This file is one of the Wolfstone archives of the Halloween mailing lists. You can
find out more, and reach the entire collection here:
  http://www.pobox.com/~wolfstone/_r/HalloweenArchive.html

This particular archive deals with "Pepper's Ghost illusion" topics. This includes:
  o partially silvered mirrors
  o cross-fading lights

It does NOT include related topics:
  o single faders, even though they have some application here

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Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 10:04:24 -0700 (PDT) 
From: Dave Bell <dbell at TheBells.net> 
Subject: HALL: Re: Pepper's Ghost cross-fader 

I've been thinking about this (always dangerous!) as the idea has been 
beaten about, and have a possible solution. I don't have the time in 
the next few day to play with it, but maybe someone else out there 
would like to investigate it. 

The basic circuit of most of the cheap lamp dimmers available is some 
variation on the following: 

Line in >--------------+--+---------------+ 
                       |  |               | 
                       v  |               | 
            Dimmer  +WWWWW+     Diac      | 
             Pot    |            |\|    ----- Triac 
                    +--WWWWW--+--|/|    \/ /\ 
                    |  4k7    |  |/|    ----- 
                   ---       --- |\|----/ | 
                   ---       ---          | 
                    |0.1      |0.01       | 
                    |         |           | 
Load Out<-----------+---------+-----------+ 

The pot is on the order of 200k ohms, and makes a voltage divider with 
the 0.1 uF cap. That tapped-off voltage is coupled to the trigger 
Diac, which fires the Triac at varying time in the AC cycle, as you 
move the slider on the pot. 

Now, modify the pot wiring slightly, so the right-hand end is free instead 
of tied to the slider. It will work exactly the same as before. (Trust me) 

Line In >--------------+------------------+ 
                       |                  | 
                       |  +---------------|-----------+ 
                       v  |               |           | 
            Dimmer  +WWWWW+     Diac      |           | 
             Pot    |            |\|    ----- Triac   | 
                    +--WWWWW--+--|/|    \/ /\         | 
                    |  4k7    |  |/|    -----         | 
                   ---       --- |\|----/ |           | 
                   ---       ---          |           | 
                    |0.1      |0.01       |           | 
                    |         |           |           | 
Load Out<-----------+---------+-----------+           | 
                                                      | 
Add a *second* dimmer circuit, without a pot, and     | 
wire the "missing" pot lead to the freed terminal     | 
of the first circuit:                                 | 
                                                      | 
Line In >---------------------------------+           | 
                                          |           | 
                    +---------------------|-----------+ 
                    |                     | 
                    |           Diac      | 
                    |            |\|    ----- Triac 
                    +--WWWWW--+--|/|    \/ /\ 
                    |  4k7    |  |/|    ----- 
                   ---       --- |\|----/ | 
                   ---       ---          | 
                    |0.1      |0.01       | 
                    |         |           | 
Load Out #2<--------+---------+-----------+ 

Now, as you move the slider from one end of the pot to the other, one 
circuit dims, the other brightens! 

"Obviously", wire the *same* Line In to both circuits, and use the 
same neutral wire as the return for both loads. 

Line In >----------+------------------+ 
                   |                  | 
                -------            ------- 
        Dimr 1  |     |            |     | Dimr 2 
                |     |------------|->   | 
                |     |            |     | 
                -------            ------- 
                   |                  | 
                   Z                  Z 
            Load 1 Z                  Z Load 2 
                   Z                  Z 
                   |                  | 
Neutral Line >-----+------------------+ 

One *should* be able to build this with two $6 dimmers from Home Depot, 
removing the pot from one, and putting both into a 4x4" box. It's 
still manual, but you should get smooth cross-fades! Worst case, it 
may take a slightly smaller value of pot, since many of these dimmers 
really drop out well above the bottom end of the pot rotation. A little 
smaller resistance there would maintain the light "on" until almost 
the very end of the shaft range. Experiment... 

