Smoke machine - g300 and others

[David Johnson]

I have worked with a couple of smaller based smoke machines, but the time has come to work with the big boys and I am a little lost. I have downloaded the instruction manuals for the g300 from LeMaitre, but until I get my hands on one or see a tutorial, I am a little hestitant. Does anyone have a video of how it is used or can help me out with it - or at least direct me to a source(url, forum) that discusses these thing in depth? Thanks in advance.

 

David

[GridGirl]

Do you want to use the smoke machine as a manual thing, or are you planning on running DMX to it? If you're using it manually, it's just the same as a smaller machine - plug it in, switch it on, wait for it to heat then press the button :unsure: If you're planning on DMXing it, I think (it's been a while since I used a G300) there's a box that you plug in instead of the remote, which has a DMX dial-up on it, then you run DMX from the desk to that. If you can be more specific about what your concerns are, we can help more :P

[David Johnson]

This where I get stuck. I have a personal smoke machine that is easy - wait for it to heat up, make sure there is enough mixture and press the remote button. No problems - now I am heading onto the big boys. I have dl'ed a bunch of the manuals that talk the G300 and but not alot about DMX (which I am not sure what it means - help me out here please!), and they talk about having XLR cables in the back, Hazing smoke (which I thought was smoke that was good for lighting effects) etc. I just don't want to walk in and not know what I am doing because they have all these awesome new features on this $2000+ model!

[PoppaDom]

This where I get stuck.  I have a personal smoke machine that is easy - wait for it to heat up, make sure there is enough mixture and press the remote button.  No problems - now I am heading onto the big boys.  I have dl'ed a bunch of the manuals that talk the G300 and but not alot about DMX (which I am not sure what it means - help me out here please!), and they talk about having XLR cables in the back, Hazing smoke (which I thought was smoke that was good for lighting effects) etc.  I just don't want to walk in and not know what I am doing because they have all these awesome new features on this $2000+ model!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The g300 comes as standard with a remote control that is detachable from the machine and utilises 3pin XLR cable to connect between the remote and machine.

The DMX module (that allows the machine to be controlled via DMX) is a separate addition if you like, available at cost. This connects to the 3pin XLR remote socket like the standard remote does.

 

The apparent beauty (depending on your definition of haze) is that the g300 can operate as a smoke machine and haze machine depending on which setting you have it set to and which fluid you use. (either c-beam for haze or smoke fluid for smoke)

 

As a smoke machine this unit is extremely powerful for its cost and outputs a good continuous amount of smoke (although this automatically reduces once the heating element has cooled) as a hazer the machine is good on the output it produces but is noisy and doesn't offer the subtlety of a dedicated haze machine.

The unit is kind on the amount of fluid it uses (as long as you don't run it at full all the time!) and heats quickly!

Built like a tank and withstands much abuse (ours has been used outside, in a tin mine, on a boat and more!)

 

 

Hope that answers some of the questions on the g300!

 

Budget for a flightcase for this little beast though if you intend to transport it, its an addition you will be glad of!

 

Poppadom

[JonHirsh]

controler operation = exactly the same as a smaller machine "wait for it to heat up, make sure there is enough mixture and press the remote button?

 

DMX Option = controll your smoke machine by the lighting board that uses DMX which means that you set an adress on the smoke machine. lets say that adress is 400 and on your lighting console you know that chanle 400 is your smoke machine then in a cue where you want smoke you would just like with a light build into the cue that chanle 400 will be at 100% lets say this makes the machine out put at full then you set this cue to have chanle 400 at 0% affter 10 seconds. The result is smoke from the machine at full for 10 seconds. This will give you acurate and percise timeing with the smoke

 

 

if you have the man power this is not alway the best way to opearate the machine but if you dont and timeing is important then DMX operation from a lighitng console can be a great thing to have.

 

DMX is a standard lighting cable that generaly has 5 pins but looks like XLR. it has 512 chanles which is referd to as a universe. this type of cable and stadard is used to controll moving lights dimmers and special effect devices. each device can take a number of chanels per unit. for example a dimmer takes one chanel per dimmer but a moving light may take up to 24 chanels. your smoker although I dont know the particular one may take 2 chanles one to controll the on off and one to controll the intensty or it might take one chanle.

