Obviously, we needed to hook the fogger up to X-10.

WARNING: This project uses line voltage, and is hazardous. If you are not qualified to work on projects like this, please do not attempt it. Get help from somebody who is qualified.

• Background
• Fogger Analysis
• Parts
• Assembly

• Other Solutions

• Taking apart the fogger, tracing the wiring, and deciding exactly what it needs for a switch and where it goes.
• Build a 110 VAC relay into a box and use it to close the switch.
• This new control box replaces the original fogger remote control. It does not modify or rewire the original remote.

Note: You can achieve similar results by modifying the original remote that came with the fogger, instead of replacing it. That modification requires that you find the electrical contacts of the switch that you press to trigger the fogger and simply connect relay contacts across the switch. The good thing about the modification is that much less technical expertise is required, since you don't have to reverse-engineer the remote connection. The bad side is that you have to alter the original remote. If you would like such a modification and don't want to do it yourself, Jim Kadel of Haunt Master Products is willing to do the modification as "spec work" for a reasonable fee.

• This page applies only to the Gemmy fogger sold during 2002 Halloween season.
• Other brands of foggers use different designs, and it appears that earlier Gemmy foggers differ in design from this one.
• Be aware that remotes and controllers for fog machines might have the same plug, but that does not mean it is safe or effective to plug them together. Before attempting this project, make sure that your fogger is compatible.

Here is the Gemmy fogger from 2002 that we intend to use.

The fogger that we bought came with a nice, full-function remote. We want to replace this by a switch that can be remotely triggered via X-10.

The fogger's remote control attaches via a three-pin IEC power connector mounted on the back of the fogger.

This type of connector is often used for computer and monitor power supplies.

To make the fogger shoot fog, we must connect together the middle connector and the one on the bottom. [The fogger must be turned on and warmed up first.]

The relay used in this project is from Hosfelt Electronics. It features a 110 VAC coil and SPDT contacts rated at 16 Amps at 380 VAC. It sells for $.99 (October 2002).

This image shows how our real relay corresponds to the schematic diagram symbol for a relay.

In the picture on the left:

• The coil is attached to the bottom two lugs.
• The lug in the center of the picture is "common".
• The topmost lug is "normally closed".
• The one below it is "normally open".

The connection to the fogger is made with an IEC male connector. These are difficult to find as component parts, so we will use an IEC power extension, which has a male connector on one end and a female on the other. We cut off the female connector and just use the cord and male connector.

The back of the fogger has a female socket, like the connector on the left. Our controller box will need a male connector like the one on the right.

Our shopping list looked like this (October 2002):

quantity	part	cost	source
1	project box	$1.99	JAL-3 Hosfelt Electronics
1	IEC power cord extension	$2.75	60-351 Hosfelt Electronics
1	power cord	$.75	AN-10 Hosfelt Electronics
1	110 VAC relay	$.99	45-489 Hosfelt Electronics
1	power indicator	$.75	IND-100 All Electronics

The power indicator is optional, but I like putting it in. It lets me know when the relay is active and the fog machine should be belching.

Assembly

Both locations where power cords exit the box should provide "strain relief", so that accidently pulling on the cord doesn't harm the internal wiring.

In this example, a copious quantity of hot-melt glue inside and outside the box provides strain relief.

The schematic is simple: The power cord goes across the relay coil terminals, as does the power indicator (which consists of a neon lamp and resistor in a single package). The relay's common terminal and normally open contact go to the fogger.

We use this technique to implement a controller-driven fog machine.

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome.
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