How to transport a Source Four?

K

Ken Hull

Well-known member
So I just got a new toy: a Source Four Jr. It's a lot of fun, but now I'm wondering about transporting it to locations. I could wrap it in a movers blanket, then carefully lay it down on the back seat. But I'm worried about the shutter-control levers getting bent. I thought about making a cradle that sat inside a small duffle bag. But I wonder if there is some ready made solution available. How are you guys transporting your Source Four lights?

-- Ken
 
go to your local target / big lots / walmart and get one of those clear sterilite boxes
 
Hang them from a pipe mounted to the wall of your G&E truck.

Or, more realistically...

I usually just close the shutters all the way and lay the fixture down with the yoke folded so the shutter arms don't get bent.
 
Thanks guys, for your responses. Maybe I was over-thinking this. :undecided If the shutter levers are pushed in, maybe just a little care is all that's required to keep them from bending or breaking.

-- Ken
 
I've seen Source Fours get pretty abused. If the levers bend, just bend them back. Over time yes, they will break. But all the Lekos I've seen in school production environments (which can be brutal) still have all their levers.
 
I just put it wherever. It's one light that can go without a case and do just fine.
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to be honest, that's always been my method of choice. they always just get dropped into a milk crate or ride on top of the power cables on the rock n roller.
 
Like what has been said before, just throw it anywhere. I've had them fall off a truck, roll from the front to the back in an empty 24' box, get kicked over by stagehands and generally abused. The things the tend to break are the plastic handles on the shutters and the t handle for the tilt. I would hope that any local production and rental house that has S4's in their stock would have those parts if you needed them. They are cheap and easy to replace when they do get damaged.

BTW the shutters are stainless steel so they can take some abuse, I just bend them back if the ends get bent. The Source 4 is the workhorse of the live event word and these fixtures naturally take a beating.
 
You guys are pretty nonchalant with your lights!!

All mine travel in cases: tungsten in Arri cases, HMIs and S4s in ATA cases. The gaffers that sometimes sub-rent my gear are always grateful for those case a.) because with cases you can stack those cases higher in the truck (and thus save space); b.) because they are responsible for broken parts and it's MUCH harder to break stuff if it travels in cases.
 
Patryk,

I never rent my gear out (though I do charge Kit Fees), & my cases are optimized for weight savings.

I have a mid-sized Astro Van that I take to gigs, & when it's insufficient I typical rent a 3-Ton, or larger, often two.

If I did rent I would certainly put a lot more effort into PA-proofing the casing.

-B
 
Bern Caughey said:
Patryk,

I never rent my gear out (though I do charge Kit Fees), & my cases are optimized for weight savings.

I have a mid-sized Astro Van that I take to gigs, & when it's insufficient I typical rent a 3-Ton, or larger, often two.

If I did rent I would certainly put a lot more effort into PA-proofing the casing.

-B
Click to expand...

Even on my own shoots it seems grips are never phased by "guys, this is my gear PLEASE be careful!" They always act as if it was some crap from no-name rental company. I still try to convince them to be more careful with my stuff but just in case it all travels well "cased."
 
Usually for me they end up on a tungsten head cart or on the shelf of our truck loose. Unless it's a smaller lamp like a tweenie or below, I don't really like to put them in a crate or a case as they usually just take up more room and weigh more than necessary.

The only rental company I know here that puts them in any sort of case is a stage rental place, and they'll send them out in a big heavy road case that fits 20 of them. For event lighting that works well, but not so much for making movies.
 
While much of this is totally accurate - the cost of a proper case is easily recovered by the extended lifespan of the lamps. I've lost more lamps in transit than I've ever lost by actual use! 1 four unit flight case easily pays for itself, and despite the S4's toughness, helps keep resale value up!
 
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