Truss mounted dimmer

[TomHoward]

Has anyone successfully mounted a dimmer with 15A sockets on a bar?

Something like a Betapack?

 

I've got some of the little IEC dimmers that truss mount, but I've got an application where bar mounting the dimmer itself would really simplify up the cabling.

It doesn't seem that big or heavy an item really and could easily fabricate some custom metalwork to hang it - it's not something I've seen before but just wondered if there was any precedent.

[pscandrett]

Alphapacks have a hanging bracket available - the normal config in the UK has 3x15A outputs. Is that any use?

[jonathanhill]

Generally it isn't done for two reasons, access to fuses/MCBs/RCDs on the dimmer and the expense of long runs of heavy mains to power the dimmer.

[Bryson]

For a while, Distributed Dimming was threatening to be a thing. And then everyone remembered why we liked all the breakers in the same spot.

 

Still, if you insist: https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Power-Controls/Distributed/Distributed-Dimming/Source-Four-Dimmer.aspx

[TomHoward]

Okay, thanks, I can see the disadvantages. I can only really see the MCB blowing on a blown lamp which means we'd be visiting at height again anyway..

I'll have a think. It's only for a temporary setup and it would simplify the DMX distribution massively in this case. I think likely the dimmer could run off 16A so power may not be too bad.

[jonhole]

Alphapacks have a hanging bracket available - the normal config in the UK has 3x15A outputs.

The updated AlphaPack 3 has two M10 threads (one on the top, one on the rear) so you can use a standard hook clamp or half coupler to rig it on horizontal or vertical bars. There are a few other minor but useful features, such as removing the limitations on DMX addressing so the unit can be set to any DMX address (and it's black rather than grey!)

[TomHoward]

Thanks Jon

We already have 4x Betapack 3s so thinking of using them in this configuration rather than purchasing something new for this

It's only a one off. I reckon I can fabricate something easy to mount on the side screws in place of the rack ears or something that the rack strip bolts to.

[jonhole]

I'm sure you could. Doughty integrated a BetaPack and an IWB together back in 2012.

 

Being previewed at PLASA Focus is the BetaBar, a bar mounted dimmer unit which integrates Zero 88's Betapack into an internally wired bar (IWB) format and offers up to six channels with DMX control. The result of collaboration with Zero 88, the BetaBar may be specified as an option on custom or standard IWBs and will be ready for shipping in the fourth quarter of 2012.

[TomHoward]

Lovely, you haven't got a photo of that have you?

[jonhole]

I can't find one, sorry :(

[Kriivari]

I was involved in a production recently where we decided to fly the dimmers on top of the trusses in a temporary setup. Most of the lighting was with movers, so there were relatively few dimmer channels and the production had a limited run time, so access to the dimmers wasn't that big an issue. It did simplify the cabling quite a bit (we had to fly only one DMX and one heavy power cable to each truss).

 

I think it has pros and cons, and you need to weigh both for your specific use case. But it does sound a bit like it might make sense in your situation, too.

[J Pearce]

I think as we use less and less halogen sources (especially in touring rock and roll) it may well make sense to have small single channel yoke mounted dimmers on each halogen fixture and treat them the same as a DMX bit of kit for cabling purposes.

This is already happening with DMX halogen blinders.

 

The cabling trade off is socapex vs 1 DMX and a heavy mains cable. Can't see a huge amount of difference once looms are made up.

[Stuart91]

Wrestling socapex looms into cases certainly makes you biased towards dimmers on trusses. My guess is that there's more potential for damage on soca than on heavy power. Also, DMX is typically on the truss anyway for movers/LED.

[dbuckley]

For a while, Distributed Dimming was threatening to be a thing. And then everyone remembered why we liked all the breakers in the same spot.

 

Yes but..... the idea was one used IGBT dimmers, that didn't have or need breakers. But they were a bit pricey compared to SCR dimmers, so SCR dimmers with breakers got placed in inconvenient places....

[Tomo]

I quite often use an ETC SmartBar sat on a wind-up stand for temporary events. In my opinion this setup is absolutely perfect for short runs and one-nighters in temporary venues.

 

It's much easier to run a single 16A+DMX up to the dimmer pack than to run four of them from the floor - a 575W S4/S4jr is usually plenty in a hotel or pub.

It also saves me a lot of floor-level space and cable management, which is often at a premium in small venues!

 

The breakers aren't an issue as the windup stand doesn't go that high, they (would be) easy to access should they pop (plus a popped breaker normally also means a blown lamp, so I need to get up there anyway)

 

In permanent venues, centralised power control often makes more sense - whether dimmed or relay.