Thread: sound activated fog machine

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any ideas on how to trigger a fog machine to burst fog via sound activation?

Hmmm...that's a good one.

How about a glass-break detector? Or perhaps the listening end of a baby monitor?

The key would be how to take the generated signal and turn that into a pulse to activate whatever starts your fog machine. Probably a relay of some kind...

Originally Posted by thisain'tmayberry

Hmmm...that's a good one.

How about a glass-break detector? Or perhaps the listening end of a baby monitor?

The key would be how to take the generated signal and turn that into a pulse to activate whatever starts your fog machine. Probably a relay of some kind...

exactly! I like the baby monitor idea but where to go from there is a complete mystery. A relay would probably be needed. But I just can't figure it out.

I can't believe there isn't a readymade device to do this!

I posted the problem in another forum I belong to, it's a little more technical than this one. We'll see what comes up.

I think the reason that there's no off-the-rack device for this is the age-old problem: the fogger has to be ready to make fog when the device sends a signal. Depending on circumstances, you might get a 50% success rate.
Maybe a "Clapper" would work to trip the fogger's timer. Again, this will only work if the machine is hot and ready to go.

clapper=genius

It's already set to go. Just plug the the fogger into the clapper, and mod a fog timer to be steady on. I think this might work.

Hmmm. I seem to remember the old TV commercials saying "clap on, clap off". Sounds like the Clapper turns on and stays on until it hears the next loud noise, then turns off. Your fogger may turn on and not shut off until you yell at it. Not sure how to get around that one (yet).

I'm trying to solve a similar problem. I have a pirate cannon that I want to shoot fog. It is already wired up with a light organ, red light, speakers and an audio track. I don't have to worry about the fog machine being ready as I can preload some fog into the cannon whenever its ready. What I need to do is have my air cannon fire when the light organ triggers the light.
Any thoughts now that Eyegores problem seems to be solved?

What happens when the Tot's applaud your outstanding prop?

Steve, what light organ are you using? If it's a Lightning FX box, plug a dual outlet into the box, plug in the lights on one side and wire a 110VAC relay on the other. Wire the relay coil directly to the plug. Use the relay to switch power to the air cannon.