Powering a tent - my latest blog

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
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Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
Thought I'd share this so I can enjoy the inevitable ripping of a new bunghole I'll get from it. Not sure about you guys, but I've been "enjoying" a plethora of tent jobs and I've yet to meet even a single bride who has the slightest clue of the logistics involved. I know I probably got some things wrong but I've taken the time to write out my standard bit of educatin' that I generally share with brides. Your (useful) comments are welcome.

http://rickryan.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/stuff-to-know-how-to-power-a-tent-wedding-reception/
 
rickryan.com said:
Thought I'd share this so I can enjoy the inevitable ripping of a new bunghole I'll get from it. Not sure about you guys, but I've been "enjoying" a plethora of tent jobs and I've yet to meet even a single bride who has the slightest clue of the logistics involved. I know I probably got some things wrong but I've taken the time to write out my standard bit of educatin' that I generally share with brides. Your (useful) comments are welcome.

http://rickryan.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/stuff-to-know-how-to-power-a-tent-wedding-reception/
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Just a few comments. Unless you are a Certified Rigger and a Licensed Electrician you should not be posting directives for the public like the ones in your blog. You can find yourself not only in hot water but in Jail if someone followed your advice and things went wrong. It is your call, I'll send you a Postcard addressed to the Big House.;) You are trying to do too much my friend, sooner or later the house of cards will crumble. Keep things simple.
 
I noticed in your blog you're talking abotu generators, but are completely ignoring the noise output of any given genny. The tow behind you're recommending (at least all the ones I've ever seen) are noisy as all heck and I know that brides don't want that noise at their reception.
 
DJ J Mac said:
I noticed in your blog you're talking abotu generators, but are completely ignoring the noise output of any given genny. The tow behind you're recommending (at least all the ones I've ever seen) are noisy as all heck and I know that brides don't want that noise at their reception.
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Hence the reason why I mentioned the distro box and several hundred feet of cable (so they can locate the generator out of ear-shot).
 
ahoustondj said:
Just a few comments. Unless you are a Certified Rigger and a Licensed Electrician you should not be posting directives for the public like the ones in your blog. You can find yourself not only in hot water but in Jail if someone followed your advice and things went wrong. It is your call, I'll send you a Postcard addressed to the Big House.;) You are trying to do too much my friend, sooner or later the house of cards will crumble. Keep things simple.
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Hmm, you're right, a disclaimer is in order. Yea, I know. Not your advice but I do think the blog is something many will find useful and it should generate some traffic. Already had one of my photog friends in town to re-post this morning and it gave me the chance to introduce myself to a few other vendors as well.
 
DJ J Mac said:
I noticed in your blog you're talking abotu generators, but are completely ignoring the noise output of any given genny. The tow behind you're recommending (at least all the ones I've ever seen) are noisy as all heck and I know that brides don't want that noise at their reception.
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They have come a long. My last outdoor wedding was powered by a tow generator. It was about 40 feet behind me and you and you could not hear it at all. In fact you could stand right next to it and carry on a conversation using your "indoor" voice.
 
rickryan.com said:
Not sure about you guys, but I've been "enjoying" a plethora of tent jobs and I've yet to meet even a single bride who has the slightest clue of the logistics involved.
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I've heard of blow and hand ones .. but never a tent job .. must be a TN thang. :eek:
 
Can't speak for the legality of the words...
but I think the basic information was short and sweet, not as "techie" as you feared it was,
and DEFINITELY something that needed to be done!
I will show my apprecication by STEALING it for my next tent-job. (sorry, Steve)
 
Ok my turn, This has nothing to do with power but your photo shows the lighting rig attached to the tent pole. (I think we had this converstation before) If the tent company was aware of your rigging, I don't think this setup would have ever happened.
 
Oh COME now Steve blow or hand usually causes one to pitch a tent. Even if only for the thought of it in anticipation. :cheers:
 
Audio One said:
Ok my turn, This has nothing to do with power but your photo shows the lighting rig attached to the tent pole. (I think we had this converstation before) If the tent company was aware of your rigging, I don't think this setup would have ever happened.
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Probably right but since they probably did the rigging a few days prior to me arriving........what they don't know won't hurt them.

FWIW, I placed my t-bar next to the center pole, then put 2 rungs of tape around both the pole and my t-bar (as an extra safety measure). I also ended up securing 2 leko lights to the outer tent poles and aimed them towards the roof. They might've actually squawked about that one but I had to do something. They had zero ambient lighting in that tent.
 
