smoke machine advice

[Tom]

my new toy came today - Martin Magnum 650 Smoke machine


Right. I tryed out the smoke machine to day and im really impressed with it. Once i had used i saw that there is fluid in the tube which goes from the container to the machine via a small tube.

Do i leave the fluid in the tube or do i have to drain it out some way???


Dont fancy breaking it already.


Many thanks

Tom

[Shaun]

Once i had used i saw that there is fluid in the tube which goes from the container to the machine via a small tube.

Do i leave the fluid in the tube or do i have to drain it out some way???


Dont fancy breaking it already.


Many thanks

Tom

Hi Tom,

It's not neccesary to drain it out, the fluid can be left in place.

[Shaun]

*Moving thread to technical help*

[Tom]

Ahh ok. Ill leave it then. Sorry for posting in wrong section.

[Sam]

my new toy came today - Martin Magnum 650 Smoke machine


Right. I tryed out the smoke machine to day and im really impressed with it. Once i had used i saw that there is fluid in the tube which goes from the container to the machine via a small tube.

Do i leave the fluid in the tube or do i have to drain it out some way???


Dont fancy breaking it already.


Many thanks

Tom

doesn't it depend a bit on how long your planning to use it before next use?
If you leave it for a long time it might congeal or something?!

[sleah]

my new toy came today - Martin Magnum 650 Smoke machine


Right. I tryed out the smoke machine to day and im really impressed with it. Once i had used i saw that there is fluid in the tube which goes from the container to the machine via a small tube.

Do i leave the fluid in the tube or do i have to drain it out some way???


Dont fancy breaking it already.


Many thanks

Tom

Don't drain it:eek: Smoke machine pumps hate to be run without fluid, and should only be done if the machine needs to be primed.
If you were to drain it deliberately, it would mean having to prime the machine everytime you use it, and probably considerably shorten the life of the pump.:eek:
It's quite safe to leave fluid in the system even when not being used for a long time. I've had them stood about for months (even years) without a problem. It's actually better to leave the fluid in as it acts as a lubricant, think car engines:)

[TONYTIGER]

Don't drain it:eek: Smoke machine pumps hate to be run without fluid, and should only be done if the machine needs to be primed.
If you were to drain it deliberately, it would mean having to prime the machine everytime you use it, and probably considerably shorten the life of the pump.:eek:
It's quite safe to leave fluid in the system even when not being used for a long time. I've had them stood about for months (even years) without a problem. It's actually better to leave the fluid in as it acts as a lubricant, think car engines:)

I tend to disagree with this advice our hire stock contains about 10 smoke or haze machines if the units are left for long periods of time with out use you will find the heater block will fur up and block or restrict flow we tend to run them up on a monthly cycle and every year drain them and run distilled water through them, dont be tempted to buy cheap fluid stick to what the manufacturers recommend .

[groovy-nights]

Get some jem ifog

[Tom]

I have left the fluid in the tube but i have empty'ed the container (just incase of a leak in transit)


Also just had a look on buying fluid. it does work out cheaper to buy the Martin/Jem fluid but only buy a £5.

Terrelec Super Long Lasting = £60 for 20 Litres

Martin/Jem Fluid = £55 for 20 liters.


Enough said.

[sleah]

I tend to disagree with this advice our hire stock contains about 10 smoke or haze machines if the units are left for long periods of time with out use you will find the heater block will fur up and block or restrict flow we tend to run them up on a monthly cycle and every year drain them and run distilled water through them, dont be tempted to buy cheap fluid stick to what the manufacturers recommend .

Good plan that man. I forgot to mention the distilled water thing.
If you were going to store a machine for several months, it might be a good idea to flush them with distilled water but leave some water in the system to keep it lubricated.

Seconded about cheap fluid.:thumbs_up:

Unless you've got El cheapo sub £100 machine, then the amount you save using cheap fluid would buy a new machine when it dies:D

[Sam]

Good plan that man. I forgot to mention the distilled water thing.
If you were going to store a machine for several months, it might be a good idea to flush them with distilled water but leave some water in the system to keep it lubricated.



yup.. or it congeals and the machine gets blocked...
i left it for too long once... and the 'hole' got blocked...
couldnt figure out what was happening..
then took a pin to the whole..
and got a face full of fog.. nice =)

[sleah]

yup.. or it congeals and the machine gets blocked...
i left it for too long once... and the 'hole' got blocked...
couldnt figure out what was happening..
then took a pin to the whole..
and got a face full of fog.. nice =)

Been there, done that. Probably got a spare t-shirt you can have:D :D

[Tom]

is using distilled water safe??? i know its only £80 smoke machine but i still want to take care of my equipment.

[sleah]

is using distilled water safe??? i know its only £80 smoke machine but i still want to take care of my equipment.

Yes, it's what's recommended by many manufaturers. Using tap water can actually cause contamination. Apparently.

[Tom]

ahh. ok. well if a few people on here say to use it then i guess ill do it aswell.


also when you clean it out there is going to be water in the system, will this go manky or will it be ok???

[Sam]

ahh. ok. well if a few people on here say to use it then i guess ill do it aswell.


also when you clean it out there is going to be water in the system, will this go manky or will it be ok???

heya,
just like sleah (sorry.. dont know your actual name).. said...
distilled water is the reccomended because the impurities have been taken out that can corode the insides of the machine / cause reactions etc.

I wouldn't have thought the Distilled h20 would go manky.. might be wrong :zip:

[TONYTIGER]

is using distilled water safe??? i know its only £80 smoke machine but i still want to take care of my equipment.

