Fluid bottle sizes vary from different manufacturers , most offer 2.5 / 4 or 5 Ltr Bottle sizes .

Some Manufacturers offer 220ltr and 1000Ltr Drums typically used for Themed Attractions to save on plastic usage and also there is a cost saving to order larger sizes.

Contact us if larger sizes are not listed.

Question:                                                                                          

Will my smoke/haze machine set off the smoke detectors in my venue?

Answer:

Possibly…

Smoke detectors are designed to detect small particles in the air using (usually) one of two methods:

Photoelectric type - Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm.

 

Ionization type – these have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates.

When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.

 

Different manufacturers of smoke detectors will produce different sensitivity levels of detection – some good...some bad!

 

Depending on the placement of the installed smoke detector it WILL detect the artificial smoke/haze particles in the air…this is the smoke detector doing a good job.

If the detector is installed further away from the location of the smoke output then there is a possibility that the smoke/haze will have dispersed by the time it reaches the smoke detector (or an open window/door may blow the smoke away from the detector location)...but if smoke is not reaching the detector due to air flow…then you may want to reconsider the current location (or quantity) of your smoke detection systems…..you may have a fire detection risk!!!

 

Depending on the fluid type you are using in your machine (only use the recommended fluid types) and low volume trigger levels you may find that the smoke is dispersing faster than it takes to reach the smoke detector and will not set the alarm off…or adversely you may be using a fluid that is designed to hang around a long time (like high density fluid) and over saturating the room with smoke levels ('trigger happy' DJ?) and this may also cause the smoke to travel much further into locations within the venue that you would not expect (adjoining rooms for example)...triggering detectors in different zones.

 

The only solution to 100% avoid triggering a smoke alarm is to turn the detectors off…BUT THIS IS NOT ADVISED UNLESS YOU HAVE A SUITABLE SECONDARY FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM IN PLACE (LIKE HEAT SENSORS FOR EXAMPLE).

Some venues have permanent live heat detectors and a switchable smoke detection system in their main venue rooms (other rooms still permanently active)....where the smoke detectors are ONLY turned off during events (leaving the heat detectors live) and are turned back on again soon after the event (giving both heat and smoke detection).

 

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, BULDING REGULATORS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES ETC.. TO SEE WHAT SOLUTION CAN BE PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL GUIDANCE/LAWS/RISK REGARDING SMOKE DETECTORS/FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS IN YOUR VENUE.

 

**Also…Please be wary of any company that states that their smoke machines/fluid will not trigger smoke detectors – see above for reasons why this may not be the case..​

Question:

How do I correctly use a fan to assist with smoke coverage/dispersion?

Answer: 

When using a fan to assist with smoke coverage and dispersion it is always recommended to place the fan behind the smoke machine with the air blowing over the machine and NOT to push smoke through the fan.

With a fan in front of a smoke machine you will reduce the lifespan of the fan and possibly cause premature failure and damage to the fan motor due to condensation of the smoke on the fan surfaces/motor. 

Question:

Can I use XXX brand of smoke or haze fluid in my Martin or Trainer smoke/haze machine?

​Answer:

The use of non-Martin or Trainer branded fluids in our products invalidates the warranty on the product and can cause a number of safety and mechanical issues.

Smoke machines are designed to 'burn' a certain fluid at a certain temperature to create a certain effect.

Different machines operate at different temperature ranges so we need different types of fluid to generate the required effect produced by that particular machine.

Some machines can operate over a wider range of temperatures and can therefore utilize a number of different fluids to create differing effects using a single machine.

This does not mean that the machine can use ANY fluid.

It has to be fluid formulated to 'burn' within the correct temperature range of the machine it is being used in.

Using the wrong fluid in a machine can result in the fluid exiting the machine either too HOT or too COLD.

                    Too HOT can result in a 'spitting' or 'squirting' of VERY hot fluid straight out of the output nozzle and onto whatever/whoever is directly in front/below the machine.

                          High power smoke machines can 'spit' a LARGE AMOUNT of fluid from the output nozzle (depending on the 'on' time selected or DMX signal sent to trigger it).

                   Too COLD can result in a 'wet' smoke (or no smoke…just fluid) which can cause burns on output and slipping hazards upon contact with a surface.

                          It can also lead to extra residue build-up on surfaces/inside lighting units/furniture/fittings etc…

From a mechanical/service point of view, the wrong fluid can also 'bake' in the heater (even though you may still produce some smoke) rather than 'burn' cleanly which will block the heater (sometimes very quickly) and possibly burn the pump out (mains voltage short circuit) which can in turn cause pcb components to fail/explode….none of which is covered by the warranty!!

This information is also applicable to the use of our own smoke/haze fluids in other brands of smoke machines.

