If your fog machine pump is not working, it is usually clogged with old fluid residue, the machine is out of fluid, or the pump itself has worn out. A clog can often be cleaned, but a dead pump should be replaced with the correct part for your model.
Fog machines can break down easily especially when not properly maintained. In this post, we look at two ways you can fix common fog machine pump issues.
Quick Checks Before You Open Anything
Unplug the machine and let it cool before you touch anything. Then rule out the easy causes:
- Fluid: Make sure the tank has fluid and the pickup tube reaches the bottom. Running the pump dry can damage it.
- Tube: Check the pickup tube for kinks, cracks or a clogged filter on the end.
- Warm-up: Most machines won’t pump until the heater is up to temperature and the ready light is on.
- Remote: Try the button on the machine or a spare remote if you have one, since a bad remote can look like a dead pump.
- Fuse: If your model has a fuse holder, check the fuse and replace it only with the rating in the manual.
Fixing a Dirty and Clogged Fog Machine Pump
When you have a blocked pump, the problem is that when you press the button, it creates a humming sound, which means that you can hear the pump running but no fog is coming out of it.
Here are four easy steps to unclog and clean your fog machine Pump;
Step 1: Open and Remove the Cover of the Pump
Before you open anything, unplug the machine and let it cool completely. The heater stays hot long after it is switched off.
Unscrew the screws along the side of the case and lift the lid off. You must first unscrew the compression fitting on the top, which is where the real tube is inserted.
You will have access to the fog machine as soon as you remove the cover. Some things are going on in the machine that you can see.
There’s only one thing going on in there: the tube that comes down and goes into the pump, which then pumps out via a metal tube into the heater. There are also some sensors for the heater block to make sure the fog machine is at the right temperature. If the heater is not giving out the right amount of heat this will not produce smoke and will need a fix.
Step 2: Check the Nozzle and Unclog the Pinhole
So, in the case of a clogged machine, the first thing you should do is remove the rubber bracket that holds the fog machine together. This should be carried out with care.
A common problem with clogged pumps is that the nozzles of the pumps become clogged. That is the first and most important step.
So obtain a wrench and check to see if it’s loose, and then disassemble the device. There’s a pinhole in the wall there.
That’s what’s causing your fog pump assembly to become clogged.
To unclog it, poke it with a needle on both sides and immerse it in hot distilled water for a few minutes. After that, blow through it.
When you see a flow of air, you’ll know you’re in good shape.
Step 3: Open the Interior of the Pump
Because clogging can occur in a variety of locations if that does not resolve the problem, remove the two screws from the cylindrical pump assembly. You will notice a coil inside the pump that generates a magnetic field and that corresponds with a piece of metal that moves up and down once it is delivered.
The pump pushes the fog fluid through and out of the system. Check to see if there is anything wrong with the coil in question.
Remove the two screws from their positions and you’ll find a small key groove.
Push down into the keyed groove, then push and twist, and when you’ve done that, carefully pull the keyed groove apart, making sure that no loose bits or the glass ball are lost. If you lose these, the pump is no longer functional.
Step 4: Disassemble and Clean the Pumping System
The pump mechanism, which is the object that the magnet causes to slide up and down and back and forth, sucking the fog fluid through, will be seen once the seal has been removed.
It could be a good idea to disconnect the metal component and soak it in distilled water for a while. Once you’ve completed that, you may proceed to set the right side. It’s a little more difficult this time.
Carefully tap the screen to make that small ball fall out. Place the ball in a secure location.
Look closely and you will notice another portion of the ball rolling away from the ball. As a result, we remove it.
You will notice a little ring emerge from the hole. That thing can be pulled out and tapped, and there’s a spring inside of it.
Following the removal of the screwdriver from the hole, you’ll discover that there’s a plastic piece in there that’s threaded, allowing you to just insert your screwdriver and turn it. You’ll be able to get that piece out.
Once you’ve taken it out, you’ll notice that there’s another spring attached to a plunger-type component.
Consequently, now that your pump is entirely disassembled, you can soak all of the parts and thoroughly clean them before reinstalling them.
If you hear no buzzing at all once the machine is ready, the pump coil may have failed, and cleaning won’t help. In that case, move on to replacing the pump.
Replacing a Worn Out Pump
The pump in a fog machine moves fluid from the tank into the heater. In most machines it runs on mains power, so a worn-out pump isn’t a good project for a homemade fix.
Signs it’s worn out include a weak or sputtering hum after a thorough cleaning, no hum at all once the machine is ready, or a pump that runs very hot. If cleaning didn’t help, it’s time to replace it.
Step 1: Contact the Maker
Check the warranty first, then contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer with your model number. Many makers sell replacement pumps, and some will repair the machine for you.
Step 2: Buy the Correct Replacement Pump
Use a pump that matches your machine’s voltage, flow and fittings, ideally the maker’s own part. Don’t swap in a car windshield-washer pump or another mismatched pump, since that means adding mains wiring inside the case.
Unplug the machine before any repair. If fitting the new pump means touching the internal wiring, have a qualified repair technician do it, and never run the machine with the case open.
Step 3: Or Replace the Machine
On budget machines, a new pump plus labor can cost close to a new machine. In that case, a new fog machine may make more sense, and you can pick one that suits how you use it.
If this doesn’t resolve it for you, there is a chance the fog machine has a clogged heater. On the other hand, there is another procedure to do if the fog machine is leaking.
Conclusion
Fog machine issues can occur at any time, but often it is because of poor maintenance of the fog machines. This leads to dirt and grime build causing the pump to malfunction. The simple fix above details more options on how to take care of these issues.
Hopefully, the fixes discussed above will get your pump working correctly again. You will know quickly if the pump works when you see the smoke blowing out of the machine. A great way to avoid any of this happening is to make sure you clean your fog machine when it is time, not before.
Please be careful and use at your own risk
None of the authors, contributors, administrators, or anyone else connected with Wild Fog, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from these web pages.
