New for 2013 - looks like I found my new add-on for next year

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
rickryan.com

rickryan.com

Mac Daddy DJ
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
20,049
18,437
62
Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
Had a 6-1-2013 client call me today. She went by her venue, a new place we haven't worked at before, and they were taking down some Italian String lighting. She just HAS to have it and said she wanted to call me first, as I'm already contracted to do her uplighting. Smart girl. We had a nice chat and I told her I'd been thinking of adding it but just hadn't because of the logistics and the fact that we've been slammed this fall. Long story short, I threw $500 for 2 X 100ft strands and she didn't blink an eye. She added in that she'd just saved her parents $1k, giving her that much to play with.

The venue is a converted warehouse space and I've already contacted the manager there in order to setup a site survey. 175 guests and I'm guessing either 2 or 3 100ft strands will be plenty. I've already spec'd out fixturing and am looking into incandescent 15-watt globes on 15 inch spacing. Provided the venue install will work as I anticipate I won't have to do much in the way of free-standing supports. Should be a fairly simple install and anytime I can tag an extra $500-$1000 onto an existing gig, that's always a good thing.

Funny how things just work themselves out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
Put a Light Organ on it and it will blink in time with the Music! I am doing this at a Bar with some Black Light and Orange Bulbs this coming Saturday.
 
Strings need to be suspended by steel cables - not the power cord which will break under the strain. The code in many places also requires that the bulbs be covered since a broken bulb is also shock hazard, and may also require a ground.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
Isn't that a part of Rigging and Electrical License Procedures with the required qualifications? I know each State has its own rules.
 
ahoustondj said:
Isn't that a part of Rigging and Electrical License Procedures with the required qualifications? I know each State has its own rules.
Click to expand...

It can vary right down to the venue.

A car dealer who owns his property for example, would have to follow the National, State, and Local electric codes. A car dealer leasing a property would also be subject to lease restrictions and rules established by the property owner, managers, or insurance underwriters.


You can show up at a fairgrounds or function facility and find out that the type of lighting you wish to string is not allowed for some reason owing to their own policy. The type of lights we are talking about are also known as "Midways" - owing their legacy to carnivals and amusement parks. Typically the bulbs are encased in plastic covers (Ferris wheeels and other rides) to prevent broken bulbs from presenting a shock hazard, short circuit, or fire hazard. You'll also notice how tent lights are typically enclosed in globes for the same reasons. These lights are required to be a 3 wire U-grounded system.

There are lots of two-wire non covered versions of these lights and you'll have to be careful about where and how you use them. There are a lot of hazards that get overlooked: unfilled sockets, hot bulbs, wire attached to metal conduits or framework that could become electrified, water, chaffed wire (wind), accident (height/clearances), etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Proformance said:
Strings need to be suspended by steel cables - not the power cord which will break under the strain. The code in many places also requires that the bulbs be covered since a broken bulb is also shock hazard, and may also require a ground.
Click to expand...

images


Like these.....the government just takes all the fun out them.
 
Proformance said:
Strings need to be suspended by steel cables - not the power cord which will break under the strain. The code in many places also requires that the bulbs be covered since a broken bulb is also shock hazard, and may also require a ground.
Click to expand...

None of the lighting companies here do steel cable supports. I'm also fairly certain that there are no codes involved, or at least that the other companies have had to contend with. Some of the jobs I've seen the "big boy lighting company" do were questionable. I believe I can do a better job and at a better value to the client. There will obviously be lots to learn but I think this is a business that's ripe for the picking.
 
You might be able to use the safety cables used for suspending speakers. They're only a few bucks a piece with a clip on on end.

http://www.planetdj.com/i--CH-05
 
steve149 said:
You might be able to use the safety cables used for suspending speakers. They're only a few bucks a piece with a clip on on end.

http://www.planetdj.com/i--CH-05
Click to expand...

The other companies are using zip ties for securing cables to structure. Where possible, they'll wrap a cable around a rafter. I got some really good info from Dan Lozada (Miss.) to go with commercial-grade cabling and I'm looking at 24" spacing so we'd be looking at 25 bulbs per 50ft segment. Center supports can be t-bars with sandbags to weight down the legs with the cable zip-tied to the support. It's definitely going to be a lot of logistical work but the install can be done 1-3 days in advance and then taken down 1-3 days after the event's over. The way I'm looking at it is it puts more work days on the calendar and can employ general laborers instead of those over-priced, prima-donna DJ types. ;)
 
that type of string lights setup isnt new here we have had that for years

I didnt want to do that all the time as we normally would have to replace at least 1/2 the globes every show
so I stopped doing it after 30 odd shows

have fun guys there is a lot of work involved in that
 
When it rains it pours. I just sent out my first actual quote for Italian String Lighting for another bride that just asked about it. Still haven't gotten back to bride #1 with a price yet. I'm quoting $100 per 50-foot segment. Commercial-grade strings with 15-watt clear globe incandescent bulbs at 24" spacing. She asked for a custom package, which totaled out at $1700. I offered her my high-end DJ+Uplighting package ($1350), 4 segments ($400) and 2 free segments. Total of $1750. She was under-buying uplights (asked for 10 when 20 is needed) so my goal is to get her to upgrade to proper uplighting while still getting paid (just a bit less) for the ISL. Fingers crossed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
I don't think there is code involved.
Here in PA, we use them all the time, mostly in tents.
They always have a Fire Marshall inspect the tents and put up fire extinguishers...
and we have never been asked to change them or take them down.
Putting them up in a regular building that has some sort of fire protection should not be a problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Ausumm said:
I don't think there is code involved.
Here in PA, we use them all the time, mostly in tents.
They always have a Fire Marshall inspect the tents and put up fire extinguishers...
and we have never been asked to change them or take them down.
Putting them up in a regular building that has some sort of fire protection should not be a problem.
Click to expand...

The fire marshal is looking for combustibles and evacuation hazards and is not the person who would oversee your rigging and electrical installations. If you hang these without a steel cable to support them, you are violating the National Electric Code.

There are lots of people who do stuff like this and get away with it only until an accident happens. Take uplighting for example: a lot of people who began using conventional par cans would use 2-wire zip cord (cutting the ground prong off their par can cords) to make the wires easier to hide. The problem is that when the can gets kicked the ceramic may break leaving the hot wire in contact with the can. Normally this short would immediately trip a circuit breaker but, without a ground prong the can simply becomes "live" and the first person to pick it up gets zapped.

The same thing will happen with your string lighting when the strain causes your rigging or zip ties to cut through the insulation and a tent pole/frame becomes "live" or the weight of the string simply breaks the wire and a live wire with all it's glass bulbs comes crashing down on people.

Even C9 and C7 strings are supposed to be supported and not strung to produce tension on the electric supply lines.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back