I'm looking for some advice on fog machine storage. I'm a yearly haunter, so my fog machine sits, unused, until October. Right now, my fog machines (various Chauvets) only last about two years. I follow the directions
Froggy's but am wondering if I'm doing something wrong. In particular, should I take the brass uptake nozzle (I'm not sure what it's really called) out of the fog juice I store in the tank? (Maybe it's getting rusty, I don't know.) Should I even store fog juice in the tank? Last time, fog juice ended up coming out of my machine and onto the pantry floor through the main nozzle. I tried all the "self-help" tricks, but I couldn't get it to work. Anyhow, I'm just curious how other folks store their machines. Thanks!
These pumps are actually designed for continuous operation as unlike diaphragm or peristaltic pumps, the fluid being pumped moves through the pumping mechanism and can either react, leave deposits, coagulate, or cause oxidation/rust on the pump components which will result in either a performance loss or non-operation. And acidic solutions, such as vinegar, should never be run through the pump as it will damage the pump. The pump should never be run without fluid as the fluid acts as a cooling agent and the glycerin in the fog solution provides some minor lubrication for the piston and springs.
The best method for storage is to prime the entire fluid path with
"Pump Armor Fluid" by Graco,
Store SKU #356143 which can be purchased at Home Depot. It not only prevents corrosion and clogging, it also conditions the O-rings and prevents damage from ozone in the air. It is widely used in Airless Paint Sprayers. I have used it in my VEI Super Fogger V-950 to store it until the next Halloween for 10 years and have never had a pump problem.
You just have to ensure that you do 2 things:
1. Flush the entire fluid path with the Pump Armor Fluid using a syringe, then plug both ends of the fluid path to ensure that the fluid does not drain out which would create air gaps/bubbles.
DO NOT TURN ON THE HEATER CORE AT ANY TIME!! You can circulate the fluid with the pump so long as the heater stays off.
2. Before fogger startup, flush the entire fluid path with distilled water.
Depending upon how many hours that you run your fogger, the use of only high quality fog solutions (Like Froggys), you never run vinegar or any other acidic solution through the fluid path, and that you never run the pump dry, your fogger pump should last for many years and can be relied upon to function every Halloween.
Any fog juice will coagulate or what is called, precipitate, over time due to oxidation. It is due to the reaction of O2 molecules with the glycerin. The quality of the glycerin is important as well. Froggy's uses only USP grade glycerin which means that it is pure glycerin, derived from industry acceptable sources, and free from impurities. The fog juice should also be made up of distilled water. Metals, minerals and other impurities in tap water or drinking water leave deposits along the fluid path, accelerate the glycerin coagulation process, and damage pumps and heaters, and filtered utilizing a small enough micron filter to remove particulates from the solution. Even the best fog juice will coagulate over time, the rate though is influenced by all of these things and can be accelerated by exposure to sunlight, heat and humidity. The only absolute sure way and best way to protect your fogger and pump is to flush the fog juice with distilled water, then replace with something like a "Pump Armor Fluid" by Graco, Store SKU #356143 which can be purchased at Home Depot.
And don't forget to store your fog juice in a sealed container in a cool place out of the sunlight.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
