Guy Holt

Don't lump a 16KVA generator with larger units like the Multiquips - the smallest of which is a 25KVA. There is not much need for bare end lugs on a generator that puts out only 37Amps a leg. They are more similar to a large Honda than a Multiquip, and you don't see bare end lugs on Hondas. They are configured how I have described them above. 16KVA generators are very common in this country. They are principally used in road construction and will quite often have a light tower attached. I agree, the OP really needs to give some additional information on how the particular 16KVA generator he will be using is configured in order for anyone to get specific. Short of that a step-down transformer is a guaranteed option. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting and Grip Rental in Boston

I have to agree with Ed Conley Small gen-sets like these don’t use camlocks so you can’t feed a film standard distro box? They are typically outfitted with two (2) 120V-20 amp GFCI duplex receptacles, Two (2) 240V-30 amp twist lock receptacles, and Two (2) 240V-50 amp twist lock receptacles. The problem Joe faces is that most 2.5 ballasts are configured to operate at 120V and are wired with a 60A Bates, even though the electronic ballasts can operate 240V. At 120V a Magnetic ballast will draw 28A, a Non-PFC Electronic ballast will draw 35A, and a PFC Electronic ballast will draw 23A. Where none of these ballasts will run on the 120V outlets provided on the generator, you have two options. You must either use an electronic ballast that will also operate 240V and replace it’s 120V 60A Bates plug with a 240V-30 amp twist lock receptacle of the same NEMA configuration as the generator output panel; or use a 240v-to-120v step down transformer like the one we manufacturer for our modified Honda EU6500is generators that put out 7500W. A transformer will convert the 240 volts supplied by 240V-30 amp receptacle back to 120 volts in a single circuit that is the sum of the two legs of the circuit. For instance, a 7.5KVA transformer will make a 60A/120v circuit out of the generator’s 30A/240v circuit that is capable of powering bigger lights, like a 2.5kw at 120V regardless if it is a magnetic or electronic ballast. If you do not familiar with the use of transformers, use this link - http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html#anchorTransformer/Distros%20verses%20Splitter%20Boxes - to a technical article I wrote for our company newsletter that explains how to use step-down transformers on set. . This article is cited in the just released 4th Edition of Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and featured on the companion website "Box Book Extras." Of the article Harry Box exclaims: "Great work!... this is the kind of thing I think very few technician's ever get to see, and as a result many people have absolutely no idea why things stop working." "Following the prescriptions contained in this article enables the operation of bigger lights, or more smaller lights, on portable generators than has ever been possible before." Since a transformer, in addition to enabling Joe to power his 2.5kw, can also give you access to more house power through common 240V house outlets, often eliminating the need for tie-ins or generators, it is well worth reading. The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lightng & Grip Rental in Boston

Though it is more technically oriented than the other books you cite, I highly recommend Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook." The greatly expanded 4th Edition just came out so make sure the one you get has the cover pictured below: As a bonus, Harry Box has put together a free companion website called "Box Book Extras." The website includes the source material used for the handbook, articles by Harry Box published in other periodicals, related websites, a list of production oriented i-phone apps, as well as more in depth discussion of topics touched upon in the handbook. For instance the section on generators (above) includes a detailed description of generator operation from the initial walk around inspection to proper shut down procedure. Other topics include basic troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical problems, grounding, and how to operate more lights on a putt-putt than has ever been possible before. Use this link for the informative "Box Book Extras." Best of all, there is a photo gallery of on-set photos and videos from all kinds of productions showing some really incredible rigs, cool lighting setups, great applications of technology and ingenuity of all kinds. You can log onto the site at http://booksite.focalpress.com/box/setlighting/ with the pass-code "setlighting." - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting and Grip Rental in Boston

Hey everyone, I just want to alert you that for the just released 4th Edition of his “Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook,” Harry Box has put together a free companion website called "Box Book Extras." The website includes the source material used for the handbook, articles by Harry Box published in other periodicals, related websites, a list of production oriented i-phone apps, as well as more in depth discussion of topics touched upon in the handbook. For instance the section on generators (above) includes a detailed description of generator operation from the initial walk around inspection to proper shut down procedure. Other topics include basic troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical problems, grounding, and how to operate more lights on a putt-putt than has ever been possible before. Use this link for the informative "Box Book Extras." Best of all, there is a photo gallery of on-set photos and videos from all kinds of productions showing some really incredible rigs, cool lighting setups, great applications of technology and ingenuity of all kinds. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting and Grip Rental in Boston

