Okay, finally a technical topic I almost know something about--if only because we live off the grid and on generator/solar power. And I actually don't claim understand all this, only know how we have to run things at our place.

First, a 3500 watt generator might not have a voltage regulator to protect your equipment from power surges. You have to get up to the more expensive, 7 or 8,000 watt generators before that feature is usually added. UNLESS you have one of those new Honda generators that has a pure sine wave inverter built in made especially for running sensitive electronic equipment.

As to sine wave, which I do not claim to understand, some electronic equipment is sensitive to what kind of waves the generator/inverter puts out. Most are modified sine waves unless you have the afore-mentioned Honda that I covet but can't yet afford. I think the main problem with this is either the equipment won't turn on at all or you may get buzzing which doesn't do damage but is annoying. (I get this info from the Real Goods Alternative Energy Sourcebook.) I would think the main problem would be the uneven cycling or the power surges, as mentioned.

The other thing about generators is they don't put out even power until you let them run a few minutes. Then you add the loads a bit at a time. So you could conceivably fry your equipment or the generator if you just jump right in with your singing the moment you turn the thing on.

Someone who actually knows more about this will probably elaborate and say how stupid I am but I thought I would throw out those few things to get the ball rolling. I have read post before where hosts mention before that they were going to try to run a show off generator and I think it would be important to rent one that has the power regulation feature--which still isn't fool-proof if you burn up a brush or have some other problem.

I guess they missed the lump in your cheek JD where you planted your tongue

Jd- thanks for the laugh, dude It made my day. Sorry for the problems, though. I only hope that I can be that funny when s**t like that happens to me. And I know it will, someday.

Okay, finally a technical topic I almost know something about--if only because we live off the grid and on generator/solar power. And I actually don't claim understand all this, only know how we have to run things at our place.

First, a 3500 watt generator might not have a voltage regulator to protect your equipment from power surges. You have to get up to the more expensive, 7 or 8,000 watt generators before that feature is usually added. UNLESS you have one of those new Honda generators that has a pure sine wave inverter built in made especially for running sensitive electronic equipment.

As to sine wave, which I do not claim to understand, some electronic equipment is sensitive to what kind of waves the generator/inverter puts out. Most are modified sine waves unless you have the afore-mentioned Honda that I covet but can't yet afford. I think the main problem with this is either the equipment won't turn on at all or you may get buzzing which doesn't do damage but is annoying. (I get this info from the Real Goods Alternative Energy Sourcebook.) I would think the main problem would be the uneven cycling or the power surges, as mentioned.

The other thing about generators is they don't put out even power until you let them run a few minutes. Then you add the loads a bit at a time. So you could conceivably fry your equipment or the generator if you just jump right in with your singing the moment you turn the thing on.

Someone who actually knows more about this will probably elaborate and say how stupid I am but I thought I would throw out those few things to get the ball rolling. I have read post before where hosts mention before that they were going to try to run a show off generator and I think it would be important to rent one that has the power regulation feature--which still isn't fool-proof if you burn up a brush or have some other problem.

How did you get 400,000 songs on your 6 discs?

:withstupid:

Well, there I am in the middle of the California desert, running my 400,000 song karaoke show off of a 3500 watt portable generator.. (Not mine)

As luck would have it, the generator had been running quite a while doing other things..
(Lights, laptop Powerpoint show with a DLP projector, etc)

So now, I'm up to sing a request, and boom, the lights go out.. audio, external hard drive, stage lights, Mirror ball, Stripper pole lights, the whole ball of wax..

Nine thirty at night in the desert is DARK!

I never did finish that song.. Butt with some gas, we carried on til 11..

I think a UPS is to be added soon..

....stripper pole lights?.........

It was dark out.. Hello?