Pump in Action

Sensing Well Pump

    This is an interactive prop for the critically acclaimed escape room, “Before Moonrise,” at Escape New Haven. An Arduino-driven ultrasonic rangefinder embedded in the base of the pump detects when the pumping mechanism is moving. A photoresistor in the spigot detects if the spigot is obstructed. If the pumping mechanism is moving and the spigot is unobstructed, an infrared LED (also in the spigot) pulses a precise pattern to trigger an effect in whatever item is placed in the bucket below. If the spigot is obstructed during pumping, a different effect is executed in a different part of the room.

Tools & Skills used

  • Arduino IDE
  • Soldering
  • Table saw
  • Reverse engineering & functional analysis

Technologies implemented

  • Arduino
  • Ultrasonic rangefinder
  • PWM infrared signaling
  • Code available on github

Product function

  • Detect when pumping mechanism is moving.
  • Detect if spigot is obstructed.
  • Pulse infrared LED if spigot is not obstructed.
  • Execute special effects in other parts of the room if spigot is obstructed.
Installed Pump