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[Mark Norgren]

I run and play in a small band with powered QSC speakers, 4 subs, mains, and monitors.  Usually a small light rig also.  I have showed up at some gigs this summer where I have to scramble at times to get safe power to the stage.  At a couple of parks, they had a 50 amp service close to the stage and we had to find a spider box to get 110 power.  What distro or spider box to guy recommend for these types of venues?  TIA

[Steve Crump]

I run and play in a small band with powered QSC speakers, 4 subs, mains, and monitors.  Usually a small light rig also.  I have showed up at some gigs this summer where I have to scramble at times to get safe power to the stage.  At a couple of parks, they had a 50 amp service close to the stage and we had to find a spider box to get 110 power.  What distro or spider box to guy recommend for these types of venues?  TIA

Www.lexproducts.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000289AQK/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_inactive_ship_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Riley Casey]

If you only need this a few times a year rent something like this along with the appropriate* power cable from Sunbelt or your local industrial equipment rental house. The trick of course is that 'appropriate' cable. The 50 amp 'California plug' is something of a standard these days but you can't be sure that's what the venue de jour has installed without checking first.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand-Wiremold-50-Amp-125-Volt-250-Volt-Spider-Box-Temporary-Power-Distribution-Unit-with-12-GFCI-Outlets-XDU50A/316259485

* https://www.lockingpowercords.com/category/31-hubbell-50a-twist-lock.aspx

[Lou Kohley]

I have this one.
https://www.indu-electric.com/products/power-distribution/lunch-box-series/
FB-F5-PT-03

I've had it for about 5 years. Works great and very compact.
No GFCI though.

LOU

[Tim Weaver]

I agree with the "rent it" idea. You don't want to sink thousands into something you only need twice a year. If you rent it you can just pass that cost on to the client. If they balk at it give them the opportunity to rent the same thing. You need power on stage that is obvious. Make it their problem.

[Luke Geis]

Those ugly spider boxes with GFCI are always a problem in my experience. I won't use them or touch them. The Indu Electric Lunch boxes are the bee's Knees though! Takes a while to get them made, but worth the price tag ( honestly not too bad considering ). You want the FB-F5-PT-03 model for reference. Last I checked they were about $500.

[Kirk Olson]

Another vote for Lex.  I use the PRM3KN-9CC 50amp rackmount distro.  I have it in a rack with my board stagebox, and a few other rack items.  Just be sure to have a few pigtails converting various 50 amp plugs for the other end of your cable.....California connector and NEMA 14-50 are the most common in my area.

[Riley Casey]

GFCIs are required by code for outdoor use throughout the US. One look from an electrical inspector and it's show over til the distro is swapped out.

Those ugly spider boxes with GFCI are always a problem in my experience. I won't use them or touch them. The Indu Electric Lunch boxes are the bee's Knees though! Takes a while to get them made, but worth the price tag ( honestly not too bad considering ). You want the FB-F5-PT-03 model for reference. Last I checked they were about $500.

[Scott Holtzman]

Another vote for Lex.  I use the PRM3KN-9CC 50amp rackmount distro.  I have it in a rack with my board stagebox, and a few other rack items.  Just be sure to have a few pigtails converting various 50 amp plugs for the other end of your cable.....California connector and NEMA 14-50 are the most common in my area.

I was going to make that point, after a few years you will get quite a collection of punts so you will be ready to deal with anything.

[Steve Crump]

I run and play in a small band with powered QSC speakers, 4 subs, mains, and monitors.  Usually a small light rig also.  I have showed up at some gigs this summer where I have to scramble at times to get safe power to the stage.  At a couple of parks, they had a 50 amp service close to the stage and we had to find a spider box to get 110 power.  What distro or spider box to guy recommend for these types of venues?  TIA

The model already has the cord connection.

https://www.amazon.com/CEP-Construction-Electrical-Products-6508GU/dp/B00MOGMYKW/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1A68EHWK2TXKT&dchild=1&keywords=temporary+power+distribution+box&qid=1631135895&sprefix=temporary+power+%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-12

[Kurt J Nemer]

If you go the spider box route, make sure to check that the 20 amp 120 volt circuits use a straight blade connector, many use a twist lock.

[Brian Jojade]

I agree with the "rent it" idea. You don't want to sink thousands into something you only need twice a year. If you rent it you can just pass that cost on to the client. If they balk at it give them the opportunity to rent the same thing. You need power on stage that is obvious. Make it their problem.

If you're spending thousands on a spider box, you're probably buying the wrong stuff.  This is an item that costs hundreds, not thousands.

But yeah, this type of things definitely should be a separate line item on the invoice.  Using it twice a year, it may take a while to recoup the cost, but stuff like this can last you decades.

[Mark Norgren]

Thanks for the tips guys!  While I appreciate to the rackmount unit, not sure I want to drag it around if I don't need it for the current gig.

