Portable power

[robmneilson]

Has anyone had any experience with one of these power packs. Im wondering how long I could power a 575w Arri Sun 5 HMI off of this:

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/63/p/1/pt/10/product.asp

 

[thisiswells]

At 51A hours, it should power a 575W HMI for about 4 hours. That wouldn't be as long lasting as a Honda EU2000 (unlimited run time on gasoline), but much quieter and wayyy cheaper! I found the 1500W Powerpack for $350.00 online.. Wonder if it has a pure sine wave inverter, though> at that price, I kinda doubt it. EDIT: no it's a modified sine wave.. how much do you like your ballasts?

 

[robmneilson]

What do you mean by modified sine wave? Would it be able to run flicker free with the ballast?

 

[robmneilson]

Could I get some more clarification on this before I go ahead and purchase one or two of these units?

I was told that the modified cine wave is actually better for use with the HMI electronics, and that I should double whatever wattage from the spike when the HMI is turned one.

I would assume that while it might take 1000 watts to fire up the HMI it will end up drawing less once it warms up?

I wanna make sure I dont waste my money on these power packs and screw myself on the shoot when I should have gotten a generator in the first place.

 

[thisiswells]

Every vendor that rents modified sine wave inverters says, "use at your own risk" and I think that disclaimer is there for a reason...

For Kino Flo's, I might risk it. But not HMIs.

 

[CharlieG]

You would need a pure sine wave inverter. I don't think I've seen one that large

I have a 300 watt pure sine wave inverter for strobes/flash for my still photography

 

[robmneilson]

Crap...I knew this was too good to be true. I wont put the HMI on this thing, but would it be safe for powering laptops and hard drives, lighting nighttime int. car scenes with fresnels and a kino car kit?

 

[nejuicer]

All you need to know about Inverters: Part 1

All you need to know about Inverters: Part 1

Could I get some more clarification on this before I go ahead and purchase one or two of these units? I was told that the modified cine wave is actually better for use with the HMI electronics, and that I should double whatever wattage from the spike when the HMI is turned one. I would assume that while it might take 1000 watts to fire up the HMI it will end up drawing less once it warms up? I wanna make sure I dont waste my money on these power packs and screw myself on the shoot when I should have gotten a generator in the first place.

You have to be really careful when choosing a DC-to-AC inverter for film production because there are three basic types of inverters and not all of them are suitable for production applications. The recommendations I will make are based upon extensive research I have done on the use of portable gas generators in motion picture production. For this research, I ran a series of tests in order to analyze the interaction of the different type of portable generators with the prevalent light sources available today. Since inverter generators use the same three types of inverters, the findings of my research are applicable to stand alone DC-to-AC inverters designed for use with batteries as well. The results of my tests are going to be cited in the upcoming 4th edition of the "Set Lighting Technicianís Handbook." I have also compiled the results in an article for my company newsletter and it is available on our website.

Waveform of power output by conventional generator. Note the frequency error and noticeable distortion (ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF KIRK KLEINSCHMIDT]​

To understand how the application is the same it may help to review why inverters are used in generators in the first place. Even though a conventional generator makes a pretty decent AC power sine wave, it is considered “dirty” power. Measured on an oscilloscope (pictured above), its’ sine wave appears jagged. Those small spikes in the sine wave indicate harmonic distortion that can cause problems for sophisticated electronics, like video cameras, monitors, computers, and hard drives that need a clean sine wave to operate. With the increasing use of personal computers and microprocessor-controlled recording equipment in motion picture production, there is a greater demand for clean, reliable power on sets.

Step 1: Rectifier Bridge converts multi-phase AC power to rectified sine wave. Step 2: rectified sine wave is flattened to DC. Step 3: micro processor switching alternates wave polarity creating a modified square wave. (ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF HARRY BOX]​

Inverter generators meet this demand for cleaner power by adding an additional step that completely processes the “dirty” AC power from the generator’s alternator. An inverter module takes the raw power produced by the generator's alternator and passes it through a microprocessor controlled multi-step process to condition it. But, rather than using the simple two pole cores of conventional genertors, inverter generators use multi-pole cores and small stators to produce a raw AC power that is multiphase (more than 300 overlapping sine waves), high frequency (up to 20’000 Hz), and upwards of 200 Volts. This high voltage AC power is then converted to DC. Finally the DC power is converted back to low voltage single phase AC power by an inverter. In the process the inverter cleans and stabilizes the power.

