Rosco V-Hazer User manual

www.rosco.com
V-Hazer Fog Machine
Operating Instructions
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................2
Important Safeguards...........................................................................................................................................................2-4
Unpacking.....................................................................................................................................................................................5
Controls......................................................................................................................................................................................5-6
Setting Up .....................................................................................................................................................................................7
Fluid Setup ........................................................................................................................................................................7
Power Connections ........................................................................................................................................................7
Operating the Machine..................................................................................................................................................... 8-10
Powering On.....................................................................................................................................................................8
Heating ...............................................................................................................................................................................8
Control Options...............................................................................................................................................................8
Manual Control via the Detachable Remote Control Panel...................................................................8
DMX Control............................................................................................................................................................8
Multi-Link .................................................................................................................................................................8
Using the Remote Control Panel...............................................................................................................................8
Using Timers............................................................................................................................................................9
Using DMX Control.................................................................................................................................................. 9-11
Connecting the DMX ...........................................................................................................................................9
Setting the DMX Address...............................................................................................................................10
DMX Operation .............................................................................................................................................10-11
Using Multi-Link ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
Changing Fluid ............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Exterior Cleaning.......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Maintaining the Heat Exchanger ........................................................................................................................... 13
Using the Air-Input Connection.................................................................................................................... 13
Storage and Shipment............................................................................................................................................... 14
Specifications......................................................................................................................................................................14-15
Warranty ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
CE Certificate of Conformity................................................................................................................................................ 17

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE OPERATING THE MACHINE.FAILURE
TO PROPERLY FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS MAY LEAD TO A FIRE,ELECTRICAL SHOCK, OR BURNS.
The following symbols are used to identify important safety information:
Danger! Hazardous
voltage. Contact will
cause electric shock.
Caution! Safety
hazard. Risk of
personal injury.
Caution! Burn
hazard. Hot surface.
Do not touch
Caution! Fire hazard.
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Rosco V-Hazer. Designed to meet the varied demands of proj-
ects ranging from concert tours, theatrical productions and theme parks to feature films, television
broadcasts,and photo shoots,the V-Hazer offers the perfect balance of performance,reliability & afford-
ability, and delivers smooth even haze with just the right hang time.
To ensure efficient and safe operation, please take a few moments to read this manual completely.
The Rosco V-Hazer is a thermal aerosol generator designed for continuous, variable haze output. This
machine is one part of a system, the other component being Rosco V-Hazer Fluid. All Rosco Fog and
Haze Fluids are unique, water-based formulations that contain no petroleum distillates and are safe
when used according to instructions.The operating temperature, pump pressure, and output nozzle of
the V-Hazer have been specifically designed and engineered together to maximize the aerosolization of
the Rosco V-Hazer Fluid.
Do not use any fluids in the V-Hazer other than genuine Rosco V-Hazer Fluid, as they have not been tested for
optimal performance and safety considerations. Doing so may damage the machine and will void the warranty.
The Rosco V-Hazer has been tested for use in professional theatrical productions and is included un-
der the Equipment-Based Guidelines of the Equity-League Pension and Health Trust Funds. The Rosco
V-Hazer is also compliant with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers Safety Bulletin #10.
Note: The terms “fog,” “haze” and “smoke” are used interchangeably throughout this manual. Rosco Fog
Equipment does not produce actual smoke, only a mist or aerosol.
FOG FLUID HEALTH CAUTION: VAPOR FROM THIS FLUID, LIKE ANY OTHER COMMON MATERIAL IN A
VAPORIZED STATE, MAY BE IRRITATING TO OR CAUSE ALLERGIC SYMPTOMS IN SOME PERSONS WITH
ALLERGENIC SENSITIVITY. DO NOT EXPOSE AT CLOSE RANGE TO KNOWN ASTHMATICS.

