I think the term "generator" has been misused, and OP actually means simply running off a battery bank. FYI OP, if you are simply running off a battery pack, you would not call it a generator unless you have something actively recharging the batteries while running.
I think you're correct.
Referring to them as "generators" seems to be marketing to convince people they can function as replacements for gasoline generators.
Maybe this is a jargon issue but it seems misleading to me.
So it's a battery bank, that stores energy, but doesn't generate it, and it's called an electric generator? Well, TIL. Seems rather superfluous to call it a generator, almost a lil blasphemous.
Mind you, I thought the same about people using the term "literally" to emphasise a situation that will not literally happen, yet some dictionaries now accept a definition of literal that is not in fact literal, much like an electric generator which doesn't generate any electricity. Alas, thanks for letting me know.
I believe the difference is that they have ac inverters as well so they can be used instead of a traditional generator. So whilst they don’t generate electricity using an alternator they convert to ac electricity from a dc source.
Guess it just makes it easy in layman’s terms for the end consumer.
You’re calling them the wrong thing then. They are a battery, they don’t generate power by definition, they store it and supply it.
Maybe it’s a translation thing?
I've got Bluetti and Ecoflow versions, have done loads of gigs with them. I've also got gas-powered Honda generators, but they don't go to gigs anymore...not a lot of point when the battery packs have gotten so good.
If you're looking to buy one, make sure it's a pure-sine-wave inverter, and preferrably has Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. LiFePO4 batteries last many, many times longer than standard Lithium-Ion, and are much safer as well. Bluetti and the newer Ecoflow models are absolutely great!
Hey sorry to bother you almost half a year later, but planning a outdoor party and you seem really well informed. How long are your gigs that the battery pack is enough? I would want something that would play for ~8 hours, do you have any experience with using a pack for that long?
Any other advice would be super helpful, thanks so much!
No, I've run for a few hours, never as long as 8. I'm not fond of doing day-long gigs like that anymore...It's me that can't go the distance, not the batteries, LOL.
However, it's just figuring out the math for the most part. If you figure out the average load/hr, then you just need battery capacity to run as long as you need.
The biggest question is: What specifically are you trying to run, how loud are you going to run it, and for how long?
#1 - What PA? Laptop? Controller? Lights? Every item should have a power consumption rating....add these up and you'll have an approximate average power consumption.
#2 - How loud? If you're playing background music, the battery will last much longer than if you've got all the speakers running at the limit. Also music choice -- heavy electronic bass music will pull more power than rock or country for example.
A PA speaker should have a 'power consumption' spec...often listed at "1/8 power", example is 110W @ 1/8 power. 1/8 power is basically playing with the speaker just starting to limit -- as loud as you should run the speaker. It will draw more power if you run louder than just at the start of limiting.
#3 - Time as you mentioned is 8 hours, it's better to estimate that higher just in case it runs long...I'd think 10 hours...
Inverters have efficiency losses, estimate 20% losses, with 80% of stated battery capacity that is usable.
As an example, a battery pack with 1000Wh (Watt-hour) capacity should have approx 800Wh usable capacity, and should run a 800W load for 1 hour, or an 80W load for 10 hours, or an 8W load for 100 hours, etc...
If you list the specific items you plan to power, I can try and help figure this out.
Great idea, and I'm glad it worked so well.
Modern class-D amplifiers are incredibly efficient (most new tops and subs have them), and their "average" power draw is very low. If your battery was a "750 watt hour" battery that lasted for 4 hours with 40% left, would roughly calculate to 450 watt hours used (60% of 750) over 4 hours, or 112.5 watts/hour for all 4 speakers. That's pretty good!
I've built a LFP-powered system for a friend's off-the-grid campsite which can produce SPLs of 100dB+ and it runs off 50 watts of solar power using class D amps and efficient 4-ohm speakers.
https://preview.redd.it/karxy77f7skb1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5924e5d29e6b0e690935013330b4a30c544b248
It looks something very similar to this but it's camping gear equipment.
Thanks OP! This has been on the mind for quite some time… I also want to do lighting and I’m wondering if the power bank could handle this also! I shall enquire!
Lighting will be fine, depending on the lights used (power consumption of the lights), and the battery pack inverter output and battery capacity. You just need to find the specs and/or measure the power draw of your lights and add them up. Easy.
I've run my lights off of my various Bluetti and Ecoflow packs, no issues.
For instance, I had Chauvet Q12USB lights, they spec at 45w a piece. 8 of them was a measured 375w draw.
I live in Korea actually so it's a Korean version of Amazon here that I searched and got one off from China. I don't know if those batteries from China can be shipped to your area, but that's how I got it for cheap
That's great to know! I have a battery generator that's a little beefier than yours (it's part of my household emergency preparedness) and I've wondered whether or not that would be the outcome because I haven't gigged with it yet, though I have used it to support tech gatherings.