If your worried about distilled water(which is ok) you can buy a branded product that says on the label smoke machine cleaner for peace of mind, also a water/vinegar mix is very effective.

[sleah]

heya,
just like sleah (sorry.. dont know your actual name)..

LOL!

Signature is a bit of a givaway:rolleyes:

Simon

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

LOL!

Signature is a bit of a givaway:rolleyes:

Simon

Is it........?


Steve? :D

[Sam]

LOL!

Signature is a bit of a givaway:rolleyes:

Simon

lol!
My excuse is that the sigs don't show up in the 'topic review' :p

Appologies.

[sleah]

Is it........?


Steve? :D

Funny, I've actually been called Steve before now. Nowt to do with being mixed up with Corabar:eek: - I have a colleague called Steve:D


lol!
My excuse is that the sigs don't show up in the 'topic review' :p

Appologies.

I'll let you off then:p :D

Simon:D

[Jiggles]

Really the problems only arise when using hard tap water. I clean mine out with water and WHITE viniger.

[Corabar Entertainment]

It's all right Simon..... I've been called Steve too....... thankfully only on the forum by people who haven't been paying attention as to which one of us was posting, and never in person! (Then I really would start to worry :eek: :eek: :eek: )

[TONYTIGER]

Really the problems only arise when using hard tap water. I clean mine out with water and WHITE viniger.

Thats what i said in previous post glad you agree with me.:)

[Tom]

i know its hard to say but how much fluid would be needed for one light show???

[Starlight]

I'd be very suprised if 1 went through a full bottle of fluid in 1 nights disco, I would imagine that the average user would probably use half a bottle if that.

Regards,

Mendoza.

[colint]

I tend to disagree with this advice our hire stock contains about 10 smoke or haze machines if the units are left for long periods of time with out use you will find the heater block will fur up and block or restrict flow we tend to run them up on a monthly cycle and every year drain them and run distilled water through them, dont be tempted to buy cheap fluid stick to what the manufacturers recommend .

Ditto! Just what I was going to say! about once every month or two run some distilled water through the machine, I've done this for many years and not had a problem!

[spin mobile disco]

I always empty my smoke machine and hazer after a gig. Only use them maybe once a month these days so not worth leaving filled. My manual on both units says to drain unit when not in use.

[Sam]

I'd be very suprised if 1 went through a full bottle of fluid in 1 nights disco, I would imagine that the average user would probably use half a bottle if that.

Regards,

Mendoza.

really??
do you pump it so full that you can't actually move because it is so dense? ;)

I only say that because i get through hardly any fluid per disco... and that is with a lot of smoke!.
Only every had to put three bottles worth

[Tom]

well half a tank could be any size so i take it that you mean a standard 1 litre tank so using up 500ml per disco???

[Vectis]

I use a hazer not a smoker and I'm still on the same 5L bottle that came with it about two years ago (not much left mind). And I get to use it at virtually all gigs :confused:

[Excalibur]

well half a tank could be any size so i take it that you mean a standard 1 litre tank so using up 500ml per disco???

IMHO if you are using 500ml per gig, I bet you get invited to the Firemens Ball every year! I don't use 500ml per month.

[spin mobile disco]

I get about 10 gigs out of a 1 litre bottle of fog fluid normally. That is with pretty good covererage and not going overboard.

[Tom]

ahh. ok. just want it to enhance the lights so you can see the beams plus im also bidding on a controllre so soon i hope i will be able to move the lights aswell.

So i guess 20 liters should last me a hell of a long time??? :lol:


also is there a life expectancy on smoke fluid???

[Ajaysdisco]

Smoke fluid is normally made of a mixture of between 10 to 75% glycol to water depending on how dense the fog is desired. The water tends to be distilled/deionised/demineralised to remove contaminants that could cause furring of the machines heater block, and it is also pretty sterile to reduce the risk of bacteria growing in the solution.

So I cant see why it wont last a long time in storage.
As a rule of thumb the fog normally "hangs" in a still room for about 2 hours. I tend to find I can fill the room at the beginning and it only needs the odd burst to keep it going, too much people tend to complain. 5 litres will normally last me a year.

[Shaun]

Smoke fluid is normally made of a mixture of between 10 to 75% glycol to water depending on how dense the fog is desired. The water tends to be distilled/deionised/demineralised to remove contaminants that could cause furring of the machines heater block, and it is also pretty sterile to reduce the risk of bacteria growing in the solution.

So I cant see why it wont last a long time in storage.
As a rule of thumb the fog normally "hangs" in a still room for about 2 hours. I tend to find I can fill the room at the beginning and it only needs the odd burst to keep it going, too much people tend to complain. 5 litres will normally last me a year.

Welcome to the forum. Please take a moment to introduce yourself in the 'newbies' forum section. :)

[Spirits High]

I use a hazer not a smoker and I'm still on the same 5L bottle that came with it about two years ago (not much left mind). And I get to use it at virtually all gigs :confused:


:agree:

Had mine for about the same time and still on bottle I got with it.

[JAMdisco]

Not sure if this is slightly off-topic but do any of you use the scents you can buy to add to the fluid? If so, can this cause any problems if left in the system?

[Skins]

I bought some of these a while back and they were a waste of money, tried the red bull scent, strawberry, apple........just didnt smell like anything...

In fact the coke one I also tried smelled like toilet duck.........

pants if you ask me!

To answer your question, wouldnt cause any damage to the machine..as long as its mixed correctly

Shaun

[Tom]

At terrelec they are selling 30 scents for about £30 i think. They even have a smell called "Disco". ???