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[bmac]

On my first test run of my DIY BYT, I plugged my DVD Player, projector and amp into a power strip/surge protector which I then plugged in to an extension cord running from an outlet in my garage.  This GFCI circuit could not handle the draw and the the GFCI breaker tripped.  I could power 2 but not all three components.

How do you commercial folks with the big inflatable screens, powered speakers, etc. handle the power issues when you go to someone's home to show a movie for little Buffy's 10th birthday party?  Are your power requirements spelled out in advance in your contract?  Are you using generators (as primary or as a back-up) for your power needs?  Do you do a site survey before the event to identify the number and location of adequate circuits (as well as a suitable space for the screen and PJ)?

From my brief test run, I can see that getting the proper power distribution could be a challenge, especially in a strangers home. 

Any of you pros care to comment?

[kelemvor]

I've never had a problem.  Is your extension cord a really thick one and not some little skinny thing?  They can handle the load a lot better.

When I use everything I have:
Gemmy Screen
Projector
Tuner/Amp
DVD Player

Since the screen and the rest of the stuff are 30 feet apart, I use two 100' extension cords that are very heavy duty.  I plug them both into the same outlet jack (two plugs) and run one to the screen and the other to my table with a power strip.  Tuner, projector, and tuner plug into that.

[bmac]

I'm using a heavy duty extension cord (have tried 2 different cords, in fact).  I think I must have a low amperage circuit breaker for these outdoor outlets.  On a different outlet (that I think is on the same GFCI circuit) I have had problems with handling my electric smoker.   It draws 15 amps andat start-up, I usually have to reset the circuit breaker once or twice (during the initial heavy draw to heat things up).  Once I've achieved operating temp, there is no problem.  Interestingly, I had this same problem at my former home.  I probably just need a larger amperage breaker.  When I transferred the extension cord to an outlet in my basement shop, I had no problems at all running off one extension cord.

However, if I've had this issue with outdoor outlets at 2 different homes, I'm wondering if this is a common problem.  Maybe it is not.

Recently, I saw where the blower from one inflatable company draws 9 amps.  I don't know what a pair of 400 watt powered speakers would draw but I wouldn't think 3 amps each would be an unreasonable guess.  That's 15 amps right there.   I haven't checked the requirements for other components either.  I did notice the other day when reading about the new Onkyo receivers that one of their big boys (I think the model 805) draws an impressive 9 amps if I am remembering correctly.  But, if most outdoor outlets are on a 15 amp circuit, I can see the potential for problems. And, without knowing ahead of time,  it might present a little hiccup in setting up for an event.

Thanks for the reply.

[victor-eyd]

The breaker that tripped. What else is it handling? Perhaps its tied to some other item.

I can tell you that on my brother's house on Halloween last year I had 2 projectors + 2 dvd players and audio and all of the halloween decorations running off one outlet. It only tripped when I fed it a 3rd projector 

Another possibility is that your breaker is faulty. Have tried the same setup on another breaker in the house?

Victor

[Cherry Hills]

I think Victor's suggestion is a good one. Do some investigation here. What else goes off when the breaker trips? An electric water heater, perhaps? The swimming pool pump?

What you are running is not enough to blow a 15A breaker by itself, so either there is something else sucking a lot of power off that circuit, or something is wrong.

It is a really bad idea to replace the 15A breaker with a larger one to "solve" this. The breakers are sized to handle a safe amount of current on the wiring they are connected to. They only trip when they sense an unsafe load, so raising the safety limit without changing the wiring or knowing what the problem is could be a recipe for a house fire. Which your insurance company would refuse to cover because of the unsafe electrical modification.

[bmac]

Thanks.  Changing a circuit brreaker is not something I would do myself.  I should have said that I would have my electrician evaluate the problem and see if a larger capacity breaker would solve the problem.  And, I was probably less than accurate (as I usually am when talking about electricity) when I said that it tripped the breaker.  What actually occurs is the the GFC (the little reset button on the outlet) trips, not the breaker in the panel.

I do appreciate your warnings and will heed them.

[Danoplex II]

What actually occurs is the the GFC (the little reset button on the outlet) trips, not the breaker in the panel.

It could be possible that your GFCI is faulty.  I am not sure you have that much on the circuit to trip anything.  Of course if your wiring is laying in damp grass and the GFCI is tripping because of an actual electrical hazard that is a bit different.  I would be trippin if this were happening at the Danoplex...lol

Dano

[bmac]

No wet grass.  Outlet is inside the garage and the extension cord was on dry concrete.  As I mentioned before, the same thing happens when I use my electric smoker (which plugs into a different outlet on my deck but may be on the same circuit).  Now, the power draw from this at start up I'm sure is more than that of my theater components.  But the result is the same.  I just need to get my electrician out here to check this out.

[Danoplex II]

I just need to get my electrician out here to check this out.

I wish I lived closer to everyone on here!  Man, like the old barn raisings just think of what we could all do to help each other out.  Then enjoy ALL the Backyard Theaters in "The Club"

Dano

[mikebake]

I spread the power around to different outlets as much as possible; plus I carried along a Honda eu2000is to supplement "shore power" .
Now I just bring my own Honda eu6500is and run the whole show quietly and without any regard for what power is on site. You cannot even hear it run when you aren't right next to it, and it puts out cleaner power than the wall outlets. Solved, but at a price. (List 3900.00, bought mine new for aobut 3300.00 when they first came out. Also good for backup for the pwoer at home.)