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Front Of Stage / Power Cord - Management ?

LowDown Hal

LowDown Hal

Aug 30, 2007
1,486
7
southeast Michigan
#1
Typically we have two powered main's and three powered monitors more or less lined up across the fron of our stage or performance space.

I am looking for something sort of like a power cord snake. I know I can build it but I'm lazy...

I picture a cord approx. 50' long.
Starting from the and away from the outlet I picture two plugs every 7.5'
So in 30' I would have 5 (sets) of two plugs each.
Then maybe/maybe not one more set around the middle of the remaining 20'

That way we just set out the one extension cord accross the front of the stage and plug the individual powered speakers in at each of the 5 points.

- Anyone know of anything ready made like this?

- Anyone ever build anyrthing like this, if so how did you do it and what would you do different?

- I could either put a small metal box with a plug in each location. Or I could do it like pigtails with a foot or so of cord? Whaddya' think about either approach?

THANKS for the help / suggestions.

.Hal
 
#3
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Search home depot RIGID electrical.

The above link is for a 50 ft with 3 outlets but I think there are other sizes also.

RIDGID 50 ft. 12/3 Multi-Outlet Extension Cord
Model # 614-16366BB
Internet # 100665719
6 outlets every 8 ft
 
#5
I bought 4 25' cord reels with 4 outlets each. Very flexible. I can chain all 4 or chain 2 together or whatever. At the end, just unplug and crank them up for quick cleanup.

41gWDK0ZzVL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
#6
I could say that the big advantage to power cabs is you can run them off separate circuits. So it the circuit breaker trips, you'll still have power to some cabs.
But with class-d and LED lighting, there isn't as much current draw as there use to be on stage. Breakers don't seem to trip as often.

I tie-wrap/velcro-wrap the power cords to the signal/mic cord. So it runs both at once.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
I've never done a pro level gig where they didn't have something like that. Quad boxes every 10 ft or so.
Click to expand...
Yep. And they make them. I have made dozens over the years. 12 cable, quad handy boxes, commercial grade receptacles, and I usually put a twist lock male end on it and a twist lock receptacle in the power distro to keep idiots from tripping on them and yanking them out. Black cable, flat black painted boxes, black receptacles and it disappears on stage.

Couple hours work and you have something much better that you can buy (and it's not that bright red thing from Home Depot going across the front of your stage).
 
#8
Should have known these sound companies make them. You'd think you could buy them, though it would cost pennies on the dollar to make them compared to what they'd cost to buy.
 
#12
two fingers said:
Yep. And they make them. I have made dozens over the years. 12 cable, quad handy boxes, commercial grade receptacles, and I usually put a twist lock male end on it and a twist lock receptacle in the power distro to keep idiots from tripping on them and yanking them out. Black cable, flat black painted boxes, black receptacles and it disappears on stage.

Couple hours work and you have something much better that you can buy (and it's not that bright red thing from Home Depot going across the front of your stage).
Click to expand...


That's what I'm thinking. THANKS

One question....
Did you ever make them with a quad box
BUT
only a duplex plug in half the box
and, maybe, a pair of XLR's in the other half?

or do you always make seperate audio snakes?
 
#14

JimmyM said:
Should have known these sound companies make them. You'd think you could buy them, though it would cost pennies on the dollar to make them compared to what they'd cost to buy.
Click to expand...
Really, anyone who can operate a screwdriver and box cutter can make their own. All you need is a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], some [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or similar cable (don’t let the price scare you, most stores will sell it by the foot), [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], and a couple of [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Make sure the outlets are specification-grade that have screw-down clamps for the wiring. This is necessary because the cable (like any extension cord) has stranded wire. Standard household electrical receptacles are designed for solid wire. Don’t think you can just wrap the stranded wire around the screw!!!

All in all, about $50 in materials for a 25-foot quad-box.


Stumbo said:
May be a good product for a business to make.
Click to expand...
You’d think! Markertek sells “stage duty” quad boxes like I spec’d above starting at $200 for a 25-footer!

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 
#17
LowDown Hal said:
That's what I'm thinking. THANKS

One question....
Did you ever make them with a quad box
BUT
only a duplex plug in half the box
and, maybe, a pair of XLR's in the other half?

or do you always make seperate audio snakes?
Click to expand...

Nah. Just power. I'm an electrician (although I am in school for electronics at 41 years old). So until recently I have rarely dived below 120V. I am not a pro at electronics yet, but I bet someone would have a word of advice about some sort of interference between 120V and mic signal cables. It's just a gut feeling but you may want to read up on it. Plus, the cable itself would be separate so you would have to rig a way for them to stay together down line. The only things that come to mind are tie wraps and electrical tape. Now you're getting into to some rigged up stuff.

PM me if you have more questions about the power ones though. I'll try to get some pics to you if I get a chance this weekend.
 
#20
I use 2 Rigids I got from Home Depot. 1 is a 50' 12/3 with an outlet about every 6 foot IiRC. It a was about 75 after shipping. The other is a 3 or 4 outlet 25 foot 14/3 which is off the shelf at the local HD for $25.

Love 'm.

The 12/3 does the PA. Board, powered sub(s), powered tops and monitors. The 14/3 I stretch accross the back to handle back line. A few out let bars, and these two cables in a tub. Done... Well I am adding a 100' 10/3 but I'll leave it home 90 percent of the time.
 

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