Hey Everyone, I still have some gear that I am selling to make way for new stuff. I have listed on ebay a practically new sales demo Desisti 4k Par system with Power Factor Corrected Flicker Free Electronic Ballast. This is a rare opportunity. Once this sells, you will not find a complete 4k Par System with the latest Power Factor Corrected Ballast technology from a major manufacturer for under $7000.00 again. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. As you can see from the screen grab of the present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Use this link for an informative newsletter article that explains the electrical engineering principles that make it possible for our modified Honda EU6500is to power bigger lights, or more smaller lights, than has ever been possible before of a portable generator. Enough lights, in fact, to constitute a complete location lighting package for DSLR HD Cameras This article is cited in the just released 4th Edition of Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and featured on the companion website "Box Book Extras." Of the article Harry Box exclaims: "Great work!... this is the kind of thing I think very few technician's ever get to see, and as a result many people have absolutely no idea why things stop working." "Following the prescriptions contained in this article enables the operation of bigger lights, or more smaller lights, on portable generators than has ever been possible before." The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting and Grip Rental in Boston, MA

No argument here that the greater Apparent Power of Lights with a poor Power Factor is negligible when using one light to fill someone against the windows of a high rise. The Leading Power Factor of sources like HMIs, Kinos, CLF lamp banks, and even LEDs, is a factor, however, when using them on generators. For the same reason that Kevan Shaw was not able to operate more than 270 Watts of CFL bulbs (15–18W bulbs) with a Power Factor of .5 on his 850W generator, Mike would not be able to operate just a couple of Jokers on a 1000W conventional generator. The harmonic currents that ballasts with Leading Power Factors kick back into the power stream can have a severe adverse effect not only the generator, but also other electronic equipment operating on the same power. The adverse effects can take the form of overheating and failing equipment, efficiency losses, circuit breaker trips, excessive current on the neutral wire, and instability of the generator voltage and frequency. Harmonic noise can also damage HD digital cinema production equipment, create ground loops, and possibly create radio frequency (RF) interference. These adverse effects, so graphically demonstrated in Kevan’s video, limits the total amount of Leading Power Factor loads, as compared to Unity Power Factor loads, that can be reliably operated on conventional generators. Mike would not have the same issues with the Power Factor corrected Arri Pocket Lites. Once again, it would be advantageous to have Power Factor Correction in the 1200 ballast because it would enable you to safely plug it into a standard 15A wall outlet, or operate it off of a small Honda Inverter generator. Drawing only 11 Amps (verses the 18 Amps required by standard electronic ballasts), a PFC 1200W ballast will enable you to safely plug a 1.2 HMI Par into both 20A, as well as the more common 15A, wall circuit. Where you quite often don’t know the rating of the wall circuit that you are plugging into, the lower draw of a PFC 1200W ballast will ensure that it will work where a standard electronic ballast will not. And, since it draws only 11 Amps, a PFC 1200W ballast will run more reliably on a Honda EU2000i as well. This combination can be particularly effective for lighting on remote locations. At only 46.3 lbs, you can grab the Honda EU2000i Generator and set off. And at, only 34 dBA at 50 ft. with a 1.2kw load, the Honda EU2000i Generator is so quiet that it won't be picked up on your soundtrack when used a short distance away. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lightng & Grip Rental in Boston

