Power & circuit management for mobile DJ's

[djdave281]

hi i was just wondering i live in the uk and i have a issue from time to time with a smoke machine and occasional with some of my lights when i turn them on or when i swith the smoke to come out it puts a pop through the system can u advise anythink and i always use 2 seperate power sockets that are on 2 seperate rings

Thanks DJ Dave

[remyg34]

So different plugs are different circuits?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@remyg34 Not necessarily, and this is the whole purpose behind the circuit tester. You could have 12 different plugs in a room that were all wired to the same circuit.

[ab100100ful]

I separate sound and lighting and now with the LED's your pretty well protected

[mtm1104]

That circuit tester is great but I don't think a lot of places will let you check out there circuit breaker box.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@mtm1104 Been at this over 20 years. Have yet to come across a venue that wouldn't let me use this, unless they flat out didn't know where the breaker box was.

[mtm1104]

@BassIsLoadedDJ True but I don't think venue's in manhattan, were I do most of my work, will allow that. Maybe when I work in queens or brooklyn I'll give it a try. Thanks

[MrNightro]

One thing not mentioned here is the 80% max constant load of a given circuit. Pretty solid advice given all the same though, I used to use the same circuit finder shown but now use the Greenlee CS series for more accurate results.

[MrNightro]

This is the reason why I like to run my own dedicated distro for all of my gigs.

[wongsmlaw]

Great I like it

[VJ2Kool]

GREAT JOB!!!! I learned a lot! Thanks for this video

[ravendj1]

Awesome setup

[ShieldsDJServices]

I haven't found any other video on youtube that goes over this topic and I think you did a great job with it! I had a question though, that was vaguely answered, but I would really like to be sure. Does the output wattage of your amplifier (ex - 500 watts/side) relate directly to the wattage output of an electrical outlet (ex - 15amp outlet @ 1800 watts). So basically, would that amplifier use 1,000 watts from that 1800 watt outlet?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@ShieldsDJServices There really should be a Part II to this video. It's not a direct correlation between watts from a speaker/amplifier and watts being pulled from the AC plug to generate those watts. Generally amplifiers can crank out watts to a speaker with smaller amp draws than the total watts coming from the speakers. So a 1,000 watt speaker/amp isn't really pulling 1,000 watts from the wall. It's nice to know the formula, and apply it generally. Consult your amp manual for actual draw.

[MSDJALC]

I like youe set-up... its coooool! :P

[123scottsdj]

you should get a 220  range plug

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@123scottsdj That's not really an option for most DJ's or venues.

[DjBlitz619]

Thank you!

[Fantasmic514]

how many amplifiers can you have on your regular 120 watt u.s. outlet? Thanks

[hale992]

hiya,

Could this problem be solved with a 3-phase outlet?

For those who don't know 3-phase is pure mains power (not filtered to 240v) although it's very big and heavy cable; for your instance, could one 3-phase be used to power all that?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@hale992 That gets into something altogether different. Short answer is yes, in theory that would work. Just not very likely that every venue you go to that is the power option available.

[rhyginglive]

Great information! Best DJ channel going!

[ljmike1204]

wel i have a 1200v fogger and more stuff but my laptop and externel hard drive i put on my lights becous of earth loop it makes a anoing buzz and we only have 16A breakers i had the problem once with my sound i had them pluged in a garden shed than the mother pluged in 2 fryng pans and well than the fuse popt

[Giggity2007]

Now you're what I call a professional DJ! Fantastic video. Thanks for posting.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@Giggity2007 Thanks a bunch, and congrats on getting your videos up on YT as well. We can all learn from each other.

[DJJASONPRODUCER]

Hey i really like ur videos they have help me become a better dj =]

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@DJJASONPRODUCER Glad to hear it! Thanks for watchin'

[Nalapathaa]

Really good advice...and nice setup!

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@Nalapathaa Thanks! I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[stefanmplayer]

wow, 2400 watts

in europe a normal power cirquit (inside a normal house) is 240 volts and 16 amps so every time i get my mobile system to a party i know that (by keeping a little headroom) i can use roughly 3500 watts continious

[djdice19]

Hey Rick,

Nice setup! May I ask what truss you are using here. I am looking into getting the Global Truss Mini Arch system 1. Is that sort of similar to what you are running here? Thanks!

-Drew

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

Hey Drew, that's exactly what you're seeing in the video! Only difference is I added a 5' section to extend the truss length from 10' to 15'.

[djdice19]

@BassIsLoadedDJ Thanks. That truss looks sharp! Another question, would you be able to fit a small led par can inside the truss for truss warming?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

Doubtful. I actually just went and measured it and the max diameter fixture you could fit inside the truss is about 3 1/2". I don't know of any LED pars that will fit inside that dimension. I use a couple of moving heads sat on top of the base plate and point them up the truss in a "home" position to send a wash up the truss. That does a decent job. Hope that helps.

