Thread: Fog Machine Chiller

Tweet

I'm thinking of building a Fog chiller using these instructions:
http://www.gotfog.com/fog_machine_chiller.html

Has anyone built this fog chiller?

Any tips, tricks or problems?

Is there a better fog chiller to build?

Before I buy the parts to build this, I thought I'd get some input from you folks.

Thx!

I made 2 like this.They Work pretty good.There will be a huge debate about which style is the best,everyone has different opinions.

I built a chiller based that design. It worked wonderfully. I made mine from a Rubbermaid storage tote that was already black but, not insulated. I live in the Midwest where it is usually cool in the Fall and I was going to being using it outdoors, so no need for insulation. I used 2 in PVC: 1 90 degree elbow, 1 Y adapter, and several short sections of straight PVC. I also used some door sealing foam for the lid and a section of hardware cloth to hold the ice. The hardest part was cutting the hardware cloth to fit the tote. The only painting I had to do was paint the PVC. Total investment was $12.00. I bought a bunch of the same totes on clearance, and plan on making them for friends as gifts. Look in my Albums for photos of the chiller in action. PM me if you have any questions

I've used one of these for years but made a modification that forces the fog through the ice instead of letting it blow straight through the mesh tube. It cuts the velocity a bit but the fog gets very cold. In this pic, the inlet is on the right side and has some thin rubber sheet wrapped halfway around the bottom of the mesh tube. The outlet has the rubber wrapped around the top half of the tube. It's held in place using zip ties. I cut a slot through the top of the tube where the two sheets meet and inserted a plastic disc (coffee can lid) to block the fog from going straight through. The fog is first forced up through the ice, then has to travel down to flow out. Big improvement in the performance. The rest of the chiller is built per the GotFog instructions.

Another good chiller is the Vortex design as found in this thread:

Build Your Own "Vortex Fusion" Chiller

Was just looking for the directions - my son picked up two used coolers at an auction this weekend. Thanks for making it a quick find!

I don't understand why they put the fogger on top....I've seen them just go in one end and out the other. Anyone know why or if it makes a difference??

I think I like the idea with the rubber sheeting and just going straight in one end and out the other......

Originally Posted by Corn Stalker

Was just looking for the directions - my son picked up two used coolers at an auction this weekend. Thanks for making it a quick find!

I don't understand why they put the fogger on top....I've seen them just go in one end and out the other. Anyone know why or if it makes a difference??

I think I like the idea with the rubber sheeting and just going straight in one end and out the other......

I think having it on top takes up a smaller footprint on the ground and keeps your fogger high and dry. As far as the performance goes, I am doubting it will make any difference either way.

I agree with Diabolik - I think it's for a smaller footprint. However, anytime that a fluid has to go around a corner it's going to lose some velocity. It doesn't seem to matter, though; I get plenty of throughput from the 700W machine that I use with this chiller. As I mentioned, I lost some velocity when I installed the diverter but I still get good flow.
I need to mention that this modification is not my idea - I found it while surfing around the web. Unfortunatley, I haven't been able to locate the site since then or I'd provide a link. I seem to remember before-and-after videos of the chiller in action.

I think the reason for the fogger on top is simply to prevent the melting ice from back-flowing into the fogger and causing problems.

Originally Posted by Otaku

I've used one of these for years but made a modification that forces the fog through the ice instead of letting it blow straight through the mesh tube. It cuts the velocity a bit but the fog gets very cold. In this pic, the inlet is on the right side and has some thin rubber sheet wrapped halfway around the bottom of the mesh tube. The outlet has the rubber wrapped around the top half of the tube. It's held in place using zip ties. I cut a slot through the top of the tube where the two sheets meet and inserted a plastic disc (coffee can lid) to block the fog from going straight through. The fog is first forced up through the ice, then has to travel down to flow out. Big improvement in the performance. The rest of the chiller is built per the GotFog instructions.

Another good chiller is the Vortex design as found in this thread:

Build Your Own "Vortex Fusion" Chiller

I like this design a lot. Many of the chiller designs I see allow hot fog to mix with chilled fog near the exit. A design where the fog is forced to go through the ice before it exits I think is going to be more efficient in terms of fog temperature exiting the chiller. Now, I think though that there is a way you can save some of the velocity by taking advantage of the natural flow of hot and cold air. If the hot fog enters a chamber where it can expand and rise over into another chamber where it contacts ice, it will cool and then fall. When it falls it will exit the cold chamber. This will create a flow that I think actually will add velocity.

Originally Posted by Otaku

I've used one of these for years but made a modification that forces the fog through the ice instead of letting it blow straight through the mesh tube. It cuts the velocity a bit but the fog gets very cold. In this pic, the inlet is on the right side and has some thin rubber sheet wrapped halfway around the bottom of the mesh tube. The outlet has the rubber wrapped around the top half of the tube. It's held in place using zip ties. I cut a slot through the top of the tube where the two sheets meet and inserted a plastic disc (coffee can lid) to block the fog from going straight through. The fog is first forced up through the ice, then has to travel down to flow out.

I'm having a difficult time visualizing this.

Any chance you might have more detailed pics of what you're describing?