How much power does our band need?

relic245

We are playing a gig with generators and the organizers have asked how much power we need for the band .

I don't really know where to begin.

We have:

rdl evox powered speakers that put out 1400 watts

A digital mixer

3 monitors

Marshall dsl40cr amp and medium sized pedal board

Markbass amp and tiny pedalboard.

I don't need to know exactly what we need but just to be in the ballpark. Ie do we need 500 watts or 3kw?


Where do I start?

pintspiller

Wattage of equipment is generally on the back. I think amps can take in not watts than they put out.

Danny1969

I always ask for a 6KVA (generators are rated in VA rather than watts because they deal with reactive loads ) silenced diesel for a band outdoors. 

This may seem overkill but in reality it's not much more money than an open frame 1.8 and a lot quieter. 

relic245

Danny1969 said:

I always ask for a 6KVA (generators are rated in VA rather than watts because they deal with reactive loads ) silenced diesel for a band outdoors. 

This may seem overkill but in reality it's not much more money than an open frame 1.8 and a lot quieter. 

Thanks @Danny1969 ; the organizers have said that the one they have is 2.5 kw, so from what you're saying it's probably 2.5 kva.

Is that likely to be enough?

Danny1969

Well it might be if everything is at polite volume and there's a small crowd sat near the band and PA.  In a scenario like that I've done loads of gigs with little 1.5KVA open frame  generators. 
However as we all know to get just a bit louder you need a lot more power and that's where the small ones will struggle and cut out. 
Also what else it using the genny, is it a blow up stage on a trailer, is the hog roast guy gonna plug into it etc ? 

It's less than I would spec but you probably will get away with it. 

ESBlonde

As Danny says bigger is better, music pulses (I know, who knew)  and while the pulse power draw may be within the peak available from the genny it puts a strain on it more than would a steady draw apparently. Again I think you’ll getaway with it but don’t try to get chest crushing kick drum and bass out front, that will draw the big current pulses obviously.
Dont forget to include lighting if that’s hanging off the same supply! Digital stage lights are low consumption these days but any old school incandescent lamps need to be figured in.

ScreamingDave

I regularly procure generators for outdoor events.  Most bands can quite happily run off a single 13A socket, but bear in mind that's around 3kVA, so 2.5kVA is less than that.  I'd agree, a 6kVA would be ideal.

maltingsaudio

Go for 6 kva if you can but the most important thing is the genie must be electronically smoothed so the voltage is constant with no spikes if you want your gear to survive. And no a surge protector won't protect your gear in this situation from practical experience