Lighting and control
Chauvet DJ Nimbus
Prepare Nimbus with water and dry ice: power, warm-up, mechanical control and venue conditions.
Ask GLMedia about renting Chauvet DJ Nimbus for your event. We will check availability and configuration for your intended use.
Model and purpose
- Manufacturer
- CHAUVET DJ
- Model
- Chauvet DJ Nimbus
Low-fog machine using heated water and dry ice. A lever moves the basket to adjust output; the manual describes this mechanical control, with no DMX control.
Prepare your rental inquiry
- Date, city, venue and setup, event and pickup schedule.
- Intended use, area dimensions and equipment already supplied by the venue or production.
- Effect type, duration and venue ventilation conditions.
- Approved consumable, venue permission and operation required in the proposal.
Tell us whether you need equipment only or setup, operation and strike as well, so those services can be included in the proposal.
Start with a photo or sketch of the area and tell us the effect you want, even if your equipment list is still being developed.
Features and connections
Check the label: fixed 120 VAC, 60 Hz or 230 VAC, 50 Hz version. This is not a universal supply. Use a protected, grounded circuit; do not connect the unit to a dimmer. To use the second heater, connect the two power inputs to separate circuits: separate outlets do not prove separate circuits.
Prepare the system
- Keep the unit level and the outlet clear. Raise the basket before filling; observe maximum loads of 17 L water and 4.5 kg dry ice.
- Wait for the green optimum-temperature indicator. Load dry ice only into the basket and only when ready to operate, with appropriate insulated gloves and eye protection; close and latch the lid.
- The second lever level provides low output; the third, high output. Raise to the top before opening to refill. Do not touch the hot lid or remove the basket.
Questions and troubleshooting
Does output drop after the first cue?
Check heating, consumable and basket position before repeating the effect.
- For initial warm-up, the manual specifies up to 50 min with a single heater and 30 min with both. The red indicator means the heater is active; green means the water has reached the optimum temperature.
- Rehearse the full sequence and record recovery between cues; do not assume continuous output or a guaranteed duration.
Does it fail to heat or trip the breaker?
The water sensor can prevent heating; an overload requires a distribution check.
- Check water level, label voltage and circuits with the electrical lead. Do not bypass sensors or increase protection ratings to sustain the load.
- If tripping repeats or damage is present, remove from service for technical inspection.
Does fog disperse or leave a slippery floor?
Test placement and actual venue conditions before admitting the audience.
- Check airflow, floor surface and condensation. Do not turn off ventilation to retain fog; coordinate detection without disabling alarms.
- Have competent personnel assess CO2 accumulation in low areas. An oxygen detector alone cannot rule out dangerous CO2 levels.
Can we prepare a low cloud for an entrance or dance?
We can assess Nimbus for that moment with a test of floor conditions, airflow and camera framing. The test shows how the cloud moves through that space; the nominal coverage or a video from another event cannot describe those conditions.
- Send a photo, approximate dimensions, travel path, desired duration and schedule. We can coordinate a level location outside traffic paths, ventilation and condensation control with the venue; assessing CO2 in low areas is also part of preparation.
- We can compare low fog with a visual alternative without fog if the venue does not permit it. The test will help define consumables, preparation and the operator, and show which area the cloud covers and for how long.
Can we repeat the effect at several points during the event?
Plan heating, consumption and replenishment between moments as well as initial output. Control is mechanical: the operator needs access to the lever for each cue.
- Share approximate timing, gaps between cues, preparation access and available circuits. Rehearse a representative sequence and record when the unit is ready and how long recovery takes; two outlets do not establish two separate circuits.
- Based on the test, we can adjust the supervised sequence, location or visual alternative for each moment. The proposal should include dry ice and its logistics, power, an operator and cooling and removal time. Consumption and duration can be estimated after assessing that sequence.
Precautions
- Use only in dry, well-ventilated indoor areas, never in confined spaces, and at temperatures up to 40 °C. Leave at least 50 cm of ventilation clearance around the unit; this clearance does not replace room ventilation. Do not tilt the machine or block its nozzle.
- Store dry ice in a compatible vented container, never an airtight one. Restrict access and do not dispose of it in drains.
- Before draining or moving: disconnect, let water and machine cool to room temperature and remove remaining dry ice with protection. Transport and store without water.
Terms on this page
- DMX
- A data protocol controlling lighting functions; each model defines what its channels mean.
Documentation and sources
Documentation accessed: 2026-10-25. User Manual Rev. 12, July 2026.
Guides to plan your system
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