Thread: Fog Machine Autopsy Photos

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I decided to take apart the 400W fog machine that I recently purchased at Goodwill for $6.50. It leaked badly when I filled it up. Here's the fog machine....



I made sure the fog machine was unplugged before I started with the "autopsy". I first removed the cap and the fog fluid line. The filter just pulls off, and then you can take the cap off of the line.



I started "dissecting" the fog machine by removing screws that held the cover on. This is what its "innards" look like.



I checked the fluid pickup tube at the pump all the way back to the filter. Didn't see any problems there. Then I checked the copper line that goes from the pump to the heating element. Nope, not there. Time to examine the fluid reservoir. Turned it upside down and found this crack:



Then I decided to go ahead and pull out the heating element and see how it was made. I carefully peeled off the tape and the fiberglass insulation to reveal this.



The copper line is cast into an aluminum block along with the heating element. This small copper line becoming clogged is likely the cause of many fog machine failures. Now as far as the crack in tank, I think I need to find some good epoxy

My first foggers were top of the line Roscos which worked Great for numerous years. When one died, they both went at the same time!?
Open one of these up and it looks like a computer inside!???
No "Fixie" from this guy.
My next foggers were cheaper and were very unpredictable as to when or if they were going to make any fog.
My next foggers after those were cheaper yet and were also unpredictable.
I gave up on foggers after that. Maybe this was a good thing since I don't need any million dollar wrongfull death lawsuits in my life. I don't know what if any decision came from the courts on that one.
From the sound of it it could not have been the haunts fault. They had a ton of warning signs up and the victim went all the way through the haunt , then passed out in the car many minutes later. The actual cause of death was never scientifically proven as far as I know.
Yes, fog machines can kill if you already have a breathing problem. Asthma can do this.

F THOSE 400 WATT PIECES OF CRAP. Never again.

Terror Tom thanks for the photos during your autopsy. That's a view that I probably won't see on my own. I have heard that the line can get clogged in that heater part and so am not surprised that you pretty much determined that has got to be the area of your problem. It's probably one of those products designed with replacement in mind, although I do get that impurities in the fluid will solidify when high heat is applied, just like when you boil out all the water in a pot and see the residue left on the bottom and sides. Still seems like there should be a way to provide fog without clogging things.

I have a couple of foggers that I picked up and just hope they will work when I use them. Expect it to be hit or miss from what I've read of other people's experiences.

I'm one who uses the 400 watters- the exact one pictured it looks like to me. Three years ago I had one fail out of the box. My other three have been flawless for three years and counting. In fact this year they were pumping serious fog! I buy the fog juice from the local halloween stores and I run the foggers for approx four hours on halloween night, and I store them with whatever fluid is left in the tank for the off season. No problems. I think when you get a good one of anything it will work for you and in the same token any product, no matter how expensive can be a lemon. I don't need huge volumes of fog and I don't wish to spend big on fog machines, so the 400 watters are perfect for me. And they can work well and consistantly from year to year. I have three for proof. I like picking them up half price when I get the chance for backup, but my foggers are still going strong.

Thats good info terror tom.....How are you with brakes for a 2008 grand prix?

What's going on with the brakes? I'm an amateur shadetree mechanic on the side!!! LOL

Thanks for the post Tom, very informative. I wouldn't try to patch the tank. Check the remote control airplane sites for fuel stoppers/breathers you can use for the original foggy juice container for a tank.

Cool idea on the tank Vince!