Snow Cannon Troubleshooting Guide

Step by Step Snow Cannon Troubleshooting

If you're having any issues with the Snow Cannon Fan Gun making ice, water, or other related issues, please take a look at each of these potential causes:

Temperature & Humidity not in the Proper Range

Explanation: If the temperature is too warm or the humidity is too high, snow will not form. If conditions are right on the edge of snowmaking, you may create slush, which can turn into icy snow.

Cause: Many times, weather apps are not always accurate. Getting the temperature and humidity at your specific location is the best way to test this theory and get accurate data.

Fix: Use a reliable thermometer and weather station at the snowmaking site to get real-time data. Waiting until temperatures are slightly colder will also help ensure conditions are successful.

Fan Gun Angle is Too Low

Explanation: The fan gun is designed so that the nucleation nozzle spray mixes with the water streams a few feet from the fan gun. These ice crystals and water droplets need time to mix and freeze in order to form snowflakes.

Cause: If the fan gun is angled too low or directly at the ground, it may not allow enough time for water droplets to freeze and mix, resulting in icy snow.

Fix: In marginal conditions, angle the gun higher in the air to allow more "hang time" or time for water droplets to freeze. Only angle the snow gun 90 degrees or downward in extremely cold conditions. (ideal snowmaking conditions)

No/Little Air Flow to the Nucleation Nozzle

Explanation: The nucleation nozzle is essential for snowflakes to form, using both air and water to project small ice crystals into the main water spray. Reduced air flow and pressure to the nozzle will negatively impact snowmaking ability.

Causes:

Undersized Compressor: Needs to be rated at 5 CFM @ 90 PSI or higher. Lower output may create ice or poor-quality snow.
Regulated Air Compressor: Some compressors have the option to regulate airflow with a regulating valve, reducing air output to the nozzle.
Long Air Hose: Hoses longer than 25 ft can freeze internally over time, restricting airflow.
Air Leaks: Leaks at fittings or connections can reduce pressure.
Sticky Air Check Valve: A stuck valve can prevent air from reaching the nucleation nozzle.

Fixes:

Use a properly rated compressor of at least 5 CFM @ 90 PSI.
Remove or fully open any airflow regulators to allow max airflow to the Nucleation Nozzle.
Use a 10 ft air hose (easiest solution) or insulate longer hoses. You can also use an inline air dryer to remove moisture from entering the air hose and reduce freezing. Another tip is wrapping the longer air hose with the pressure washer hose to generate heat from the water and friction to reduce freezing.
Check all air connections for leaks and seal with Teflon tape.
If you have a sticky air check valve, use a thin tool to free the stick. Contact support if needed.

Ice Cone Build-up

Explanation: Ice building up around the bottom nozzle can block the nucleation nozzle spray, producing Ice or low-quality snow.

Causes:

Snow falling back onto the gun
Wind blowing snow into the nozzle
Leaks around the nucleation nozzle

Fixes:

Adjust the angle to prevent snow blowback.
Ensure the wind is low and steady (under 10 MPH). Angle the snow gun with the wind, not against it.
Tighten any leaking fittings.

No Water Flow to Fan Gun (Frozen Hose)

Explanation: If there's no water flow after turning on the water source, a freeze in the water line may be the problem.

Cause: Water left in the system after the last session can freeze and block flow. Try not to let water sit in freezing conditions for an extended period of time.

Fix: Turn on the water (with the pressure washer off) and disconnect components one by one starting at the fan gun to isolate the freeze. Bring frozen parts inside and thaw them. When thawing frozen components, you can leave the water slowly running so other hoses don't freeze in the meantime. Remember to blow out the hoses, pressure washer, and fan gun after each use to prevent freezing in the future.

No/Little Water Flowing to the Nucleation Nozzle (Yes water to the Misting Nozzles)

Explanation: Water may flow to the misting nozzles but not to the nucleation nozzle. This means a blockage is occurring inside the fan gun.

Causes:

Frozen water inside the small internal regulation fitting
Sediment, debris, or Teflon tape blocking the internal regulation fitting

Fixes:

Thaw the area directly below the water inlet on the fan gun with warm water. The internal regulation fitting is directly below the high-pressure water inlet on the fan gun.
Clean or replace the regulating fitting. This will require removing the fitting, checking for any blockage and removing if present. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, please let us know. We are happy to walk you through step by step on how to clean this fitting.

Incorrect Nozzle Selection

Explanation: Nozzles must match your pressure washer's GPM using the provided chart in the instruction manual. The proper nozzles will regulate the pressure in the snow gun so that the correct size water droplets can be formed to produce snow.

Cause: Selecting nozzles that do not match the pressure washer GPM. (or total combined pressure washers GPM in a train system)

Fix: Use the correct nozzle setup:

1.0 - 1.7 GPM: (2) #2 Nozzles & (2) Blank Nozzles
1

Inadequate Water Source + Pressure Washer Combo

Explanation: Using a pressure washer with a higher GPM than your water source can produce will cause pressure and flow loss. It can also cause damage to your pressure washer.

Cause: Example- You have a home water source that can only produce 4 GPM of consistent water flow, and you try to use a pressure washer rated at 5 GPM. Since the pressure washer is rated at 5 GPM, you cannot supply enough water from your home water source to satisfy the pressure washers requirement. This can be more common for those using a well or secondary source of water to feed a pressure washer.

Fix: Match the pressure washer GPM to your water source. Use a flow meter or bucket test to calculate your water source GPM rating. Once you know your maximum GPM, select a pressure washer (or multiple pressure washers) at or below the maximum GPM. For example, if you test your home water source and find it to be 6 GPM, then you can use any pressure washer or combination of pressure washers between 1-6 GPM. Remember, if you use a home water source, you cannot get more water from multiple hose spigots since they are all connected to your home.

Dirty or Plugged Water Filters

Explanation: Sediment buildup in the system's filters can reduce water pressure and flow.

Fixes:

Check and clean both low- and high-pressure filters regularly.
Replace filters if water cannot flow through easily.

Broken or Leaky Fittings

Explanation: Leaking or broken fittings reduce system water pressure and may cause freezing.

Fix: Tighten fittings and use Teflon tape. Replace any visibly damaged parts.

Faulty Equipment

Explanation: Malfunctioning compressors or pressure washers reduce snowmaking performance. Faulty equipment can have overall affects on water pressure and flow as well as air pressure and flow.

Fix: Ensure all equipment is working consistently. Replace faulty equipment.

Electrical Issues (Tripping Circuit Breakers)

Explanation: Using multiple devices on the same circuit may trip the breaker.

Fixes:

Use separate outlets on different circuits.
Reset breakers as needed.
For Train Systems, separate each pressure washer onto its own circuit.

Snow Cannon Train Systems

Water Flowing to Each Pressure Washer

Explanation: Multiple washers sharing a water source need full flow using the garden water splitter.

Fix: Use a hose splitter with all valves open to supply water equally. Make sure none of the valves are restricted or stopping full water flow.

All Pressure Washers Working Together

Explanation: Systems with check valves must combine pressure safely.

Fixes:

Ensure check valves in the manifold are working.
Use a small tool to test valve springs.
Apply WD-40 to free stuck valves or contact support.

Pressure Unloaders

Explanation: Mixed washer types may not synchronize properly.

Fix: Turn on unloader-equipped washers first and gradually pressurize. For combos, power the unloader model first, then the standard ON/OFF model.

If none of the above fixes work, please contact our support team for assistance or send the snow gun to our shop for repair or replacement parts.