MAC500 Power

[Corbettlight]

I am thinking about renting a MAC500, but on Martin's website, it says it takes many different kinds of power, none of which I seem to have. All I have available is 120V @60 Hz. Is there a way I can use the 500?

[epimetheus]

Check with whoever you would rent from. I know my church has 2 mac 500's that run on 120v, 60hz. I believe they are the mac 500e version.

[KeepOnTruckin]

I would think the rental shop should be able to configure it for your power requirements. Call them and say Hey I only have 120V @60 Hz, can you give me a MAC500 that will work with that?

[abbyt]

Which type of ballasts do the fixtures have that you're trying to rent?

The MAC 500's with magnetic ballasts will not accept 120VAC / 60Hz.

If that's your only option and you MUST have them, perhaps your friendly neighborhood qualified person can tie a power distro into your space somewhere and get 208V or 240V...

-Abby

[gpforet]

If you're considering renting more than a couple, you'll quickly run out of 120 circuits to run them. The original Mac 500 was 220-230v only, E version will run on 120vac, but at 120v you're looking at around 7 amps per instrument.

Originally Posted by Corbettlight

I am thinking about renting a MAC500, but on Martin's website, it says it takes many different kinds of power, none of which I seem to have. All I have available is 120V @60 Hz. Is there a way I can use the 500?

[JD]

Sounds like the 500 uses a series reactor ballast to save weight. (As compared to a multi tap auto-transformer ballast, which weighs much more.) Never had one apart so not sure. The E model with an electronic ballast is the better way to go if it is available.

[Grog12]

The Mac 500 E accepts 120 and 220. That being said when renting it you need to make sure to spec what type of power you are using as the unit must be rewired internally to fit your power supply.

[Corbettlight]

Also, I was wondering if anyone knows of any rental houses in Portland, OR aside from Hollywood Lighting. They only carry Martin, and I thought maybe I could get a better deal on something else from somewhere else.