JD
Well-Known Member
Wow! 99 posts on preheats! Well, here is 2 more cents. If I load a show in during a cold winter day for a one nighter, then I do a long preheat. It helps dry the condensation out of the fixtures. If the show is a long run, then not-so-much. I have my dimmers trimmed at about 2% so as long as rack power is on there is some heating. I usually do not power my racks unless I am in the building. (Keep in mind, I do mainly one nighters.) With regard to fixed locations, it can waste a ton of energy. At 5% or less, you are not hurting the lamps as the filaments are not at a temperature that is hot enough to boil off tungsten, you are however using up a lot of power. I know many leave things powered 24/7 and if that is the case then 0% is much better for many reasons. Power off is still best because you eliminate potential surge damage while the equipment is not in use.