There is a popular misconception that you should only use electronic ballasts with portable generators. Where that is true with conventional generators without crystal governors, it is not true of inverter generators. By using a microprocessor to convert AC power to DC, and then an inverter module to convert the DC back to AC, inverter generators generate power that is independent of engine speed and rock solid with a frequency variance of only hundredths of a cycle - which eliminates the need for costly crystal governors. In this limited sense, it can be said that inverters, whether for batteries or built into a generator, are "actually better for use with the HMI electronics." In fact, only one of the three types of inverters are suitable to power HMI lights.

The three types of inverters are, "true sine wave", "modified square wave" (also known as "modified sine wave"), and "square wave." One might wonder why there are so many types of inverters. As John De Armond, explains in his informative article "The “Hows” and “Whys” of Inverters and Inverter Generators" the primary reason is cost. To paraphrase John's article, to make a nice sine wave from DC power (whether generator power or battery power) is expensive. There is a trade-off between cost and waveform purity. An approximation of a sine wave may be created by outputting one or more stepped square waves with the amplitudes chosen to approximate a sine (a "modified square wave" inverter). The more steps, the more like a sine wave the output (a "true sine wave" inverter). However, each of the voltage steps requires its own voltage supply, its own transistor switch, plus the necessary control circuitry. The bottom line is that the more steps, the more expensive the inverter. The two go hand in hand.

Ideal Sine Wave (black), Single Step Square Wave (blue), Three Step Square Wave (red)( ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF JOHN DE ARMOND)​

Take a look at the figure above. The black trace is a pure AC sine wave. The blue wave is a single step approximation or square wave. The red wave is a three step wave or simple modified square wave. As is intuitive, the three step wave produces a closer approximation of a sine wave and thus will satisfactorily operate more devices than the single step one. The trade-off is cost and complexity

Switch sequence of three step output stage of a modified square wave inverter. ( ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF JOHN DE ARMOND)​

The figure above is a line drawing of a typical three step output stage of a simple modified square wave inverter. The voltages V1 through V3 are increasingly higher DC voltages. A microprocessor generates this pseudo sine wave by sequentially switching S1 through S3 on, S3 through S1 off, S4 through S6 on, S6 through S4 off. It repeats this 60 times a second. Where each of the voltage steps requires its own voltage supply, its own transistor switch, plus the necessary control circuitry, one can intuit that the more steps in the modified square wave, the more complicated and thus more expensive the inverter. Where it is less expensive to make a modified square wave that will satisfactorily operate most construction equipment and RV appliances, than it is to make a true sine wave there is not the cost/benefit return to warrant the incorporation of more switches in inverters manufactured for these markets. This is why there are still three types of inverters available on the market to this day for use with batteries and built into generators.

Square wave (SW) inverters will run simple things like tools with universal motors with no problem, but not much else. For this reason, SW inverters are now found only in the construction trades, where they offer the benefit of being cheaper. For the reasons detailed below, SW inverters have no application in motion picture production.

“Modified Sine Wave”, “Psuedo Sine Wave”, and “Cycloconverter” are all sales terms used for a modified square wave type of AC power generated by inverters with more switching capacity. Modified square wave (MSW) inverters are low in cost and will satisfactorily operate almost all common household appliances and power tools. For this reason, MSW inverters are the most prevalent and the ones typically used in the economy RV/Residential Standby and Industrial lines of inverter generators. Unfortunately, they also are not suitable for use in motion picture production except for the powering of quartz lights. Since I am out of space, I will have to explain in my next post why MSW Battery Inverters and Inverter Generators are not suitable for HD digital cinema productions.


-Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip , Boston

 

[nejuicer]

All you need to know about Inverters: Part 2

All you need to know about Inverters: Part 2

Cont. from above

MSW Battery Inverters and Inverter Generators are not suitable for HD digital cinema productions because a modified square wave will cause sensitive electronic equipment (computers, hard drives, video cameras) to overheat, and will cause electronic HMI and Fluorescent light ballasts to kick harmonic noise back into the power stream. Furthermore, electrical components that depend on the peak value of the voltage waveform to operate effectively (the diode-capacitor power supplies in computers, hard drives, and electronic HMI ballasts, as well as the bridge rectifiers of battery chargers) will not operate effectively on a modified square wave. In his article "The “Hows” and “Whys” of Inverters and Inverter Generators," John De Armond explians why using the example of a battery charger powered by a rudimentary MSW inverter generator - a Honda EX350.

Output waveform of a Honda EX350 square wave inverter generator ( ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF JOHN DE ARMOND)​

The illustration above is of an oscilloscope shot of the modified square wave of a Honda EX350 inverter generator. The output of a MSW battery inverter would be almost identical. Notice the Root Mean Square (RMS) voltage indication (on the right side) is 120 volts even though the peak voltage is only 142 volts. A true sine wave with a RMS voltage of 120 would have a peak voltage of 169 volts (120 x 1.414 = 169 volts.) This difference in peak voltages is what makes MSW inverters unsuitable for motion picture production applications. This becomes apparent when we compare the operation of a battery charger on the true sine wave of grid power to its operation on a modified square wave of an MSW inverter.

A battery charger typically consists of a step down transformer, a rectifier and support electronics like charge control circuitry. On each half-cycle of the 60 hz line voltage, the voltage first increases and then decreases in the shape of a sine. The transformer secondary of the battery charger follows this voltage. Connected to the secondary is the rectifier that converts the AC to DC for battery charging. Only when the instantaneous AC voltage exceeds the battery voltage plus the 0.7 voltage drop of the rectifier does current flow to charge the batteries. Photo 5 illustrates this effect. The two lines at “1” and “2” mark on the voltage sine wave where the rectifier starts conducting and causing current to flow.

( ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF JOHN DE ARMOND)​

Problems arise when a charger of this type is powered by a modified square wave regardless if it is generated by a battery inverter or inverter generator. Recall from the first photo above that the peak voltage of a modified square wave does not rise as high as a sine wave (142 volts verses the 169 volts of a true sine wave.) The horizontal line in the photo above shows about where the modified square wave would reach. In this particular case, the modified square wave would never reach a voltage sufficient to make the rectifier conduct and so the battery would never charge even though power is connected, the LED indicators light up, and a true RMS voltmeter would indicate about 120 volts. Problems also arise when a modified square wave is used to power the electronic ballasts of HMI and fluorescent lights. This becomes apparent when we compare the power waveform induced by the operation of a Quartz Incandescent Light (an Arri 300) to that of a fluorescent fixture that uses Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) operating on MSW inverter (the same Honda EX350.).

Voltage and the current output waveforms of a Honda EX350 square wave inverter generator powering 300W incandescent light ( ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF JOHN DE ARMOND)​

The illustration above is of a scope shot of both the voltage and the current output of the Honda EX350 generator driving a 300 watt Quartz Incandescent light (a resistive load.) As you see, a modified square wave works well for a resistive load like an incandescent light. The current waveform rises and falls with the voltage waveform (they are in phase) and the inherent distortion of the modified square wave does not induce distortion of the current. Things get a whole lot more interesting when we connect a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) to the modified square wave. As you can see in illustration below the fluorescent lamp creates all kinds of current oscillation that slightly distorts the voltage waveform (creates a spike).

Voltage and the current output waveforms of a Honda EX350 square wave inverter generator powering fluorescent light ( ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF JOHN DE ARMOND)​

Electronic ballasts (both fluorescent & HMI) utilize solid state electronic components (rectifiers, capacitors, and IGBTS) that use only portions of the power waveform - they place all their load on the peak values of the voltage waveform. These devices then return the unused portions to the distribution system as a harmonic current. These harmonic currents stack on top of one another in the distribution system creating harmonic distortion that pulls the voltage and current out of phase. Under certain conditions, these harmonic currents that are kicked back into the power stream by the electronics of the ballast can cause a distortion of the voltage waveform (the spike in the waveform above) that manifests itself as a noticeable audio buzz or equipment to malfunction. For a detailed explanation for why harmonic currents cause voltage waveform distortion see my article on the use of portable generators in motion picture production available on our website.