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Danger! Hazardous
voltage. Contact will
cause electric shock.
Caution! Safety
hazard. Risk of
personal injury.
Caution! Burn
hazard. Hot surface.
Do not touch
Caution! Fire hazard.
Danger! Hazardous
voltage. Contact will
cause electric shock.
Caution! Safety
hazard. Risk of
personal injury.
Caution! Burn
hazard. Hot surface.
Do not touch
Caution! Fire hazard.
Danger! Hazardous
voltage. Contact will
cause electric shock.
Caution! Safety
hazard. Risk of
personal injury.
Caution! Burn
hazard. Hot surface.
Do not touch
Caution! Fire hazard.
Preventing Electric Shock
• This machine uses electrical power at common commercially available voltages.
When directly contacted, such voltages are hazardous to human life. All precautions
commonly applicable to the use of electric power generally are applicable to the use
of this machine.
• This machine is designed to operate from three-wire power systems where one of the
wires is a safety ground. DO NOT disconnect the safety ground or use extension cords
or“cheater”plugs to connect this machine to a two-wire system. Operation without a
safety ground may result in a hazardous electrical shock.
• Check the current and voltage rating of your machine. Extension cords must be
properly sized and rated for voltage, current and length. Check your local electrical
code for the correct gauge extension cord.If an extension cord shows signs of wear or
gets warm to the touch, discontinue its use and obtain a cord with a higher current
rating. Improper extension cords are not only hazardous, but may result in poor
machine performance due to excessive voltage drop.
• Never use any machine that shows signs of improper use. Even slight damage may be
an indication of a major problem. If the machine looks questionable, use it only under
strict observation. If the machine shows any unusual behavior, disconnect machine
immediately from power and send machine to a Service Center for repair.
• Disconnect unit from power source before servicing and when not in use.
Preventing Burns and Fire
• During the warm-up phase and during operations, people should not stand within three
feet (one meter) of the front of the machine. Flammable material like paper, fabric, etc.,
should neverbe placed directly on or around this equipment, or any other electrical de
vice with a heating element.
• The fog should be blown into an open space and should not be directed at people
or objects. Never blow fog on hot surfaces, into glowing heating elements or into
open flames. The normally non-flammable and non-toxic fog could react on very hot
surfaces and be burnt or decomposed.
• Do not operate the machine in a tightly confined space where the ambient temperature
might exceed 135° F (57° C). A continuous flow of air is required to maintain tempera-
ture within the machine housing. Sensitive electronic components deteriorate rapidly
under high heat conditions. Operation of the machine in an enclosure of less than ten
cubic feet (one cubic meter) is dangerous, and automatically voids the warranty.
• Enclosing any heating device so it is invisible to the operator creates a potential
fire hazard, no matter what the ambient temperature of the enclosure. To do so
with any high-amperage device is to assume substantial risk. Rosco strongly
recommends against it.

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• Use of any fluid other than Rosco fog fluids or modification or attempted unauthorized repair
of the machine will immediately invalidate the warranty.
• Machines are designed for continuous use over an 8-hour day, but to protect components, it is wise to
turn off the machine when it is not in use. In permanent installations, it is advisable to equip the
circuit with a night cut-off device.
Additional Precautions: Do’s & Don’ts
• Do Read the entire manual before operating the machine and pay particular attention to all
CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS.
• Do Use an extension cord that is properly rated for voltage, current and length, and is free from
nicks, cuts or other signs of wear.
• Do Check to see that the machine is clean and free of foreign objects before each operating period.
• Do Ensure that the machine is adequately ventilated.
• Do Use proper caution when handling hot surfaces.
• Do Use the minimum amount of haze required to achieve the desired effect.
• Do Not Use the machine near a person who has asthma or similar inhalation disorder.
• Do Not Use any foreign substances in the machine.
• Do Not Use a machine that is damaged or operating improperly in any way.
• Do Not Use a machine that leaks fluid from the housing.
• Do Not Leave the machine switched on for prolonged periods of time without producing haze.
• Do Not Enclose the machine.
• Do Not Install the machine in such a fashion that the operator cannot see the whole machine,
including the indicator lights.
• Do Not Touch the shielded nozzle of the machine. Allow sufficient cooling time after operation
before attempting to perform maintenance or storage.
• Do Not Direct the haze output continuously against nearby surfaces. This may eventually cause
fluid to re-condense.
Danger! Hazardous
voltage. Contact will
cause electric shock.
Caution! Safety
hazard. Risk of
personal injury.
Caution! Burn
hazard. Hot surface.
Do not touch
Caution! Fire hazard.
Danger! Hazardous
voltage. Contact will
cause electric shock.
Caution! Safety
hazard. Risk of
personal injury.
Caution! Burn
hazard. Hot surface.
Do not touch
Caution! Fire hazard.
Safety Precautions
• In any facility, the fog concentration should be controlled. The fog should never
mask emergency exits, safety signs, staircases or other safety constructions.
• After long use, or if the machine is not properly set, some liquid droplets or wet area
may appear in front of the machine’s outlet. This liquid should be wiped up to
prevent a condition where someone might slip and fall.
Preventing Improper Operation
• Unauthorized repair or alteration of any safety devices can lead to improper operation
and accidents. Repairs should be performed only by an authorized Service Center.

