the light on "test".

 

Thanks for the input guys. I actually was at party city last night getting my daughters bday supplies for her party and what did i find????.... PLUG IN STROBES! haha.. So i bought a few of them. Now to get the motion sensor .

 

Try googling frightimer, one word. It just plugs right in, and you can set the time on/off, and delay to the next triggering.

 

This is easy and work great.......
http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=11139

 

How have I not seen these before? I've gotta make one of these now! I can actually use my strobe light with this!

*EDIT* Interesting. I clicked over to Home Depot and they have similar kinds of premade units, some less than $20. Rated for Indoor use, but it's not like that has stopped most of us. No hacking needed, probably perfect for one night use, less than $20, plug and play. Interesting possibilities.

 

That is a great tutorial Beelce!

 

got a link for the Home Depot pre-made unit

 

I just did a search for Motion Sensor at Home Depot and a bunch of stuff came up. This was one that seemed possibly appropriate...let's see if this works...

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-NavPLPHorizontal1-1-_-NA-_-203675444-_-N

Simple little box. One side goes to an outlet or extension cord, one goes to the light (or other item you want linked) and just don't block the sensor. Probably very suitable for something simple like a strobe light or something. Not sure what kind of timing is possible, but it's worth a closer look.

 

Check out my website a a lot of information on motion sensors there. click on the motion detection methods link