Crossover lights

[headcrab]

The student who we are training thought it might be a good idea to be able to control the crossover lights from the booth. Actors keep turning them on. These are fluorescent lights so I can't use a dimmer. I don't have any relays with 120VAC coils, but I did find a few with 24VDC coils (Zettler AZ2100-1C-24DE). Can I have an electrician install these or will the PC pins cause a problem? If they will be a problem, where does one buy suitable relays for this purpose?

Oh and by the way, how do I upload a picture? I was going to show one of the relay but I couldn't figure out how to do that.

[derekleffew]

The easiest way to add a picture is to host it on an external site (Picassa, Photobucket, etc.) and link to it here using the "Insert Image" icon (the picture of mountains with the sun over them).
Alternatively, under "Additional Options" below the response box is an "Attach files" area, "Valid file extensions: bmp doc dwg gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png psd skp txt zip", and a "Manage Attachments" button. Here one can upload files to CB's server, and they appear at the bottom of the post, as thumbnails, such as the attached.
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I'm not sure what you want to do with the relay, but I would suggest if the actors keep turning on your crossover lights, they must think they need them, so the problem might be solved by education. I further believe that all non-performance lighting should be controlled from backstage by the SM or ASM, and not from the Booth.

[NickJones]

Yeah, agree with Derek, having to run in the dark up to the booth, no fun. And you don't want exess people in the booth.

During the show if the actors keep turning them on then obviously there isn't enough light there. If it's in rehearsals and you are trying to program and they want lights on, get your spot ops, arm them, and send them down there to guard the switch!
Nick

[headcrab]

Just to clarify I was thinking that the NC contacts would control power for the lights (in series with the switches). I would have a switch in the booth that would control power to the coil.
I considered the NO contacts but that would mean the coil would need power constantly.
However I now think that I could save a lot of trouble by educating the actors or guarding the switch.
But for future reference, would having that relay installed be a problem?
Thanks.

[spiwak2005]

Another really simple and sometimes effective "lock out" method would be putting a piece of gaff over the switch once it's set for show mode. Leave a note that says "Tech access only". I had to do that all the time for work light panels on stage during high school shows. Doesn't truly prevent anything but makes the actors think for a couple seconds before ripping the tape off.

[n1ist]

That relay is not the best choice - you would need to have an appropriate PC board made to mount them on. A better choice is a din-rail mounted contactor in an appropriate enclosure; it should be an easy installation for an electrician.

[headcrab]

Even though it has quick disconnects for the power contacts?