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Multi-Link Socket
3-Pin XLR socket that allows
for multiple machines to be
daisy chained together and
controlled from a single
Remote Control Panel.
UNPACKING
Your Rosco V-Hazer requires no assembly. Note: 230 volt machines are shipped with bare leads at the end
of the power cord. A proper electrical connector must be attached based on the local power requirements.
Carefully remove the machine from the box. Ensure that no tape or packing materials are stuck to
the machine. Stray packing materials that remain attached to high temperature areas of the machine
could melt or burn during operation. In particular, ensure that the area around the nozzle is free of any
materials or debris.
CONTROLS
Main Power Switch
Turns unit on or off by
controlling the flow of
power to the unit.
Air-Input /
Purge Connection
This is a push-to-connect
inlet that accepts ¼”OD
tubing and allows com-
pressed air to blow through
the heat exchanger for
cleaning and maintenance.
Heat Indicator
A red indicator light that illuminates when
machine is heating in order to achieve
optimal temperature for producing fog.
Fluid Bottle
Ready Indicator
A green indicator light that illuminates when the
minimum temperature for producing fog has been
achieved. Note: All indicator lights will switch off if
Standby mode is engaged.
Removable Remote
DMX-OUT
DMX Panel & Display
Remote Thumb Screws
Loosen to remove
Power Cable
DMX-IN
“Down” Button
Press to decrease the
value of the DMX
address. Press and hold
for faster
decrementing speed.
“Set” Button
Press to store
the DMX address
shown on
the display.
“Up” Button
Press to increase
the value of the DMX
address. Press
and hold for faster
incrementing speed.

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Fog Button
Press and release to
start making haze.
Press and release again
to stop making haze.
Not required when
using DMX control.
Note: The Fog Button
is disabled if Standby
mode is engaged.
Standby Button
Press and release to suspend
heating and operation of the
machine without turning off
the Main Power Switch. The
Power Indicator light on the
Remote Control Panel will go
out when in Standby mode.
Press and release again to
disengage Standby mode.
Once Standby mode is disen-
gaged, the Power Indicator
light on the Remote Control
Panel will come back on.
Timer Button
Press and release to engage the timer
control functions. Timer Indicator light will
come on. Press and release again to disen-
gage timer functions. Timer Indicator light
will go out. Note:The Timer Button disabled
if Standby mode is engaged.
Fog Level Knob
Rotate to set the desired
amount of haze output.
Higher numbers indicate more
haze. Output is controlled by
pump speed increasing and
sending more haze fluid into
the heat exchanger.
Fog On Knob
Used only when timer control
is engaged. Rotate to set the
desired time interval that the
machine will produce haze.
During haze production, the
Power Indicator light will flash.
Fog Off Knob
Used only when timer control
is engaged. Rotate to set the
desired time interval that the
machine will wait while NOT
producing haze.
Timer Indicator
A green indicator light that
illuminates when Timer mode
is engaged by pressing the
Timer Button. Turns off when
Timer mode is disengaged.
Power Indicator
A red indicator light
that illuminates when
the Main Power
Switch is in the“On”
position to indicate
the machine is prop-
erly receiving power
and Standby mode is
disengaged. The red
Power Indicator light
flashes while haze is
being produced.
CONTROLS