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From: Orniske <Orniske at aol.com> 
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 03:50:53 EDT 
Subject: HALL: Pepper's Ghost Cotroller 

Listmembers: 

As promised, I asked, and got a reply. 

For those who are still interested, Mike Lewis manufactures (and sells 
plans for) a really professional Pepper lighting controller.  He may be 
reached at: 

CMLewis@3Wave.com 

Send your inquiries, and get the details. 

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Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:13:58 -0800
From: Rick Hill <rrhill@ucdavis.edu>
Subject: Re: HALL: Shrink to fit window film

I did a Pepper's Ghost based on this stuff last year.  I purchased it in
boxed from from Home Depot (here in N. California).  I used PVC pipe and
fittings to make a frame, taped the film to the frame and shrunk it with a
hair dryer.  It worked, but...

1)  The PVC tubing was used so that the frame could be easily brokrn down
and stored.  However, it proved to be a bit too flimsy.  Next year, I'll
make it out  of wood instead with hinges to allow easy storage.

2)  The film was not perfectly smooth, even when shrunk taught.  It has
minor surface imperfections.  This can be a bonus, since the reflected
image isn't "perfect"...so it looks a bit more ghostly.

3)  I think that glass provides a better image overall...but it is
expensive, fragile and difficult to store.

>Dave Bell wrote:
>
>>   How wide a roll does that shrink-to-fit storm window film
>> come in?  Maybe an L- or T-girder 1x4 frame with film over it
>> would work, if we can keep it square and flat enough. Personally,
>> I'm leaning towards scrim.
>>
>> Dave
>
>Dave,
>
>I believe the rolls I bought of that stuff are 60" wide. It works great
>for a lightweight Pepper's ghost effect. I first learned of it while
>reading an article in Popular Electronics magazine. Once I found out
>where to get it (since I live in Southern California, this stuff doesn't
>exist out here), I mail ordered a couple of rolls so I'd have some
>around when I needed it.
>
>The best lightweight frame I've found for this effect is electrical
>conduit. The frame needs to be perfectly smooth so a) the film doesn't
>tear; and b) so the film shrinks evenly without wrinkles. You can use
>copper plumbing pieces to form the corners.
>
>You can email me off list if you want more specifics.
>
>Bob

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From: mponke at ibm.net
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 18:48:05 -0400
Subject: Re: HALL: Re: The Old west!

I've got it!  Anyone else want a copy?  It's a 300k .exe and is cool.  E-mail
me at: mponke at ibm.net.  Thanks!

Mike Wakerly wrote:

> On 4/15/98 8:13 PM, Orniske wrote:
> >Best method:  Your 45-degree plexi, or cheaper substitute, such as heat
> >shrinkable clear plastic storm-door material stretched over a frame, a'la
> >the Popular Electronics article from October a couple of years back
> >(recently mentioned in a post by Denny Dahm.)
>
> Is this the Nut's 'n Volts article you're referring to? From 1194/1995ish
> in October? I mentioned that in my first post, and still have been unable
> to find it :-[ It was a great project, though.... I'd love to build it if
> anyone's got the plans...

- - - - -

From: mponke at ibm.net
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 17:24:51 -0400
Subject: HALL: My Pepper's Ghost plans!

To everyone who requested a copy,

    Since so many people asked for a copy, I decided to post it on my
web page, rather than send out a ton of e-mails.  When I'm done with it
I'll post the URL on list as well as send each of you an e-mail.  To
clear up any confusion, this is the version from POPULAR ELECTRONICS.  I

don't know of one from Nut's and Volts.  It'll probably be some time
this weekend.  Thanks for understanding!

--
Matt

Be sure to visit my Halloween web page at:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/1269 ! <===== It isn't on
there yet.

