Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a tutorial explanation of how to build your own DIY fake bomb (NOT A REAL EXPLOSIVE DEVICE) that can be used as a puzzle prop in an escape room. Players have to cut the correct coloured wire(s) before the countdown runs out to defuse the bomb and avert disaster. Cutting an incorrect wire leads to a time penalty, and when the countdown gets to zero... BOOM!
Now, the severity of an explosive device detonating is a bit hard to convey by just displaying the word "BOOM!" on a small 4-digit LED display, which is why this prop uses the Wi-Fi capability of a Wemos D1 Mini ESP8266 device to publish an MQTT message to a Node-RED server. That server, in turn, sends a message to a connected Arduino UNO which controls a series of DMX lighting and sound effects, providing a much more dramatic theatrical effect, and giving the players a more immersive experience.
For more information on controlling DMX devices from Node-RED via Arduino, see my previous tutorial at youtube.com/watch?v=nPNFbN80pSg
Timings
---
00:00-02:39 Introduction
02:40-05:51 Demonstration
05:52-13:34 Hardware and Design Considerations
13:35-20:19 Wiring Diagram
20:20-53:02 Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266) Code
53:03-01:00:34 Node-RED Flow
01:00:35-01:06:23 Arduino DMX Controller Code
01:06:24-01:08:55 Wrapup
Resources Used
---
- Wemos D1 Mini, ~$2.50 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/v33RJLItSj
- TM1637 4-digit LED display, ~$3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/GDD3zSq2qk
- Arduino UNO, ~$3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/KD3ErLZzY9
- Conceptinetics DMX shield, ~$20 from e.g.
tindie.com/products/Conceptinetics/25kv-isolated-dmx-512-shield-for-arduino-r2
(other shields are available - e.g. thepihut.com/products/dmx-shield-for-arduino. It's also possible to create your own DMX shield using a MAX485 chip, as explained at playground.arduino.cc/DMX/DMXShield )
- RGB Stage Lighting Cans with DMX interface: £70 for 4 - amzn.to/34yeHA3
- Node-RED - nodered.org
Code & Wiring Downloads
---
If you'd like to support me making more video tutorials explaining how to use tech in escape rooms and other playful settings, please check out my Patreon at patreon.com/playfultech, where you can also find code downloads, wiring diagrams, and additional resources for this and all my other tech projects.
This is a tutorial explanation of how to build your own DIY fake bomb (NOT A REAL EXPLOSIVE DEVICE) that can be used as a puzzle prop in an escape room. Players have to cut the correct coloured wire(s) before the countdown runs out to defuse the bomb and avert disaster. Cutting an incorrect wire leads to a time penalty, and when the countdown gets to zero... BOOM!
Now, the severity of an explosive device detonating is a bit hard to convey by just displaying the word "BOOM!" on a small 4-digit LED display, which is why this prop uses the Wi-Fi capability of a Wemos D1 Mini ESP8266 device to publish an MQTT message to a Node-RED server. That server, in turn, sends a message to a connected Arduino UNO which controls a series of DMX lighting and sound effects, providing a much more dramatic theatrical effect, and giving the players a more immersive experience.
For more information on controlling DMX devices from Node-RED via Arduino, see my previous tutorial at youtube.com/watch?v=nPNFbN80pSg
Timings
---
00:00-02:39 Introduction
02:40-05:51 Demonstration
05:52-13:34 Hardware and Design Considerations
13:35-20:19 Wiring Diagram
20:20-53:02 Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266) Code
53:03-01:00:34 Node-RED Flow
01:00:35-01:06:23 Arduino DMX Controller Code
01:06:24-01:08:55 Wrapup
Resources Used
---
- Wemos D1 Mini, ~$2.50 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/v33RJLItSj
- TM1637 4-digit LED display, ~$3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/GDD3zSq2qk
- Arduino UNO, ~$3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/KD3ErLZzY9
- Conceptinetics DMX shield, ~$20 from e.g.
tindie.com/products/Conceptinetics/25kv-isolated-dmx-512-shield-for-arduino-r2
(other shields are available - e.g. thepihut.com/products/dmx-shield-for-arduino. It's also possible to create your own DMX shield using a MAX485 chip, as explained at playground.arduino.cc/DMX/DMXShield )
- RGB Stage Lighting Cans with DMX interface: £70 for 4 - amzn.to/34yeHA3
- Node-RED - nodered.org
Code & Wiring Downloads
---
If you'd like to support me making more video tutorials explaining how to use tech in escape rooms and other playful settings, please check out my Patreon at patreon.com/playfultech, where you can also find code downloads, wiring diagrams, and additional resources for this and all my other tech projects.
