Thread: Relay controlled fog machine

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I'm trying to hack a fog machine remote for my vampire in a box. I've seen a couple tutorials on how to do this but I'm still not sure how to do it with the remote that I have.
First I'm using an American DJ mini fog machine. The standard remote that comes with it is a simple switch remote. Here is a picture of it.




Opened up





Now it seems to me that all I have to do is continue the black wire to the relay from the switch, run a separate green wire from where it is first soldered after entering from the cord to the relay. Then I should have it were it can be activated by either the switch on the remote or by the relay switch. Does this seem right to ya'll? I am not much on electronics but it seems logical to me. Thanks

You are correct.

So this type of hack.......does this keep the fog machine "warmed up" and allow for fog when triggered by the relay?

Yes it does. The machine is plugged in like normal and the relay acts as the manual trigger. Great for prop controllers.

Anyone have a cheap solution for a small relay board to control just this single switch? All I need to be able to do is supply the power and control this single switch.

You can get a prop timer for around $20 dollars. You can run a PIR sensor from it and set the time for how long you want it to run.

You could buy a relay at rat shack for around $6-$8 then run a hacked motion sensor of of this.

OK, so here is my set up. I some lights and animated props that I will be running via a Light O Rama. Everything is basically plugged into the LOR controller and the software will turn everything on and off, synched to sounds and voices. What I want to do with a fogger is have it always warming, then with the LOR controller, have it fog on demand for a couple of props.

How would I accomplish this with what is described above. Is anyone able to dumb this waaaaaaaaayyyyyy down for someone who has some slight soldering skills?

THANKS!!

Thank you, that's the confirmation I was hoping to hear.

Originally Posted by Industen

Yes it does. The machine is plugged in like normal and the relay acts as the manual trigger. Great for prop controllers.

I've read the original post and tried to follow the logic, but kinda get a little lost. I am going to try and get a "remote fogger on demand" i.e. by motion sensor of pressure mat, but the wiring walk-through to me is a little confusing. I have never used relays, so Im not even sure which/what kind to use and how to wire. Can someone draw up the wiring on a piece of paper, take a pic and post. I know this is a little bit of a ridiculous request, just trying to better understand.

Oh yeah, and a pic/link to the relay I would use in this matter would be helpful to. Thanks in advance.

Anyone able to help us out?