Jokers are great lights, and have some very innovative accessories. The one drawback to Jokers is that their ballasts are not Power Factor Corrected. Their poor Power Factor causes them to use power inefficiently and the harmonic currents that they kick back into the power stream can have a severe adverse effect on the power waveform of some generators. Since the poor Power Factor of Jokers is commonly overlooked because of their small size, I would like to take this opportunity to explain it in detail and show how it might impact Mike’s decision. If we look at the technical specifications for Joker Buglites, we see that the 120V electronic ballast that the Joker 200 uses has a Power Factor of .64. What that means is that it draws 2.6 Amps rather than the 1.66 Amps you would think using Ohm’s Law (W=VA.) The difference between the actual current drawn by the bulb, 2.6 Amps, and the 1.66 Amps a 200W bulb should draw using Ohm’s Law (W=VxA), is the difference between what is called “Apparent Power” and “True Power.” If, in this case, you were to measure the actual current (using a Amp Meter) and voltage (using a Volt Meter) traveling through the cable supplying the Joker 200 ballast and multiply them according to Ohm’s Law (VxA= W) you would get the “apparent power” of the bulb (120V x 2.6A = 312W). But, if you were to instead, use a wattmeter to measure the actual amount of energy being converted into real work (light) by the ballast of the Joker 200 you would get the “true power” of the bulb which in this case is specified by the manufacturer as 200W. The ratio of “True Power” to “Apparent Power” is called the “Power Factor” of the light. A favorite analogy electricians like to use to explain Power Factor is that if Apparent Power is a glass of beer, Power Factor is the foam that prevents you from filling the glass all the way up with beer. When lights with a low Power Factor are used, the distribution system must be sized to supply the Apparent Power (beer plus foam), even though only the True Power (beer) counts. With a Power Factor of .64, you must take into account that the Joker 200 ballast draws nearly 50% more power (312W) for it’s true power output of 200W. Used on wall outlets, this relatively inefficient use of power is negligible because the power draw of Jokers are low to begin with. However, the greater Apparent Power of lights with a poor Power Factor must be factored when using portable generators. For instance, with a total load of 680W, you would think that you could operate a lighting package consisting of a Joker 400, a Joker 200, and a couple of 40W 1x1 Litepanels, on a simple two stroke 1000W generator from Walmarts (400W+40W+40W+200W= 680W.) But, in fact, you would overload the generator. Like the Joker 200, the Joker 400 has a Power Factor of .64. You must therefore take into account that the Joker 400 ballast has an Apparent Power of 624W. Likewise with the 1x1 Litepanels. According to the manufacturer, the AC-to-DC power supply that Litepanel uses for their 1x1 fixtures has a Power Factor of .54 and so draws nearly twice the power (an Apparent Power of 75W) for it’s True Power output of 40W. If you were to use these lights on a Walmart 1000W generator, the total Apparent Power of 1086W (624W + 75W + 75W + 312W = 1086W ), would overload the generator because the “continuous load” rating of the All Power America 1000W Generator sold at Walmart is only 850W. The greater Apparent Power of Lights with a poor Power Factor is not the only consideration when operating them a generator. When you use lights sources like HMIs, Kinos, CLF lamp banks, and even LEDs, on generators it matters not only what type of ballasts the light uses, but also what type of generator you use to power it. The harmonic currents that ballasts with poor Power Factor kick back into the power stream can have a severe adverse effect on the power waveform of some generators. Normally, when you plug a HMI, Fluorescent, or LED light into a wall outlet you need not be concerned about the current harmonics generated producing voltage distortion. The impedance of the electrical path from the power plant is so low, the distortion of the original voltage waveform so small (1-3%), and the plant capacity so large, that inherently noisy loads placed upon it will not affect the voltage at the load bus. Left: Grid Power w/ 1.2Kw Arri non-PFC Elec. Ballast. Center: Conventional AVR Power w/ 1.2Kw Arri non-PFC Elec. Ballast. Right: Inverter Power w/ 1.2Kw Arri non-PFC Elec. Ballast. However, it is an all together different situation when plugging non-Power Factor Corrected HMI, Fluorescent, or LED ballasts, into conventional portable generators. Given the large sub-transient impedance of conventional generators like Walmart’s 1000W generator, even a small degree of harmonic noise being fed back into the power stream will result in a large amount of distortion in its’ voltage. Add to that, the fact that the original supply voltage waveform of a conventional generator, like Walmart’s 1000W generator, is appreciably distorted to begin with, and you have a situation where the return of any harmonic currents by an HMI, Fluorescent, or LED ballast will result in significant waveform distortion of the voltage at the power bus (see oscilloscope shots above.) The waveform distortion caused by these harmonic currents can have a severe adverse effect not only the generator, but also other electronic equipment operating on the same power. There is a video on You-Tube by a Lighting Designer by the name of Kevan Shaw that illustrates just this, but with CFL bulbs which have a similar Power Factor. In his You-Tube Video, “Compact Fluorescent verses the generator,” (available at ) Kevan Shaw compares the effect of equal wattages of CFLs and Incandescent lights on a small portable generator. In his test, he first operates a 575W ETC Source Four Leko with Quartz Halogen bulb on an 850W two stroke conventional gas generator without problem. However, when he tries to operate an equivalent wattage of CFLs (30-18W bulbs) the generator goes berserk. Only after turning off half the CFL Bulbs does the generator operate normally with a remaining load of 15 - 18W CFLs (270 W.) What accounts for the erratic behavior of the generator in this video under a smaller load of CFLs? It is a combination of the poor Power Factor of the CFL bulbs (.5) and the harmonic currents they generate. Even though the 15 CFL bulbs have a True Power of 270W (15 x 18W = 270W ), the Watt indicator on Kevan's generator indicates that they draw twice that in Apparent Power (535W), or have a Power Factor of .5 (270W/535W =.504.) The fact that CFL bulbs consume double the energy (Apparent Power) for the 18 Watts of light (True Power) they generate, is only half the story here. Kevan Shaw’s video also clearly demonstrates the severe effect that loads - like CFLs, HMIs, Kinos, & LEDS - with leading power factor can have on the governing systems of conventional generators. When Kevan turns off the 18W CFL bulbs one at a time until the generator stabilizes, he is not only demonstrating that 15 – 18W CFL bulbs has roughly the same Apparent Power (535W), according to the generator’s Watt meter, as a 575W incandescent light; but, also that the maximum Leading Power Factor load a 850W conventional generator can operate satisfactorily is 270 Watts (15 – 18W CFL bulbs). Looked at from another angle, 576 Watts of Apparent Power with a Leading Power Factor (16 - 18W CFL bulbs) overloaded the generator, while 575 Watts of Apparent Power with a Unity Power Factor (the 575W Quartz Leko) did not. What accounts for this difference? Since the load is almost the same (576 & 575 Watts of Apparent Power respectively), the only factor that can account for the generator going berserk with the equivalent load of CFL lights is the harmonic currents that they generate, that the Quartz Leko does not. Without a doubt, Kevan Shaw’s video is a clear demonstration of the adverse effect that harmonic currents have on the governing systems of conventional generators. For the same reason that Kevan Shaw was not able to operate more than 270 Watts of CFL bulbs (15–18W bulbs) with a Power Factor of .5 on his 850W generator, Mike would not be able to operate the package of Jokers and LED lights on a 1000W conventional generator. The adverse effects of the harmonic currents that non-PFC ballasts generate, so graphically demonstrated in Kevan’s video, limits the total amount of Leading Power Factor loads, as compared to Unity Power Factor loads, that can be reliably operated on conventional generators. For this reason, Mike might want to consider a 200W HMI like Arri’s Pocket Lite 200, that has Power Factor Correction, rather than the Joker 200. Power Factor Correction can be of tremendous benefit when operating HMIs on portable gas generators because a PFC circuit realigns voltage and current and induces a smoother power waveform at the distribution bus. Arri’s PFC circuit successfully increases the power factor of the Pocket Lite 200 to .98, making it a near linear load. As a result, the light uses power more efficiently with minimized return current and line noise and also reduces heat, thereby increasing their reliability. A package consisting of an Arri Pocket Lite 200, a Pocket Lite 400, and two 1x1 Litepanels would operate on the Walmart 1000W generator without difficulty. These power generation issues have been vexing set electricians for years. Use this link for an article I wrote for our company newsletter that explains the electrical engineering principles behind these issues and how to resolve them. This article is cited in the just released 4th Edition of Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and featured on the companion website "Box Book Extras." Of the article Harry Box exclaims: "Great work!... this is the kind of thing I think very few technician's ever get to see, and as a result many people have absolutely no idea why things stop working." "Following the prescriptions contained in this article enables the operation of bigger lights, or more smaller lights, on portable generators than has ever been possible before." The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lightng & Grip Rental in Boston

