Running sound on a float in a parade....help!

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knardini

DJ
Dec 3, 2006
1,618
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51
Kansas City
I've been asked to run a sound system out of the bed of my truck for a float in a local parade. Anyone done this? Can I do it without a loud generator? Any ideas would help (aside from pluggin in an extension cord to every house along the way!)

Thanks!
 
knardini said:
I've been asked to run a sound system out of the bed of my truck for a float in a local parade. Anyone done this? Can I do it without a loud generator? Any ideas would help (aside from pluggin in an extension cord to every house along the way!)

Thanks!
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What gear are you planning on using (Speakers, amps, mixers etc?
When you say truck, do you mean a flatbed truck or a pickup truck?
What you will be actually doing is an outdoor gig on the move so make sure you have enough power, that does not necessarily mean volume. I have done this many moons ago but not with conventional DJ speakers!
Horn loaded drivers and speakers will work the best.
 
That reminds me of what a cruise director said on a Carnival Cruise...

A guy comes up and asks while in the middle of the ocean... "Are we on Generator Power" lol the guys said "Nope, we are on a long-ass extension cord back at shore. They unplug it once we arrive and we pull it back in after we are done"

---

Anywho, every year we do a mardi-gras float. The generator sits in the truck and we push the mains to eleven, no issues, it is drowned out... I hear honda makes some real quiet generators...

Heck at the office with my 40' TV production truck that pulls 80amps, we run off a 120KW Generator, it is super quiet!
 
We've done this many times. We have used Honda EU2000 generators that are super quiet and have also run 1200 watt/2400 peak inverters off of the trucks battery. The problem with the inverter is that the extension cord comes out from under the partly open hood and is difficult to "hide" for a float. Generator is a lot easier to conceal.
Just DO NOT USE those bulky construction generators. Dirty power and noisy.
 
Scott's right. Rent a Honda genny for the day and your AC power question is addressed.

I saw a lot of this back when the kid was in majorettes. We were at a parade somewhere almost every weekend during the summer months. Saw a lot of floats and truck bed sound run from a Honda genny. The gennys were quiet, they weren't heard over the PA sound.

Saw some SNAFUs over the years, too. Bands with tops on tripod stands... the driver hit the brake and a tripod went head over teakettle and fell in the road. So don't set your boxes on tripods. Don't have anything on wheels or casters. Don't stack anything unless it's lashed down to grappling hooks.

Above all, keep it safe. :)
 
a generator is your best bet in my opinion,say you need to go for 5,6 or more hrs straight.most generators built in recent years are much quieter than the noisy ones we had way back.we have floats here every labor day,i mean BIG(tractor trailer) and they all run generators and all you hear is the sound of music.
 
CMWAT said:
a generator is your best bet in my opinion,say you need to go for 5,6 or more hrs straight.most generators built in recent years are much quieter than the noisy ones we had way back.we have floats here every labor day,i mean BIG(tractor trailer) and they all run generators and all you hear is the sound of music.
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Is that the one in Brooklyn that includes a version of Trinidad Carnival?
 
No need to worry about sound quality though. By the time anyone realizes it sucks, you will have passed 'em! :sqlaugh::rofl::sqlaugh::sqrolleyes:
 
CMWAT said:
yes,its the West Indian Labor Day Parade on Eastern Parkway.
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Cool! Been there, done that in the late 70's! Lots of fun! :sqbiggrin: I don't think that Knardini is ready for that kind of level though ( I may be wrong). Those rigs were concert + and more, only mobile, as on wheels.
 
DJFuzzy said:
You could always rent an inverter. ZERO noise, and they come in many different configurations depending on the power that you need.
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Fuzzy, if one is running a serious system on a float an inverter would not make the grade. Now if one is running a small DJ system, it just might.
 
ahoustondj said:
Fuzzy, if one is running a serious system on a float an inverter would not make the grade. Now if one is running a small DJ system, it just might.
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I just did a quick Google search and found an 8000 watt inverter. How much stuff do you think you're going to put on the back of a flatbed? Is it going to be over 8000 watts of power usage?
 
DJFuzzy said:
I just did a quick Google search and found an 8000 watt inverter. How much stuff do you think you're going to put on the back of a flatbed? Is it going to be over 8000 watts of power usage?
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Fuzzy,
I have seen as much as 16 18' woofers facing each side on a flatbed before. In Boston back in 1979 I have personally used 8 18" woofers and 8 3 way mains on a faltbed.
 
So...you gots me thinking!


I need to run a outdoor dj setup.


Bose speakers...and like one full bar of lights.

Would the 2000 one work??

If so...why haven't I bought one yet??

OK..and if the 2000 doesnt work.....would the 3000 work??

Also...I guess really..I would like one that will run with a pull behind camper then I can use it for hunting. Any ideas??
 
Honda generator here for my annual Vet Day parade. We tuck it in the back of the truck and put hay bales on all sides except for the exhaust and that cuts down on DB quite a bit.

2 - 18's
6- 15's.

Not much generator noise gettin' to the crowd if your sound is overpowering it.
 
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