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Subject: Re: Hall: How to fade a pepper's ghost in and out?
From: "Jim Kadel" <jimk at rica.net>
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 11:05:18 -0400

Mike,

If you are a "do it yourself" person: Jameco sells an automatic dimmer =
kit,
that you have to solder.. not very difficult.. but it only controls up to =
200 watts
of lighting.   It's their item # 127589  { $ 23. }  at www.jameco.com

Also you can purchase a fully assembled automatic dimmer, with more =
wattage
capability, from Terror by Design ( TBD ).  


Jim
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  REF  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
At 02:32 AM 08/16/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>Anyone have a good idea on how to make a pepper's ghost slowly fade in =
and 
>out?  I'm building an outdoor tomb with a PG effect and I'd like the =
ghost 
>to appear when a PIR sensor is triggered.  Is there some type of =
automatic 
>dimmer that is available commercially or do I need to rig something up?

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Subject: RE: Hall: How to fade a pepper's ghost in and out?
From: "Bob Ramirez" <qweltol_soul@mac.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 16:21:37 -0500

Here's an X10 overview:
http://home.rochester.rr.com/btews/x10-over.html

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Subject: Re: Hall: How to fade a pepper's ghost in and out?
From: "Tim D" <host at hauntinggrounds.org>
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 03:59:57 -0400

When someone else is paying the bill I use RA Gray dimmers which have
automatic bi-level fading (and flicker) capability.  I believe they =
actually
make a crossfading dimmer.  (See www.ragray.com for contact information.)
Coupling the PIR to a triggered timer (e.g. Event Control Timer) that
triggers the dimmers creates the effect.  Total cost, about $550 plus the
lights.  I am sure there are many alternatives (like X10?)

- - - - -

Subject: RE: Hall: Re: How to fade a pepper's ghost in and out?
From: "Michael L. Hall" <mlhall@inreach.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 18:41:42 -0700

Yes, there is some great info on the site, but the only thing I found on 
fading the light in and out was a reference to a motorized shutter system 
for the blacklight.  I'm hoping someone can provide some additional 
alternatives....

- - - - -

Subject: Re: Hall: How to fade a pepper's ghost in and out?
From: "DWM Productions" <dwmproductions at yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 20:19:36 -0700 (PDT)

Denny Dahm has a new product that automatically fades
between two light sources to create a peppers ghost
effect.  You can his products at http://www.btprod.com

- - - - -

Subject: Mirror film on sale by Gila
From: <CoriMax at aol.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2001 10:21:41 EDT

I contacted Gila films about 2 way mirror film and apparently they do sell =
it for $33 a roll for a 3ft by 15 ft roll.  It seems you can order it from =
them directly.  I checked out some Home Depots and I have a friend that =
works at Lowes.  Neither place has the mirror film anymore.  Thanks goes =
to Michelle (spookdawg9)  for the tip off.  

By the way, my husband and I just came back from a trip to LA.  I visited =
Ripley's, Guinness Book of World Records, and the infamous Hollywood Wax =
Musuem (where they had a chamber of horrors complete with pneumatic =
trickery) Vortexs, props, and lots of cool stuff.   I took LOTS of =
pictures and will post them soon.  It's always interesting to see how the =
"pros" do it.  Look for it soon! 

Corissa

- - - - -

Subject: Re: Howl - Mirror film on sale by Gila
From: "Derek Schwab" <flippers at bellsouth.net>
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001 12:24:54 -0400

Have you checked the auto parts stores?  They all seem to  carry it around
here.
----- Original Message -----
From: <CoriMax at aol.com>
To: <HOWL2000 at WildRice.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 10:21 AM
Subject: Howl - Mirror film on sale by Gila


> I contacted Gila films about 2 way mirror film and apparently they do =
sell
it for $33 a roll for a 3ft by 15 ft roll.  It seems you can order it from
them directly.  I checked out some Home Depots and I have a friend that
works at Lowes.  Neither place has the mirror film anymore.  Thanks goes =
to
Michelle (spookdawg9)  for the tip off.

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