FoxPro + Mojo Critter on AUX Channel * * IT WORKS! * *

I sat down Thursday night and really gave some thought on how to switch the Mojo Critter on/off using the momentary AUX output. I ended up giving up on the relay idea because it would draw too much power. Eventually, I came up with a little circuit using a transistor to switch the decoy on and off that runs on the 6V supply of the decoy and draws very little power. I went to my electrical engineer friends house yesterday and got some components to build the circuit (as well as a review of and some adjustments to my circuit design). I built the circuit on a prototype board to test it out, and it worked perfect! Here is a picture of my test circuit.

On_Off_Circuit.jpg


I didn't have to cut any wires to connect it into the decoy's wiring. The circuit can easily be removed from the decoy wiring so the decoy can be used as stand alone. Next, I need to try and fit the circuit into the decoy itself or into its own little enclosure. If I put it in it's own enclosure, then it should be able to control other decoys. I'm not sure how the batteries connect in the Mojo Woodpecker, but if it is the same as in the Mojo Critter, then it could control the Woodpecker decoy, as well. Maybe somebody with the Mojo Woodpecker could let us know.

I don't have anything but a messy hand drawn schematic, but if people are interested, I could try and make up a nicer schematic to post.
 
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Finally made some stands today with the newly "reworked" critter. Had it out as far as 60 yards from us and not a problem at all. Of course I didn't call in any coyotes but at least the unit worked the way I wanted it to.

At one point I saw a rabbit beat feet in one direction and that gave me hope so I started with the motion on the decoy. I have to say that I had over 2 dozen birds, in 1's and 2's come in and watch the Mojo in action.

Thanks again to everyone for your help!
 
Okay guys. As promised here is a schematic of the decoy switching circuit. It switches the decoy on/off when you press and release the momentary AUX button on the remote. I feel it is important to note that the actual on/off switching occurs once you release the AUX button on the remote. That means if you hold the AUX button down waiting for something to happen, it won't. You have to release the button for something to happen. I originally designed the circuit to switch the decoy on/off when you first pressed down on the button, but changed it because it pulled about 0.7mA by just being plugged in while this circuit draws maybe 20-30 uA just being plugged in (I couldn't actually measure the current flow so that is just a guess). I also found during my testing that if you quickly press and release the AUX button, the AUX output on the caller stays on for something like a half a second. It is at the end of that half second that the circuit toggles the decoy on/off. I did my best to make the schematic as easy to read as possible. Hopefully it is clear enough for everyone. I have a .pdf of the schematic that is clearer. If you want it, just PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you. If you have any questions about it, just ask.

And know for the schematic. It is an exact representation of what is pictured in my earlier post.

3b7e58ef.jpg


Parts List:
QTY Part Number Description
1 CD4013BCN Dual D Flip-Flop IC
1 360 Ohm Resistor Resistor
1 12K Ohm Resistor Resistor
1 470K Ohm Resistor Resistor
1 2N3904 NPN Signal Transistor
1 TIP29 NPN Power Transistor
1 1N914 Diode
1 1N4003 Rectifier Diode
1 0.1uF Capacitor Capacitor
1 - 3.5mm Headphone Jack
 
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