List of Parts:
- 110v to 12v power converter Amazon Link
- 12v wiper motor Amazon Link
- Speed Controller Amazon Link
- Black and red wire for 12v hook up
- 12v light source ( I used a red LED trailer marker)
- Crappy Shovel
- Skeleton : The one I used
- Some 2×4 stock
- 2x Some plywood or 1×12 (I used 1×12″x24″long for the base
- Some chicken wire with a fine mesh
- Expanding foam (I used 3 cans)
- 1 Heavy duty hinge (needs to be able to hold shovel with out bending)
- 1 – 1/4×20 rod
- 2 – 1/4×20 couplers
- 2 – 1/4×20 I loops
- 1 washer
- Screws to assemble base
- Zip ties Black and also normal off white color
- Paint
The Build Instructions
- Build the base. I used a 1×12 14″ long. I used 2×4 for the sides.
- Attach the hinge to the front.
- Drill holes in shovel and attach to front of base.
- Attach a wood block to the foot area of the shovel. This will be used as a foot rest for the skeleton and also to attach the wiper motor.
- Wire the AC/DC converter, to the speed controller, to the 12v wiper motor.
- NOTE: Don’t electrocute yourself or burn down your house. Know what you are doing.
- Test the electrical components before mounting.
- Mount wiper motor and electrical components. You want to make sure that the shaft that rotates will int up with where you will attach it to the shovel.
- Attach the wiper motor to the block on the shovel. I used 1/4×20 rod and I hooks. I used a rubber grommet from the wiper motor and pushed it into the I hook. Then pushed it onto the output shaft of the wiper motor. I held it in place with a C clip. On the shovel side i just used a large washer and exterior screw into the wood.
- TEST it all to make sure there are no issues.
- Bend 1/2 conduit to match the contour of the skeleton and once happy paint it black.
- Zip tie skeleton to the conduit
- Drill hole in base to mount conduit and skeleton. (I doubled up 2x4s for this.
- NOTE: Skeleton should be above the components quit a bit.
- Run extra positive and negative front the power supply to the outside of the base.
- Create a lid for the base. I used plywood. Cut holed for the rod and also the conduit and attach.
- Attach the chicken wire and shape as desired.
- Spray with expanding foam to make your dirt pile shape.
- Cut to shape and paint.
- Attach extra wire to a 12v light for up lighting.
- Touch up Skeleton with paint. I like to repaint the eyes with black.