Generators!

Azmyth

Azmyth

Veteran
Looks like we might be having to use a generator for our main location.

I've got a friend who has a honda superquiet ex3300...

how much light can we conceive to run off this thing if we are mostly using CFL's and a handful of tungsten fixtures? (not all at once). We typically use 2-3 lights unless its outdoors at night.

How much does these kinds of generators generally cost per day to rent?
 
Azmyth said:
Looks like we might be having to use a generator for our main location.

I've got a friend who has a honda superquiet ex3300...

how much light can we conceive to run off this thing if we are mostly using CFL's and a handful of tungsten fixtures? (not all at once). We typically use 2-3 lights unless its outdoors at night.

How much does these kinds of generators generally cost per day to rent?
Click to expand...

Here's a thread where 'nejuicer' describes in some detail issues with generators... you may or may not be able to 'digest' it quickly enough. My 'rule of thumb' about generators, and in general 'power supplies' is to use a supply/generator that has about 2x the continuous power needed. In cases like lights, start up each light serially, to avoid having a bunch of lights draw starting up current. (I don't usually deal with lights, just equipment that needs to run in adverse conditions...).

You need to calculate how much 'light' you need, then what wattage your lights require for that light, then determine how much generator, or even how many, to use.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?253080-Battery-Power-For-Lights-Outside-With-No-DC-Power-Around/page2&highlight=generators

My other word of caution is that electricity is dangerous, and as such, don't use anything you don't really understand, find some one who does, and that you trust can do it right.
 
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Quick ballpark answer: count on getting 2,000 watts of sustained tungsten light out of that generator. So divide up the tungsten units you've got ... that's three 650's, or four 500's, or eight 250's. Do the math.
CFL's are a different issue, they may or may not work with the generator. If it's an EU3000i or iS (or any other of their clean-power units) then they should work. But if it's some sort of household or construction generator, the fluorescents may not work at all, or they may buzz horribly. You'd have to try them.
 
Like Barry said to get CFL to perform reliably you will need to rent an inverter type generator. It provides a clean sine wave that sensitive electronics require.
 
Looks like I shall be purchasing a generator.

Nowhere around here rents those for the price I want to pay.

We need it for like 14 days of shooting.

We have 6 softboxes, with CFL's they use very little power. We have 2 800w redheads, and several shop lights that we only use when we have to.

note: I'm aware we need a inverter generator made for powering sensitive devices for the CFL's
 
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