We strive to make the safest smoke machines possible and the use of Martin or Trainer Fluids in our machines takes us one step closer to avoiding costly repairs/failures and also helps to avoid injuries in the venue!!​

​​​Question:

What is the difference between atmospheric smoke and haze effects?​

Answer:​

SMOKE:

Artificial smoke is a visual effect designed to give a visible 'cloud', 'burst' or 'layer' of obscuring smoke.

It is usually an instantly thick output stream that creates a foggy environment or can be used for instant 'wow' factor in short bursts.

Over-use of smoke effects will hide visual elements (set dressing, performers etc)

It is not intended to be used to make your lighting effect look good (see Haze) but as it disperses it will turn into a haze type effect..it just won't last as long in this haze state.

 

HAZE:

Haze is used to create an almost invisible blanket/fill of the venue that is not obscuring of any visual elements in the room.

TV Studios are usually filled with haze but the haze effect is not directly seen on camera.

Any lighting effect is then visually enhanced by the haze allowing the full light beam to be seen from source to surface.

This allows mid-air space to be used for lighting effects..filling the air with beams/paths of light.

Haze effects are designed to last a lot longer in the same 'visual state' before dispersing allowing consistent lighting visual effects to be used.​

Question:      

What is the exact mixture of chemicals used to make the different variations of smoke/haze fluid?

​​Answer:

All variants of Martin or Trainer smoke/haze fluid use the same 3 ingredients in varying ratios:

Monopropylene Glycol: CAS Registry Number: 57‐55‐6

Triethylene Glycol: CAS Registry Number: 112‐27‐6

De‐mineralised water

 

Whilst we state the type of ingredients used on the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) we will not share the ratios that they are used in as these are trade secret 'mixtures'.

 

The latest Safety Data Sheets (SDS) can be found here:

https://www.martin.com/en-US/support/safety

JEM ZR 25/35/45- Controlling Multiple Units

 

Setting the host-client link mode​

It is possible to control several machines from one digital remote control. The machine with the remote plugged into it is set as the Host. The other machines are set as Clients. The machines are interconnected with DMX cabling. 

• Use the Previous / Next buttons to select the LINK MODE option from the SETTINGS menu. 
• Use the Up/Down buttons to select RECEIVE (client unit) or SEND (host unit). Press the ENTER button to store the link setting. 

*The machine should be set to SEND only if it is running as a host. If running as a client, stand-alone or DMX controlled it should be set to RECEIVE. If a machine set to SEND is connected to an active DMX system, the DMX will be corrupted causing flickering of lights and other strange symptoms.*​

Question:

What do the 'Continuous Output' statement and the fluid consumption numbers in the product specs of smoke/haze machines actually mean?

Answer:

Example numbers taken from the ZR45 User Manual/Specification sheet:

Continuous effect output

Fluid consumption (max.) ............................................................ 210 ml per minute

Maximum operating time, maximum output, 5L of fluid ........................ 1.18 hours

Problem:

The numbers for fluid consumption do not seem to add up...

210ml per minute means it will get through the 5L of fluid (the included bottle) in approx. 24 minutes….but we state 1.18 hours…??

Summarised Answer:

The maximum consumption is the rate measured for the initial 100% output trigger...

For the first 10-20 seconds of true 100% output the device will consume more fluid than over the next 20 seconds (as the pump will start to reduce output) and then the pump will reduce

further etc...

So if performing short bursts (for example 100% for 3 seconds...0% for 3 seconds) the device will use a lot more fluid in 1 minute than performing a constant trigger for 1 minute.

The maximum operating time for 5L is how long it will take to empty the included 5L bottle if you trigger the machine at 100% constant output (not in bursts).

A more detailed explanation can be found below 

Detailed Answer:

How the machine works:

All of the ZR range (and our other products) will operate continuously...but...not at true 100% output constantly.

All ranges (designed since 1998) use Pump Ramping Technology.

This is a software/hardware control system that allows one to change the speed of the fluid pump(s) depending on the actual current operating temperature of the heater.

As fluid flows through the heater to create the smoke it rapidly cools the heater.

The heater thermocouple (temperature sensor) reports the live temperature of the heater back to the main PCB and when it drops below a specified lower threshold, the PCB will supply

power to the heater to try to maintain/recover as much temperature as possible.

It will try to keep the heater within the correct operating temperature range so that the fluid will 'burn' correctly and produce 'safe' smoke output.

On older machines (such as the Martin Magnum 2000 unit)...pump control was not available…If the temperature drops beyond the lower threshold (usually about 10 seconds of output) then

the software/hardware will need to physically stop the output to prevent 'wet' smoke output (where the temperature is not enough to correctly convert the fluid to smoke).

