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[Chris Hutagalung]

Hi folks,

I am a newbie here and I need some guidance on power wattage since I want to start a new sound rental company and i need to have some good knowledge about power. I hope people here can help me and I really appreciate that.

So in my country we need to have our own power generator since most of venues here they dont let use their mains.

My starting setup would be JBL PRX series consisting 2 JBL PRX712 and 2 PRX718XLF Sub. All of them rated on 1500W per unit. How do I count the power draw to determine which generator should i buy.

Thank you so much guys,

[TJ (Tom) Cornish]

Hi folks,

I am a newbie here and I need some guidance on power wattage since I want to start a new sound rental company and i need to have some good knowledge about power. I hope people here can help me and I really appreciate that.

So in my country we need to have our own power generator since most of venues here they dont let use their mains.

My starting setup would be JBL PRX series consisting 2 JBL PRX712 and 2 PRX718XLF Sub. All of them rated on 1500W per unit. How do I count the power draw to determine which generator should i buy.

Thank you so much guys,

The output power rating doesn't necessarily relate to the current consumption of the device. Most speakers and amplifiers have an input power rating in the specs that is a better number to use. The 1/8th power value is usually a good place to start If that is specified.

What country do you live in and what types of generators are available?

[Chris Hutagalung]

The output power rating doesn't necessarily relate to the current consumption of the device. Most speakers and amplifiers have an input power rating in the specs that is a better number to use. The 1/8th power value is usually a good place to start If that is specified.

What country do you live in and what types of generators are available?

I live in indonesia where voltage is 220 and I see a lot of honda generators with the most common are 5,5 kVa

[Brian Jojade]

The problem with using speakers/amps on a generator is that they are not a consistent draw device.  With most common generators, when you put more load on them, they will ramp up to accommodate that load.  With things like lights, that works great.  With audio, the problem is, by the time the generator ramps up, the amplifier no longer needs that load.   Making sure you have good voltage regulation is key on a generator.

When working with speakers, the average power draw is going to be pretty low, but the peak draw can be much higher.  When plugged into a traditional outlet, there is extra reserve power available from the grid that can far exceed even the rated power of the breaker for short periods.  i.e., if your average draw is 10 amps, but you need 25 amps for a brief second, a 20 amp circuit will not trip.  On a generator, that unlimited reserve is not there unless you significantly size the generator appropriately.

So, as a general rule of thumb, I like to match my generator to whatever the rated power of the amps will be.  So, with your 4 1500 watt speakers, I'd want a 6000 watt generator.  Sure, you could probably plug all 4 speakers into a 20 amp circuit (at 120V, which is 2400 watts) and it would work fine.  Generators you want more headroom.

[Joe Brugnoni]

Hi folks,

I am a newbie here and I need some guidance on power wattage since I want to start a new sound rental company and i need to have some good knowledge about power. I hope people here can help me and I really appreciate that.

So in my country we need to have our own power generator since most of venues here they dont let use their mains.

My starting setup would be JBL PRX series consisting 2 JBL PRX712 and 2 PRX718XLF Sub. All of them rated on 1500W per unit. How do I count the power draw to determine which generator should i buy.

Thank you so much guys,

For what its worth,, I have a bunch of K 12 stuff,,, 6 tops and 2 subs.. I routinely run the entire system off one 15 or 20 amp 110 circuit with no issues.. I try to find two and will use two but Just did a gig this weekend with a loud band and kicked it hard on one circuit

[Brian Jojade]

For what its worth,, I have a bunch of K 12 stuff,,, 6 tops and 2 subs.. I routinely run the entire system off one 15 or 20 amp 110 circuit with no issues.. I try to find two and will use two but Just did a gig this weekend with a loud band and kicked it hard on one circuit

But what needs to be considered is the peak power draw.  When plugged into an electrical service, there is a mighty reserve hanging out in the grid.  The breaker will trip when the average power exceeds the breaker rating for a period of time.  There could be short draws of power that far exceed the breaker rating.

