Need Help Asap!

[davemoody 0]

Just had a client ask what size generator I need for the weekend. Haven't got a clue.

 

My usual rig is running a 1500w amp with tops and bass speakers. About 7 lights and the usual other stuff like console lights, mics, starcloths etc.

 

NEED ADVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

[McCardle 1]

without knowing what wattage your lights are, its impossible to work it out. However I would always ask for something a little bigger than you need to give you some headroom. So I would plump for a 10kva, although i suspect that a 6kva would probably do at a push. Just make sure it won't be running the tea urns for the caterers and the marquee lights as well, assuming its a marquee

[davemoody 0]

My usual lights are a vue111led, a pair of acme pumas, pair of acme jaguars and pair of ego 3s

[Andy Westcott 0]

And try to insist they hire in a 'proper' generator, not some single-cylinder put-put, as these tend to output a pretty unstable voltage. 10KVA as suggested would be good - your disco will probably require only 2kW at the most, but you need plenty of overhead, and as I said a bigger generator should also be of better quality.

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

somthing 10/12kva or bigger... regulated and with acustic protection. single phase..

 

these are stanadard bits of hire kit from most power hire places and come on there own trailor...

 

the hire place will install, earth, and test this equipment before they leave you with it..

 

dont get the little honda type things from the tool hire shop these wont power your disco and will do damage to audio gear if they fail...

 

 

 

[Spear 0]

somthing 10/12kva or bigger... regulated and with acustic protection. single phase..

 

 

I don't see him needing 50amps of capacity. Remember bigger isn't always better, they tend to get noiser and need more space and fuel.

[davemoody 0]

Thx for all the help.

 

Spoke to the client and as they also have catering facilities and lighting for the marquee to sort out, between us we have decided to go fo a 25kva to be on the safe side.

 

Fingers crossed!!

[Gary 0]

Even if you're not having to share the generator, I'd recommend getting yourself a £30 Power conditioner.

 

I use one from Ebuyer, which is a battery backup AND a voltage regulator/power conditioner - with a nice little display on the front to let you know what its doing. The battery backup isnt really all that important for what you want to do, but the voltage regulator features will mean that as your lights flash, or the caterers switch on their tea-urn and hotplates etc, your gear will still get a standard 220volts, rather than wildly damaging voltages which could vary considerably from 220v (until the generator revs up, or idles off).

 

About the same size a small "Yellow Pages" and heavy, but a worthwhile bit of protection - especially when priced as less than the cost of most equipment repairs.

[supersound dj 0]

25kva Jesus....run a cable to my house for the excess

[otronics 0]

Have you got a link for your power conditioner, Gary?

[Andy Westcott 0]

Quote:

"bigger isn't always better"

 

It is with generators.

More fuel, yes.

Noisier, possibly.

Bigger, most certainly.

 

But more resistant to load fluctuations, and a bigger machine will be designed for mains replacement, rather than powering site power tools or portable lighting.

 

Anyhow, the DJ isn't responsible for the costs - play safe - you know it makes sense!

 

Incidentally, I've got a marquee gig coming up where the generator is a 45KVA machine. That's to power some lighting, the bar equipment and me. Could be considered a bit over the top, but I'll trust the machine a lot more than a smaller one.

[TopNotchEntertainment 0]

well having plenty of experience in this field .....

 

 

most new gensets have power correction & filtering at 10 kva and above.

 

thebiggest thing that will really kill of a genset is huge current shifts

 

bass will suffer as the genset cannot give instant draw of current that an amplifier requires .

 

i have a load calculator,,,,,.. and alway give a generous 25% margin on the size of genset required

 

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

most new gensets have power correction & filtering at 10 kva and above.

 

and this is whats needed most when working with audio ..

[TopNotchEntertainment 0]

there are some god gensets ou theere at 10kva and above, but use a reputable supplier of gensets, and most definantly do NOT do it solely on the cheapest price !!!