Snow Machine Oil Pumps

xmaskids

New elf
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
45
Location
Gold Coast Qld
Hi from the Gold Coast

I have 2 stage 1500w snow machines which the pumps have both gone and need to fix for our display.

Question for all the sparky nuts

Is a Fog machine oil pump which is cheaper the same as a Snow machine pump which is dearer

All voltage is correct and looks the same, i brought a fog machine pump but system wont pump or engage

here is an example

smoke.png
snow.png

Any help
 

SmartAlecLights

Im a SmartAlec what can i say!
Community project designer
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,533
Location
Murray Bridge, S.A.
there just a basic pump, i have fixed mine 3 times now, (lights sand the grime off the inside parts)
but it hates being dry with no fluid, (thats what kills them)
I have replaced other peoples machines with different replacement pumps.. main thing to remember is prime the line or it wont pump..
 

xmaskids

New elf
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
45
Location
Gold Coast Qld
Thanks for the replys first the spring shattered inside and lastest ones don't suck is there a difference between the 2 or can I use a cheap one
Smart Alex lights did u use the cheaper one
 

Mark_M

Annoying Elf
Joined
Dec 30, 2018
Messages
914
Location
Christmas Light world
I've replaced pumps in a used snow machine I bought. Ones labeled for Fog machines are the exact same thing.
I'd suggest adding some sort of low fluid shut off like I did to mine. I stuck an Arduino and float switch in the tank, it also allows me to add DMX.

Edit; Float sensor only in the tank, not the Arduino as well :laugh:.
 
Last edited:

xmaskids

New elf
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
45
Location
Gold Coast Qld
It's a bit wet on the Goldie today so I will take some pics to show what I am up to
We use 20lts blue tubs and direct suck with filter out of these due to the volume and people we have up here
 

SmartAlecLights

Im a SmartAlec what can i say!
Community project designer
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,533
Location
Murray Bridge, S.A.
so basicly your making the pump work harder by pushing fluid further?
I would suggest 1 pump in the snow machine for its internal tank,
an use mark's idea with the float switch to fill it from the big tub.
 

Mark_M

Annoying Elf
Joined
Dec 30, 2018
Messages
914
Location
Christmas Light world
I would suggest 1 pump in the snow machine for its internal tank,
an use mark's idea with the float switch to fill it from the big tub.
I've always had the idea to have an external pump connection for a tank on the ground nearby. I just haven't gotten around to it.
Because I used an Arduino and added a 12v power supply inside, it means a small low voltage 12v water feature pump could be used for the external pump.
But you would need two float sensors (or there is another method) which would be for low and high fluid level. We don't want the external pump to over fill the main tank!

To help preserve the life of these pumps I suggest running distilled water though after each use. I remove the hose from the tank and place it in a small container of distilled water at the end of the night.
Unfortunately the springs inside the pump rust and get clogged easily.
 

xmaskids

New elf
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
45
Location
Gold Coast Qld
This is what we're going though
I have ordered 2 pumps to replace in 2 of our 5 machines we have 2 working so have time to play and get them working but it won't suck one I fixed last time
 
Top