I lent a SoundLab smoke machine from a friend and it's stopped working.
It's only a few months old, has only been used a few times, and has plenty of fluid in the reservoir.
I plugged it in and the red light on the remote control came on as expected, but stayed on for ages, very occasionally flickering off. But no matter when I pressed the smoke release button, no smoke ever came out. The last time it was used it apperently worked fine. It was plugged in for over 2 hours, but no smoke was ever released.

Anyone have any idea's of what the problem could be?

Or has anyone else encountered a similar problem?

The model is a SoundLab Silver Blue Foger (H)G002GA.

Okay usually on this type of machine it's the heating element which fails. However you say that the neon on the remote is going on and off?.

This machine has the type of system, in which you can only get smoke output when the neon on the remote is OFF can you confirm, first of all that you weren't trying to get smoke out of the unit when the neon was illuminated??. When the light is on, this indicates that the heating element is energised, and the machine is warming up. In this situation pressing the switch will not operate the pump hence no smoke!.

So the point is - that you can only get Smoke if you press the button when the light is off.

This basic mode of operation, can be confusing if you are used to more professional machines which operate continuously.

If you are aware of this, and the machine still isn't working then confirm that the machine is warming up?. If it is, then the fault would suggest a faulty pump, or the return wiring from the remote to the machine.

Never did get the idea, it's dark so you want the switch to light up when ready not the other way around, so that you can actually see the thing !

LOL thank god for Jem Foggers with the reset switch, but why the hell did they put it inside the cover so it took ten minutes to get to?????

QUOTE

This machine has the type of system, in which you can only get smoke output when the neon on the remote is OFF can you confirm, first of all that you weren't trying to get smoke out of the unit when the neon was illuminated??.

Yep, I only pressed the button the few times the light did go OUT

QUOTE

If you are aware of this, and the machine still isn't working then confirm that the machine is warming up?. If it is, then the fault would suggest a faulty pump, or the return wiring from the remote to the machine.

The machine was certainly warm; so would seem to be the pump or the wiring then.
Cheers.

If it's only a few months old, it's not your problem, 'sent it whence it became' or return for a new one if you don't like Shakespeare !

I've only borrowed this machine. The groom at a wedding I'm doing on sunday has requested that I bring one. I personally don't like smoke machines as too many punters and venue management ask you not to use them.

This particular machine has been turned on for the past 2 hours, and the light has probably been ON for at least 98% of that time. The unit is warm (but not overheating), and in the couple of times that the light has gone off, pressing the release button has made no difference.

Okay - it's under warranty so best not to mess with it too much, it sounds to me like the pump or pump circuit has failed.

This can be as little as a fuse failure on the internal pcb, to a broken wire - poor connection on the remote - sometimes the entire pump can fail, since it is actually little more than the 12v pump used on car windscreen washer bottles

Either way, best not to mess, since the only way to check the fuse is to remove the cover and invalidate the warranty . Just send it back for repair.

One possible way to get out of needing it is to ring the venue manager, and ask them if they have smoke detectors fitted...if the answer is yes then you can't use it anyway and you have te perfect excuse!. In most cases of where the client has asked me to use smoke, I arrive at the venue to set up and find smoke detectors fitted..most clients don't give it a second thought to ask the venue before making the request to you.

i had a soundlab smoke machine, same problem it heated up light was on and off as if it was working. but no smoke.


took it back to the dealer, he just swapped it for another and the new one has been fine... touch wood.

i like soundlab gear,of all the lighting i've got from them the only problem i've had is the smoker.