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817718 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 19 September 2023 at 8:25am
Hi,

Im looking for some advice on renting the correct generator for soundsystem + a bunch of projectors. 

1.) Soundsystem = approx 5k
2.) 8x Projectors = *im guessing it will be combo of LED and DLP projectors... so maybe each projector will draw about 200 - 300 watts? 

Question: Will i be ok with running everything off (1x 7k) genny? Or do i need to get (1x 5k) + (1x 2k)?

Many Thanks!
Binnie

 


Edited by 817718 - 19 September 2023 at 8:30am
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Points: 1616 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DMorison Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 September 2023 at 8:21pm
Highly dependant on what you mean by "approx 5k" for the sound system.

If it's 5kVA continuous draw (ie about 40kW of amps for mainstream music types like rock etc) then definitely not, you'll want about a 10kVA to run it all.

If it's 5kW nominal amp ratings then a single 5kVA will probably run the whole lot fine.
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Im running....

2x PKN XE 2500 @ 8ohms. 
Each amp is rated 700W per side. 
So 2x @ 1400W (i cant see on their spec sheet if continuous or nominal?) = 2800W

1x MATRIX XT800 @ 8ohms = 500W (i cant see on their spec sheet if continuous or nominal?) 

2x Yamaha DSX15 MK2 = 800W each (continuous) x2 = 1600W

2x Yamaha DXR156 MK1 = 700W each (continuous) x2 = 1400W

TOTAL = 6,300W 
The reason i estimated 5K draw was because the music was going to be mostly ambient/drone. Not banging or anything. 

Thanks a mill for your reply btw!  





Edited by 817718 - 19 September 2023 at 9:03pm
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Points: 4248 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 4D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 September 2023 at 10:23pm
duty cycle of that rack will be surprisingly low 5k max  But the bigger the generator the more stable the power delivery.  So get the biggest the budget will allow.  10kva is good.. Another tip is use 10% or 15% of the available power  to drive a static load.  A kilowatt of halogen or metal halide lamps this helps the genset regulator stabilize  and reduces the risk of power fluctuation.. 
DMZ. "The bass was intense. Girls were literally running up to stand next to the subs"
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Don't guess! Smile
Buy one of these power monitors, and measure the watts of your actual bass amp(s) running into your actual bass bins at the level you expect to run at.
Repeat for each amp, & add them up.
Then, when your rig is running, you can use the same device plugged in to a socket on the rack, to monitor the voltage you're getting.
You'll be able to see if the genny is struggling, or set up wrong, or just sh1t, because the voltage will be dropping below 220, or fluctuating wildly.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364459804204

Whilst we're talking electrics, every sound system operator should have one of these imo. 
I never plug anything in until it tells me that all the wiring is correct, the voltage is not too high, or low, and the earth loop impedence is good. (resistance to ground)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125734249209

I can't tell you how many it has found critical problems in power distro, despite being told 'it's all good'

Great for testing all your power cables too, although it doesn't replace a proper electrical safety check. (screws tight, cable clamp fitted & working, etc)
Improvised Hardware Music http://vimeo.com/user9389813/videos
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Originally posted by opus jody opus jody wrote:

Don't guess! Smile
Buy one of these power monitors, and measure the watts of your actual bass amp(s) running into your actual bass bins at the level you expect to run at.
Repeat for each amp, & add them up.
Then, when your rig is running, you can use the same device plugged in to a socket on the rack, to monitor the voltage you're getting.
You'll be able to see if the genny is struggling, or set up wrong, or just sh1t, because the voltage will be dropping below 220, or fluctuating wildly.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364459804204

Whilst we're talking electrics, every sound system operator should have one of these imo. 
I never plug anything in until it tells me that all the wiring is correct, the voltage is not too high, or low, and the earth loop impedence is good. (resistance to ground)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125734249209

I can't tell you how many it has found critical problems in power distro, despite being told 'it's all good'

Great for testing all your power cables too, although it doesn't replace a proper electrical safety check. (screws tight, cable clamp fitted & working, etc)

Found a very similar item at less than a third of the price at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305152260994?hash=item470c7dfb82:g:qvwAAOSwRNtlDK~E&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwEFkOfSJEEXIZa04xjRsCp2X8Km5T8z4mtx1Eaj9BPIv7lUX%2FmFpl6YCvDFUBU6H7f25tb6X2LVJldivFkoJTDCjKnqZLekjmMRm%2Fed0qhdsy1%2BjYhWHYCGSIB9%2BOjH%2Bf2IfqYT8VGhDFmMyl6cwmTLA2yqvtXWMuEoIdCGNqQB3aAB9a7bkofAFVahV7sV80uU0tHF5nTPijxKdKQKDD8ooIeykVD9enAuAtfmAIrDZ2Cq6zUz%2ByXI8SeS%2F9LASxg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_Da5qHXYg
Certainly worthwhile trying out for the same facilities
(plus an RCD test button) at less than one third the price.
If your vaccinations were mandatory and nobody in your class had measles,
then you know that you're not a Millenial kid.</f
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Points: 4248 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 4D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 September 2023 at 10:20am
Yep I use the same Martindale EZ165 loop tester.  

For RCD testing its a fluke st240 



Meantime..


 
DMZ. "The bass was intense. Girls were literally running up to stand next to the subs"
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Points: 870 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BJtheDJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 September 2023 at 11:58am
Originally posted by 4D 4D wrote:

Yep I use the same Martindale EZ165 loop tester.  

For RCD testing its a fluke st240 

Meantime..

 

Interesting to see that right at the end of that video (17:20) "the winner
by far" was the TEK989 which is on eBay at £15.99, even less than
the one that I mentioned.
So you pays your money and you takes your choice :)
If your vaccinations were mandatory and nobody in your class had measles,
then you know that you're not a Millenial kid.</f
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817718 View Drop Down
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Points: 64 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 817718 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 September 2023 at 12:52pm
ugh that was a bit of a disaster ...alot of it my fault. Genny didnt come with distro box even though we specifically requested one. Then they advised that we should get a surge protector which they didnt have and we didnt have time to get/find one. In the end we had access to: 1x (7.5k) and 1x (1.8K) genny. Tried to split the load between the 2x and specifically pointed out to everyone, 'dont plug too much into this lead!' -but there were too many people trying to help and eventually i lost track of what was what. On top of it all we were 30 mins behind so the artist was pressuring hard to 'just get something playing!' -'Oh but i thought you wanted me sort out the power???' Then 1x of the amps was not working. It kept trying to power on but kept cycling on/off. I tested back at home this morn and it works fine. So more than likely down to power?? Id love to get more serious -or at least knowledgeable rgding power, etc. But time, resources (asking questions ,etc), focus/commitment ---i suppose looking into the testers you guys mentioned will be good starting point. Thanks a mill. Very much appreciated :-)  









Edited by 817718 - 23 September 2023 at 1:02pm
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cravings View Drop Down
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Points: 7423 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cravings Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 September 2023 at 1:17pm
from the photos, it looks like an event that did happen. so that's all good.

does sound like gennie company let you down though.
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Points: 7098 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Earplug Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 September 2023 at 2:23pm
What size genny did you get in the end? Always better to go large - hire cost for gennies here is low, so usually not an issue. But you do need to be careful that the genny hasn't been hammered on some building site and doesn't actually deliver what's on the box. That has happened to me a couple of times over the years.  Unhappy Dead Unhappy
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