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Powering the PA / FOH Rack

Zooberwerx

Zooberwerx

Gold Supporting Member
Dec 21, 2002
23,324
28,127
68
Virginia Beach, VA
#1
Okay I finally bit the bullet, cruised over to Alpha Music (TBer walterw's base of operation), and bought a mambo Odyssey rolling rack to house the following:

(4) QSC RMX amps (1450's & 2450's)
Mixer
dbx DriveRack
(2) Processors
Graphic EQ

Downside: the thing will weigh a blasted ton....upside: I can leave the components fully cabled. If I should end up dead in a ditch somewhere, these guys should be smart enough to plug it in and make the necessary speaker connections....I think. I'm using a surge protected power strip for the mixer & processor components but need to come up with a scheme to safely (and economically!) power the 4 QSC RMX's which are rated at ~6-7 amps each. I'm leaning towards either 1 or 2 rack-mount or conventional heavy-duty power strips.

If you have any suggestions, fire away. If you are able to cite a particular piece of hardware please include the brand & source. Thanks muchly...the life you save may be mine.

Riis
 
#2
Put the amps in 2 smaller cases. They should be onstage near the PA cabs and run the mixer sends down the snake.
That way you won't loose 15-20% of your power using 100' speaker cables.

2-4 smaller cases is easier to deal with when putting them in the back seat or trunk of any car and easier to carry.

I don't use power conditioners/strips on amps. Most amps have fault protection.
Also all power strips are rated for 15 amps. When playing in clubs Commercial wiring code requires 20 amp circuits. I go direct to outlets and try to only have 2 amplifiers on a circuit.
Then they have 20 amps avail to them instead of 15. Of course I have to keep an eye out for the guitardists that try to plug their 2 daisy chained powerstrips into the circuit that my amps are on too. :)

I carry 2 QSC PLX series amps in a four space rack. And 2 more amps in a second 4 space. Easier to move and really not a big deal to plug things in within a few minutes.
 
#3
I started out like you, Zooberwerx, with mixer, signal processing and amplification in the same rack. It turned out to be too much for this old fart with a torn rotator cuff, and no roadies, to handle.

Dropping something was always a risk, loading-in/out always required help, speaker cables were longer, bulkier, and heavier, etc..

I now have [new, lightweight] amps is one rack, signal processing in another, my mixer in its own case, and keep well-labeled snakes in a wheeled box of their own to hasten interconnection. Although help is always welcome, no single box is now too heavy or bulky for me to handle by myself.

I like being able to place the amps close to cabs and use shorter speaker cables, while keeping signal processing gear near the mixer.

As usual, IME - IMO - YMMV - MIC - KEY - MOUSE ;)
 
#4
Thank you. I plan on sticking with the Odyssey but I will have two cast-off cases once the transition is complete. I can re-assign the power amps if the weight is less-than-manageable. The speaker runs are 50' and 25' plus I'm using 13 g. cable. We have severe spatial constraints so multiple component cases are not always practical. On the plus side, we do have a trailer and my mates are always willing to lend a hand.

I really need to touch base with the club managers re: identifying the available dedicated stage circuits.

Riis
 

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