With a generator, there is no such reserve there.  If you need a peak draw of 25 amps to create that bass note, the wall outlet will have it available, but the generator won't. The result is less power available for the amp, and possibly a significant voltage drop causing all sorts of other issues.

[Robert Piascik]

I routinely run the entire system off one 15 or 20 amp 110 circuit with no issues.

This doesn't tell us anything because we have no way of knowing how hard you are driving it. I can theoretically run ANY system off of one circuit if I barely turn it on.

[Tim McCulloch]

This doesn't tell us anything because we have no way of knowing how hard you are driving it. I can theoretically run ANY system off of one circuit if I barely turn it on.

I had 48 Crown I-Tech amps on a 30 amp, 120/240v split phase service (24 I-Techs on each leg).  For updating firmware and setting IP and HiQNet addresses....

That said, the average draw with 28 I-Tech 8000 powering VerTec 4889 tops (9/side) and 4880 subs (6/side) on a recent Pat Benatar concert was about 30 amperes per leg, 3 phase 120/208v service.  I didn't have peak hold capability at that show but estimate them at around 50 amperes.  Venue was half-set arena, about 4000 seats.  The American Idol tour was in the same venue last week and the Clair i3 rig with Old Iron Macrotech power was drawing about 40 amperes per leg and it wasn't as loud as Pat.  I think the extra 10 amperes went to the big-ass EQ bump from 4k to 6k3... very spitty and sibilant.

Chris, when I plan for electrical needs I use the figures published by the amp manufacturer for 1/8 continuous power (occasional clipping) multiplied by 1.20 as my basis for the tops, and 1/3 continuous power for subwoofer amps.  Crown and QSC have this data readily available on their web sites, and I'd expect others to offer such specifications too.

Your comment about the venue not allowing their client to use the mains power strikes me as very, very odd compared to how things are done in the USA - access to sufficient electrical service is a Really Big Deal, and venues are expected to have it available.  What is the reason for this in your locale?

[Steve M Smith]

Your comment about the venue not allowing their client to use the mains power strikes me as very, very odd compared to how things are done in the USA - access to sufficient electrical service is a Really Big Deal, and venues are expected to have it available.  What is the reason for this in your locale?

I have seen references in a few threads here about hotels and similar sized venues in the US charging for electricity use.  Is that normal practice?

Here we just turn up, plug in and do the show!


Steve.

[Tim McCulloch]

I have seen references in a few threads here about hotels and similar sized venues in the US charging for electricity use.  Is that normal practice?

Here we just turn up, plug in and do the show!


Steve.

Yes.  Multi-function exhibit spaces sell power; you can't even plug in as the outlets are under lock and key or use a security fastener/cover plate.  Hotels sell everything they can, it's about maximizing "revenue per guest" rather that the old metric "revenue per guest night".  Hotels will even send a houseman into ball rooms, salons and meeting rooms and count how many outlets are in use and the charges just appear on the bill.  Higher amperage services or break-outs (distro) will certainly be billed for.

I'm not sure how our downtown arena bills for utilities but I wouldn't be surprised if the show power transformers were metered separately from offices & HVAC and usage charged to the client.  Our convention center/PAC charges flat rates based on ampacity/voltage of service in exhibit areas and building exterior; auditorium technical power (recently upgraded) is included in the rent.

[Conrad Muzoora]

If you are in Indonesia pick the largest of these Elemax Honda powered generators. They are very reliable and have an automatic voltage regulator!
http://www.elemax.jp/products_ex.html
The SH7600EX has about 6.5KV. I run a qsc Rmx 5050 and 4050 off it with great results at 4R load tickling the clip lights
Conrad
www.kooleventug.com

[Chris Hutagalung]

If you are in Indonesia pick the largest of these Elemax Honda powered generators. They are very reliable and have an automatic voltage regulator!
http://www.elemax.jp/products_ex.html
The SH7600EX has about 6.5KV. I run a qsc Rmx 5050 and 4050 off it with great results at 4R load tickling the clip lights
Conrad
www.kooleventug.com

so youre saying that >6kVa should be enough for 6000W PA system at 220V ?