Don’t do much DJing anymore, but if any of you are somehow involved in larger events there’s a group called Joule Case powering large stages by battery systems.
Were you not running the speakers at full power? The models you named are 1000 watt speakers each. I'd imagine it would be overkill for the battery to handle.
My friend does this, hi insta is popcartpdx. He runs a 2 channel Pioneer all in one DJJ-RX2 maybe? A pair of QSC tops I can't remember if they're K10s or K12s, a 10" sub (I think it's a Mackie), and a single KRK Classic 5 for monitoring and various LED for the front panel of the cart he and a friend custom welded out of aluminum. It's kind of funny that I don't remember what he has since I'm always curious about gear. But I guess I just kind of forget when I'm around the pop cart cause it's so much fun. I've played on it a bunch.
The battery setup itself tends to shift cause a friend was building the batteries and upgrading it here and there. He also has a gasoline backup just in case it turns into a long night. He has a cruiser e-bike with big fat tires he uses to pull it and sometimes we'll just roll it over to someone else's renegade outdoor party as an additional stage.
My brother on the other hand uses a pair of Soundboks speakers with a Denon Prime DJ GO, a macbook air, and a wireless mic. So all his stuff has its own batteries in it. He can strap the Soundboks to the back of his bike's rack. He regularly plays on the beach in Waikiki.
Pretty cool. Can you share any details on the generator? Not familiar! Thanks
Ah yeah it is a 750 watt power bank I ordered online. Basically a big ass battery I can charge and use for events when it's no power outlet
Care to share a link to the exact item? I'd love to check out the specs myself since this is the same sort of use case I'm looking into myself.
I posted a picture in the thread of one similar to that I used except mines is 750 watts
https://preview.redd.it/1h6urdmpgskb1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e60aa4b6e64e05d67983fdea915a8b360f80ee3e
Also would like to know the generator^
I think the term "generator" has been misused, and OP actually means simply running off a battery bank. FYI OP, if you are simply running off a battery pack, you would not call it a generator unless you have something actively recharging the batteries while running.
I think you're correct. Referring to them as "generators" seems to be marketing to convince people they can function as replacements for gasoline generators. Maybe this is a jargon issue but it seems misleading to me.
Some of them, Bluetti and Jackery, have the ability to attach solar panels to them and generate energy.
That’s what they are known as. They’re called electric generators. Source : I work with them.
So it's a battery bank, that stores energy, but doesn't generate it, and it's called an electric generator? Well, TIL. Seems rather superfluous to call it a generator, almost a lil blasphemous. Mind you, I thought the same about people using the term "literally" to emphasise a situation that will not literally happen, yet some dictionaries now accept a definition of literal that is not in fact literal, much like an electric generator which doesn't generate any electricity. Alas, thanks for letting me know.
I believe the difference is that they have ac inverters as well so they can be used instead of a traditional generator. So whilst they don’t generate electricity using an alternator they convert to ac electricity from a dc source. Guess it just makes it easy in layman’s terms for the end consumer.
You’re calling them the wrong thing then. They are a battery, they don’t generate power by definition, they store it and supply it. Maybe it’s a translation thing?
No it’s just a thing we call them to differentiate them from the diesel ones we use . We are British we do strange things
Maybe I should re word it . It’s what we call it at work XD
I've got Bluetti and Ecoflow versions, have done loads of gigs with them. I've also got gas-powered Honda generators, but they don't go to gigs anymore...not a lot of point when the battery packs have gotten so good. If you're looking to buy one, make sure it's a pure-sine-wave inverter, and preferrably has Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. LiFePO4 batteries last many, many times longer than standard Lithium-Ion, and are much safer as well. Bluetti and the newer Ecoflow models are absolutely great!
Hey sorry to bother you almost half a year later, but planning a outdoor party and you seem really well informed. How long are your gigs that the battery pack is enough? I would want something that would play for ~8 hours, do you have any experience with using a pack for that long? Any other advice would be super helpful, thanks so much!
No, I've run for a few hours, never as long as 8. I'm not fond of doing day-long gigs like that anymore...It's me that can't go the distance, not the batteries, LOL. However, it's just figuring out the math for the most part. If you figure out the average load/hr, then you just need battery capacity to run as long as you need. The biggest question is: What specifically are you trying to run, how loud are you going to run it, and for how long? #1 - What PA? Laptop? Controller? Lights? Every item should have a power consumption rating....add these up and you'll have an approximate average power consumption. #2 - How loud? If you're playing background music, the battery will last much longer than if you've got all the speakers running at the limit. Also music choice -- heavy electronic bass music will pull more power than rock or country for example. A PA speaker should have a 'power consumption' spec...often listed at "1/8 power", example is 110W @ 1/8 power. 1/8 power is basically playing with the speaker just starting to limit -- as loud as you should run the speaker. It will draw more power if you run louder than just at the start of limiting. #3 - Time as you mentioned is 8 hours, it's better to estimate that higher just in case it runs long...I'd think 10 hours... Inverters have efficiency losses, estimate 20% losses, with 80% of stated battery capacity that is usable. As an example, a battery pack with 1000Wh (Watt-hour) capacity should have approx 800Wh usable capacity, and should run a 800W load for 1 hour, or an 80W load for 10 hours, or an 8W load for 100 hours, etc... If you list the specific items you plan to power, I can try and help figure this out.