[Saydoop]

Extremely jealous of your wireless mic setup! Nice

[Saydoop]

Nice video. Very informative. I agree with separating lights and audio.

But audio watts are not the same same lighting watts.(In the sense your talking about) That's due to the storage caps in amplifiers.

Look at the larger power amps, using the the P=IR (Power = Current x Voltage)formula. I have a QSC PLX 3102 which puts out 3100Watts @ 4ohms Bridged. Does that mean I need a 30Amp circuit so it doesn't blow breakers. Nope. It will run all day long on a dedicated 15A.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

Thanks for watching. Resistance does play a part in the equation. But I'd caution you because here are the specs for the PLX3102:

1/3 Power:

8 ohms-requires 10.7A/120V

4 ohms-requires 16.5A / 120V

If running "Full Power":

8 ohms-requires 21A/120V

4 ohms-requires 33A / 120V

So, I have no doubt that you could run your amp on a dedicated 15A circuit, but you're getting into that troublesome spot that if you really push your system you're asking for a shutdown.

I appreciate you watching!

[Saydoop]

1/8 power is the spec typically used when rating current consumption for amps.

1/8 power spec is typical music playback just at clipping or light clipping.

1/3 power spec is severe clipping.

Full power... no idea why QSC lists this spec.

[deanrhodes]

hi rick, noticed your using th qsc active 12's, i noticed when readng my mackie 450 handbook it says to leave a 0.5 meter gap between active speakers and any TV or computer screens as they give out a magnetic field, have you had any issues??? and are the qsc k sub 500 rms each as they say 1000w but im guessing thats peak like the 12's

Thanks For Reading

Dean Rhodes

Premier Entertainment

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

I normally try to leave more space between TV screens and speakers. But the night this was filmed I did not notice any sort of audible or visual interference.

As for the K-Series power handling, they do in fact handle 500 watts continuous for the low freq driver, and 500 watts for the high freq. I will send you a separate email with a link on this.

[mcfann1013]

I have had issues before but more with using too many outlets. I have so much to learn. It's over my head right now but like everything else, I learn as I go. Oh, and you're a Mac! Me too!

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

The good news with your system Casey is that you can run it all on one circuit easily, even if it's a 15-amp. I got my Mac about a year ago. LOVE IT!

[directsound]

Great video I do the same Great job!!!

DJ Mikey Mike

[traderpete007]

Don't forget that NEMA code says that the circuit can only be run at 80% of breaker. So.... The REAL formula really should be (AMPS * VOLTS) * .80

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@traderpete007 Good point. It's nice to have a buffer, or wiggle room.

[HotMixx210]

Great video, stay away from L.E.D.'s they all look the same (color circles). You have a NICE setup, love the lights.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@HotMixx210 Some of the newer LED scanners and moving heads are really looking nice. Thanks for watchin'

[BOBBYBLENDZ]

i'm still not understanding the stuff at 6:00. does this mean if i plug in my k8s, then all i have is 400 watts left to divide between everything else i have plugged up to my power conditioner? i plugged up 2 hpr152s, 1 hpr181, 2 k8s, a pio 3000 mixer, denon djd4500, wireless shure. volts read 124 volts/00.3 amps with no music. when i cranked it up, it jumped to 121 volts, and the amperage got as high as 1.3 amps. this was at a level pretty close to full dance level. WAS I CLOSE TO POPPING?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@BOBBYBLENDZ If you just ran the heck out of the HPR stuff you'd have 1700 watts going. On a 15-amp breaker, you are right there on the edge. If it's a 20-amp then you have 2,400 watts. If your power conditioner drops to 121 and 1.3 amps, that's still a very light load. Sounds like you were just fine at this particular event actually.

[BOBBYBLENDZ]

@BassIsLoadedDJ hahaha. no event. i was chillin' in the family room. so by watts, are they talking about how many watts the speaker is capable of, like 1000 for each k8?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@BOBBYBLENDZ Think of it the way you would a car that can go over 200mph. That car can also go 55mph. Your 152's are rated at 500watts, the K8's 1000watts, but when they are run light-to-moderately they aren't requiring anywhere near that power, which is why running all that at your home you're only showing 1.3 amps.

[BOBBYBLENDZ]

@BassIsLoadedDJ oh okay. that makes alot of sense. it's 1000 watts max! duh. sorry

hey when qsc says that the "current consumption at 120 VAC" is 2.5 amps, is that what they are saying? are they assuming how much we would have to lean on these puppies at a gig? and so i assume that even though i was cranking the heck out of these speakers, because they were only turned up to like "3" on the dial, that it could have taken more? i never get my k8s above 3 normally. is that a bad thing?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@BOBBYBLENDZ I can't get this crazy reply box to work. I'll send you a message directly.