[Lyle Williams]

so youre saying that >6kVa should be enough for 6000W PA system at 220V ?

Get yourself one of those $20 green power meters and measure how much real power your system draws when you play your kind of material through it at your kind of level.

[Scott Bolt]

I ran a pair of DSR112's over a pair of PRX618S-XLF's and 8 PAR 56 (300W ea at max) all off of a single breaker.

The music was pushing the clip limiters; however, I did pop the breaker eventually and had to get another circuit ran over to prevent it for the rest of the night (wedding reception).

I have frequently ran my system off of a single 15A circuit when NOT running my lights.

Your bigger issue isn't the amps, it is (as mentioned) the surge currents you will need.

What will likely happen with any generator you buy is that the voltage will sag when the surge is needed.  This can cause all kinds of bad things to happen.

If you are running off of a generator, I strongly recommend you use something like the Furman AR1215. 

[Chuck Simon]

If you are running off of a generator, I strongly recommend you use something like the Furman AR1215.

Funny you should say that.  I just fried one on those last weekend.  I was running it on a 30 amp generator for the announcer at the finish line of a race when the magic smoke came out.  I thought I would have plenty of power!  I will never use one of them  with a generator again!

[Tim McCulloch]

Funny you should say that.  I just fried one on those last weekend.  I was running it on a 30 amp generator for the announcer at the finish line of a race when the magic smoke came out.  I thought I would have plenty of power!  I will never use one of them  with a generator again!

AVRs are relatively simple devices - autotransformers that switch secondary windings.  Some do this more elegantly that others, but the basic concepts are the same.  That said, either there was a serious up-stream problem and the Furman died trying to do its job, or the unit developed a fatal defect.  These types of failures are NOT common.

There have been a lot more posts than usual about generator problems.  One in the AC power forum right now, where the OP thinks something about generators is responsible for audio component failure in his digital mixer:  http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/topic,150927.0.html

I suspect the real problems involve using under-sized generators (see the plethora of threads about "how to size a generator) and expecting the genset to simply work.  It's not a kitchen appliance or light bulb...

I will continue my crusade for users to hire "real" generators - the kind that run on diesel fuel and cannot be lifted into the back of your pickup truck.  While MQ Whisper-Watt and similar are not without their issues (always maintenance), we seldom (as in almost never) hear about any down-stream equipment failures when using properly sized generators designed for event or tech grade use.

We do dozens of shows on generators every year, and I reject about 20% of gensets in the first 5 minutes of inspecting them.  If the rental shop sends out a unit with stripped/missing lug screws, broken circuit breaker handles, etc, it's a pretty safe assumption that they've ignored the innards, too, and I red-tag the unit until they come out and fix the broken stuff and service the unit in my presence.  I also tell the event organizers to not be penny-wise and pound foolish - if the budget genset they provide fails at show time, THEY have to deal with hundreds or thousands of unhappy audience members and acts that will demand their settlements RFN.

[g'bye, Dick Rees]

Funny you should say that.  I just fried one on those last weekend.  I was running it on a 30 amp generator for the announcer at the finish line of a race when the magic smoke came out.  I thought I would have plenty of power!  I will never use one of them  with a generator again!

An AR1215 is a 15 amp unit.

See your problem?

[Chuck Simon]

An AR1215 is a 15 amp unit.

See your problem?

Oh yeah, and I smelled it too!   Seriously, though, I thought I was running at less than 15 amps, but I learned my lesson.  it appears Furman is going to repair it under warranty(great service) and it did sacrifice its life to save my equipment.

[Scott Bolt]

Funny you should say that.  I just fried one on those last weekend.  I was running it on a 30 amp generator for the announcer at the finish line of a race when the magic smoke came out.  I thought I would have plenty of power!  I will never use one of them  with a generator again!

Figures!  I recommend a unit, and someone on the forum has one die within a week of my recommendation

In general, I believe that the reliability of the AR1215 has been pretty good.  I am sorry for your loss.

[ProSoundWeb Community]