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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Generator question. . . will any generator do for HMIs and Kinos?

I shot a show recently with my two Desisti 1200w HMIs which are magnetically ballasted and a cheap but solid 4000w genny, non-inverter, from Tractor Supply. They visibily flickered. I adjusted the shutter of the RED to 1/32 and it cancelled it. But I think that if I shot with this set up a lot I would go for the inverter Hondas, not only for the reasons Eileen gives but because they are quieter and start easier and last longer (they are Hondas!) But in a pinch that Tractor Supply genny worked fine.
 
Douglas Underdahl said:
I think that if I shot with this set up a lot I would go for the inverter Hondas, not only for the reasons Eileen gives but because they are quieter and start easier and last longer (they are Hondas!) .
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The newsletter article, I mentioned previously, regarding the benefits of operating power factor corrected HMI and Kino ballasts on inverter generators is generating a lively discussion on CML (Cinematographers Mailing List.) If you are interested the URL for the CML thread is http://ls.cinematography.net/read/messages?id=154216

Eileen Ryan, New England Gaffer
 
This has been a very interesting thread. I have definitely learned a lot.

Steven, did you ever get that Kipor generator and if you did how did it work out?

We will be shooting in a forest and hoping to power 2 1200W HMI PARs with electronic ballasts. Any chance that we would be able to run these off the Kipor IG3000 3000 Watt Generator Inverter or the Honda 3000W inverter types? I would consider a bigger generator if I have to, but I'm worried about how much they weigh and actually getting them to the location.

Thanks,
Walter Rissmeyer
Blue Land Media
 
I did not buy it. . . I found something better and cheaper. Here's what we decided to do: I bought this 2500watt inverter that attaches to a car battery:

http://www.110220volts.com/CPI2500.html

And guess what? I ran a 1200 watt HMI with it, and it worked! I technically could have run this 1200 watt HMI and several other lights off the same circuit, as well.

And the best part? It's 1/10 the cost of a generator AND is MUCH quieter. You can run you car's engine and it will be much quieter than an outboard generator.

The downside? You can only run it for about an hour at a time, but as long as you turn it off periodically while you're resetting your lights, you should be fine.

Stephen
 
Stephen Pruitt said:
The downside? You can only run it for about an hour at a time, but as long as you turn it off periodically while you're resetting your lights, you should be fine.
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I guess just going with the inverter on the car battery might work, with enough extensions.

Is the battery still in the car and the cars running? Or are you actually able to power a 1200W HMI off a battery on its own?

When you say an hour at a time, is that because it is draining the battery that fast? We'll have more than one car on site, so we could jump start one if we drained the battery I guess. Or is their a danger of actually killing the battery?

Anyone else have an idea whether I can run 2 1200W HMIs off one of the 3000W inverter type generators or is that just too much draw.

Thanks again,
Walter
 
One of the more informative threads on gennies and distro. Thanks, in particular, to Eileen for sharing her expertise and the article by Guy Holt.

Stephen, I've been cautious about loading big inverters on car power systems. What are the dangers of blowing the auto's alternator or other circuitry?

Michael
 
Walter R said:
We will be shooting in a forest and hoping to power 2 1200W HMI PARs with electronic ballasts. Any chance that we would be able to run these off the Kipor IG3000 3000 Watt Generator Inverter or the Honda 3000W inverter types?
Click to expand...

You won't be able to reliably run two 1200W HMIs with non power factor corrected (PFC) electronic ballasts (18A each x 2 = 36A) off of a Honda EU3000is because it basically offers only one 27A circuit. I don't know about the the Kipor, but I am willing to bet it is the same. It will work if you can get hold of PFC electronic 1200 ballasts (11.5A each x 2 = 23A). You could try magnetic ballasts (13.5A each x 2 = 27A), but even that would be pushing the capacity of the generator. You should definitely check out that newsletter article by Guy Holt I mentioned previously. It is a great source of information and his company is a great source for the latest PFC HMIs and Honda power generation equipment.

Walter R said:
I would consider a bigger generator if I have to, but I'm worried about how much they weigh and actually getting them to the location.
Click to expand...

You could run two 1200W HMIs off the Honda EU6500is and they are considerably smaller than the old Honda EX5500 of ES6500 generators - in fact, they are not much bigger than the EU3000.

Eileen Ryan, New England Gaffer
 
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