Special Effect help needed: ALIEN costume purge system.

[Qui-Gonzalez]

I used to paintball back in the day when you only had CO2. Freezing was a nightmare. The only way this was countered was with an expansion chamber between the tank and the bolt. It's basically a muffler to allow the liquid to boil. Also, are the tanks stored in the suit upside down?

 

[T2SF]

Maybe heated coils around the gas lines?

 

[RICHIES ARMOR]

I used to paintball back in the day when you only had CO2. Freezing was a nightmare. The only way this was countered was with an expansion chamber between the tank and the bolt. It's basically a muffler to allow the liquid to boil. Also, are the tanks stored in the suit upside down?

Yeah it fogs better wiith the tanks upside down and makes the on/off nozzle easier to access.

Ive thought about heating all someway but not sure I want to start adding heating elemts etc to a costume that would be a nightmare to get off if something went wrong.

Another video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i98pNER_1UM

Thanks

Richie

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

The only problem with upside down is it makes the liquid come out...which does give that cloud of gas you are after as it boils off. Hmm...

 

[dropshipbob]

How about carpet foam?

It sounds odd, I know, but when I've seen Alien and watched the suits, the "exhaust" almost had a powdery look to it.
Carpet foam, when sprayed up in the air, comes down in such a fine mist it's like it evaporates.

While the foam itself is non-flameable, I'm not sure about the stuff that keeps it under pressure in the can.

But the good thing is you don't need any complicated systems to use it, if you have something that can press down on a button, there you go.

 

[Hazelrah]

I think heating the lines would be the easiest way...what about using the small charcoal boot and hand heaters around the lines? they last about 8 hours and don't get too hot and aren't incendiary or electrical so no sparks or flames....just a thought

These types of things....
DryPak Industries - Hand Warmers

They also make bigger versions for sore muscles on the back if you need to cover a wider area

 

[tim]

^ Might be tough to get that around the lines. If going this route, I'd opt for some low-temperature heating tape (like what they use for melting ice on roof overhangs, but thinner).

 

[Hazelrah]

What about a neoprene bottle cover?
2008 JT Pro Tank Cover 68ci Nitro/Air Tank Cover

if not that type they make them for hikers and campers as well in all sorts of sizes...

 

[RICHIES ARMOR]

Im not familiar with carpet foam. Is this something in a can???

Richie

 

[dropshipbob]

Im not familiar with carpet foam. Is this something in a can???

Richie

Yep, comes in a spray can, there are a few different brands but they are all mostly the same. You push the button and it sprays straight up (assuming the can is standing up). The foam itself is harmless and evaporates 100% after a few minutes.

 

[SFPROPS]

SMOKE GENERATOR

 

[tim]

SMOKE GENERATOR

Yep, I think that's a good option. My only worry is that it won't make "jets" like on the screen prop, but a little modification might fix that.

 

[RICHIES ARMOR]

Yep, I think that's a good option. My only worry is that it won't make "jets" like on the screen prop, but a little modification might fix that.

That may work. Ill need to think about mounting it and how to blow the smoke out of the top of the helmet.

Thanks

Richie

 

[Hazelrah]

what about using dry ice in an aluminum water bottle with a pressure relief valve routed out the port on the helmet....self contained and automatic...again just a thought

 

[skua]

Couldn't you use nitrous oxide? When they purge the lines it fogs a bunch. You can get small bottles too. Not sure how long it would last. Google "nitrous purging"

ROFL i can see all people arround the suit rolling......lollol

YouTube - Laughing Gas Funniest Video ever


the smoke generator seems well for me.

 

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[RICHIES ARMOR]

Just tried that. worked but not big enough plume.

What did work well was a disposable spray paint set with a can of off the shelf compressed air and a empty plastic bottle contaning water.

Automotive touch up shops usually sell them.

Plume is about a foot long and safe.

Now thats a thought.

What would you need to power the system?

Richie

 

[propmaster2000]

As mentioned earlier, isn't canned commpressed air flammable?

.

 

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