broken smoke machine?

[jamlucas]

hello

 

I've got a problem with a smoke machine, an Antari Z1000 Series, every so often it works perfectly (one or two nights) then it just doesn't blow the smoke out with any power, it just trickles out. I recently filled it up and it worked fine for two days again but then stopped, so I filled it up to the top again to see if it only works when it's full (I don't know why but thought I'd check), but still nothing but a dribble of smoke. there is only the plastic pipe going into the bottle with nothing on the end, in my other machines there's something on the end, so would that be a problem? or is it something else?

 

 

thank you

[smyles]

The first thing I'd do is run some cleaning fluid through the machine, if the problem still persists, I would suspect that it is the pump. take it out and see if it pumps anything when powered up. I'm guessing you'll need a replacement pump. This is exactly what happened to my machine. My own stupid fault for using cheap fluid.

[WooferHound]

Here is the manual for that machine

http://www.antari.com/catalogue_manual_att...p?product_ID=14

It suggest cleanibg it with 80% distilled water & 20% Acetic Acid.

 

I have not seen this machine myself.

It looks like a standard fog machine. Look at the output for the fog, if the nozzle screws on then you should clean that by letting the machine cool off and unscrewing that nozzle. Poke a paperclip through the hole and thoroughly clean the part then replace it on the machine. If that doesent work then it's probably the pump as mentioned by 'smyles' above. I have replaced pump on other fog machines and it hasn't been difficult.

[Jivemaster]

You may not think it's a cheap smoker but whether it's a vaible repair is another matter. Sadly unless there is an obvious fault that's easily remidied then a new machine is the best idea. Many smoker faults are caused by the wrong fluid or leaving fluid hanging around in the machine for weeks. Old fluid gets more viscous and can go lumpy due to bio slime, this can clog the pump.

 

Ebay is full of smoke machine pumps so there is an obvious market BUT whether any of them is the right or a suitable one..... who knows (buy one that doesn't work and you cold have bought a cheap smoker!)