Thread: Fog machine help wanted???

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Hi all, I am new here. I will try to find time to post a little about myself tomorrow when I have more free time.

Tonight I have a big question I am hoping someone can answer. I have borrowed a fog machine for my yearly haunt. I plugged it in and nothing. It would not heat up. Testing things out I discovered the resistor in the wiring just before the heating element is bad. If I connect the wire directly to the element, bypassing the resistor it works. I am afraid to run it like this though, not sure what will or could happen.
The fog machine is a Silver Rain Manufacturing Model DK-F006R.
I can not read what it says on the resistor, so I am hoping maybe some of you have worked on these and might know what resistor is needed? It is silver and has a faint orange line on one end, but between it being faded and my aging vision I can't see anything more.

Thanks for the help!
By the way, awsome site!

If you can get a magnifying glass and try to get a better look at the colors on it, here's some guides on how to read them:

http://www.bcdxc.org/resistor_color_codes.htm

(automatic calculator included) http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronic...color_code.php

If the component has just one line, it may be a diode. Fog machines do use diodes to "chop" the AC power into a half-cycle signal to make the pumps oscillate. Interesting that it seems to be affecting your heater power, though...

can you post some pics?

someone would probably be able to help more with photos

good luck

amk

Thanks for the replies and all the help!
Not long after I posted this question a friend stopped by. He has better eyesight and was able to read what it said on the part. Turns out it is a thermal fuse. Found one to match at radio Shack.
Thanks for the time in replying though!

Of course now the question is why did the fuse blow... if there's another defect in the machine it'll just blow the new fuse. Of course it could have just been a power surge.

you'll probably want to get some spares!

amk

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking at $2 a piece I might pick up several.
This fogger was loaned to me from a local theater owner. They have used it for years in different plays. I am wondering if it was used improperly, maybe covered and left on allowing it to overheat?
I think I am going to replace the fuse and let it run for a few hours with the cover off so I can watch it close.
Again, thanks for the advice.