Audio One said:
Ok my turn, This has nothing to do with power but your photo shows the lighting rig attached to the tent pole. (I think we had this converstation before) If the tent company was aware of your rigging, I don't think this setup would have ever happened.
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oooh! - didn't notice that in the photo.....I would never be so presumptuous to hang my equipment off any part of a building with ensuring 1) I have permission and 2) The thing I'm hanging my gear on will support the load.....

Anything happens; even if the wind blows the tent down, guess who they're going to blame....and you may just have an issue with your liability insurer; like no coverage...Putting personal assets (house, car) on the line isn't worth the $1200.00.

Gotta ask Rick...Does your liability insurer know 1) you're running a multi op 2) you're rigging lights 3) providing "live" entertainment 4) offering a photo booth 5) offering uplighting, monograms, ambiant lighting, text live, big screens....?

i hope you don't have a basic liability policy with adja , NAME, WEDJ.

If so, you're going to be in a world of hurt, if you're ever confronted with a claim.

I cringe when I see photos of dj's and productions company's flying gear of gym ceiling with no engineer approved drawings.....
 
DJ PAUL said:
Rick-
I see no mention of air conditioning is this not something often seen at a tent event up your way? Down here every tent event has AC. Also I will second Paul's concern with the rigging. Just my friendlly ripping!

Paul
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I haven't seen any A/C on any of the tent jobs at private residences. They usually just put out fans to keep the air moving. As for the rigging, I'll keep it in mind on future events. You guys are right. I could've put that t-bar up and left it disconnected from the pole but it just made me nervous because it was outside of my reach of the table.
 
The most insightful part of the article is this:

We do a lot of tent events and I have to be honest, I usually pull onto the property, cringing because I don’t know what I’m up against (power-wise).
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The bride's number one question should be: "why are you showing up at events without knowing in advance that all of your electrical needs have been met?"

I see no need to tell a bride anymore about electrical service than what it is I require to do the DJ job. This is an issue they hire someone for - and a bride has no need to concern herself with electrical supply details. As a Dj you are also ill-equipped to advise on this issue. For example you have overlooked much of the catering, heat & air conditioning, general illumination not provided by a DJ, and your math presumes 110y.

I would stick to explaining exactly what it is that YOU require - and not try to advise on the entire system.
 
Proformance said:
The most insightful part of the article is this:



The bride's number one question should be: "why are you showing up at events without knowing in advance that all of your electrical needs have been met?"

I see no need to tell a bride anymore about electrical service than what it is I require to do the DJ job. This is an issue they hire someone for - and a bride has no need to concern herself with electrical supply details. As a Dj you are also ill-equipped to advise on this issue. For example you have overlooked much of the catering, heat & air conditioning, general illumination not provided by a DJ, and your math presumes 110y.

I would stick to explaining exactly what it is that YOU require - and not try to advise on the entire system.
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Tents are transitory. You can lay out the best blueprints but until it's actually up, you may not know what you're getting .. even if you asked for it. So you can say "it's in the contract" or you can deal with it. I don't see an issue letting the B/G know that's a possibility and SOMEONE has to deal with it.
 
steve149 said:
Tents are transitory. You can lay out the best blueprints but until it's actually up, you may not know what you're getting .. even if you asked for it. So you can say "it's in the contract" or you can deal with it.
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So. are you saying you never follow-up with the client, their electrician, or other event people responsible for your back line support?
 
Proformance said:
So. are you saying you never follow-up with the client, their electrician, or other event people responsible for your back line support?
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Not saying that at all. I'm saying that temporary structures, especially in a back yard, may not end up being where they were assumed to be. Topology, drainage issues, etc. might dictate that the tent rental company move the structure from where it was supposed to go while they are erecting it. That might make a lot of the electrical assumptions decided on moot (too far from power panel, etc.) and you end up making last minute alterations. Just pointing out that all these things happen and that someone needs to be aware that they can happen (not that they will) and have ways of dealing with them.
 
steve149 said:
Not saying that at all. I'm saying that temporary structures, especially in a back yard, may not end up being where they were assumed to be. Topology, drainage issues, etc. might dictate that the tent rental company move the structure from where it was supposed to go while they are erecting it. That might make a lot of the electrical assumptions decided on moot (too far from power panel, etc.) and you end up making last minute alterations. Just pointing out that all these things happen and that someone needs to be aware that they can happen (not that they will) and have ways of dealing with them.
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Carry longer cables. :)
 
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