The Problem that i am facing is for our biggest production i am running out of
power. I need to
power 40 1000w Pars, 4 Cyberlights CX, and 20
LCD lights. If i have done me math right i am about 58 Amps short of having enough to
power everything. Note that the Cyberlights run on 208
I haven't done the math but I take it you worked it out on everything being on full at the same time?
I have been in the same boat but so long as you tell the students never to bring every light up to full you should be able to get a away with it.
For example unless you are using all
Par 64's with just one colour then generally they shouldn't be on full all the time.
It is just a matter of balancing the load if the
power supply have
current meters then it is easier. But even if you don't and you can find out what
circuit supplies which dimmers you can spread the load across the different packs. It sounds like you might have this info already but if not talk to the schools electrical contractor.
Failing this if the
circuit breakers are at least labelled for lighting by turning turning them off one at time you can get an idea of which controls which
dimmer. I take it from your
plug diagram that each
dimmer has 3 channels per 120v
leg that comes in from the
plug. Someone who has used these packs may correct me. If you have to do the
circuit breaker test make sure the dimmers are only lightly loaded.
The inital patch up takes a while but since you have a
DMX board you can then
softpatch the lights into a more sensible order for plotting.
Another thing to think about is using
PAR 64's the best thing for the show or should you hire in other lights such as more
leko's. My question only really applies if you are using some of the
PAR 64's as area lighting as opposed to just using them for colour washes. Because as you know you can get lower wattage lights that are better for the area lighting then the
Par 64's which help cut your
power load.
How far off is the schools new
theatre? If it is within the next year or so and the lighting rig hasn't been set set in stone you might like to contact some local suppliers. Ask them if they can provide a few lights from their range so you can do real life comparisons. They may say no but it can't to hurt to ask. You could sweeten the deal by a free add in the program. If they come to the party you might also be able to invite other teachers/technicians from local schools for a showcase of their product. Obviously you'll have to get your school's permission. I have done a school show where a lighting manufacturer's products made the difference between having enough lights and not enough. They also threw in the loan of one of the follow spot's they made. This was dealing direct with the actual lighting manufacturer as opposed to one of their suppliers.
My idea might be more trouble then it's worth.