Steps for setting up and Running an AquaFogger
1: Place the machine where it will be used. Ensure that it is on level ground and that it will not roll.
2: Fill the tank to the Fill Line with plain tap water. The fill line is visible under the stainless steel ice basket inside the plastic tank. Do not under-fill or over-fill the tank! Do not try to roll machine while it is filled with water!
3: Connect the 4” ducting to the output fitting on the front of the tank.
4: Plug heating element “A” and the fan into a 20 amp circuit. Plug heating element “B” and the pump into a separate 20 amp circuit. If extension cords must be used be sure that they are rated for 20 amps and that they are no more than 50 feet in length.
5: Turn on both of the heating elements. The yellow “HEATING” light will come on and the water will begin heating. Set the water temperature control knob to the desired setting between 100 and 160 degrees. When the water reaches its operating temperature, the elements will turn off and the green “WATER READY” light will light. The machine is now ready.
6: The stainless steel ice basket has a sliding door that regulates how fast water drains out of the basket. Keeping this cover closed covers the ice with the most amount of water and creates the most fog; however, opening the door allows the ice shelf to drain and produces less fog, but for a longer duration.
7: Release the two lid latches, open the lid, and fill the stainless steel ice basket with Dry Ice. Large chunks of dry ice will create less fog, but will work for longer lengths of time; conversely, small bits of ice will create large amounts of fog, but only for a short time. Close the lid and latch it tightly.
8: When you are ready to make fog, turn on the pump. A few seconds later, turn on the fan and fog will be blown out to the stage via the duct hose. When you want the fog to stop, turn off the pump and the fan.
Cleaning up the Machine:
When you are done using the AquaFogger, turn off the fan, pump, and both heaters. Disconnect all electrical cables. Allow the water to cool sufficiently and then connect a garden hose to the drain fitting on the bottom of the machine. Drain the tank through the garden hose. *Any residual water inside the tank after draining can be removed by CAREFULLY tipping the machine and draining the water that way. NEVER attempt to drain full tank by tipping the machine over. Serious injury may occur, and damage to the tank and electrical components will be caused. If you are using the AquaFogger for a prolonged period of time, ensure that the water level is maintained daily and drain and refill the water once a week to prevent bacterial odors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How much water should I use?
A: There is a “Fill Line” marked inside the main tank of the AquaFogger. The tank should always be filled to this level, and this level only! Too much water could cause the machine to operate incorrectly, and too little water will cause the heating elements to burn out. The capacity of the tank is roughly 28 gallons.
Q: How much dry ice will I need?
A: 50 lbs of dry ice will produce fog for about 10 minutes when the machine is on its highest setting. Lower machine settings will produce less fog, but the effect will last longer. The Ice Basket has the ability to hold 100 lbs of dry ice. Do not overload the Ice Basket!
Q: How do I run the AquaFogger remotely?
A: The best way to operate the AquaFogger remotely is by leaving the Fan and Pump switches in the On position and controlling their power cords with a switch box at a remote location. You could also plug in and unplug the cables for the Fan and Pump when you need the fog to start and stop.
Q: Can I operate the AquaFogger with only 1 heating element?
A: Yes, but it MUST be heating element A! The power cord for Heating Element A also powers the temperature regulation system. Not connecting the temperature regulation system could cause the heating system to overheat and this will cause system failure.
Q: The water is draining from the bottom of the tank, what’s happening?!
A: The most likely solution is that the drain plug on the bottom of the tank is open. Check the drain plug and see if this is the source of the leak. If not, check for any cracks or holes in the tank. Tanks can be cracked by dropping them or attempting to tip them when they are full. Avoid moving or tipping the tanks when they are full of water because this can damage the tank and the electrical system.
Q: The water isn’t heating up. What’s wrong?
A: First, check to ensure that the machine is connected correctly. Make sure it is connected to a sufficient power outlet with a high enough amp rating and that no circuit breakers have been tripped (both in the machine and on the local power grid.) Turn on both heating elements and check to make sure that the yellow “HEATING” light is lit up. Open the tank and look into the water. After a few moments, small bubbles and circulating water currents should be visible next to the heating elements. DO NOT TOUCH THE HEATING ELEMENTS even if you don’t think they’re working, they can be extremely hot and cause burns. If one of the elements produces currents, but the other does not, the element is likely burned out and will need to be replaced. Do not attempt to replace the heating element. Contact Roger George Rentals. Heating elements usually burn out because there is insufficient water in the tank. Always be sure the fill the water to the water line inside the tank otherwise machine failure is a likely possibility. If Roger George Rentals has sufficient evidence that machine failure was caused by negligence or misuse, a fee may be charged to cover machine repair. Q: There is water building up in the ducting, am I doing something wrong? A: It is common that, when using the included ducting that RGR provides with its AquaFogger unit or other cryogenic fog machines, water will begin forming inside the ducting. This is normal in small quantities, it is simply fog condensing on the inside of the ducting. If large amounts of water begin forming, or if water is draining from the mouth of the machine, check the water level to ensure that the water is not overflowing.
Additional Information:
Be aware that using dry-ice foggers might create water/fog vapor that settles on the ground and could create slip-and-fall hazards. This effect is especially apparent if no ducting is used and the fog comes directly from the mouth of the unit; in this case, be aware that the area immediately under the mouth will become wet and slick. To help prevent hazards, keep some towels or packing blankets nearby to keep the water accumulation to a minimum. Also be aware that humidity does play a role in how much water is lost to evaporation, and how much falls to the floor and becomes a hazard. As cryogenic fog machines run, they create humidity. If a machine is run in a small environment for a long period of time, the floor and other surfaces will become wet. Use of most Cryogenic fog methods can displace the oxygen in a room (rather quickly with some of the larger setups.) Be aware that cryogenic fog’s are heavier than oxygen and as a room begins to fill with fog, it may become difficult to breathe. Ensure that a room is never completely filled with fog if a person is present, and be aware that dropping below the fog level (either crouching, laying on the floor, or purposefully raising the fog level to above your head) is not advised because it can cause dizziness, oxygen deprivation, and, in extreme cases, asphyxiation.
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