Power inverter? Portable power
- Thread starterJon Majors
- Start date
MRW Lights
Well-Known Member
As others said, you need to figure your actual power requirements (and runtime requirements and weight requirements) and work from there. A lead-acid battery suitable for powering a normal fog machine for any length of time is not going to be particularly lightweight nor compact. If you can preheat the fogger off the inverter that will presumably help ease the power requirements somewhat. Also keep in mind the acid and fumes associated with lead-acid batteries, particularly flooded ones (as opposed to AGM batteries) and take appropriate precautions to ensure they are handled and used safely...and, of course, to avoid the possibility of short-circuits, which could be unexpectedly spectacular.
One interesting possibility is this unit (or various vaguely similar ones from other companies). By the time you get batteries for it, though, you're looking at spending something like a thousand dollars. For the (LED or similar lower-power) lights alone, you could get by with a smaller and less-expensive unit most likely.
Do be aware that a lot of lower-price inverters are modified sine wave inverters, and some devices do not work properly on them--or work at all. Traditional phase-control light dimmers are among the devices that definitely will not work properly with a MSW inverter. The particular Ryobi unit linked is a pure sine wave inverter, rather than an MSW inverter, and so should not cause any such problems.
One interesting possibility is this unit (or various vaguely similar ones from other companies). By the time you get batteries for it, though, you're looking at spending something like a thousand dollars. For the (LED or similar lower-power) lights alone, you could get by with a smaller and less-expensive unit most likely.
Do be aware that a lot of lower-price inverters are modified sine wave inverters, and some devices do not work properly on them--or work at all. Traditional phase-control light dimmers are among the devices that definitely will not work properly with a MSW inverter. The particular Ryobi unit linked is a pure sine wave inverter, rather than an MSW inverter, and so should not cause any such problems.
Strands of lights and a fog machine - what do they need to do? Are you talking fog out the entire venue or just puff a bit to simulate a cooking pot or a small fire? If it's the latter, look into a TinyFogger that can run at 12v.
Are the strands of lights bistros? Are they something you can run at low voltage with RC4/ShowBabies and avoid the need for 120?
Are the strands of lights bistros? Are they something you can run at low voltage with RC4/ShowBabies and avoid the need for 120?
Jon Majors
Active Member
As an experiment, try filling a garbage bag with smoke, waiting for the same time as the cart has to be on stage, and then giving the bag a squeeze. If it works, then you don't need to power a fogger. Instead you can charge up a bladder or piston, mounted on the cart, in the wings and push out smoke mechanically on stage. If it doesn't work, you have a lightly used garbage bag that can be repurposed for its original intent.
RickR
Well-Known Member
The camping devices are misnamed 'solar generators' they are chargers and inverters in a box with an expensive lithium battery. Nothing generates power. Generally the parts are cheaper than the custom assembly.
I can see a producing company buying one as a long term tool. They are handy and portable. I suspect brands are focused on features rather than reliability.
I can see a producing company buying one as a long term tool. They are handy and portable. I suspect brands are focused on features rather than reliability.
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