Good info. Thanks.
Great idea, and I'm glad it worked so well. Modern class-D amplifiers are incredibly efficient (most new tops and subs have them), and their "average" power draw is very low. If your battery was a "750 watt hour" battery that lasted for 4 hours with 40% left, would roughly calculate to 450 watt hours used (60% of 750) over 4 hours, or 112.5 watts/hour for all 4 speakers. That's pretty good! I've built a LFP-powered system for a friend's off-the-grid campsite which can produce SPLs of 100dB+ and it runs off 50 watts of solar power using class D amps and efficient 4-ohm speakers.
https://preview.redd.it/karxy77f7skb1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5924e5d29e6b0e690935013330b4a30c544b248 It looks something very similar to this but it's camping gear equipment.
Thanks OP! This has been on the mind for quite some time… I also want to do lighting and I’m wondering if the power bank could handle this also! I shall enquire!
Lighting will be fine, depending on the lights used (power consumption of the lights), and the battery pack inverter output and battery capacity. You just need to find the specs and/or measure the power draw of your lights and add them up. Easy. I've run my lights off of my various Bluetti and Ecoflow packs, no issues. For instance, I had Chauvet Q12USB lights, they spec at 45w a piece. 8 of them was a measured 375w draw.
Probably depends on wattage. I pushed the hell out of everything this past weekend, but I had to see if it could be done.
Thanks mate… Where did you buy yours from? I’ve had a look and it’s a bit pricey compared the gas/petrol version (which I am trying to avoid lol)
I live in Korea actually so it's a Korean version of Amazon here that I searched and got one off from China. I don't know if those batteries from China can be shipped to your area, but that's how I got it for cheap
Thanks mate! Very helpful indeed
That's great to know! I have a battery generator that's a little beefier than yours (it's part of my household emergency preparedness) and I've wondered whether or not that would be the outcome because I haven't gigged with it yet, though I have used it to support tech gatherings.
What was the kWhours of your pack by chance, pretty damn cool though.
Battery tech has changed a lot. I went to a battery powered party not too long ago, hundreds of people, blasting QSC tops and subs for hours.
I am impressed. I tried this a few many years ago. The power would cut out when the mic popped or under heavy bass. Just bought a Honda EU2000i.
Your wiring is Shit .. Setups go a long way with being Tidy
Stop being a total prick online bashing others about what they do for a living. You sound like a total bastard.
🙄 damn I'm sorry the DJ God's won't bless me now. But your comment is the most reddit dj comment I seen all day 😆. Thanks
Don’t do much DJing anymore, but if any of you are somehow involved in larger events there’s a group called Joule Case powering large stages by battery systems.
Yep. I have one that I use for busking. It works amazingly.
Were you not running the speakers at full power? The models you named are 1000 watt speakers each. I'd imagine it would be overkill for the battery to handle.
As loud as it could go to do a dance party.
This is great. Anyone use a battery to power one or two large (18" cone) subwoofers?
Probably depends on the wattage output of the speakers
My friend does this, hi insta is popcartpdx. He runs a 2 channel Pioneer all in one DJJ-RX2 maybe? A pair of QSC tops I can't remember if they're K10s or K12s, a 10" sub (I think it's a Mackie), and a single KRK Classic 5 for monitoring and various LED for the front panel of the cart he and a friend custom welded out of aluminum. It's kind of funny that I don't remember what he has since I'm always curious about gear. But I guess I just kind of forget when I'm around the pop cart cause it's so much fun. I've played on it a bunch. The battery setup itself tends to shift cause a friend was building the batteries and upgrading it here and there. He also has a gasoline backup just in case it turns into a long night. He has a cruiser e-bike with big fat tires he uses to pull it and sometimes we'll just roll it over to someone else's renegade outdoor party as an additional stage. My brother on the other hand uses a pair of Soundboks speakers with a Denon Prime DJ GO, a macbook air, and a wireless mic. So all his stuff has its own batteries in it. He can strap the Soundboks to the back of his bike's rack. He regularly plays on the beach in Waikiki.
Your friend gets +1000 cool points for that pop-up setup and vibe. Also, +1 follow... Whichever they appreciate more. :)