In most circumstances, we're not only paying for the battery. We're also shifting the electrical bill to ourselves as opposed to the venue who has an already provided electrical utilities for events. Charging is nothing more than storage - no different than buying and bringing our own water bottle instead of indulging the complimentary service provided by the venue.
We are adding more weight to our cargo, new dependencies, and higher equipment and utility cost for something that is rarely absolutely necessary. We are also creating more toxic waste, and more human exploitation in underdeveloped countries.
Each time I hear DJs complaining that they are charging more, yet retaining less income I can't help but notice how heavily dependent they are on battery powered gear and portable battery units. It's ultimately a more costly and wasteful way to work. So too, are the hours devoted to social media and chasing jobs located far and away instead of locally.
$0.02
I can see how providing the $.25 worth of backup power could be cost prohibitive for some. I pay about $0.11/kWh delivered, so a few kWh, which is way more than I’d use, could be as high as a whopping quarter.
Ironically, I do bring my own water too as I don’t want to rely on someone else to give it to me when I want it. I drink lots of water at events. Another $0.50 down the drain. Things are really adding up here.
For the units themselves, a few hundred dollars over a few years worth of use can be pennies per event.
Maybe increasing the price $1 would cover these extra unnecessary expenses
Lots of gear I have is not absolutely necessary. Some of my gear does offer me convenience, backup security, and peace of mind. Those things are worth a lot to me without being absolutely necessary.
Human exploitation: Cobalt is the most controversial element used in some batteries. It has been linked to human exploitation in many countries and has for years. It’s one of the reasons why many modern batteries , like LFP’s, being made nowadays, no longer use cobalt. Ironically though, Cobalt is still needed to refine crude oil and there no solution known to get around it. Yet people who talk about the downside of batteries never seem to bring up the cobalt issue with oil. Why is that?
Lithium is abundant in developed countries and does not need to rely on the exploitation in countries where cobalt is typically mined. Lithium also becoming economically viable to recycle, which will continue to bring the cost down.
There’s nothing wrong with preferring not to use them. But some points simply aren’t valid.
I believe a few hundred dollar, 25 pounds of extra gear in the car that holds $.25 worth of electricity is worth it for Backup and convenience.
