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Generator rant

Bullitt5135

Bullitt5135

Nov 16, 2010
2,057
4,160
SE Michigan
#1
I recently booked a gig at a campground near my house. It's a huge annual trail running event that attracts many hundreds of people. It's apparently a bid deal with the running community. Judging from pics on their website, it looked like they have a proper stage. One pic showed a band with a huge PA system, lights, etc. The price was right so I wrote up and sent a contract in which I stipulated "generator power is not acceptable." The client took two weeks to get back to me and informed me that they are on generator power. More specifically, generators are 300ft from the stage area to keep the noise down, and it sounds like they string together whatever extension cords they find in the shed. He assured me they've never had a problem. The pic I saw of the stage was from another event and venue.

We are now about 3-1/2 weeks out from the event. I hate to back out of a gig, but this one has "amateur hour" written all over it. I've replied saying we require a properly-rated and dedicated generator for the band (he says they have "good Honda units") within 50 feet of the stage, with a proper 12AWG or 10AWG extension cord. I'm hoping he tells me to pound sand.
 
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#10
gln1955 said:
Guy claims they are 50' away. That would need to be confirmed, of course.
Click to expand...
That's not how I read the OP.

From the OP
Bullitt5135 said:
More specifically, generators are 300ft from the stage area to keep the noise down, and it sounds like they string together whatever extension cords they find in the shed.
Click to expand...


Also from the OP. The way this was originally written is not clear and I think this is what was meant.
Bullitt5135 said:
Edited to add strike throughs

I've replied saying we require a properly-rated and dedicated generator for the band (he says they have "good Honda units") within 50 feet of the stage, with a proper 12AWG or 10AWG extension cord.
Click to expand...
rather than
Bullitt5135 said:
Edited to add strike throughs and characters in bold

I've replied saying we require a properly-rated and dedicated generator for the band. (hHe says they have "good Honda units") within 50 feet of the stage, with a proper 12AWG or 10AWG extension cord.
Click to expand...
 
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#11
Bullitt5135 said:
I recently booked a gig at a campground near my house. It's a huge annual trail running event that attracts many hundreds of people. It's apparently a bid deal with the running community. Judging from pics on their website, it looked like they have a proper stage. One pic showed a band with a huge PA system, lights, etc. The price was right so I wrote up and sent a contract in which I stipulated "generator power is not acceptable." The client took two weeks to get back to me and informed me that they are on generator power. More specifically, generators are 300ft from the stage area to keep the noise down, and it sounds like they string together whatever extension cords they find in the shed. He assured me they've never had a problem. The pic I saw of the stage was from another event and venue.

We are now about 3-1/2 weeks out from the event. I hate to back out of a gig, but this one has "amateur hour" written all over it. I've replied saying we require a properly-rated and dedicated generator for the band (he says they have "good Honda units") within 50 feet of the stage, with a proper 12AWG or 10AWG extension cord. I'm hoping he tells me to pound sand.
Click to expand...
If their Honda generators have enough capacity for your gear, they will give you clean power. If you are running lights, use the non- inverter generators for that part of your load.
How big is your FOH system?
Also, a power conditioner won’t fix the issues that a cheap generator can impose on sensitive gear.
 
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#13
Honda generators are very good quality and quiet (the inverter ones). Make sure they are pure sine wave generators (inverter). Otherwise, I don't see an issue if you stipulated generators are not acceptable power in the contract. You should be able to back out. 50 feet away with 10 gauge cables should be ok; 300 feet I wouldn't feel comfortable with.

I have an F150 Lightning truck that has a 131kwh battery and can supply up to 9.6kw of pure sine wave power. 120/240 outlets in the bed. I've used it to power the house during power outages. It's pretty nice. On the other hand, an inverter pure sine wave generator of proper wattage should do the job.
 
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#15
Small Georgia festival, about a bird. BEFORE we even started, the two powered subs smoked, We decide to carry on, with just mains. Near the end of the show, my Peavey power amp goes off, like a string of firecrackers. Scared the hell out of everybody. Many "power conditioners" will handle surges, but not sags. If you suspect sketchy power, run!
 
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#16
Yup, like at least one other person mentioned, I'm not seeing the problem either. The contract you sent them stipulated "generator power is not acceptable", they replied informing you that the power will be provided by generators. Isn't this the part where you decline the gig? Or is someone holding a gun to your head and forcing you to do it regardless?
 
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#17
How about the organizers supply all the PA, amps, and lights? All you show up with is instruments. If they have to rent it, tough cookies. In that case they'll hve to sign all kinds of stuff describing acceptable power and accepting full responsibility if the power used is inappropriate.

I would NOT bet that they have high quality inverter generators capable of supplying sufficient power without voltage drop and power cables of sufficient size not to introduce additional voltage drop. They're expecting you'll show up and decide to make do with what they have, rather than pack up and go home. So you shouldn't show up until power supply is fully and properly resolved.

I will just say that laypeople generally have NO IDEA how much voltage drop occurs in extension cables - not only in the wire runs but also at each connector - nor do they have ANY IDEA just how big proper cables need to be. LIke, think 00 welding cable, not 14 gauge homeowner cable. You can't even buy proper extension cords for long runs and voltage sensitive equipment at big box stores.

That's why I like the idea of putting the responsibilty for equipment damage on the venue.
 
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#20
OP here. I clarified a couple of things with the client yesterday. I too was confused about the 300 ft thing. The client clarified they have utility power at a cabin about 300 feet away, but they do not have appropriate extensions cables. Instead, they have a few 2000W Honda generators which are near enough to the stage for short runs.

I don't think 2000W generators are going to cut it. We are a 6-piece rock band with a pair of 1400W RCF mains, an 1000W 18" RCF sub, a pair of 50W tube amps, and wireless electronic gear. I can go DI with my bass. I also reached out to a band who played the event last year. Without giving details, he said the event was "less than great and they opted out this year." I think it may be time to pull the plug on this one.
 
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