I am new to the DJ world and have a few questions. I am curiouse as to how many lights one can plug inro on eoutlet with a power strip. I have a laptop, mixer, 2 Behringer B215D powered speakers, 2 strobes, 1 Eliminator Swarm, 2 4' blacklights, and a 4 bulb color bank. Sounds like alot of items for an outlet. I know alot if times in places when they are built there are 1 or 2 walls of outlets on the same breaker. My concern is plugging it all into the same circut. Maybe all these items do not draw enough for me to worry about, but I was curious as to what everyone else does. My plan is to have all my lights on one strip and all my sound equipment on another. Any thoughts.
New DJ with lighting question
- Thread starter jfrizman
- Start date
I'm not sure what kind of "strip" you're using, but I recommend that you use a power condition for surge protection. We use something similar to this one for our sound: http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=PL-PLUSC
For lighting, it may help you to use a lighting controller. We use this one, which has its own fuse: http://www.google.com/products/cata...&sa=X&ei=upV_TpTnD7SjsQKtoNwm&ved=0CFQQ8wIwAw
That is, if you're not running an all DMX-controlled system.
Am I helping or do you have more questions?
For lighting, it may help you to use a lighting controller. We use this one, which has its own fuse: http://www.google.com/products/cata...&sa=X&ei=upV_TpTnD7SjsQKtoNwm&ved=0CFQQ8wIwAw
That is, if you're not running an all DMX-controlled system.
Am I helping or do you have more questions?
A 15AMP circuit has a capacity of @1800 watts, however I don't recommend running full load. You need to add up the WATT consumption of each device to figure out your total power draw. Your speakers will not consume that full amount constantly but when the levels are up and the bass is hitting hard you will have a lot more draw from them. If you0re lights are not LED's then you have a problem because those do consume their rated power when they're on.
You need to find your total amount of draw and then divide things into two 15AMP circuits or more if needed.
You need to find your total amount of draw and then divide things into two 15AMP circuits or more if needed.
We used a AC Distro that would plug in to a Range Outlet, giving us 100 amps of 120v power (2 legs of 50 amps). Your just asking for trouble plugging your gear into wall outlets without knowing what else is in those circuits.
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i currently use this furman on my system>>>
http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=PL-PRODMC
http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=PL-PRODMC
Remember a Power Conditioner and a Distro are two different things. Distro is superior.
Thanks! These were actually built by us in-house. The road cases themselves were actually originally built to hold a pair of Community SLS-920 Speakers, which we used to use on the production end as mid/hi's. I had ordered 10 of the cases, but in the end only bought 16 of the Community's, so I had a few spares that we turned into distro panels.
Basically, I just removed the inner padding for the speakers and built the Distro Box to hold the panel and outlets. It has 100 feet of 6/4 cable that sits in the back, and with the lid on, packs away nicely. If memory serves me, they cost me about $1800 each to build, including the ATA case, and we built 3 of them. Just about to put the last 2 I own up for sale, probably for around $1000 each with free shipping.
I was going to suggest a power conditioner too. Those things are great for all devices you use a plug for. They can help save you a big repair bill on your gear.I'm not sure what kind of "strip" you're using, but I recommend that you use a power condition for surge protection. We use something similar to this one for our sound: http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=PL-PLUSC
For lighting, it may help you to use a lighting controller. We use this one, which has its own fuse: http://www.google.com/products/cata...&sa=X&ei=upV_TpTnD7SjsQKtoNwm&ved=0CFQQ8wIwAw
That is, if you're not running an all DMX-controlled system.
Am I helping or do you have more questions?
Not to discount your experience with power conditioners, I have to say that I have NEVER used them for any of our systems in the 20 years I was in the business. I would also have to say it is a stretch to imply that they can help save a big repair bill on gear. The job of a conditioner is not to prevent work as surge protection as much as it is to balance out the power, providing a stable, even supply of voltage. They had their place in the days when the power grid was less stable and voltage fluctuated, but today, there are not many places in the developed world that have an unstable power grid. I think if you applied a meter to the outlets in any give building, you'd find there is very little voltage fluctuation.
I have never had a piece of equipment fail that was due to power supply, and I have worked in some pretty undesirable conditions. Probably the only time I'd even consider them is if I was running gear off of a portable generator.
My opinion on Power Conditioners would be to pass on them, and use the money for something that actually contributes to your business or show.