when no electricity
- Thread starter robbailey
- Start date
Bern Caughey
Veteran
Sounds like you want a Honda "Putt-Putt" generator with built-in inverter.
http://www.alny.net/equipment/generators/putt-putt-generators/
Larger than those & you'll need a skilled Electrician on set.
Don't know where your working but check whether a permit is needed for the juice. And have a fire extinguisher nearby.
http://www.alny.net/equipment/generators/putt-putt-generators/
Larger than those & you'll need a skilled Electrician on set.
Don't know where your working but check whether a permit is needed for the juice. And have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Vik Kamenicky
Active member
Remember to have some headroom. 1kW can handle 1kW lamp (or anything else), but just it's safer to have some headroom.
RyanT
Veteran
Don't put more than 80% full load and you'll be okay.
Also just note that there are potential grounding issues that arise from using multiple portable generators together, or using them in tandem with house power. I believe the rule is you have to keep two power sources 12' away from each other for interiors, or 20' away for exteriors. Otherwise you'll have to bond the two power sources together.
It's a bit technical, but either way just know that using two power sources could be potentially dangerous. Again perhaps time to get an experienced gaffer to help you out.
Also just note that there are potential grounding issues that arise from using multiple portable generators together, or using them in tandem with house power. I believe the rule is you have to keep two power sources 12' away from each other for interiors, or 20' away for exteriors. Otherwise you'll have to bond the two power sources together.
It's a bit technical, but either way just know that using two power sources could be potentially dangerous. Again perhaps time to get an experienced gaffer to help you out.
Last edited:
with no details, you will get no answer.
Generators and loads are not just an equal sign.
you need to know the kind of load (purely resistive like filament lamps, or inductive like a fluorescent lamp).
you need to know the startup factor (a motor can ask up 5 time the nominal power to start)
If you run very long cable you need to keep that in mind too.
Generators and loads are not just an equal sign.
you need to know the kind of load (purely resistive like filament lamps, or inductive like a fluorescent lamp).
you need to know the startup factor (a motor can ask up 5 time the nominal power to start)
If you run very long cable you need to keep that in mind too.
Rob,
To give you a decent answer, you need to provide a bunch of detail:
How big is the venue and what do you have to light? Indoors or out? Is it a one person interview or an entire sound stage?
What is the length of time that you need lighting?
What lights do you intend to use; tungtens, flow, LCD? and how many total watts?
For short one person interviews using LCDs, you might go battery power and possibly an inverter depending on the lights.
The longer you need power and larger the load, the more likely a gen set will be needed. Fumes might be a consideration.
For a given amount of light, tungsten uses the most power, followed by flos, and LCD is the most efficient.
You will always want to ground your power source and can be done in a variety of ways via ground rod, bonding to a metal water pipe, or tapping into a panel. depending on the distance between the fixture and the source, additional grounding near the fixture might be prudent.
For short quick interviews, a couple of battery powered LCD lights can really be the trick.
To give you a decent answer, you need to provide a bunch of detail:
How big is the venue and what do you have to light? Indoors or out? Is it a one person interview or an entire sound stage?
What is the length of time that you need lighting?
What lights do you intend to use; tungtens, flow, LCD? and how many total watts?
For short one person interviews using LCDs, you might go battery power and possibly an inverter depending on the lights.
The longer you need power and larger the load, the more likely a gen set will be needed. Fumes might be a consideration.
For a given amount of light, tungsten uses the most power, followed by flos, and LCD is the most efficient.
You will always want to ground your power source and can be done in a variety of ways via ground rod, bonding to a metal water pipe, or tapping into a panel. depending on the distance between the fixture and the source, additional grounding near the fixture might be prudent.
For short quick interviews, a couple of battery powered LCD lights can really be the trick.