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How
do these machines make
fog?
The machines we sell use a very
pure glycol and water based fog
fluid that is pumped by the
machine into a temperature
controlled heat exchanger that
then vaporizes the fluid into
thick clouds of fog. The machines
usually need about 5 minutes to
warm up, then can then make fog
for about 2 to 3 minutes
continuously, then need a minute
or two to reheat. They can then
make fog continuously again for 2
or 3 minutes, need to reheat for
a minute or two and so on and so
on... The more expensive
professional machines can make
fog without the reheat cycle in
between. Never use anything but
water and glycol based fog fluids
in these machines!
How much fluid do they
use?
The smaller machines will use
about one quart of fog fluid
every two hours if run
continuously. That's a lot of
fog. Larger machines can use four
times as much fluid if run in the
same manner.
I've seen fog fluid for sale
at half the price, can I use that
in my machine?
Absolutely. You'll void the
machine's warranty and most
likely clog the heat exchanger.
We charge an average of $80.00
for labor plus parts and shipping
to repair machines that have run
cheap fluids. We can sell any fog
fluid we want, we stick with a
high quality fluid that only
contains very pure chemicals that
won't clog heat exchangers and
also put out high volumes of
thick fog. Cheaper fluids contain
less pure chemicals and more
water, they also have a shorter
hang time meaning they disappear
faster. It's a false economy.
Can I use scented fluid fog
juice?
The scent is one more impurity to
run through your heat
exchanger.
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How
about colored fluids, I've seen
fluids that were pink and
green?
Use extreme caution. Most
colorants on the market turn the
fog into a brown gunk when it's
pushed through the heat
exchanger. This also makes it
very hard, if not impossible, to
clean out.
Can I operate a fog machine
outdoors?
Yes, but ensure you protect the
fog machine from the weather and
moisture. Wind will greatly
affect your fog. One suggestion
is to exit your fog in an
interesting way such as from the
mouth of a gargoyle, faces of
carved and electrically lit
pumpkins or around headstones so
it looks good even if it is
windy.
Can I pipe the fog around to
different locations?
Yes, fog can easily go through
large Shop-Vac hose for about 10
feet, after that you'll need a
small fan to help push the fog
through the hose. Smooth hose
works better than corrugated.
Never attach hose directly to the
fogger, an inch or so of space
between the hose and fogger is
safer and will give you better
fog.
What is a cubic foot of fog?
Those numbers are given by the
manufacturers, there is no
industry standard of what a cubic
foot of fog is.
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^^^
Do
various brands of fog machines
have different
efficiencies?
Yes. Fog machine output is a
balance of heater wattage, pump
quality, heat exchanger design,
fog fluid quality and the optimum
operating temperature of the
fluid, plus a number of other
variables. A well designed 700
watt machine using the proper
fluid will easily produce more
fog than an equal wattage machine
of lesser design. At Terror By
Design we've repaired dozens upon
dozens of other brands of fog
machines, we can honestly say
they are not created equal.
How can I keep the fog low to
the ground or floor?
Chilling the fog helps. Run the
fog through a Styrofoam picnic
cooler full of regular ice.
How do I store my fog machine?
Empty the fog fluid from the
container and run some distilled
water through the machine to blow
out any accumulations in the heat
exchanger. Refill the machine
with some fresh fog fluid and a
little distilled water and run
some of that through. Let the
machine cool down and store it in
in a cool, dry location. Keep
some thinned fog fluid in the
tank at all times during storage.
Don't let the tank dry out or let
the fluid in the tank get thick
during long periods of storage.
Having thinned fog fluid in the
pump and feed lines will make
startup easier on the pump many
months from now.
This
FAQ is courtesy of
Terror
By
Design.
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