Fluorescent lights are a good choice for operation on battery inverters in the limited sense that they use a quarter of the power of a comparable tungsten light. However, the ballasts of the many fluorescent fixtures, like the Kino Flo fixtures that use the T-12 tubes (the Single, Double, and 4 Bank Fixtures, the Wall-o-Lite, Flathead 80, and the Image 20, 40, & 80 fixtures) and fluorescent fixtures that use Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) return harmonic currents into the power stream. For this reason, Kino Flo cautions users, on their website: "Kino Flo ballasts ... will draw double the current on the neutral from what is being drawn on the two hot legs. On large installations it may be necessary to double your neutral run so as not to exceed your cable capacity."( FAQ "Why is the neutral drawing more than the hot leg" at http://www.kinoflo.com/FYI/FAQs.htm#2) For a detailed explanation for why harmonic currents cause unusually high neutral returns see my article on the use of portable generators in motion picture production available on our website.

When you plug a single 4' - 4 Bank Kino into a wall outlet you need not be concerned about harmonic currents causing voltage waveform distortion. The impedance of the electrical path from the power plant is so low, the distortion of the original voltage waveform so small (1-3%), and the plant capacity so large in comparison to the load of the one light, that the inherently noisy load of the 4'- 4 Bank Kino will not affect the voltage at the distribution bus. Since I am out of space, I will have to explain in my next post how it is a different situation when plugging fluorescent fixtures into the inherently distorted voltage waveform of MSW inverters or conventional portable generators.


Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip , Boston

 

[nejuicer]

Every thing you need to know about Inverters: Part 3

Every thing you need to know about Inverters: Part 3

Cont. from above

When you plug a single 4' - 4 Bank Kino into a wall outlet you need not be concerned about harmonic currents causing voltage waveform distortion. It is, however, an all together different situation when plugging fluorescent fixtures into the inherently distorted voltage waveform of MSW inverters (as seen above) or conventional portable generators (as we will see below.) If we compare the oscilloscope shots below of the voltage waveform induced at the power bus by a Kino Flo Wall-0-Lite (with 10 - 4' T-12 Tubes) operating on grid power (left), power generated by a conventional generator (middle), and power generated by a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Inverter generator to the same power sources without a load, we see clearly that the degree of voltage waveform distortion caused by the return of harmonic currents by the Kino Flo T-12 ballasts is directly proportional to the degree of distortion of the inherent power waveform.

Left: Grid Power w/ no load and a THD of less then 3%. Center: Conventional Generator w/ no load and a THD of 17-19%. Right: Inverter Generator w/ no load and a THD of 2.5%.​

The fact that the original supply voltage waveform of conventional generators is appreciably distorted (a THD of 17-19%) to begin with (see middle frame above) causes harmonic currents returned by an electronic Kino ballasts to induce significant waveform distortion of the voltage in the distribution system. The magnitude of current and voltage waveform distortion depends upon the quality of the original applied power waveform and the relative size of the electronic load with respect to the source impedance and capacity of the power system. That is, the amount of voltage distortion increases as distortion of the applied waveform increases and the percentage of electronic ballasts taking up the total capacity of the power system increases.

Left: Grid Power w/ Kino Flo Wall-o-Lite. Center: Conventional AVR Power w/ Kino Flo Wall-o-Lite. Right: Inverter Power w/ Kino Flo Wall-o-Lite.​

This is evident in the oscilloscope shots below of an Arri 1200 HMI Par Plus with standard Arri electronic ballasts. The adverse effects of the severe voltage waveform distortion exhibited in the power of the conventional generator below, can take the form of overheating and failing equipment, efficiency losses, and circuit breaker trips. This is because, as we saw above, circuits that depend on the peak value of the voltage waveform to operate effectively (the diode-capacitor power supplies in computers, hard drives, and electronic ballasts), will work sporadically, if at all, on a squared off wave form whether it is created by harmonic currents distorting the voltage waveform (above) or created by the switching of a MSW battery inverter. Common symptoms are computers locking up and other operational malfunctions that are unexplainable.

