Hello,

 

We are going to be doing Howard Alan's new Spring Shadyside show in Pittsburgh next weekend. It's an outdoor show, hours are till 8 or 9 p.m., and they recommend that exhibitors bring lighting.

 

Does anyone have any experience with power sources for electricity at outdoor shows?  We've heard that a marine battery can be used, but that we'll need some kind of converter so we can plug our lights into it.  Also a charger. 

 

Any input would be very helpful!!  Thanks!!

 

~Emily

 

 

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • OK guys. You want cutting edge? 

    How about a solar panel attached to a generator for unlimited power?

    Hook it up to some low wattage lights and off you go! Place the solar panel behind your booth and you have power.

    It's not cheap, but you'll always have power not only at shows, but for emergencies too.

    www.mysolarbackup.com

  • Hi guys~
    you will need atleast three marine batteries- each one lasts approx three hours..(batteries plus or Walmart sells them, or auto parts store) an inverter, and chargers to charge each battery overnight for the next day....each battery is about $80...it is a real pain- so we have a generator too which is much easier...the batteries are VERY heavy...Patti
    • Any advice regarding recharging 3 batteries, overnights, for a 4 day show?  I don't mind the weight cuz it's windy there anyways and I'll just use them as weights.  I can't bring a generator, but need power for Jazz Fest.  Thanks.

       

      Andy Pollack

      • Hi Emily- we use a xantrax powerpack 1500.....it is a bit more expensive than marine batteries but it's all one unit. It weighs about 65 lbs and is on wheels. We found it on line last year for $500 including shipping. It's all built in one with the inverter battery and all. The other expense is that for outdoor shows we have to use LED lights to get the most life out of the battery. We can burn 8 LED lights 3-4 watts, a credit card machine and sometimes Linda has a video running, showing how her work is made. We typically get 7-8 hours and we recharge it over night in our hotel room. We use it at almost every show and we use the same light system for indoor shows, except we switch back to halogen lights and don't use the power source.  

         

        • Thanks so much for this info. We did get a power supply and I'll have to get Rona to give me the details so I can post it here. It doesn't get quite as much power as you said that you get, Linda, but it works okay for now and, as I said, I'll check back in with the specifications! Thanks again!
  • Thanks, Geoff! Good luck at the show. Looks like we are going to go the marine battery route! Will save the generator ideas for the future though.

    Geoff Coe said:
    Hi Emily,
    Heading out to a show so this reply will be quick (you may have gotten your questions of me answered by others): The marine battery is light enough for almost anyone to carry. Generators are quite heavy.

    I don't recall Honda capacity, but I have a 5 gallon gas can that I fill at a gas station when I arrive at a show, and that gets me through 2 days with a little left over. As Larry mentions, you should always have gas and a quart of oil with you if you're going to run one. (You'll also need a long extension cord, a power strip (if you're running >2 outlets) and runners (rubber mats that will cover the cord so no one steps on it and trips). So it's a chore.
  • Hi Emily,
    Heading out to a show so this reply will be quick (you may have gotten your questions of me answered by others): The marine battery is light enough for almost anyone to carry. Generators are quite heavy.

    I don't recall Honda capacity, but I have a 5 gallon gas can that I fill at a gas station when I arrive at a show, and that gets me through 2 days with a little left over. As Larry mentions, you should always have gas and a quart of oil with you if you're going to run one. (You'll also need a long extension cord, a power strip (if you're running >2 outlets) and runners (rubber mats that will cover the cord so no one steps on it and trips). So it's a chore.
  • Will home depot have the right kind of plug? This was a couple of years ago, but the outlet on the battery pack looked kind of like a car cigarette lighter outlet.

    Walter Klein said:
    You can buy 12 voit bulbs at Home Depot and a fixture to hold them. We use a bar that spans the front of the display to hold the light bar. I got ahead of my self about the 60 watt bulbs. That is for you have regular power and you are limited to 200 watts of power. As far as how do I plug into the Battery back up, change the plug on the light bar you choose to plug into your battery back up.
  • David,

    Thanks for the info. I agree that sometimes even at outdoor shows lights can be helpful. Once we nail down how we are going to light this show, we'll probably take the lights to a number of outdoor shows!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I just picked up some lights for my booth, and plan to run them on a Black & Decker Power Pack. The lights I got are swing-arm lamps from Office Max and I plan on using 60 watt day-light CFLs in them. Right now my local Lowes has the power packs on sale for $75. The lights and bulbs come to about $16 each. I found a 3/8 inch bolt inserts into the bottom of the lamp, or the lamps can be inserted into a piece of 1/2 inch conduit - which I think is the same size as Pro Panels. I use gridwall and plan on attaching 3/8 bolts to the panels with gridwall panel hinges.

    I've found that even in bright sunlight coming through my white tent, some pictures just look better with a light on them. Inside shows sometimes have shadows, depending on where the overhead lights are. I will probably use the lights inside and out at most shows. Just another 2 boxes to carry, and a few more cubic feet of space filled in the back of my truck!
  • Thanks, Larry. I think we'll skip the generator this time, but will definitely check with Howard if and when we do decide to use one.

    Larry Berman said:
    I'd check with Howard's office to see if they do still allow generators. The last time I did the show they did but that was about three years ago. 954-472-3755.

    Larry Berman
    Digital Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
This reply was deleted.