HELP!! smoke machine causing me hassle

clayton1

hi all

i'm a mobile DJ. bit of a background, i have about 6 lights, 1500 watt citronic amp, 4 speakers musicson (bins and tops).

when i use my smoke machine, you can either hear a nick noise come out of me speakers which i don't like.
or most recently, when i pressed the smoke machine button, my decks turned off.

these things only happen when my smoke machine is in operation.

i have my lights and smoker plugged into a seperate socket than my music (amp, decks etc).

Can anyone help???

Quiggers

Is the socket tripping out at the fuse board or is it just your decks turning off?
Sounds like the smoke machine has developed a fault.
Are you using an RCD?

clayton1

Quiggers wrote: »

Is the socket tripping out at the fuse board or is it just your decks turning off?
Sounds like the smoke machine has developed a fault.
Are you using an RCD?

First of all at a gig, the little dink noise came from the speakers when i pressed the smoke button.
Then after that at another gig, it was my decks that tripped out only when i pressed the smoke button.

i presume the issue is with the smoke machine, but i don't know what.

whats an RCD?

ED E

Is it a wireless remote for the smoke machine?

clayton1

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Is it a wireless remote for the smoke machine?

no man, the remote is wired and is connected to the actual machine

ED E

Something bad there, do the decks have a protection circuit? When you say they tripped out, did they just loose all power? Did the amp retain power? How did you get it back going again?

clayton1

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Something bad there, do the decks have a protection circuit? When you say they tripped out, did they just loose all power? Did the amp retain power? How did you get it back going again?

the decks cut off yes. I use Cortex HDC-1000 mp3 decks. But that is the only time it has ever happened, the amp was fine.

It must be a circut issue with the smoke machine, that effects the sound end of things when i try to use it.

i just want to know where to start diagnosing the problem?

ED E

Its causing a surge is my guess, bring it to an electrician, its not something you'll likely be able to fix yourself.

If its in warranty return it.

was.deevey

Sounds like a short somewhere... OR It could simply be the draw is too much on the circuit, i'd seriously try to find a second socket even if it means running an extension lead, sounds to me like current overdraw when your smokers' pump kicks in.

Its rule of thumb to different circuits for lighting and audio equipment whenever possible, flashing lights can cause lotsa pop's and "humming" too ... is it only in one venue this happens ?

Quiggers

A RCD is a residual current detector, its a safety device that cuts off the power if
more current goes out than returns, it presumes that if there is less then returning that someone is being cooked.

They're quite cheap and if you fit one to your smoke machine it will show if it is faulty.
B&Q sell them for less than €20
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10278509&fh_view_size=10&fh_start_index=10&fh_location=//catalog01/en_GB&fh_search=RCD&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1236786896760&isSearch=true

ironclaw

clayton1 wrote: »

the decks cut off yes. I use Cortex HDC-1000 mp3 decks. But that is the only time it has ever happened, the amp was fine.

Possible Bingo. Cortex have shocking power supplies. I have a set of HDTT5000's. They are excellent but need TLC on the power end. In the States they have huge trouble with them from AC power noise, which without getting technical, the Power Supplies in Cortex units seem to hate. Its more prevalent in the States due to a 60HZ AC supply, more Air Conditioning unit's which cause the noise etc.

My guess is your smoke machine is causing noise which the Cortex units see as a "spike" hence they shut off. It would also explain the pop you heard. They didn't turn off the first time possibly due to a slight difference in the wiring where you were.

The possible solution:

Two Multi Gang Socket Boards, one for the smoke machine and everything else.

The second socket board is only for the decks, however on this multi gang put a "Filtered and Surge Protection" plug. The filter stops the spikes, cuts the noise and the Surge will stop your decks getting fried in case of a real spike.

I did it, and have never had any problems since.

unclebill98

Most places in Ireland have the entertainments power needs way down the list.

Chances are you may think your running of two seperate power supplies and only to trace both back to the same source thats also running the dishwasher in the kitchen...

Smoke/Hazers power draw can vary massivly from unit to unit. I've seen whole rigs been powered from 2 sockets on the wall and including 4-6 discharge bulb lights, full FOH and various amps etc with no problem and then one dodgy piece of gear knocks the whole thing off.

Use 3 phase if possible and if not then use thicker power cable and make sure your fuses are correct, lastly choose your sockets carefully......

If all else fails, ask them to turn the dishwasher off...

PMI

Your running from separate plug but they could be just daisy chained as are alot of venues here....

so your still joining a 13amp feed

You need to check 100% you have the extra 13, 3 phase is way to crazy for a setup like yours...

clayton1

PMI wrote: »

Your running from separate plug but they could be just daisy chained as are alot of venues here....

so your still joining a 13amp feed

You need to check 100% you have the extra 13, 3 phase is way to crazy for a setup like yours...

thanks for your help here lads.. TBH, i don't really understand some of the stuff you's say... 3 phase etc.

I know how to work my own rig and i normally use seperate plugs for music and lights.

I was hoping to use my smoke machine for a teen disco this Friday, and it now looks unlikely

electrogrimey

clayton1 wrote: »

thanks for your help here lads.. TBH, i don't really understand some of the stuff you's say... 3 phase etc.

I know how to work my own rig and i normally use seperate plugs for music and lights.

I was hoping to use my smoke machine for a teen disco this Friday, and it now looks unlikely

You could give up and not play the disco, or you could actually read this reply:

ironclaw wrote: »

Possible Bingo. Cortex have shocking power supplies. I have a set of HDTT5000's. They are excellent but need TLC on the power end. In the States they have huge trouble with them from AC power noise, which without getting technical, the Power Supplies in Cortex units seem to hate. Its more prevalent in the States due to a 60HZ AC supply, more Air Conditioning unit's which cause the noise etc.

My guess is your smoke machine is causing noise which the Cortex units see as a "spike" hence they shut off. It would also explain the pop you heard. They didn't turn off the first time possibly due to a slight difference in the wiring where you were.

The possible solution:

Two Multi Gang Socket Boards, one for the smoke machine and everything else.

The second socket board is only for the decks, however on this multi gang put a "Filtered and Surge Protection" plug. The filter stops the spikes, cuts the noise and the Surge will stop your decks getting fried in case of a real spike.

I did it, and have never had any problems since.

If you don't understand something just Google it...