Parade Float - Power

[bzb]

My sister has asked me to one again provide music for her kids' parade float on Homecoming. Last year, I used my Jack with the Lepai amp and it was good, but definitely could have used more power.

So this year, she's asked for "MOAR BASS". I'm very certain my tiny little inverter will not provide enough juice for the IPR nor the XTi to power a T39 and a OT12. Suggestions? Do I rent a generator (and then how to mask the noise from it?) Is there an inverter out there that can provide enough power from the truck's battery (or will I kill their truck?)

So many questions! I know someone on here has done a parade float setup. Need some help!

[bzb]

In fact... would this do?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-3- ... ifications

Runs at 68dB off propane. Seems pretty awesome for only $400.

[Ryan A]

You can buy a true sine wave inverter off eBay ...1,000 watts continuous or more for under $200. Then u just need to wire it to your vehicles battery directly somehow.

[BrentEvans]

You can buy a true sine wave inverter off eBay ...1,000 watts continuous or more for under $200. Then u just need to wire it to your vehicles battery directly somehow.

That's still pretty weak (4 amps or so). True PA should really never be run off an inverter. An IPR plus an XTI could draw close to if not more than 20 amps. The genny would be a much better idea.

[Ryan A]

It's 8 amps actually. There's no reason you can't run a PA off an inverter, just make sure its a decent one (not square wave form).

I put it out there as another option. Sure cost/watts ratio probably prefers a generator, but then you have to listen to that thing whine on your parade. 1,000 watts is more than enough for a good sounding loud PA system running around 20-30 volts even.

[bzb]

You can buy a true sine wave inverter off eBay ...1,000 watts continuous or more for under $200. Then u just need to wire it to your vehicles battery directly somehow.

1. 1000W is enough? I'm rusty on the calculations here, but how much will the IPR1600 pull?

2. This won't kill the battery as long as the engine is running, right? Their truck does NOT have a deep cycle on it.

[Ryan A]

You can buy a true sine wave inverter off eBay ...1,000 watts continuous or more for under $200. Then u just need to wire it to your vehicles battery directly somehow.

1. 1000W is enough? I'm rusty on the calculations here, but how much will the IPR1600 pull?

2. This won't kill the battery as long as the engine is running, right? Their truck does NOT have a deep cycle on it.

If you're wanting to max out your rig, go with the generator. You wouldn't really want to be pulling more than 1,000 watts continuous off your vehicle system anyway for any long period of time.

The inverter would be good if you just want moderate output in the 10-30 volt range. In fact I would limit to that just so you don't accidently pull too much power if going that route.

Take for example a system with 2 tops and 2 subs, all 8 ohms, limited to 30 volts, would use a total of about 500 watts. Still have plenty of room to play with for power supply efficiency losses, running other rack units, etc.

[bassmonster]

If the engine's running, the alternator will work as much as it needs to keep the battery charged. 1000w continuous is a lot, though.

The Honda EU series generators are small and quiet.

[bzb]

Gotcha. I won't be maxing it out, for sure, but I want to be sure I'm not popping breakers or shutting down in the middle of a song!

What do you guys think of this LP generator? Seems from the reviews people are running quite a few RV appliances off it. 68dB seems pretty quiet for a genny.

[Ryan A]

If going the generator route, you'd ideally want an inverter/generator like the:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-2-200- ... iigWcbVC70

This is basically a cheaper knock off of the Honda EU series, but people seem to be happy with them.

They are quite a bit quieter than regular generators because they modulate engine speed based on power demand, etc.

Sure the one you mentioned would work fine...if your ok with the generator noise.

[byacey]

If the engine's running, the alternator will work as much as it needs to keep the battery charged. 1000w continuous is a lot, though.

The Honda EU series generators are small and quiet.

1000W @ 12 volts is around 85A of current. Most standard alternators are rated around 50A, and may be overloaded depending how loud you get and what other power demands the vehicle itself has. A inverter this big would have to be connected directly to the battery with heavy gauge (#4 AWG) wire. A cigarette lighter connector isn't going to cut it even though I've seen some inverters with questionable power ratings sporting a cigarette lighter type plug.

I've seen some Honda and Onan gensets marketed for RV use that are surprisingly quiet; it wouldn't be difficult to mask the sound by cranking up the music a little bit. With the music up around 90 to 100db, you won't even hear the genset ten feet away.

[MissileCrisis]

So this year, she's asked for "MOAR BASS".

I need to meet this girl . HAHA, just kidding but seriously Its hard to find a bass enthusiast of the opposite gender.

[BrentEvans]

1,000 watts is more than enough for a good sounding loud PA system running around 20-30 volts even.

Perhaps, except you're not getting 1000 watts of amp power output out of that 1000 watts of rated inverter capacity. You didn't account for loss in the power amp, and inherent loss in the inverter itself, not to mention the drain from any other electronics that would need to be powered (a couple hundred watts, probably).

[bzb]

Haha, you should meet my wife then. When we first met, she had a Honda accord 2-door with two twelves in the trunk. You could hear her coming from a mile away.

We grew up in California in the late 80s/early 90s. Now we live in the dirty south. Bass is in our bones, but probably not the type you want

Brent - amp will be the only thing connected (DSP running on the IPR). My S4 is powered by my Macbook, should be fine for an hour without power. Going to go straight to the amp from the S4.

[bzb]

Home Depot rents Honda EU2000i for $77 for the day. I think I'll make her pony up the cash for the rental. Some of the lazy moms are just going to have to walk instead of riding in the pickup bed.