Thread: Help Hacking a Fog Machine

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Hey Folks! Can anyone offer a suggestion how to hack my fog machine so that it produces fog whenever the unit is powered-on? I run my yard haunt off an event control timer which provides power on and off to each of my dislays is a set sequence. I wanted to build a 'gas chamber' (place it nex to my electric chair) that would provide foh once the power was activated. I was thnking of having power to the fog machine at all times, but perhaps hacking the remote some how to activate when the power is provided. Any ideas folks?

Use a relay. When the power is tripped it will produce fog until the relay trips back. Put it on an event timer to control the timing. Wire the relay to a wired fog remote. Buy them at Radio Shack for $5. Really easy.

Flynn Manor, quick question: are you talking power to the entire display, or just the trigger unit?
Keep in mind that fog machines take time to reach a temperature that allows them to make the fog - usually about 4-6 minutes, maybe longer.

I like Industen's idea of powering a relay for the trigger, but I'd suggest a constant power supply for the fog unit itself...perhaps run an extension cord from another outlet outside of your sequence?
This way, the unit stays powered, and hot, and can produce fog the moment you trip the relay.

Joe, each individual display getting power all at one time. I have eight displays set-up that come on one at a time when the event control timer provides power to them. Thanks for your help.

Like the relay idea.....are they difficult to connect? Never used one---a little electrically impaired here fellas. Thanks!

Just open the fog timer and crimp the end with a spade connector if you don't want to solder. 3 wires attach these wires to the relay positive/negative. Yes, you need to have the fogger constantly plugged in so the unit is ready to go. I have this setup for two props and it works perfectly.

Industin----Thanks for the information! Sounds easy enough. I will definbtely give it a try.

Again, don't mean to sound stupid here, but if I have the fog machine powered on all the time, and attached the relay to the fog machine timer, how is power supplied to the relay to 'trip' it? Again, I run my yard haunt off an 8 event timer with each displsy coming on for 1o-15 seconds, then going off and the next display coming on. Do I run an power line from the relay/fog machine timer to activate the machine? Sorry for all the questions, but again, a little electrically challenged...

Think of it this way. The fog machine is always on and when you hit the remote button the fog comes out. Well think of the relay as the finger that presses that button.

Hook your fog machine to a "constant" power source and the relay to the event timer power sorce. Not sure what you use for a event timer but it probably runs off of a 120v power strip or similar. Hook the relay into that event where you want it in your display.

industin.....So I connect the relay to the fog machine remote, and attach an electrical cord to the relay then that gets plugged into the event timer. is that right? I appreciate your help an patience...