Once the heater has recovered enough temperature to be within the safe temperature range again. The software/hardware will then allow the pump to operate again and resume smoke output.

This will result in an on/off output…not continuous.

From 1998 onwards (JEM ZR22 model) we had the ability to add better software/hardware control of the heaters and pumps.

Pump Ramping Technology allows for altered output of the fluid pump in relation to the heater temperature so that the temperature drop is less rapid at its lower temperature range.

The power being applied to the heater and the reduced smoke output allow the heater to get to a stage of equalized temperature gain/loss.

This means that the output does not have to be stopped as the heater will now stay within its safe operating temperature range (but at a lower output level) creating 'safe' smoke.

If triggering the machine at 100% output there will be approx. 10-15 seconds of true 100% output. During this time the temperature in the heater will drop rapidly.

Once below a pre-defined temperature threshold we will then slow the pump speed until an equal state of heat gain/loss is reached.

Despite triggering at 100%...the real smoke output may be as low as 40%...but still outputting...it will not stop.

After 30 seconds or so...you may see the output rise slightly (to 50% for example) as the temperature gain is greater than the temperature loss...

It will maintain smoke output at this lower output level as long as sufficient fluid is available

If output is paused long enough to regain optimal temperature (approx. 30s) the next time the machine is triggered at 100% output it will provide full output and the cycle will repeat.

If you just do short bursts of 100% output then the heater will recover enough temperature between triggers to allow each burst to still be true 100% output.

If you trigger the machine at a lower output level (for example 40%) then the 'pump ramping' will not have as much effect on the output as the drop in temperature will not be as extreme...so

you will get a much smoother constant output level...it will stay around 40% output as long as you can keep feeding fluid into it....

So this is true constant output...but the level of output is varied depending on the demand of the heater...

We do not have to stop to reheat...but the output level will drop to allow heat recovery/stabilisation.

So...onto the fluid consumption...

The maximum consumption is the rate measured for the initial 100% output trigger...

For the first 10-20 seconds of true 100% output you will consume more fluid than over the next 20 seconds (as the pump will start to reduce output) and then the pump will reduce further

etc...

So if you were doing short bursts (for example 100% for 3 seconds...0% for 3 seconds)...you will use a lot more fluid in 1 minute then you would if you did a constant trigger for 1 minute.

The maximum operating time for 5L is how long it will take to empty the included 5L bottle if you trigger the machine at 100% constant output (not in bursts).

You will initially use a large amount (for 10-20 seconds) but as the output drops and stabilises at a lower output level (due to pump ramping)...the consumption will go down and you will get 

a longer run time.

​

No smoke machine (any brand) can claim to operate at true 100% output constantly (unless 100% output is actually a very low output value compared to the heater wattage of that unit).

It will either run at 100% with no change in output...then stop the output after about 10-15 seconds to reheat (like our old Martin Magnum 2000 unit)...or it will slow the output down to allow constant (but lower) output (like all of our products since 1998).​

​​​​Question:                                                                                          

​​What is the particle size and refractive index of the smoke/haze produced by Martin smoke/haze fluid?

​​Answer:

Average particle size produced (any Martin smoke/haze machine) is between 1µ and 1.5µ.

The Ready 365 Hazer (using JEM R365 Haze Fluid) produces a particle size of less than 0.8µ.

Fluid density at room temperature is about 0.95g/cm3 for JEM Pro-Fog Fluid High Density (‘thickest fluid’) since it has our highest chemical concentration.

Refractive index is approximately 1.4 and approaches that of mineral oil.​

​​​Question:                                                                                          

Can I add a scent, colour dye or anti-bacterial solution to my smoke or haze fluid in my Martin smoke/haze machine?

Answer:

The use of any 3rd party scent or additive (colour or chemical) for smoke fluids in our products invalidates the warranty on the product and can cause a number of safety and mechanical issues.

3rd party scents are not recommended and will possibly block the heater/damage the fluid/air pump and will possibly exit the machine as a very hot vapour..damaging surfaces/fixtures/fittings/members of the public.

Colour dyes are not advised as it will possibly block the heater/damage the fluid/air pump and will possibly exit the machine like a very hot paint spray can..damaging surfaces/fixtures/fittings/members of the public.

Anti-bacterial (or any 'virus killer') solutions are not advised and will possibly block the heater/damage the fluid/air pump and will possibly exit the machine in a hot, harmful vapour (possibly due to an unknown chemical reaction due to heat – causing a toxic vapour)..damaging surfaces/fixtures/fittings/members of the public.

 

Harman cannot be held responsible for use of any additive not recommended by Harman.

Harman does not currently provide any scent or colour/chemical additive for our smoke/haze fluids.​