Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: How to Running Props Battery...

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Officeman
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Topic: How to Running Props Battery...
Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:32am

We're doing a production of JEKYLL & HYDE and I need to run some electrical items for the lab without running an extension cord...if possible. The main item is a table top "bunsen burner" which is normally plugged into a 110 VAC outlet which in turn runs a small fan and two 12V, 20 WATT lamps. The other item may be a small black light.

I'm quite sure I can run these items off of a battery, but have no idea how to do it! Can anyone point me in the right direction (i.e. type and size of battery and how to hook it up?)

Thanks!

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Spectrum
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Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:16pm

Since you state these items normally run from 110VAC you won't be able to run them DIRECTLY from a battery of any sort, but you can hook up an INVERTER (an electronic device that typically converts 12VDC to 110VAC) between the battery and your devices. The battery needed will no doubt be a 12 volt car battery and maybe two of them in PARALLEL (for extra current capabilities). You will have to add up the electrical load of all devices combined and get an inverter that will handle that much current. The manual that comes with such a device should indicate the size (current capability) of the battery you will need. Something else to consider; these devices are not purely resistive (as in light bulbs) since you mention there are fans running. Fans are an inductive load so the inverter you use will have to be able to handle this type of load. Ignoring this little tidbit and using an inverter designed for resistive loads (they are typically cheaper than the inductive type) could damage the inverter semiconductors if used to run fans. (The damage would happen when you turned it off). Confused? If so, you probably need to get someone with a little technical savvy to help you out. In any event, GOOD LUCK!

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 10/03/05 at 2:29am

Well explained Spectrum!
Just thinking it may be easier just to get auto 12VDC lamps, fans & whatever!
As Spectrum suggests you can run them off a 2 or more 12VDC batteries in Parallel. [Not in Series] to take the current/load!
YEE IN DOUBT - DEE NOWT!

Find someone who is a Sparky &/or understands Ohms Law, you might not be messing about with higher pressure AC Voltage, but you can still cause a lot of problems unknowingly!

Also sealed batteries, like you use in Alarm Panels, are far safer for stage work. - than the car lead acid type!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Officeman
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Posted: 10/03/05 at 9:16pm

Thanks!

I'm working on a Plan B (assuming I can't find a electrical whiz!) to run an extension cord to the set piece housing the items I mentioned. Might be a heck of a lot easier hiding the cord than dealing with the batteries!

Thanks again!

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Aimee
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Posted: 10/03/05 at 9:32pm

Depending on how small of a blacklight you need, I have seen those (Small hand held) for sale that do run on batteries. Honestly you might try a Halloween type store for that. Good time of year to find that type, right now anyway. Magic specialty store might be worth a try too.

Aimee

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mark_j
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Joined: 11/28/04
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Posted: 10/04/05 at 9:04am

Has anyone ever tried a UPS (uninteruptable power supply) from a computer store? We considered this once, but I don't remember why we went with 12v batteries instead.

Mark

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Dudecar101
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Location: Canada
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Posted: 11/04/05 at 7:42pm

I designed a rope light power system with 2 12V car batteries, a power inverter, fuse and rope light control sysytem to power a rope light that was carried out by actors, and our stage being so difficult didnt have one single 110V AC plug in sight (there was one a good 22' in the air right above center stage) but we needed to be able to store it on a cart that the rope light was pulled out of and simply pushed back in...it worked extremely well

HELPFUL TIP: Run everything in Parallel, you will save batteries and in the event of a failure, just the one strand didnt work!

Im a great 11 student whose a lighting designer...if you got ideas...send em!

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Thespian_4_ever
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Posted: 3/24/06 at 5:53pm

maybe try running a cord along the edge of your stage comming from the Arch cover it with black masking tape (there's some tech name but I don't know) then attach an outlet to the end then just plug it in or if you can cut holes into the stage try an outlet right under the table.

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swizzle
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Joined: 10/29/06
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Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:49pm

Gaffer tape!

I agree with 'Thespian_4_ever' I would look to place a receptical as a thru mount on the stage, when set peice is in place, you can just plug it straight in. Could then be routed to the SM desk or light desk.