Left: Grid Power w/ 1.2Kw Arri non-PFC Elec. Ballast. Center: Conventional AVR Power w/ 1.2Kw Arri non-PFC Elec. Ballast. Right: Inverter Power w/ 1.2Kw Arri non-PFC Elec. Ballast.​

On top of that, the excess part of the wave (the shaded area in the diagram below) must be dissipated somehow. This comes in the form of heat. The bigger the current draw from the unit, the more it produces excess heat within the unit that was not factored for in its' original design. Extended exposure to square wave power supplies, and the heat it generates, may eventually cause premature component level failures within the unit. Harmonic distortion of the magnitude above can also create ground loops and radio frequency (RF) interference. For a detailed explanation for why this is, see my article on the use of portable generators in motion picture production available on our website.

Unuseable portion of distorted waveform (shaded) dissipated in heat.​

For these reasons, audio/video production equipment, computers, electronic ballasts, and battery chargers require a nearly pure (low distortion) true sine wave input. If these devices are to be run from a battery inverter or an inverter generator, then the inverter must supply a sine wave or something pretty close to it. As discussed at the outset, inverters of this sophistication are appreciatively more expensive - from 2 to 3 times - because of the number of and prohibitive cost of high power electronic switch devices and components required. However, recent rapid developments in the field of IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) electronics and miniaturization/mass production of microprocessor based digital control systems have reached the stage that Pulse Width Modulation inverter modules are now economically viable and affordable. Since I am out of space, I will have to explain the benefits of Pulse Width Modulation in my next post.


Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip , Boston

 

[nejuicer]

Every thing you need to know about Inverters: Part 4

Every thing you need to know about Inverters: Part 4

Cont. from above

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) inverters provide a more sinusoidal current and for that reason are commonly called True Sine Wave inverters. PWM inverters use extremely fast micro-processor control modules to switch Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) at extremely high speeds to produce AC power with a "true" sine wave (with full width and amplitude) from DC power (whether from batteries or the rectifier bridge of an inverter generator.)

Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Voltage Steps(ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF SIEMENS CORP) ​

In the case of "True Sine Wave" inverter generators, the PWM inverter module consists of a converter, DC link, control logic, and an inverter. The converter section consists of a fixed diode bridge rectifier which converts the more than 300 three phase AC sine waves generated by the multi-pole core of the generator's alternator to high voltage DC power. AC Output is then generated from the high voltage DC by the inverter section with voltage and frequency set by a PWM control logic. A highspeed microprocessor switches IGBTs on and off several thousand times a second according to the PWM control logic to create a variable voltage and frequency.

Waveform of power output of PWM inverter generator. Note there no discernable distortion or frequency error. (ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF KIRK KLEINSCHMIDT]​

The "true" sine wave that PWM inverters deliver is more suitable for computers, solid-state equipment with built-in computer functions or microcomputer-controlled functions. Not as cheap as MSW inverters, generator manufacturers only put PWM inverter modules in their deluxe or Super Quiet product lines. For instance, the Honda super quiet EU series of generators employ Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) inverter modules with a waveform distortion factor of less than 2.5% - which is considerably better than conventional generators and quite often better than what you get out of the wall outlet.

Even though "True Sine Wave battery" inverters generate clean stable power, they have limited application in motion picture lighting because they are only capable of limited power output (1800W max.) The amount of power they can generate from a car battery through the lighter socket is further limited by the wiring of the 12V car lighter socket. That is because when voltage goes down, amperage goes up. Wire that carries 12V DC has to be sized considerably larger then wire that carries 120V AC for the same load (wattage.) For instance to supply 12 volts to a 1800W inverter requires 2 ought feeder cable to the car's battery. Also the car's alternator has to be large enough to take the load without burning out (most are not.) The wiring of a car cigarette lighter circuit is typically only sufficient to power a 300W inverter. This is enough power to operate a few fluorescent fixtures, but for the reasons cited above you would want to make sure to use a "True Sine Wave" Inverter.

