Exploding Balloons
Sue Marston-Weston, CBA

Exploding Balloon Walls

Bruce Walden

So How Does the System Work?

Exploding Column Toppers

Special Effects are fantastic and make any event truly memorable…but for the right reasons! The Conwin Pneumatic Exploder Kit is the non pyrotechnic exploder system which is used by balloon experts and pyrotechnic companies world-wide; Why, because it is one of only a few safe systems, that can be used to explode multiple balloons and does not require additional liability insurance or special permits, which is mandatory in many countries around the world.

Exploding Balloons Are Great For Many Different Events:

1. At weddings towards to end of the first dance lead by the bride and groom…hopefully it will get all the other guests up on the dance floor! Or maybe the exploding balloons are left to the end of the evening when the Bride & Groom are just about to leave, what a great way to end a wonderful day of fun and celebrations!
2. At a product launch, maybe an exploding balloon wall, exposing the latest and greatest new product!
3. At a company event after the MD speech and to announce that the party has begun and of course for New Years Eve to celebrate the start of the New Year!

The list is end-less, I could probably fill the next 3 pages with suggestion of where and when you could suggest using exploding balloons, and you really have to look at the opportunities.

So What Are We Actually Selling?

Are we selling exploding balloons or something else? I hope that I hear you say something else. We are selling the WOW factor, the degree to which the first impression of something makes a person say Wow! A surprise, originality, coolness factor and a long lasting memory.

Exploding Balloon Walls

This effect can be used to reveal something hidden behind it.  A band, DJ, new product or logo.  They can be large or small dependant on the client’s budget and your equipment capabilities.  For maximum impact using the least amount of product and time, we usually use 3ft balloons sized to 32”, but any size can be used.  The balloons are placed side by side in single depths.  These are stacked on top of each other with tape between them to achieve rigidity at the required height.

Sturdy base poles are essential with release tubes attached in line with the centres of the inflated balloons.  Mono-filament lines are run between the poles as support for the wall; these are attached at each end onto a fully inflated 5” balloon through the release tube as shown in the diagram below.  This acts to drop and clear the mechanics of the wall from view after the balloons have burst.

Run 2 pieces of tubing from your detonator box creating a continuous loop, it is attached to every balloon with an in line exploder and then back to your detonator box.

Notes & graphics courtesy of Ian Herd CBA, UK

Bruce Walden created an exploding balloon wall using the Deluxe Conwin Balloon Exploder Kit. All the balloons have been inflated to the same size and are being glued together, Bruce uses pan glue, but any latex based glue works well. Once all the 3’ balloons have been secured together, Bruce fills all the gaps on the front of the wall with 11” balloons, once again using precision sizing.

Now the Twin Pins are secured to the 3' balloons and a circuit is created

Bruce explodes 70 balloons and used 2 Conwin Deluxe Exploder Kits with additional Twin Pins, Hose and connectors added, but everything is reusable!

So How Does the System Work?

1. Powered by Helium or Nitrogen!
   The Regulator includes a cylinder pressure gauge, a hand-tight cylinder connection, and an 8-ft. supply hose with a quick disconnect at the control box. A minimum cylinder pressure of 1000 PSI is required to detonate the exploders. The Deluxe Balloon Exploder Kit comes with a compact aluminum cylinder.
2. Attaching the Exploders
   Position the exploder near the midsection of a fully inflated balloon. Use clear packing tape to attach the exploder to the balloon. After the exploder has been taped to the balloon, use Dacron Archline to suspend the balloon from the ceiling. Tape the air line to the Dacron Archline. Make sure the weight of the balloon is supported by the Archline and not by the air line.  
3. Reliable Twin Pin Exploders
   Conwin’s versatile Twin Pin Exploder includes a removable plug enabling you to explode a single balloon or multiple balloons from one air line. Quick Fit connections on both sides allow you to easily connect to air line. On cue, two pins pierce and explode the balloon. 
4. Exciting Effect at the Push of a Button
   Send your confetti flying with one single push of the detonator button.

Exploding Column Toppers

Probably one of the easiest ways to create an exploding balloon effect is to position a large filled latex balloon, usually a 3’ filled with many smaller balloons and confetti and then place at the top of a balloon column design, this ‘topper’ can then be exploded at the agreed moment.

Here’s a really cool design created by Jan Iiams for Conwin Portfolio

This versatile column is great for use with Conwin's Insider and Balloon Exploders, or Balloon Bulbs!

	To cover a pole beautifully, and simply, place Glue Dots® or double stick scotch tape vertically on the pole.
	Place #40 ribbon on half of the adhesive, leaving the other half exposed Wrap the ribbon around the pole and adhere to the exposed Glue Dots® or double stick tape.
	Place the base plate and pole onto a piece of spandex fabric. Stretch and pull the fabric up and gather around the pole, securing tightly with a 260 balloon. Trim excess fabric from the top. Cover the area with two 6 inch heart quads, nitrogen filled with a Duplicator 2 or Dual Split-Second Sizer. Add two more at the top of the pole.
	Holding the end of a 260 balloon between thumb and forefinger, stretch and wrap the balloon around your wrist, inflate the balloon with nitrogen on a Dual Split-Second Sizer or Duplicator 2 to create a beautiful twist but with a small portion still un-inflated.
	Repeat the process with a 350 balloon, tie the necks of both balloons together and secure into the cluster at the top of the pole. Wrap the curled balloons gently around the pole, tie the ends together and secure into the bottom cluster. Add a bow and accent balloons at the base with Glue Dots®.
	Top with a 3 foot clear helium balloon filled with 6 inch helium filled hearts using a Duplicator 2 or Dual Split Second Sizer and The Insider. For a fantastic special effect, use The Exploder to pop the balloon on cue up to 100 feet away!
	Or, illuminate this beautiful design by inserting Conwin's Balloon Bulb into a 3 foot white pearl balloon and securing to the top of the pole. Add an inexpensive battery push light inside the spandex.
	To light the bulb, plug into an outlet or for outdoors, insert a Portable Power Pack into the Spandex covering, pulling the fabric closed to cover completely. Let there be light!