Pumpkinator — Overview
The Pumpkinator is a Halloween prop built by Fahrenheit Robotics Team 6882 students. When someone walks past, it triggers spooky sound effects and a colorful RGB light show — all from inside a real pumpkin.
The goal is to build dozens of units to give away as fundraiser prizes. Every unit is self-contained, battery-powered, and weatherized enough to sit outside on Halloween night.
What It Does
- A PIR motion sensor detects someone approaching.
- The Arduino triggers a pre-loaded Halloween sound effect through a small speaker.
- WS2812B RGB LEDs flash a light show in sync with the effect.
- Everything resets and waits for the next visitor.
Key Components
| Component | Role |
|---|---|
| Arduino Nano | Main controller |
| JQ6500 MP3 module | Plays audio from onboard flash storage |
| PIR motion sensor | Detects movement ~1 ft away |
| WS2812B LEDs (2–3) | RGB light effects inside the pumpkin |
| Small speaker (8Ω) | Sound output |
| 4× AA battery box | ~6V power supply |
| KCD11 rocker switch | On/off switch built into the enclosure |
Enclosure
All electronics mount inside a custom 3D-printed enclosure (roughly 110mm × 70mm × 40mm). The box sits inside the pumpkin with:
- LED strip mounted in a channel on top, shining up through the pumpkin lid
- Speaker facing down, bouncing sound off the inside of the pumpkin
- USB ports accessible through the front wall for programming and audio uploads
- Motion sensor on a detachable pigtail wire that pokes out the back
The enclosure is printed in PETG for outdoor durability.
Why This Project
Building the Pumpkinator teaches students real-world skills across multiple disciplines:
- Electronics — wiring, power rails, connectors, crimping
- Programming — Arduino C++, sensor input, audio/LED libraries
- CAD — designing a functional enclosure in Onshape
- Manufacturing — 3D printing, assembly-line techniques for batch production
It also gives the team a tangible fundraiser item with a story behind it.
Battery Life
Running on 4× AA alkaline batteries (~2500 mAh), a unit draws roughly 100–160 mA when active. Expect 15–20+ hours of runtime — more than enough for a full Halloween night.