Exo-skeletal pipe rig on shuttle to rig lights and mount 750W batt-verter on front (covered for rain protection) ​

A better alternative to using a car's lighter socket is a Battery/Inverter set up that is commonly called a "Batt-verter." A "Batt-verter" system consists of one or more deep cycle 12V batteries (usually Marine Cells), a 12V DC-to-120V AC "True Sine Wave" Power Inverter, and a 12V Battery Charger. Batt-verters can work great for traveling car shots but offer limited capacity and run time. Your run time will depend on your load and how many batteries you wire in paralell. Here are some production stills that show you two Batt-verter systems we built to run Kinos to light the inside of an airport shuttle bus for the feature "Shuttle." The first is a 750W "Batt-Verter" rig wired into in a Calzone case and mounted on an Exo-skeletal pipe rig that also held the Kino Flos.

750W "Batt-Verter" Rig wired into in Calzone case and tied into the Shuttle's alternator​

To maximize the running time on however many batteries you use, I suggest you use a "jumper cable" to attach the marine cells to the leads of the car's alternator. That way you can use the car alternator as a generator to run the lights during set up and rehearsals. When it comes time to shoot, shut off the engine and continue to run the lights on the silent Batt-verter alone. Running the vehicle engine between takes charges the batteries so that they will run longer.

1800W "Batt-Verter" Rig wired into the back of Shuttle​

The production stills above and below show you a more elaborate 1800W Batt-verter system that we built to run 16 - 4' Kino T-12 tubes inside the airport shuttle bus. Use this link -  - for details on how we wired it. To supply 12 volts to the 1800W inverter we ran 2 ought feeder to the buses' alternator. And since the shuttle bus was equipped with a wheel chair lift and extensive inside lighting of it's own, it was equipped with an oversized alternator that could bear the 1800W DC load. Even then we were able to run only four 4' - 4 Bank Kinos on our 1800W rig.

SL&G's custom 1800W Batt-Verter powers 16 - 4' Kino Flo single tubes rigged in the interior and on the exterior of an Airport Shuttle​

If you need more than 1800 Watts you have no alternative but to use a generator. I would suggest the Honda EU6500is inverter generator. The Honda is so quiet that all you have to do to record clean sound is move the generator around the corner of a building or operate it out of a van or truck. Since I am out of space, I will have to explain in my next post what makes the Honda EU6500is inverter generator much quieter than any other portable generator available - including the "Crystal Synced" Honda EX5500.


Guy Holt, Gaffer, [url="http://www.screenlightandgrip.com"] ScreenLight & Grip , Boston

 

[nejuicer]

Every thing you need to know about Inverters: Part 5

Every thing you need to know about Inverters: Part 5

Cont. from above

The Honda EU6500is inverter generator is much quieter than the movie blimped Honda EX5500. Part of what makes the new Honda EU6500is so quiet is it's "Eco-Throttle." "Eco-Throttle" is Honda's trade name for a feature of inverter generators already discussed. It is the name Honda give to the fact that the generator's microprocessor automatically adjusts the generator's engine speed to produce only the power needed for the applied load. It can do this because the PWM inverter of the Honda EU6500is enables it to run at different RPMs and maintain a constant frequency and voltage. Where conventional generators like the Honda EX5500 and ES6500 have to run full speed at a constant 3600 RPM to produce stable 60 hertz (cycle) electricity, a Honda EU6500is only needs to run as fast as required to meet the load demand. Since their engines do not have to run at full speed, and the fact that an inverter generator generates 20% more power per revolution of the engine, makes the Honda EU6500is inverter generator substantially quieter than conventional models. To make them even quieter, Honda has designed a new separate triple chamber construction and a new centralized intake/exhaust system. The net result is that the EU6500is is half as loud (ten decibels) as the comparable EM7000is and ES6500 generators typically found at lighting rental houses. Honda's EU Series generators operate at 34 to 44 dBA at 50 ft. - well below what is required for trouble free location recording and quieter than your typical Crawford 1400 Amp "Movie Blimped" Generator. With sound specs this good all you need to record sound without picking up generator noise is a real distro system that will allow you to move the generator off set but yet keep your plug-in pockets conveniently on set.

