Talking Bust
I've always wanted to have a singing bust (being a big Haunted Mansion fan). This was my first attempt at a bust I could synch up with whatever audio I want. It ended up being pretty simple, thanks to the hacking instructions from someone who did this same thing on one of the Gemmy Spirit Balls. If I need to elaborate on something, or add more pictures please let me know. (jeff.a.baird(AT)gmail.com)


Parts & tools I use:
  1. Philips Screwdriver
  2. 3 Volt Wall Wart
  3. Wire Stripper
  4. Electric Tape
  5. Lightning Machine


Originally there were three different versions of this bust. I've had a hard time finding the other two since Target was selling them in 2006. I found this one at a party store. Out of the box it makes some annoying screams and laughs, with a moving mouth, flashing LED eyes and lights that flash on its face. The idea is to make the mouth move to audio I choose.


Step 1: There are three layers of unscrewing to go through. This is the first one. Simply unscrew all the screws, but don't lose the screws so you can put it back together again later.


Step 2: Once the first panel is removed, unscrew the next panel/layer. Note the wires that go to the button on the front of the bust. You don't need to unscrew these.


Step 3: Once you get down to the third layer down, you can slip the rubber up over the sides of the plastic shoulders, then unscrew the last panel. Be careful not to rip the rubber. There might be a touch of glue holding it down as well.


Here's what it will look like all disassembled.


Step 4: With everything disassembled I looked at which wires were going into the head of the bust, to determine which wire is for the mouth motor. The black and red wires go to the LED eyes, and the black wire is for the motion sensor. The orange wire is what goes to the mouth.



Sorry this picture is blurry, but here is where you can see the orange wires connecting to the mouth motor.



Step 5: This picture shows all the wires where they connect to the circuit boards. You can see the red and black, straight black and orange wires that come from the head. Also a yellow wire that goes to the speaker. I didn't want the original speaker, so I simply cut the two yellow wires going to the speaker. I then cut the orange wire, separated the two wires that go with it, and stripped them.



Step 6: Next take a 3 volt wall wart. Cut off the ends and strip them as well.


Step 7: Twist the pairs of wires to the orange wires that go to the mouth, as in this picture. Which wall wart wire goes with which motor wire doesn't matter. A bit of solder will help make sure these stay together, along with some electric tape. It's a good idea to test this out before soldering etc. To test the wiring, plug the wall wart into your outlet, and the mouth should open and stay open.



Step 8: Finally drill a small hole in the outside panel for the new wire to be able to pass through. You can then screw all the panels back together.



Step 9: Once everything is put back together, plug the wall wart into the lightning machine. The lightning machine has both a line in to connect the bust to audio, or a microphone. The knob on the front adjusts the sensitivity of the microphone, so you can mess with that until the mouth movement is where you want it. And that's about it!