6 replies to this topic

[Rexz]

Ok, so I bought a cheap 500watt smoke machine. It has a 5 pin controller which actually only uses 3 of the pins for the switch and the 'ready' lights. What I want to do is replace the switch with the netduino to time how often the smoke machine outputs. Now I have looked online and seen a few people using arduino's and the like but I think I need help on what to use. First of all I checked the voltage across the switch. It seems it reaches a max of 108volts and the current reaches about 40-50mA. I'm guessing this is powering the pump directly to pump the smoke fluid into the element. So, i'm stuck as to what to use? Can I do this with a transistor? or do I need a relay? Also what type of transistors/relays? I'm quite new to electronics and get confused easily Thanks Rexz ** Just realised this may have been posted in the wrong area. Please could a moderator move, thanks.

[Chris Seto]

For this, you will want to use something like a small solid state relay, as well as a transistor to drive it with the Netduino.

[Rexz]

For this, you will want to use something like a small solid state relay, as well as a transistor to drive it with the Netduino.

Would something like this work?

http://uk.farnell.co...ross_price=true

[ItsDan]

I control a smoke machine for my halloween display, I use a small relay which can flip an AC circuit, but I'm not using an arduino to power it (it's powered off a 12v relay board connected to a PC. If you're fog machine is like all the ones I've seen, it's simply running the 120v line voltage to the remote and back if you press the switch. It's not a lower trigger voltage to control a relay in the machine itself. Because it's controlling a motor/pump I'd get a more hefty relay that can handle more current than the one you picked out to handle spikes if they occur.

[AJB2K3]

What smoke machine is it? Does it not use the standered theater control system?(name escape me atm!

[Rexz]

I control a smoke machine for my halloween display, I use a small relay which can flip an AC circuit, but I'm not using an arduino to power it (it's powered off a 12v relay board connected to a PC. If you're fog machine is like all the ones I've seen, it's simply running the 120v line voltage to the remote and back if you press the switch. It's not a lower trigger voltage to control a relay in the machine itself. Because it's controlling a motor/pump I'd get a more hefty relay that can handle more current than the one you picked out to handle spikes if they occur.

Hey well today I did find that infact the line voltage (240v here) runs straight through the remote, however, the element is heated from the switch on the back so no high current. The pump the remote powers is 240v 16w.

[Dan T]

Try any relay you like. It's a smoke machine after all!