My company, ScreenLight & Grip (SL&G), has developed a Gen-set that is designed to take advantage of the benefits of "True Sine Wave" Inverter genertors and recent technological advances in HMI ballast design to create clean stable set power that is capable of operating larger lights (HMIs up to 6kw or Quartz lights up to 6kw), or more smaller lights, off of portable gas generators than has ever been possible before. What we do is tap the Honda EU6500is inverter generator as it is designed for 230/240V markets like the UK, EU, Australia, & India (to name just a few.) By doing so, we gain access to the full 7650 Watt power capacity designed into the generator for these 230/240V markets, but not available in generators manufactured for 120V Markets like North America. We then use a proprietary step-down transformer/distro to convert the full 240V power into a single 60A/120V circuit (7500Watts) capable of power large lights. Finally, where PWM inverter generators, like the Honda EU6500is, generate a nearly pure power waveform, our modified Honda EU6500is is capable of reliably powering more lights than has been possible before.

To maximize the number of HMI & fluorescent lights that can run off our modified Honda EU6500is inveter generator, we offer HMIs and Kino Flo lights with Power Factor Corrected ballasts. For those of you not familiar with Power Factor Correction (PFC), a PFC circuit utilizes a RF Mains Filter to restrict the flow of harmonic currents back onto the supply service. In this fashion, the PFC circuit realigns voltage and current and induces a smoother power waveform at the distribution bus. Formerly only available in large HMI ballasts this advanced electronics reduces voltage waveform distortion and contributes to a more economical use of power than typical HMI and fluorescent electronic ballasts.

The substantial reduction in line noise that results from using PFC ballasts on the nearly pure power waveform of an inverter generator creates a new math when it comes to calculating the load you can put on a portable gas generator. In the past we had to de-rate portable generators because of the inherent short comings of conventional generators when dealing with non-PFC electronic ballasts. The voltage waveform distortion created by non-PFC ballasts reacting poorly with the distorted power waveform of conventional generators limited the number of HMIs you could power on a portable generator to 60% of their rated capacity (4200Watts on a 6500W Generator). The power waveform below left (from my article) is typical of what results from the operation of a 2500W non-Power Factor Corrected load (electronic HMI & Kino ballasts) on a conventional portable generator (a Honda EX5500 with a Barber Coleman Governor.) The adverse effects of the severe harmonic noise exhibited here - overheating and failing equipment, efficiency losses, circuit breaker trips, excessive current on the neutral return, and instability of the generator's voltage and frequency - limits the number of non-PFC HMIs and Fluorescent lights you can reliably operate on the generator.

Left: Conventional generator power w/ pkg. of non-PFC Elec. HMI Ballasts & Kino Flo Wall-o-Lite. Right: Inverter generator power w/ Pkg. of PFC Elec. Ballasts & Kino Flo Parabeam 400.​

For this reason, when your lighting package consists predominantly of HMI and Fluorescent lights, it is important to have power factor correction (PFC) circuitry in the ballasts and operate them on inverter generators. The combination of improved power factor and the nearly pure power waveform of inverter generators makes it possible to power larger lights, or more smaller lights, than has been possible before on a small portable gas generator. For example, the power waveform above on the right, is the same 2500W load but with power factor correction operating on our modified Honda EU6500is Inverter Generator. As you can see, the difference between the resulting waveforms is startling. Even though the load is the same, the fact that it is power factor corrected and the power is being generated by an inverter generator, results in virtually no power waveform distortion. For this reason, sensitive electronic production equipment will operate reliably and without damage on the same power. And, the generator is capable of operating larger, or more smaller, lights than has ever been possible before on a portable gas generator.

