I am working on figuring out how to power the sound equipment for the off-the-grid concert. The mixer takes 30 watts, 120 volts, 60 Hz and the amplifier takes 170 watts, 120 volts, 60 Hz. I could purchase a 300 watt generator. Supposedly with a buck-boost converter (whatever that is - I have some more learning to do) and then a 500 watt inverter, I could have enough power for both the mixer and the amplifier. Or maybe I should do a separate generator for each - just to be safe. The original plan was to run the mixer and amplifier off a car battery and then be using 1 or 2 generators to charge the battery. How long could a car battery power the 2 pieces of sound equipment? Another option would be to use a battery for each and then have one generator charging each battery. In that case, do I need the 300 watt generator? If I can run off batteries, then should I just go with alternators? This video makes an alternator system look fairly do-able. Bicycle Generator with Alternator
July 14, 2014
We are making progress on plans for the October 19 off-the-grid concert. Musicians will include: Eliza Gilkyson, Common Folk, and Brutal Bear. There will be a poetry reading by local poet, Molly Traffas. LED Light Source, Wichita Rain Barrels, and Interstate All Battery Center will have booths demonstrating environmentally friendly products. May 19, 2014
The date of the off-the-grid concert at the Arboretum has changed to October 19, 2014. Eliza Gilkyson is already scheduled to perform at the Arb at 4 pm that day. In addition we plan to have local bands performing at 1, 2, and 3 pm. There will be speakers presenting on topics such as beekeeping in a GMO world, climate change, drought-tolerant landscaping water issues, and composting. We also hope to have an environmental poetry reading. I enjoy listening to the music show e-town and am inspired by all of their environmental elements. One day I was eating lunch with my friends at the Bartlett Arboretum and, out of the green, I commented, "I think we need to do an off-the-grid concert. I want to do something really cool like e-town does." There were two replies at the table:
Robin: "Sure, we could do it October 26. Let's have Brutal Bear perform and Mike's Celtic band and..." She took me seriously and immediately began planning the event! Pam: "I think that should be your final project for your program!" So now I have a great challenge before me. Mark your calendars for October 26 for a fun off-the-grid concert at the Bartlett Arboretum. There will be plenty of pedaling opportunities at the event. In the meantime, I will be researching how other venues do off-the-grid concerts. I need to learn about the electrical requirements of a sound system and every single item that needs to be plugged in for the concert. Then I will figure out how to generate the necessary current for each of those items. |
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