Fans for Inflatable Stay Puft

[TK-Fett]

Hey guys, Im planning on converting the 8.5' tall Stay Puft yard decoration into a costume for my wife this halloween and I need some advice on the blower.

I've seen people over on GBfans.com do the same and it looks like the fan that comes with it is easy to convert to be battery operated but I was interested in buying a second fan to help keep it inflated as she walks around, does anyone have any suggestions?

Also what would be a good way to make it easy to see out of without making a large vinyl window that takes away from the look of Mr. Stay Puft? I was thinking of a vinyl window backed with some type of mesh fabric to help disguise it.

 

[TK-Fett]

Anyone?

 

[MadMike]

If you want to convert the "original" fan to be battery operated anyway, you should make a testrun if it's enough to keep it inflated.
If you want to keep it original, you should buy a second fan with some more power than the original fan.

Either way you can still use a second fan if necessary.


A way to look out will be difficult without cutting into Mr Puft, the only option without harming it that comes to my mind would be a camera on the outside and a monitor on the inside of the costume.
What you could do is not to cut a huge window into the vinyl, but to drill/cut some holes to look through (similar to your mesh fabric idea).

But I've got a question, you said the decoration is 8.5' tall. I don't know her, but I guess your wife is shorter than that. Where in the costume would her eyes be?

 

[TK-Fett]

Somewhere in his chest just below the blue bib section.

Any idea on where to get fans suitable for this?

 

[jacobzking]

I have one of those pieces of crap. I couldn't get my to StayPut to it was put in the garage in a box, lol.

What I would do for power is see if you can rent an alienbee vagabond from a local photography company. they have a big sealed lead batteries that should power the thing fine for a while. another option that might work would be a battery booster box, which would be heavy.

On the alienbee vagabond, the original one used a big lead battery. if she put it in a backpack she should be ok to where it around for a half hour at a time. the newer vagabond uses a much smaller and lighter LiIon battery, but won't last as long.

Just remember, you need 120 vs 12volt to power that fan. I personally dont see the need for a second fan.

I think the idea of of some clear vinyl with a white mesh to cover would be best option.

 

[jacobzking]

or just follow this, great ideas...

8.5 inflatable stay puft costume. (New vid) - Community - Ghostbusters Fans Forum

 

[TK-Fett]

Yeah I saw hat but I don't want such a visible window. Will probably Ollie some other things he did.

Are you interested in selling yours?

 

[jacobzking]

lol, i think i might just do the same thing for a costume this year (not really worth selling, they're only about $100 new). my "costume" this year is The Stig from Top Gear UK... but no one here will know who I am (especially here in TX). I was hoping to be a TMNT but no dice on a costume. and I already have stay puft... may as well put it to use.

also, what I might do for a viewing window is use some translucent blue vinyl and just make a small strip under the bow tie to see out of.

 

[TK-Fett]

Thats an awesome idea with the blue vinyl.

 

[jacobzking]

if you're tall enough (not sure how tall you'd have to be), you may even be able to replace the whole blue bib with a translucent piece.

i also think I'm going to line the bottom of the feet with something a little thick to pad the bottoms to keep em from tearing up while walking on concrete.

12 Volt 5 Ah F2 Terminal Sealed Lead Acid Rechargeable Battery: BatteryMart.com

$20 for 5Ah... weight is about 4.5lbs. i'm used to carring 15lbs of camera gear on my back for 8-12 hours a day, so its a piece of cake for me. that should last a good hour, maybe buy 2 for halloween just to be sure. plus, they're rechargeable (charger is about $15)

frys also carries similar batteries, radioshack also might... but try and buy local to avoid shipping chargers.

 

[TK-Fett]

Thanks, I might give something like that a try. Sounds easier than trying to use power tool batteries.