[Maxsdiscos]

Great video Rik, In the UK, electrical circuits go round in a complete loop (breaker > Sockets > back to breaker)

and our wattages tend to be 32A / 230v

but can be anything from 20A - 40A.

[lifeboats1]

great vid awsome equipment keepem coming your vids r very usfull

[WindyCityMix]

Awesome info! Thanks!

[djsombra9395]

A...1..Awesome video..Thanks...

[JFLORES980]

Hay Rick how much did the Circuit tracker run you

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@JFLORES980 They run about $30.  You may not be able to find this exact brand again, but there are a few manufacturers that make things like it.

[JFLORES980]

@BassIsLoadedDJ Thanks for the info thats a cool little toy to have

[DjBrianProductions]

Thanks for the tips man your awesome do you like those subs more than the k sub?

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@DjBrianProductions I like the 181i's better for bigger events, either meaning number of people, size of venue, or outside. The KSubs still do fantastic for the smaller stuff. It's like family, you may prefer to hang around certain members at certain times, but you still love 'em all!

[bpmdjpro]

Good stuff! Very useful information. I actually have one of those circuit testers and have been using it incorrectly this entire time.

[djvictorsalazar]

Great tips!!

[DJStereoTypical]

Great vid, some good tips, and on another note, stunning looking set up...

[DavidKSweet]

Terrifically informative and helpful. Keep up the great work!

[jasperibe]

Rick, awesome video...I am glad you took the time to record and upload this video. I am sure it will get a lot of views, this is a topic that gets over-looked until its too late.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@jasperibe Thanks so much. I agree power gets overlooked many times, either because a DJ is over confident, or just not aware. When you blow a circuit, that is one of the all-time low's in our business. It literally is a "failure" that in many cases can be prevented.

[rushentertainment]

Great video!! I did a video on this to ill post it as a video response and post yours on my video also

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@rushentertainment Thanks for posting, and your calculations are great too. The beauty of Watts = Amps x Volts is that the equation works in different ways, just like you showed. Nice job. Thanks for watchin'...

[bizzyb53]

Super Tips again,Your attitude is unreal,you don't know how many of us you are helping.Thanks...

DjBizzyb53

[OutLoudProductionsDJ]

Great video! Lucky for me I CAN run just one circuit if need be. My power mixer takes just over 1000w and my basic lighting is down below 200w (thank goodness for LED) At 15 amps / 120volts I've got 1800w to play with. Given the choice I'd much rather have sound and light on 2 seperate circuits though, it's way easier to trouble shoot if a problem was to arise.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@OutLoudProductionsDJ Great comment, you know what numbers are in your system and always aware...perfect!

[absoluteeventservice]

Thanks for the formula, very helpful!!!!

[uptownxpress]

Thanks so much Rick for the vid! This is very helpfull into that everyone needs to understand!

Stefan

[BOBBYBLENDZ]

thank you sooooo much rick!

you don't know how much this helps me, or how long i've been waiting for the questions you answered with this post to be put to rest. i'm rushing out the the hardware store first thing tomorrow morning to snatch up a circuit tracker.

bb

ps- are those hpr-181s on the floor? man, just when i thought that i was the only one still using these instead of the ksubs, you prove me wrong. i want to sell mines, and go lighter, but in a way i don't. they are just so solid!

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@BOBBYBLENDZ My pleasure my man, you're one of those guys I thought of when I made this one. Many of your hardware store guys may not know what you're talking about, in fact I'm not sure this particular GB model is even available anymore. But I guaranty the electrical aisle will have it. All this stuff takes extra time but for a half dozen events a year you will save the day with this kind of care and attention to detail. Thanks for watchin!

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@BOBBYBLENDZ For what it's worth, I own the KSubs too still and these are very different subs for very different applications. Hang on to yours, I think you'll be sorry if you get rid of them!

[sainifabulous]

nice setup! arent those subs 700 watts each? i think im gonna call you guys later on next week about running muiltiple tv screens.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@sainifabulous You're correct, 700 watts each. I had 800 on the brain that day!

[djstimulate]

Awesome video this info is very good stuff to keep in mind for the equipment. :D

[thefamilyk]

Very, VERY, helpful video rick, I really appreciate it. I never knew you had such an elaborate lighting setup, it's pretty incredible. Thank you very much.

[BassIsLoadedDJ]

@thefamilyk Thank you, I really appreciate that. I feel behind on lighting, I really need to get everything converted over to LED now, there is SO much good stuff out right now. Lighter, cooler, and...less WATTS!

[thefamilyk]

Yeah I picked up a few of the Chaveaut Vue 6.1s, they are really nice. It's nice to see other Oregon DJs, I'm in Corvallis myself.