4.1.2 Plunger Interactive

📝 Summary

A visitor-activated plunger triggers synchronized media playback and lighting to demonstrate how the diversion tunnels rerouted the Colorado River during construction.

📦 Equipment

Device	Model	Quantity	Location
Media Computer	Intel (TBD)	1	MDF Rack
Snap Action Switch	SS-5GL2D	1	Plunger Mechanism
Phidgets Single-Board Computer	SBC3003_0	1	MDF Rack
IP Power Distribution Unit	Synaccess NP-02B	1	MDF Rack

🎨 Renders

System render showing the exhibit layout and device placement.

🔌 Wiring Diagram

Signal and power wiring: plunger switch to Phidgets SBC to media computer, with the exhibit outlets on the Synaccess IP PDU.

🎛️ Controls

Power on/off and reboot are handled through the control tablet and the Q-SYS/Ottomater show controller. Ottomater cues for this exhibit: ON 61, OFF 62, reboot 63.

🛠️ Operation

1. The exhibit powers on automatically with the global schedule (galleries run 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM) or can be overridden from the control tablet.
2. When a visitor presses the plunger, the SS-5GL2D snap-action switch closes and signals the Phidgets SBC.
3. The Phidgets SBC passes the trigger to the media computer, which starts the diversion-tunnel media and lighting sequence.
4. Confirm the sequence plays through and resets to the attract state.
5. If the plunger does not trigger, reboot the exhibit from the control tablet (Ottomater reboot cue 63).

🧰 Maintenance

• Inspect the plunger mechanism and SS-5GL2D switch for wear and confirm smooth, positive travel.
• Verify the Phidgets SBC registers the switch input in the Phidget Control Panel.
• Power-cycle the media computer or the affected Synaccess NP-02B outlet if playback stops responding.

⚙️ Configuration

Applications Used

• Phidget Control Panel / phidgetsbc.local web console: monitor and configure the SBC3003 sensor inputs.
• Synaccess netBooter web UI: remote power control of the exhibit outlets.
• Q-SYS Designer / Ottomater: exhibit scheduling and power cues (ON 61, OFF 62, reboot 63).

Connection Details

• Phidgets SBC (IA02-05): http://10.10.0.92 (hostname phidgetsbc.local)
• Synaccess NP-02B IP PDU: http://10.10.0.131

Updating Media

1. Connect to the exhibit media computer at the MDF rack or via a remote session.
2. Replace the diversion-tunnel media file(s) in the playback application's content folder.
3. Restart the playback application (or reboot the exhibit from the control tablet) and press the plunger to confirm the new sequence triggers correctly.

🔧 Troubleshooting

The plunger does not start the sequence when pushed, but remote trigger commands work normally

Why

This is a physical or mechanical fault, not AV or software. Remote triggers working confirms the AV chain is intact. In the confirmed case the electromagnet that holds the plunger was not holding.

Do this

1. Confirm remote triggers still work (KMI can verify this), which isolates the fault to the physical mechanism.
2. Do not spend time rebooting AV sources for this symptom.

Still stuck

Report it as a hardware/warranty item for the electromagnet or plunger mechanism. It is tracked on the on-site warranty and punch list, not fixed from the AV system.

If the first action does not resolve it, contact the KMI AV support team: Brian Alexander, 214-799-1850, Brian.Alexander@OnyxIntegrations.com.