Here is the Routine:
1. Screw the snow gun onto the sprinkler tripod (available at garden supply stores).
1b. Place the snow gun and
tripod in the area you want to cover with snow and make sure that it is
secure and stable. Do not place it where it can fall over, this can
happen when the air pressure is turn on.
2. Connect a standard garden
hose to the water hose connector on the bottom of the tripod and then
connect the other end to an outside water spigot. We recommend using a
check valve to prevent air from backing up into the water lines (found
at any home center).
3. Connect the air hose to the snowgun with the quick connector and then connect it to the compressor.
4. Make sure the water valve is
in the off position on the snow gun and then turn on your water supply
at the spigot. Make sure you allow the hose and gun to fully charge
with water pressure before turning on the air supply (Don't open the
water valve on the snowgun until the air supply is on).
5. Turn on your compressor and
let it run until the meter reads 30-40 psi. Slowly begin
opening your air ball-valve so that you maintain fairly steady
pressure in your air tank.
6. You can also adjust
the output psi by adjusting the regulator that comes with most
compressors. Now slowly open the water valve on the snowgun until you
get a mix of both air and water flowing though the nozzle. You don't
want the water to overpower the air so open the valve just enough to
get a mix, it looks like a heavy mist. If the gun starts spitting water
only, reduce the flow by closing the valve a little at a time until the
mist returns. You need to play with both ball valves and get a
feel for the mist. A light mist will create snow at higher
temperatures and a heavier mist will create more snow, but only at
lower temperatures. If
after you try this you can't get over 35psi on your compressor, then
you may need to drill a smaller hole for your end cap and try again. If
you have an air pressure that is too high, you need to drill a larger
hole for your end cap and try again. This is largely dependent on how
strong your compressor is. If it puts out only 4cfm@40psi.. then your
hole may need to be as small as 1/16th of an inch, 6cfm@40psi, 7/64ths
of an inch 8cfm@40psi, about 1/8th of an inch, you will have to
experiment with this.
7. Water pressures differ from
home to home. While the instructions above will work in most
cases, you may have to fiddle a bit to match the water pressure with
the air. By regulating the air at the gun or at the regulator of the
compressor, you can increase the air pressure in 5-psi increments until
the air overpowers your water, then back it down to the last setting
that allowed the water to mix in the snowgun. This is your optimal
setting for air pressure and you should write it down so you will know
where to set you air the next time you make snow. You can also buy
an inexpensive water pressure gauge that will connect to a water hose
that will tell you what the pressure is. These can be found at most
home improvement centers.
8. If you already know your
water pressure then set you air pressure to around the same pressure as
the water. The rule of thumb is not to exceed the water pressure by
more than 5-10 psi. Example: 45 PSI water pressure = 45-50
psi air pressure
9. If it is cold enough, you
should be producing snow (mid to upper 20s and colder). In order to
make sure you are producing quality snow you must test it. This is a
very simply process, simply walk under the snow plume (about 10 to 15
feet away from the snowgun) and hold out an arm. The snow should land
on your arm. If it seems real wet, reduce the amount of water mixing
into the gun. If it seems dry and just blows off, add water. It best to
make a slightly wet snow as it is more durable and will last longer
than a dry snow. Also you can make more wet snow then dry snow in the
same amount of time. If you are not producing any snow and it is cold
enough, try again with a smaller hole in your cap (buy more than one
cap) and try to keep the water content as low as possible. Snow and
mist sometimes evaporates on windy, dry days and you have most success
when the wind is light. Keep the height of your snow gun lower if there
is any wind at all. Depending on the size of your compressor, you
should be able to make between 1/4" and 1" of snow per hour in roughly
an 8' x 14' area.
10. One of the most common
problems snowmakers encounter is freeze-ups. High humidity is usually
the culprit. When the humidity is high and the temps are low, moisture
from the compressed air can build up in the air hose and form rime
ice. Having a spare air hose is the best insurance against this problem
ending your snowmaking session. Another common problem is the
freezing of water in the water hose, snow gun or sprinkler tower if you
leave it outside unused for any length of time. Careful attention to
our shut-down instructions and a spare water hose will help.
Note: You can only make snow
when the temperature is under 28 F. You can occasionally make it when
it is warmer than that (even just above freezing) if there is low
humidity. If the temperature is 22 or less, you will make dry, high
quality snow every time. You can test your snow gun by making a light
mist when it is too warm to make snow.
NOTE: There are risks involved in this procedure and you must make yourself aware of them
before operating your snow gun. Todd Gross cannot be held responsible for
any injuries, accidents or misuse of this experiment.
To build a
simple home-grown snow, you will need an air compressor that can
deliver at least 4-5 cfm @ 40psi. Your best bet is an electric
compressor that is rated for continuous duty and uses oil. The 2HP
units are lightweight and work well. You will also need a
pneumatic hose from the compressor to your home-grown snow gun
that is at least 50 ft. long with appropriate adapters at both ends of
the hose (your local hardware store can help you with all the parts).
Finally you will need a standard garden hose and about a dozen basic
plumbing parts, including teflon pipe-tape for the joints. After
building the snow gun, you will need to mount it on a sprinkler tower
that you can get at your local home and garden store.