SETTING UP
The Rosco V-Hazer should be located on a secure, solid surface such as the floor.The machine can oper-
ate in any orientation from 45 degrees upwards to 45 degrees downwards. Take precautions to avoid
fluid spills if the machine is oriented at an angle.
Fluid Set Up
Only use genuine Rosco V-Hazer Fluid in your V-Hazer. The use of any other fluid will void your warranty, may
damage the equipment, and may cause health hazards.
For convenience, the V-Hazer is designed with an integral compartment that will hold a 4-Litre or 5-Litre
bottle of V-Hazer Fluid. Place the fluid bottle into the compartment. Feed the fluid inlet hose into the bot-
tle of V-Hazer Fluid, ensuring that the filter located at the end of the tube is fully submerged in fluid. Slide
the bottle cap along the tube and tighten the cap onto the bottle. Take precautions to avoid fluid spills.
All Rosco fog and haze machines are primed at the factory with a small amount of fluid. No additional
priming should be necessary for proper haze output. If haze output is diminished or intermittent, see
the Priming the System section of this manual for instructions on how to re-prime the fluid path.
Power Connections
Ensure that the machine is plugged into an outlet rated for the proper voltage and amperage. The
V-Hazer is a 900 watt device and will draw 4A at 230 VAC or 8A at 115 VAC. Note: 230 volt machines are
shipped with bare leads at the end of the power cord. A proper electrical connector must be attached based
on the local power requirements. If unsure how to do this, please contact Rosco or your local Rosco dealer for
assistance. An example of properly wiring a UK 13A connector is shown below.
Earth Wire
Neutral Wire
Outer Insulation
Live Wire
Fuse
Cable grip
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OPERATING THE MACHINE
Powering On
Make sure the unit is plugged in. Turn on the Main Power Switch that is located next to the power cord
on the rear of the machine. The red Power Indicator light on the Remote Control Panel will illuminate.
If the Power Indicator light does NOT illuminate, press and release the Standby Button on the Remote
Control Panel.
Heating
When switched on, the red Heat Indicator light will illuminate and the machine will begin to heat
up to its optimal temperature. The initial heating cycle will take 7-10 minutes. When the green Ready
Indicator light comes on,the machine is ready to make haze. Note: If no remote is connected and no DMX
signal is detected,the machine will not heat.
Control Options
There are several methods of controlling the V-Hazer, including: Manual Control via the Remote
Control Panel, DMX control via a lighting console and Multi-Link control that allows multiple
machines to be controlled from a single Remote Control Panel.
Manual Control via the Detachable Remote Control Panel that is included with each machine. An oper-
ator can control the unit at the machine, or from a distance using the included 3-pin cable. The Remote
Control Panel can be used to set haze output volume, power the machine on and off using Standby
mode, and set a repeating, timed cycle of on/off operation.
DMX Control from your lighting desk is available as a standard option. The V-Hazer will use 2 channels of
DMX control: Channel one controls haze output volume and channel two controls fan speed.
Multi-Link allows up to 4 machines to be linked together via 3pin XLR cables (not included) and con-
trolled by a single Remote Control Panel.
Using the Remote Control Panel
The Remote Control Panel can be operated directly on the machine or detached from the unit and used
at a distance. To detach the Remote Control Panel from the unit, loosen the thumb screws and lift the
panel from its recessed mount. A 15 foot (4.5m) cable is provided to allow the machine to be operated at
a distance. If needed,a longer 3-pin XLR cable can be used or joined to the existing cable. Do not exceed
a maximum distance of 165 feet (50 m) from remote to machine.
When the green Ready Indicator light is illuminated,the V-Hazer is ready to make haze.Press and release
the Fog Button to begin producing haze. The red Power Indicator light will flash to indicate the machine
is operating.To stop making haze, press and release the Fog Button again.
Adjust the Fog Level Knob to increase or decrease the amount of haze produced. Note: When controlling
the V-Hazer via the Remote Control Panel, fan speed is always set to maximum. To independently adjust
output volume and fan speed, use DMX control.

To ensure silent operation when not in use, the fan of the V-Hazer will automatically shut-down after 30
seconds of inactivity. The fan will come back on when the machine begins to produce haze again.
The Standby Button allows the machine to be“turned off”from the remote without using the Main Pow-
er Switch. In Standby mode, the machine will not reheat or make haze, the fan and pump will remain
unpowered and all indicator lights will switch off. To engage Standby mode,press and release the Stand-
by Button. The red Power Indicator light will turn off. To disengage Standby mode, press and release
the Standby Button again and the red Power Indicator light will turn back on. Once Standby mode is
disengaged, the machine will immediately start heating in preparation to make haze. Note: If no remote
is connected and no DMX signal is detected, the machine will not heat.
Using Timers
The timer controls allow you to set the machine to produce haze in timed intervals without an operator.
To engage the timers, press and release the Timer Button. The green Timer Indicator light will illumi-
nate, the machine will begin to produce haze at the level set by the Fog Level Knob, and the red Power
Indicator light will flash to indicate the machine is operating.
Rotate the Fog On Knob to adjust the period of time that the machine will produce haze before
stopping. The numeric settings on the timer knobs are relative settings and do not correspond to
specific seconds or minutes. See the table below for an approximation of the time duration correspond-
ing to each tic on the knob.
Rotate the Fog Off Knob to adjust the period of time that the machine waits before starting to produce
haze again. The numeric settings on the timer knobs are relative settings and do not correspond to specific
seconds or minutes. See the table below for an approximation of the time duration corresponding to each
tic on the knob.
The machine will cycle on and off indefinitely until the Timer Button is turned off. If the Fog Button is pressed
while in Timer mode, this will override any timer settings and the machine will produce haze. When the Fog
Button is disengaged, the timer settings resume, continuing its On/Off cycle as if not interrupted.
Using DMX Control
The V-Hazer can be operated using DMX control from a lighting console or other DMX device. Two chan-
nels of DMX control are required.
Connecting the DMX
Connect the V-Hazer to your DMX chain by inserting a 5-Pin XLR DMX cable into the DMX-IN socket
located on the DMX Panel. A DMX-OUT port allows additional DMX devices to be added to the chain
downstream of the machine. Note: The V-Hazer is not a self-terminating device; a DMX terminator should
be used in the DMX-OUT port when the unit is the last device in the chain.
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1 - 4 1 to 4 seconds
4 - 5 4 to 16 seconds
KNOB SETTING TIMER SETTING
5 - 7 16 to 64 seconds
7 - 9 64 to 250 seconds