Extension Cords
- Thread starter atomicfission92
- Start date
Hasn't happened yet! I once had two 50' 14ga brand new extension cords waiting for me. The package had DJ on it as most of the ones they had in the hotel were 18 and 16ga.
In the event that they had forgotten I would have gone out to the van and took mine in.
This coming Wednesday at my new weekly gig, guess who will be supplying and installing the S-video cable that is needed for the Club's overhead projector to display the Karaoke lyrics? Yep, the club, I told them what to buy and where to get it. If something happens to that projector the blame won't be mine. The connection end will be 10' to my setup area for some flexibility. Whats up in the ceiling does not belong to me and I ain't hanging anything over anyone's head. That is a job for other professionals.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
i had an electrician make my cords they are 10/3 but very pliable. I have 2-100's, a 75, 1-50, 2 25's and 3 12.5's
I usually have ones like this
plus have these as well
its things we have here...
:sqerr: Did the Roto Rooter Man design that one?
At a Wedding, does the Baker bring a table for the Cake? Or does the florist bring water for the vases?
If you make your specific demands to YOUR client as part of the contract and they convey those demands to the venue in the form of a requirement, you bet yer azz that such said equipment will be waiting when you get there.
Personally, I prefer not to set up on a stage.
I had one venue owner tell me that he should charge me for the use of his electricity!
(in reality..he's right!)
You've been very lucky.
That would be like hiring a plumber to come to your house & he expects you to provide the tools.
Why is it the venue's responsibility?
Years ago, I had several venues tell me I needed to bring my own table, it's not their responsibility to provide it. (they are right)
Yup. An outlet within a reasonable distance and space. I want them to love me as a "non-problem DJ" not a pain.
Bill, thats different! When a plumber, electrician comes to do work he comes with the tools of his trade and accessories like extension cords, ladders etc.
A venue is in the business of providing a space for rent for entertainment. They should have outlets available where people can setup audio/visual equipment. That is their responsibility. That is part of the natural nature of their business.
When you start running cords for yourself you are increasing your liability if someone trips over them or something. Why not avoid that? it is their venue, not yours. You are there as an extension (No pun intended) of YOUR client, to deliver a performance. It is a reasonable expectancy that you will require Electricity for your gear. You are not asking for something out of the ordinary.
A venue should not be telling you anything about charging for electricity unless you want to buy in to that crap. Did they hire you? Who is YOUR client?
BTW. The extension cords to which I am referring/debating are the ones from a far off outlet, not the ones you personally use under six feet or so (At your setup).
I guess we agree to disagree.
It's the hired entertainment's responsibility to make sure he brings what he needs. If I was hired at a venue to provide the audio for an outside ceremony, and the outlet was a distance away, it's my responsibility to either bring enough extenion cords, battery pack, or generator.
Maybe I'm the odd-man here? I'd like to hear what others think....
Well Bill. This is why we are all Independent Contractors. We all have the privilege of running our businesses differently. I prefer to request what I want by either written or verbal agreement from my Client. This is why I make it my duty if possible to visit the venues before my gigs. If the outlet is around the corner in a kitchen or something, there is no way in hell I am taking the risk of running a long cord that can accidentally trip someone. If someone falls, guess who they are going to sue? The person who put it there!
I have never had someone refuse to hire me because I requested certain things.
If I am doing an outdoor venue I tell them that I need circuits within 50 feet and how many circuits depends on how much equipment they want to use. If the circuits are not within 50 feet to let me know so I can tell them what kind and how big of a generator to get.
When they say the circuits are within 50 feet I plug in my cords first and I set up where the cords stop or I can go back home. It is in my contract about electricity and how many circuits are needed for different things.
I would rather use my cords because I know what size and the condition they are in.
When they say the circuits are within 50 feet I plug in my cords first and I set up where the cords stop or I can go back home. It is in my contract about electricity and how many circuits are needed for different things.
I would rather use my cords because I know what size and the condition they are in.
You're not alone, Bill.
We provide everything we will need to do the job. Agreed, there are some venues where extension cords aren't needed. But for outdoor shows they're a must. We keep the cords on a hook in the van anyway in case we need them.
We had a backyard wedding where the client mentioned there would be an extension cord available for us. He wasn't lying, technically. There was a cord. It was one of those little 18 AWG things you'd use with a hedge trimmer. It had a jerry-built 2X4 dual receptacle at the end... and the festoon lighting in the tent was plugged in to it.
When I went back to the van for the rest of the load I got our cord off the hook and found an unused outlet in the garage to use. There was no way I was going to risk trying to run off that little pipsqueak cord.
This is 100% the way i roll!
I use MY gear. MY cords.
1.) I know there wired correctly.
2.) I know there the correct gauge for the job.
3.) i know i'll have enough to get MY job done.
I look at it like many here do. Humans by nature, Like the path of least resistance.
I just like to make things easy myself, My gear, And my clients
Not necessarily in this part of town. This also links back to the approved vendor thread. You can bet with some of the venues I have talked to if you asked for all this stuff you would not make the approved list.
And it depends on the venue. I have talked to planners that will only work with cake people who carry their own tables, etc, etc. Either that or the venue charges $$$ for those things. My wife and I had to pay for our cake table and for access to power at the venue.
Mike
I am with you.
Then again my rigs don't use plain old extension cables and I doubt most places keep 0000 feeders laying around.
Mike
You guys fail to get it through your heads, I do not ask the Venue for anything. My Client makes the request per my specs. Do I carry my own, Yes! If they provide less than what I expect will I use theirs, NO! I will use mine. If theirs is equal to mine, I use theirs.
If the Venue questions the request, the answer will be "It is for the safety of your Guests and reduction of liability if the proper equipment is provided, not all DJs use the correct Gauge of Extension cords either."
You guys should click on this thread:
http://www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31066&highlight=black+extension
http://www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31066&highlight=black+extension