DiyLightAnimation
Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: tindivall on January 02, 2014, 12:18:45 pm
-
I am looking at purchasing this fog machine for my Halloween display, however prior to dropping the $$ on it wanted to see if anyone has used it (if so their thoughts)... I also wanted to make sure it is going to work with the equipment.
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/hurricane-1800-flex.html (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/hurricane-1800-flex.html)
It has a 3-Pin & a 5-Pin DMX input.... So I am thinking I can purchase a DMX to RJ-45 adapter.... and then run cat5 off of a Zues or Hub into the adapter
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Data-Connectors-Adapters/RJ45-Adapters/TecNec/DMX-5XM-CAT5.xhtml (http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Data-Connectors-Adapters/RJ45-Adapters/TecNec/DMX-5XM-CAT5.xhtml)
Thoughts?
-
First of all, both the Zeus and the Hub are PixelNet devices so you cannot just run a cat5 off of one of those devices. We also only use 2 wires for DMX, so you need to make sure that you use the two signal wires and ignore the ground/shield that the three pin uses. A custom cat5 cable will need to be made to connect your DMX fogger from its pins to pins 1 (signal +) and 2 (signal reference) used by our devices. With that being said, you can run your custom cat5 connection off of the DMX converter on a Smart Hub if you are using PixelNet. I am looking into that fogger myself and it looks like a good one with more than enough output for my cemetery scene.
-
To add to what Tbone was saying, You may want to make the adapter yourself as there is no guarantee that a RJ45 to XLR adapter will work it all depends on how the internal connections are set. The WIKI has some diagrams I believe.
-
What's the going rate on one of them? Also, the 1300 has a remote control unit, do you really need DMX control for a fogger? Do these things work in rainy conditions? (I should do some research in this area).
-
It really depends on what you want it to do. If all you are looking for is timed fog blasts, then no, the remote can do that by itself. If all you want is to be able to trigger it manually then again no, the remote can do that as well. If you have a show where you want fog at specific times and don't want to be stuck out in the yard every night, then DMX control comes in handy. The great thing is that the remote still works so if you want an additional fog blast, you're good to go.
Unlike the cheapo's you see in the stores around Halloween, these units are fire at will. Once they warm up, they are ready when you are while the ones you see at wallyworld kinda cycle on and off. This makes them good for simple intermittent blasts but pretty much useless in a show where you may want to control the timing an amount of fog. These foggers also have a high output so unlike the cheapo's you don't want them just dumping fog unless you intend to buy your juice in 55 gallon drums. ;D
As for rain, it is a good idea to keep it protected from the weather, pretty much like we do with our hubs and power supplies. I am going to be hiding mine along with an ice chiller inside of a monument that I will be building for my cemetery scene. The fog holds up in rain depending on the type of juice used. Heavy ground fog holds up better than light mist but I would probably shut it down of the rain is heavy since I doubt that anyone will be standing in the rain to watch the show and why waste the juice. This model goes for around $300.
-
Thanks...where do I sign up for Canadian shipping. Time to get that halloween display going. With the figuring out this year on the virtual santa and projection in the window....I have some really great ideas for 2014 halloween show too. Mind you I won't get that skeleton band I want to do, but I should be able to build something to finally make use of the servo coop i went in last year :)
-
appreciate the response... I forgot the Zues doesn't have dmx out.... so yeah would have to come off the hub... however I thought it would be a simple run cat5 from dmx out off hub to a dmx controller of some type... will have to do more research concerning the 2 wire (vs 3 or 5 pin)....
Ryan as far as shipping to canada... I know Best Buy carries them (don't know about future shop)... and there is amazon.
-
I use the 1300. It's rock solid.
Mike E
-
Good to know about best buy. My wife just made a trip to NF last week. Next time she goes I'll have her pick one up for me. Or I'll ask the Canadian retailers if they carry them. Maybe I'll just contact the manufacturer and see who the international dealers are. Thanks! I'm kinda torn now on the dmx option as I see the value in automatically dumping fog out at the beginning of certain songs. Will just need to make sure my display has four or five songs so that I'm not burning through liquid all night. Now for these chillers...I thought a fog machine just needed liquid and that's all she wrote. Clearly I need to do some research here.
-
Best Buy doesn't carry them in store... but can order online.... I haven't checked but maybe get it shipped to store and then pick it up there??
As for the chiller.... Fog tends to hang low to the ground the colder it is.... so you "chill" it.... here is a youtube video on it
http://youtu.be/gncp2FPnk4k (http://youtu.be/gncp2FPnk4k)
and here is the fog juice I am looking at:
http://www.froggysfog.com/category/10-fluid.10-fog.30-freezin-outdoor-ground-fog/ (http://www.froggysfog.com/category/10-fluid.10-fog.30-freezin-outdoor-ground-fog/)
-
A fog machine does not NEED a chiller and will create fog all on its own. It's wat you want the fog to do that determins what juice to use and if a chiller is needed. The cooler it is, the more dense it is and in many cases, the longer it lasts. Cold fog also hugs the ground better and is a little more resistant to wind blow off. The trick is to experiment with it and see what works best for you. Even though I intend to set mine up with a chiller, I only plan on using it on halloween itself. The res of the time, I plan on using the fogger without it uless the reslts are so poor as to alter my plans.
-
Ok thanks for some of the theory behind the chiller. Given late October is hit and miss with weather (normally mid 40s) I will assume for my purpose no chiller needed. Back to the tear down outside where a chiller is definitely NOT needed today !!
<grin>
-
Looks like the 1800 runs around $299 USD. For that money, I would be tempted to get the Geyser RGB Jr for the same price. It doesn't push the same volume of smoke 16000 cfm vs 25000 cfm, but it shoots it any angle WITH ANY COLOR.
Imagine the effect for a Halloween show. Put this thing in a well with some skeletons dancing around it and it would look like hell is erupting.
I guess you could get a similar effect with a cheap fogger and an Aether too though.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQXFyo28Ndc
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/geyser-rgb-jr.html
Mike E.
-
The Geyser appears to support DMX - 8 channels (RGB, strobe, dimmer, fog). Looking at the user manual there are two things I see as potential problems with this fogger....indoor use only and the price as I found the Canadian reseller and their price list.... almost $700
http://www.eriksonpro.com/price_lists/chauvet/CHAUVET-DJ_retail_FEB_2013.pdf
...I found the 1800 flex locally. Might just go get it next week. The price is $360.
-
attached an image of wiring... curious if that sounds right... and then I guess just cut the other wires and tape them off?
-
Are you going to get an XLR male connector and solder the ends? the table you have looks about right to me.
-
I have a chauvet 1300 myself. I rigged the remote by soldering wires onto both sides of the switch that would normally control the pump, and added a 12 volt coil/ 110 volt contact relay to turn the fogger on and off. For the control of the relay i use one of the outputs on a mr16 controllers.
For 130 (eBay) it cant be beat. I know their are better foggers out their, but it works for what i need.
-
How is the maintenance on the 1300 unit? Do you clean it every night?
-
There should be no need to clean it every night unless you are using some low grade or homemade juice. It is a really good idea to run some cleaning fluid thru it before it is put into storage and when it comes back out for use.
-
yeah.. something kinda like this but done on my own...
(https://eventhorizon-srv.com/ecommerce/os/catalog/images/product_images/event_horizon/RJ45-MX-CAT5-1.jpg)
-
Bit the bullet and ordered it. I'm sure when the bill arrives next month the wife will thank everyone here!!
When the 1800 arrives this week I'm sure I'll take it for a test drive. I won't have an xlr cable in hand for a while but I'll set up the garage with a few rgbs - maybe my window frames and fire up fog to see how it looks.
-
Did you order some fog juice with it. Froggy's appears to get the best reviews and yes, the juice does make a big difference. Don't forget to clean it after you are done testing and I would do some of that testing outside if that is where you intend to use it, especially when testing fluid types.
-
I got the two liquids with it for initial testing. Both are Chauvet brand. I did look at froggy juice too and want to do a bit more research (and make sure the 1800 will accept other types of juice without clogging up).
Chauvet FCQ Fog Machine Cleaner Fluid [4172]
Chauvet FJU Fog Fluid - Gallon [2418]
-
It is a water based fogger so just about any quality water based solution will work just fine in it. If you check the Chauvet fluid you will see that they also make the claim that it will also work in any water type fogger. The real trick is to get the right fluid to create the effect that you are looking for.
-
Yeah. I have seen dense fog juice and standard juice so I'll play around. Seen scents as well. Wonder if they work well or not. Didn't get the bottle but they were only $6 for a container to make apple or strawberry fog.
I'll see if the frogger guy exports to Canada.
Also will need to find a ray wu xlr part number. I'm on the fence with my light order right now (waiting to hear how much 400 square nodes with custom wire for coroflakes will run me). At least this year I'll be ready for a good Halloween show (test run for Xmas setup).
-
I was on Froggy's site before and they have international shipping so I would suspect that Canada would be included. I don't know if you would need to worry about the scent outside, especially for a Halloween display. I don't think that they make a rotting corpse scent and even if they did, I really don't think that I would want to run that thru my machine. >:D As for the part number, just tell him you need a 3 pin female XLR plug and he should be able to find the part number for you.
-
ugg, you guys are gonna break the budget.. I want one I need one.. gotta have it...
soo.. corro head stones anyone?
-
Ryan I don't know how soon you want/need your lights from Ray but in March will probably be doing a bulk purchase to Ray.... it doesn't save on cost of lights but does save on shipping.... and each person's order will be shipped individually to their address....
I did this for the first time this past August ... and while there was some issue with timing and getting here before Christmas... I would imagine March is a safe bet.... and it saved quite a bit on shipping for people!
-
Hmmmm...with strobes inside?
soo.. corro head stones anyone?
-
I was on Froggy's site before and they have international shipping so I would suspect that Canada would be included. I don't know if you would need to worry about the scent outside, especially for a Halloween display. I don't think that they make a rotting corpse scent and even if they did, I really don't think that I would want to run that thru my machine. >:D As for the part number, just tell him you need a 3 pin female XLR plug and he should be able to find the part number for you.
...sorry for the link RJ - not promoting these guys, but just referencing the haunted smell !!
http://www.avshop.ca/lighting-amp-effects/fog-snow-amp-bubble/fog-snow-amp-bubble-fluid/forum-fog-scent-haunted-smell
I dunno...maybe it is a rotting corpse scent?
I'll ping Ray for the plug costs and part number.....
Also, I reached out to the froggy guy for shipping on a couple of gallon jugs. Maybe I'll start a side business and be a reseller up here in Canada.
-
Ryan I don't know how soon you want/need your lights from Ray but in March will probably be doing a bulk purchase to Ray.... it doesn't save on cost of lights but does save on shipping.... and each person's order will be shipped individually to their address....
I did this for the first time this past August ... and while there was some issue with timing and getting here before Christmas... I would imagine March is a safe bet.... and it saved quite a bit on shipping for people!
I'm going to probably get my flex strips now (along with the XLR plug) and then see how the rest of my home renos go and see if I have any further "disposable" income after that and come March timing will be needing some square or 12mm nodes and will jump in on the group buy.
-
[
...sorry for the link RJ - not promoting these guys, but just referencing the haunted smell !!
http://www.avshop.ca/lighting-amp-effects/fog-snow-amp-bubble/fog-snow-amp-bubble-fluid/forum-fog-scent-haunted-smell
I dunno...maybe it is a rotting corpse scent?
When I saw this I had to laugh. It seems that they will make a scent for just about anything. While these would work well in a haunt, I'm not so sure if there is any need in a straight up display / show. Even with that said, I am curious as to what these actually smell like. I did find a distributer in the US that is selling that same pair for around 3 bucks and curiosity is getting the best of me. I may just have to order it.
-
to get that rotten body smell just take your freezer put it in the yard and un plug it let fill with a little rain water then dump at the end of a dead end street. the aroma will fill the neighborhood and properly set the mood. I spent the better part of two hours looking for a body in the woods....after a mile walk through palmeto underbrush and bananna spider webs we found said freezer :P
-
LOL, I think if I did that, it would be my last Halloween show here because I would be moving, whether I want to or not. :(
-
Just an FYI for people using fog machines:
I found the Antari Ice unit (http://www.froggysfog.com/product/AN-ICE-101/Antari-ICE-101-1000-Watt-Low-Lying-Fog-Machine.html?meta=bizrate&metacpg=AN-ICE-101&utm_source=BIZRATE&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=&utm_campaign=AN-ICE-101) on ebay for 1/2 price. this model does have a chilling chamber that the fog goes through (you can put regular Ice as it has a drain chamber or Dry ice) and keeps the fog low to the ground longer.
It is also much cheaper to build your own dry ice fog machine, but dry ice goes quickly in hot water. Parts (Pick your size Barrell- Doesn't have to be 50 gallons) Get a heating element from the farm store, and a small fan from Walgreens.) There are posts on the net.
thanks
Just my 2cents.
kip
-
Lol. I was looking on the haunt forums and saw a few of those DIY fog machines and was impressed. I definitely want on Halloween presto magic there is fog!
The 1800 I found locally after a bit of a search and once the XLR plug comes in I'll do some testing. Thinking make one song without fog. Then create a 30 "sequence" with just the one dmx channel firing and dumping out fog and then bring up the next sequence. The only question I'll have is what are the songs on either side of the fog and do I spend thirty seconds at the beginning of another song doing fog and rgb and other sequencing. Going to have to look at lots of youtube videos to get some ideas.
-
If you let that machine run for 30 seconds dumping fog, nobody is going to see your display. ;) How you run it depends on what you want to use the fog for. I tend to use it as a background so for me it is more time based a even my little fogger would punp out quit a bit in 30 seconds. That monster would make my house dissapere in 30 seconds.
-
I think the burn rate of the liquid125ml a minute. Thankfully there is just shy of 4000ml in a gallon. It's about 30minute of fog. I made a promise to myself to get my matrix built before I test out the fogger. Maybe it only needs 10seconds then if 30seconds will make the house disappear. Maybe it's time to break that promise. :)
-
Could you share more info on this with maybe some pictures? Looking to do this with the 1300 but I'm not so electronic savvy just a good tutorial follower. I found this but pictures don't exist anymore http://holidayuniversity.com/forums/index.php/topic,29.msg1191.html#msg1191 (http://holidayuniversity.com/forums/index.php/topic,29.msg1191.html#msg1191)
I have a chauvet 1300 myself. I rigged the remote by soldering wires onto both sides of the switch that would normally control the pump, and added a 12 volt coil/ 110 volt contact relay to turn the fogger on and off. For the control of the relay i use one of the outputs on a mr16 controllers.
For 130 (eBay) it cant be beat. I know their are better foggers out their, but it works for what i need.
-
You might check the following site. Seems he's got a "how to" for what you're wanting to accomplish. I have not done this, so just posting as an FYI
http://www.smartaleclights.com/index.php?page=electronics&cat=snowmachine
I have a chauvet 1300 myself. I rigged the remote by soldering wires onto both sides of the switch that would normally control the pump, and added a 12 volt coil/ 110 volt contact relay to turn the fogger on and off. For the control of the relay i use one of the outputs on a mr16 controllers.
For 130 (eBay) it cant be beat. I know their are better foggers out their, but it works for what i need.
[/quote]
-
Thanks. Sadly the site is down. :-(
You might check the following site. Seems he's got a "how to" for what you're wanting to accomplish. I have not done this, so just posting as an FYI
http://www.smartaleclights.com/index.php?page=electronics&cat=snowmachine
I have a chauvet 1300 myself. I rigged the remote by soldering wires onto both sides of the switch that would normally control the pump, and added a 12 volt coil/ 110 volt contact relay to turn the fogger on and off. For the control of the relay i use one of the outputs on a mr16 controllers.
For 130 (eBay) it cant be beat. I know their are better foggers out their, but it works for what i need.
[/quote]
-
It's not a really big deal. You are basically just wiring a relay across the contacts of the fog button and using the DMX controller to control the relay.
-
Couple of FOG tips from a seasoned haunter:
1> Wind is your enemy, if you have a windy day don't bother with the fogger, the fog will be down the street not at your house.
2> Even in cooler temperatures a chiller is a good investment, low lying fog creeping across your yard really sets the mood.
3> Use the best fog fluid you can, the Chauvet is fine (i used it in mine for 4 years) but Froggy's Freezin Outdoor Fog Juice.
http://www.froggysfog.com/category/10-fluid.10-fog.30-freezin-outdoor-ground-fog/ is much better I could really tell the difference.
4> There is 2 camps on Fog machine, one that says empty your machine every year and clean it out and the other that says just leave your fluid in the machine and you will be fine. I am in the second group with this caveat: Only leave your fluid in the fogger IF it is high quality fluid. The reality is that cleaning your machine before storing it for a year is a much better idea (if you use a good cleaner) it will remove the deposits left on the heater and keep the level of fog coming out of your fogger like the day you bought it.
5> Finally for what it's worth Fog Fluid is Water and Glycerin (sometime with a few other additives) the difference is the quality of the glycerin and the purity of the water.
-
Also, Check with the Manufacturer of the fog machine... some will tell you that using other makers fluid could void the warranty.
-
Also, Check with the Manufacturer of the fog machine... some will tell you that using other makers fluid could void the warranty.
I wouldn't worry all that much about that. They need to state this to protect themselves from idiots that put complete crap in their machines and complain to the manufacturer when it stops working because of it. As long as you use a quality fluid you will have no warranty issues if the machine fails because it will not be due to the fluid.
-
Yes that may be true, but people like me who don't know this stuff hestitate at trying unless following some sort of direction <fp.
It's not a really big deal. You are basically just wiring a relay across the contacts of the fog button and using the DMX controller to control the relay.