Prop-1 & Fog Machine

[Natalie P]

Has anyone had any experience in the using the Prop-1 board to trigger a fog machine?  I'm guessing I can use the PINs to initiate a fog machine (acting like a trigger), but am not sure how to approach the connections from the Prop-1 board to the fogger or remote.  Any direction and/or pics on this is sincerely appreciated!

[Jeff Haas]

Yes, it's pretty easy - but you have to be careful, because many fog machines use 110 (line voltage) through their remotes.  I put together an Instructable that goes over how to do this and be safe, by sealing the relay into a project box and making the connection to it via a stereo jack:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Control-A-Fog-Machine-With-Your-Microcontroller/

The only thing to note is in step 5, when you solder to the stereo plug, get a long cable with a 3-pin header on one end (or on both ends and cut off one).  Then solder the loose ends to the stereo jack, following the diagram.

The last step has example code for the Prop-1.

[Natalie P]

Your instructions are very thorough!  Thanks so much, Jeff!

[JackMan]

One thing to keep in mind though with Fog Machines, they need time to warm up before a fog blast and more importantly, most of them will have a periodic "time out" so to speak when it is just sitting there plugged and not being used. This can be a problem if you have it connected to a microcontroller for triggering the fog, there may be times when the microcontroller triggers it but nothing happens because the fog machine wasn't ready.

[Jeff Haas]

Good point!  The warm-up is easy - turn on the fog machine and let it warm up; you can even plug in the regular remote to check that it's ready to go, and swap over to the relay.  Then don't overdo it in your final program and you'll be fine.

It's very cool to have a burst of fog as part of a programmed moment!

[michilson]

I am driving 2 different 110v Cirtuits and a Fog Machine with a Single Prop-1 using 3 12v Relays purchased from McMasterCarr I can help you and take pictures here in a few weeks when the haunted house stuff comes out to play again this year.

If you use a Fog machine from a local party store Take the remote apart and flow the wires and circuits. These machines use a NEC Connection the Female Version. Cable shown below in Link.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#71535k59/=tgsafz

Cut the male end off. Now the tricky part.

1 pin is Com
1 Pin is usually to show the ready Light
1 Pin is the Switch.

So we need to look at the Controller and find the Com & Switch. Follow the Circuit board to the Cables and Remember the colors.

now take your Relay (Single Pole) Place the Color for the Com on the Open Leg and the Wire from the Switch on the Closed Side. Basically making the relay act as the switch. Drive the Relay with the 12V + and one Output from the Prop 1 Controller.

Keep in mind in your program to give time for the fog machine to build heat up. otherwise you will not get any fog.