 

 

Hope that helps

JH

[PoppaDom]

a dimmer takes one chanel per dimmer but a moving light may take up to 24 chanels. your smoker although I dont know the particular one  may take 2 chanles one to controll the on off and one to controll the intensty or it might take one chanle.

 

 

Hope that helps

JH

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The g300 does indeed require 2 channel DMX operation, the first for smoke output and the second for density!

 

:D

 

Poppadom

[fish]

we bought 2x g300 for a 22 lane bowling alley.............

 

 

 

 

 

we ended up taking one out, too much smoke :blink:

[dogcop]

I have just acquired a G300 and have a couple of questions prior to it arriving. I have read the manual online but it seems a bit confusing in a couple of areas.

 

1/ Where does one address the DMX channel on the machine?

2/ I intend to run it from our fat frog lighting desk. Do I run DMX cable direct from LD to G300, or is there some form of dongle this has to be run through first. Can I then DMX output from the machine to the movers to complete the circuit?

3/ Fluid

whats the best fluid you know for this machine for both haze and smoke. Also where best (cheapest) to get the same.

Does any fluid do or am I being a tad hopeful

 

Some of the cheapo machines we've used before have required the concentrate liquid watered down. Is this the case for the G300 as well ?

 

thanking you in advance

 

Andy

[GridGirl]

1/ Where does one address the DMX channel on the machine?

 

It's been a while since I used a G300 but I'm pretty sure that you address it on the DMX remote which you put in in place of the regular remote.

 

2/ I intend to run it from our fat frog lighting desk. Do I run DMX cable direct from LD to G300, or is there some form of dongle this has to be run through first. Can I then DMX output from the machine to the movers to complete the circuit?

 

You need the DMX remote, which I think you may have to buy seperately, but aside from that, nothing else is needed. You might also be better to run your DMX from your movers to your smoke machine - I can't remember whether the DMX remote has an output or not.

 

3/ Fluid

whats the best fluid you know for this machine for both haze and smoke. Also where best (cheapest) to get the same.

Does any fluid do or am I being a tad hopeful

 

You need different fluids for haze and smoke, it's better to use the manufacturers recommended fluid - it won't clog the machine up which means your machine will last longer! You can get a haze-like effect by putting a fan in front of the machine to break up the smoke jet, but it won't hang around as long and so you'll go through more fluid

 

Some of the cheapo machines we've used before have required the concentrate liquid watered down. Is this the case for the G300 as well ?

 

Nah, I've never needed to water smoke fluid down except when I needed it to disperse really quickly - Le Maitre will make the fluid to the correct concentration for ordinary use.

 

Hope I've helped some!

[J Pearce]

The DMX remote does have a loop-thru, at least every one I've ever used has.

[zonino]

as others have said you need the DMX remote for it, there are a few different types about, I have about 10 remotes here, and only 5 machines!

 

OT: GridGirl, do you reckon adding water to the solution would stop the damned machine leaving residue on the stage? stupid old low foggers :)

 

edit: has this topic just been merged, or was I being blind earlier?

[GridGirl]

OT: GridGirl, do you reckon adding water to the solution would stop the damned machine leaving residue on the stage? stupid old low foggers :)

 

I suspect that it might lessen the problem, but your smoke will be thinner! Just make sure you use distilled or de-ionised water to avoid limescale buildup and the like inside the machine....

[dogcop]

Thanks for all your help so far.

The machine arrived yesterday and works fine - thanks.

Zonino you mention have sapre DMX remotes would you be kind enough to pm me if you have any to sell and if so how much.

 

Just one more question

Do I have to stick to Le Maitre's own brand of fluid or are there other cheaper brands of fog fluid and haze fluid that will work fine

 

massive thanks again

 

Andy

[Modge]

There are other brands of fog fluid which will work, give or take however the advise everyone always gives on here is not to risk it. Certianly BUGS mostly use random cheapy fluid but then there's lots of smoke machine maintence being done atm there so that may in fact be a vote for using real fluid (not that any of the faults appear to have been caused by using the wrong fluid). In short it depends how closely the cheap stuff mimicks the recomended stuff.