Those ugly spider boxes with GFCI are always a problem in my experience. I won't use them or touch them. The Indu Electric Lunch boxes are the bee's Knees though! Takes a while to get them made, but worth the price tag ( honestly not too bad considering ). You want the FB-F5-PT-03 model for reference. Last I checked they were about $500.

I just emailed them about a quote.  Would you care to elaborate on your comments about GFCI's?  Typically I would use this box outdoors and the GFCI's could come in handy unless they trip for some unknown reason?

[Tim Weaver]

If you're spending thousands on a spider box, you're probably buying the wrong stuff.  This is an item that costs hundreds, not thousands.

But yeah, this type of things definitely should be a separate line item on the invoice.  Using it twice a year, it may take a while to recoup the cost, but stuff like this can last you decades.

I'm just having PTSD about the last time I priced copper. I can imagine that a spider box, 100 feet of CS-plugged 6/4 and some quads would easily add up to probably the 2000 range. But again, I'm out of the game now and don't have to worry about what Copper costs!

[Mal Brown]

I bought a Leviton 'The Box' GFCI in good shape for $225 (Craigslist, Tools).   100' of Southwire cable with CA style connectors - Amazon was cheapest.  $350 when I bought.  Got an oven range plug to CA 15 for at ACE for (I'm old and forget...)  works great didn't cost an arm and a leg.  No trip to rent/return.  There are maybe 4 venues in my area and several unimproved sites where I use a tow in gennie with it.  I comp sides it an important piece to have in my kit, for either band or sound co use.

[Brian Jojade]

100' of Southwire cable with CA style connectors - Amazon was cheapest.  $350 when I bought.

Copper is about double that right now.

Still, the OP stated that the 50 amp plugs are close to the stage, so a long heavy piece of cable wouldn't be necessary.

For reference, Sunbelt rents 50' 6/4 cables for $30/day, or $79 for a week.  Spiderbox rental is $65/day or $160/week. And all they need to do is put it on the counter for the customer to pick up.  Think about that detail the next time you quote your project.  The little things add up!

Yes, for something like this that lasts pretty much forever, even if you use it twice a year, it makes sense to own.  Renting it out twice a year would have a payout in 5 years, but it would last many many more years than that.

Power is NOT something you should be scrambling to get together. This should ALWAYS be discussed before hand and specified in the contract.  If you get there and what's specified isn't, then additional charges for the additional equipment to get the job done are justified.

[Mal Brown]

Copper is about double that right now.

Still, the OP stated that the 50 amp plugs are close to the stage, so a long heavy piece of cable wouldn't be necessary.

on my plate is bracing the 100 into a  70 and a 30 and getting an in-line connector..  The 100 is a beast but... every once in a while I need the full length.

[Scott Holtzman]

Copper is about double that right now.

Still, the OP stated that the 50 amp plugs are close to the stage, so a long heavy piece of cable wouldn't be necessary.

For reference, Sunbelt rents 50' 6/4 cables for $30/day, or $79 for a week.  Spiderbox rental is $65/day or $160/week. And all they need to do is put it on the counter for the customer to pick up.  Think about that detail the next time you quote your project.  The little things add up!

Yes, for something like this that lasts pretty much forever, even if you use it twice a year, it makes sense to own.  Renting it out twice a year would have a payout in 5 years, but it would last many many more years than that.

Power is NOT something you should be scrambling to get together. This should ALWAYS be discussed before hand and specified in the contract.  If you get there and what's specified isn't, then additional charges for the additional equipment to get the job done are justified.

Yeah when I was still running bar gigs I remember I had a "rate" with a band and they tried to slip in a patio show.  It was on my way somewhere and I had a look.  I would have hat to bring 4 100ft 3/12 SOOW extension cords.  Almost half of what they were paying what I charge now.  I told them I needed 100 extra bucks for power and they told me I was insane they could buy extension cords for that.  That's when I punched out.  Line item invoicing is the way to go and power should pay for itself quick.  Even threefers have cost.

[Mark Norgren]

What are your thoughts on this box.  It comes with two 50 amp plugs, so I can make my own cord.  It has four 110 v and one 220 v 30 amp on front.  For my needs all looks good?  Remember that I will only be using this a couple of times per year with a very modest system for my band.  But yes, I want to be safe.

[Brian Jojade]

What are your thoughts on this box.  It comes with two 50 amp plugs, so I can make my own cord.  It has four 110 v and one 220 v 30 amp on front.  For my needs all looks good?  Remember that I will only be using this a couple of times per year with a very modest system for my band.  But yes, I want to be safe.

Looks like your basic spider box to me. 

[Tim Weaver]

That'll do Pig. That'll do.

[Mark Norgren]

I'm on it!

[ProSoundWeb Community]