For powering a smoke machine on location?

Just wondering what power supply everyone recommends for powering a smoke machine on location?

I have a Vagabond Mini but it's not handling the constant drain so well when used with a strobe also plugged in.

I guess you could use any mobile power supply for smoke machines, not necessarily one designed for strobes so what is everyone using?

How much current does it draw? I presume it's 240v. All the fog machines I've seen were mains powered.

yeah 240v mate

and how many amps?

will have to check and get back to you. it's in the car boot

I was actually curious if and how well a mini would handle something like a smoke machine.

Though its designed for strobes with a arching peak moreso then a constant drain, i was still curious.

Smoke machines have a heating element, a pump and sometimes a fan for smoke blowing and/or fan for cooling powersupply or other internals.

Pumps and motors only like 'pure sinewave' inverters. These create 'smooth' AC from the batteries, while 'stepped' AC in cheaper inverters don't maintain a changing magnetic field in the motors so the surge and stop ~400 times a second.

I don't know which type of inverter the Vagabonds use. If they do indeed produce 'pure sine', then I'd say the item isn't capable of maintaining the required current.


Check the current rating on the smoke machine.
Compare the current capability of the Vagabond.
I'd suggest you might still be in trouble if you're trying to use the strobes (which probably suck as much current as you can give it) with the fog machine together.

The Tronix Explorer XT could probably power one since they sell their own smoke machine.