Wide Shot of Night exterior scene lit with a pkg. consisting of PFC 2.5 & 1.2 HMI Pars, PFC 800w Joker HMI, Kino Flo Flat Head 80, 2 ParaBeam 400s, and a ParaBeam 200 powered by a modified Honda EU6500is.​

The extremely low low line noise exhibited in the inverter generator power waveform above (right) creates a new math when it comes to calculating the lighting load you can put on a portable generator. Where before you could not operate more than a couple 1200W HMIs with non-PFC ballasts on a conventional generator because of the consequent harmonic distortion, now you can load an inverter generator to capacity. And if the generator is one of our modified Honda EU6500is inverter generators, you will be able to run a continuous load of up to 7500W as long as your HMI and Kino ballasts are Power Factor Corrected.

The PFC 2.5 & 1.2 HMI Pars, PFC 800w Joker HMI, Kino Flo Flat Head 80, 2 ParaBeam 400s, and a ParaBeam 200 of our HD P&P Pkg. powered by our modified Honda EU6500is through our 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro​

According to this new math, when you add up the incremental savings in power to be gained by using only PFC HMI ballasts, add to it energy efficient sources like the Kino Flo Parabeam fixtures, and combine it with the pure waveform of inverter generators, you can run more HMI lights on a portable gas generator than has been possible before. For example, the 7500W capacity of our modified Honda EU6500is Inverter Generator can power a lighting package that consists of a PFC 2.5kw HMI Par, PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80. Given the light sensitivity of HD cameras, this is pretty much all the light you will need to light both the foreground and deep background of night exteriors. For more details on how this is accomplished I suggest you read the article I wrote for our company newsletter (mentioned above) on the use of portable generators in motion picture production. Since, the power issues it discusses have been vexing set electricians for years, I highly recommend that anyone responsible for generating power on a set, whether large or small, read this article. The article is available at www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html.)

A Distro System consisting of a 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro, 2-60A GPC (Bates) Splitters, 2-60A Woodhead Box distributes power from a modified Honda EU6500is. Even though the generator is 100' away to reduce noise, plug-in points remain conveniently close to set.​

If tie-ing marine cells into the alternator of a car doesn't give you sufficient power, I would highly recommend our new Gen-set system. The generator is super quiet. The transformer/distro gives you access to more power (7500 Watts continuous)in a larger 60A/120V circuit that is capable of power larger lights or more smaller lights than has ever been possible on a portable gas generator. Use this link for more information about using inverter generators with transformers for motion picture lighting.


Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip , Boston

 

[Al MacLeod]

Now that's what I call an answer!!

 

[david335]

Can we sticky this, that is one thorough and amazing answer. It answered questions that I didn't even have.

 

[Al MacLeod]

Hey nejuicer,

We see what you are doing. If you want to sell a product here go the marketplace or become a sponsor. Stop trying to disguise everyone of your extra long post as a helpful tip when all you are really trying to do is sell your genie and transformer packages. COME ON MAN! Play like the rest of us, please.

Tell you what, folks with info like Nejuicer add so much more to this board than

"the rest of us" that they are in a whole different category.

We need more posters like him!

 

[nejuicer]

Tell you what, folks with info like Nejuicer add so much more to this board than "the rest of us" that they are in a whole different category. We need more posters like him!

Thanks for the support Al. I thought the guidelines of this forum were like those of other forums - that as long as I make full disclosure of my relationship to the product under discussion I could post my opinion about it. I have made pains in my post to fully disclose my relationship to the equipment discussed in the forum and made clear that I was speaking as a working gaffer and not as a "sales rep" for ScreenLight & Grip. Where gaffers quite often own lighting & grip rental houses that sell and custom fabricate equipment, I feel some allowance should be made for postings like mine. To censor the communication about new innovative technology because it happens to come from the innovator will only make our community poorer.

I have put many hours into researching generators, the harmonic noise generated by electronic ballasts, and the effect it has on set power. I have spent many more hours trying to put that down in writing so that others can benfit by it as well. I have made this information available for free in this forum rather than selling it to a trade magazine or publisher that would make you pay for it. I appreciate the positive feedback.

- Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston