Smoke & Haze- outdoors

[Insanity]

These look rather cool...

http://www.smokemachines.net/buy-ext...moke-gun.shtml

Mark

[Pitts]

Mark I saw those, wondered if anyone had any experience with them at all..?? look promising.

From what I saw here with the "mobile smoke" machines that is the answer. I am not sure that fixed electrically powered ones are going to cut it. At least within my budget range.

I am also intrigued that the 5 watt laser was not enough when you consider what the five watt can do in that movie clip ??

The units I saw were very much like leaf blowers, worn on the back with the little blower tube emitting smoke. I wonder if they are something someone made up as a special.
The advantage is the smoke guy was able to move to where the smoke had thinned and put in more. He was constantly mobile. This idea would also let you work with the wind and give the advantage of being able to quickly re position to take advantage of wind direction.

I see that there are also units that are powered that will run for 2 to 10 minutes on battery and residual heat for mobility but then need to "re charged" and re heated.... bit risky if you run out.

Cheers
Ray

[Insanity]

I think Paul (Lasermad) has used them in the past, I'm sure he'll chip in at some point...

Look Solutions had some portable fogger's, like you mentioned, on display at PLASA last year...

Mark

[Lasermad]

Ray

I have used those exact machines on hire** many times and personally i think they are outstanding , used them for weddings , smoke effects for film and small outdoor gigs .... depends of course on the wind ..if it aint gonna be your friend on the night mmmmmmm .... you also really do need a separate man on the night to walk around while your doing your stuff on livepro .... the video is very realistic at showing how effective it is and thats in a strong wind ... with a light wind/ no wind the smoke hangs around wonderfully.

Once downside is the SMOKE only lasts about 3 mins on full open ( Unit has adjustable valve ) but the consumables are cheap enough as long as your getting paid for the gig.

PAUL

** Starlogic on here has built one from scratch , from a blowtorch , the principle is simple enough .... you heat a tube with a blowtorch and blow the smoke fluid through it .... .......... VOILA ...lots of lovely smoke !


PAUL

[Pitts]

Many thanks Paul / Mark

I might have a go at making something up, its going to be a matter of getting the temperature right.
I understand that if it gets too hot you can "crack" the fluid and that may cause health concerns dependant on fluid chosen. (there are warnings about this on various suppliers sites)

My outside events are likley to be vey modest indeed (more like entry ways and alcoves not big open fields) I don't think Hugo will have much to break out into a sweat over.
I simply don't have the laser power to go "big" and the demand down here is pretty small for outside events.
I'll leave that market to another company down here that has some big 3 phase water cooled gas lasers.

If I get anywhere making one I'll post the outcome.

I just can't seem to find one of those backpack petrol engine driven jobs anywhere on the web.
Maybe the butane gas is the way to go and heat the tube as you said.

Once again many thanks for your input ( and you other guys too)

Cheers

Ray
NZ

[Yag]

I have had reasonable success with a Le Maitre Powermist Turbo fed in to the blower from a small bouncy castle. It runs continuously on low power.

Wind is of course your enemy!