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Lights and Sound
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Lights and Sound

Author	Message
Officeman Walk-On Joined: 10/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: How to Running Props Battery... Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:32am
	We're doing a production of JEKYLL & HYDE and I need to run some electrical items for the lab without running an extension cord...if possible. The main item is a table top "bunsen burner" which is normally plugged into a 110 VAC outlet which in turn runs a small fan and two 12V, 20 WATT lamps. The other item may be a small black light. I'm quite sure I can run these items off of a battery, but have no idea how to do it! Can anyone point me in the right direction (i.e. type and size of battery and how to hook it up?) Thanks!

	IP Logged

Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:16pm
	Since you state these items normally run from 110VAC you won't be able to run them DIRECTLY from a battery of any sort, but you can hook up an INVERTER (an electronic device that typically converts 12VDC to 110VAC) between the battery and your devices. The battery needed will no doubt be a 12 volt car battery and maybe two of them in PARALLEL (for extra current capabilities). You will have to add up the electrical load of all devices combined and get an inverter that will handle that much current. The manual that comes with such a device should indicate the size (current capability) of the battery you will need. Something else to consider; these devices are not purely resistive (as in light bulbs) since you mention there are fans running. Fans are an inductive load so the inverter you use will have to be able to handle this type of load. Ignoring this little tidbit and using an inverter designed for resistive loads (they are typically cheaper than the inductive type) could damage the inverter semiconductors if used to run fans. (The damage would happen when you turned it off). Confused? If so, you probably need to get someone with a little technical savvy to help you out. In any event, GOOD LUCK!
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 10/03/05 at 2:29am
	Well explained Spectrum! Just thinking it may be easier just to get auto 12VDC lamps, fans & whatever! As Spectrum suggests you can run them off a 2 or more 12VDC batteries in Parallel. [Not in Series] to take the current/load! YEE IN DOUBT - DEE NOWT! Find someone who is a Sparky &/or understands Ohms Law, you might not be messing about with higher pressure AC Voltage, but you can still cause a lot of problems unknowingly! Also sealed batteries, like you use in Alarm Panels, are far safer for stage work. - than the car lead acid type!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Officeman Walk-On Joined: 10/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/03/05 at 9:16pm
	Thanks! I'm working on a Plan B (assuming I can't find a electrical whiz!) to run an extension cord to the set piece housing the items I mentioned. Might be a heck of a lot easier hiding the cord than dealing with the batteries! Thanks again!
	IP Logged

Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Posted: 10/03/05 at 9:32pm
	Depending on how small of a blacklight you need, I have seen those (Small hand held) for sale that do run on batteries. Honestly you might try a Halloween type store for that. Good time of year to find that type, right now anyway. Magic specialty store might be worth a try too.
	Aimee
	IP Logged

mark_j Lead Joined: 11/28/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Posted: 10/04/05 at 9:04am
	Has anyone ever tried a UPS (uninteruptable power supply) from a computer store? We considered this once, but I don't remember why we went with 12v batteries instead. Mark
	IP Logged

Dudecar101 Walk-On Joined: 9/16/05 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 11/04/05 at 7:42pm
	I designed a rope light power system with 2 12V car batteries, a power inverter, fuse and rope light control sysytem to power a rope light that was carried out by actors, and our stage being so difficult didnt have one single 110V AC plug in sight (there was one a good 22' in the air right above center stage) but we needed to be able to store it on a cart that the rope light was pulled out of and simply pushed back in...it worked extremely well HELPFUL TIP: Run everything in Parallel, you will save batteries and in the event of a failure, just the one strand didnt work!
	Im a great 11 student whose a lighting designer...if you got ideas...send em!
	IP Logged

Thespian_4_ever Lead Joined: 9/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 43	Posted: 3/24/06 at 5:53pm
	maybe try running a cord along the edge of your stage comming from the Arch cover it with black masking tape (there's some tech name but I don't know) then attach an outlet to the end then just plug it in or if you can cut holes into the stage try an outlet right under the table.
	IP Logged

swizzle Walk-On Joined: 10/29/06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:49pm
	Gaffer tape! I agree with 'Thespian_4_ever' I would look to place a receptical as a thru mount on the stage, when set peice is in place, you can just plug it straight in. Could then be routed to the SM desk or light desk.
	IP Logged

Topic: How to Running Props Battery...( Topic Closed)