A Joker 200 won’t be enough to fill talent against windows and hold detail outside the windows. Without either gelling the windows or substantially boosting the light levels inside, or both, when you expose for your talent, your exterior will blow out. If you expose for the exterior to hold detail, your talent will be underexposed and become a near silhouette. Even a 1200W HMI won’t do it without gelling the windows. But, where a roll of 4 stop ND1.2 gel will set you back $140.00, it will be expensive and time consuming to gel the windows if there are a lot of them. In my experience, if you can’t gel the windows you probably need at least a 4k HMI par to pick up the interior levels in wide shots. And, if you know how you can run a 4k off of regular wall outlets. For example, my company, ScreenLight & Grip, lit a segment of a special two-hour program for British Television’s Channel 5 that presented the same problem that you are facing. Host June Sarpong interviewing a marine archaeologists The show told the story of the Whydah - a pirate ship that sank off Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago. In a unique TV experiment, marine archaeologists on Cape Cod dove to the wreck to salvage pirate booty live on air. In addition to the dive on the wreck, the program also included specially shot dramatic recreations of the story of the Whydah’s notorious pirate captain Black Sam Bellamy. To link between the modern-day adventures of the marine archaeologists and those of Black Sam Bellamy, co-presenter June Sarpong hosted marine archaeologists and pirate historians from a makeshift studio under a tent situated on a bluff overlooking the dive site. Host June Sarpong interviewing a marine archaeologists Where they wanted the dive site to serve as a backdrop to the makeshift studio, the show's producers wanted the Salvage Ship to be seen clearly on the water in the shots of June and her guests. This requirement created a similar interior/exterior contrast problem to the one you are facing. The task of balancing interior levels to exterior levels was further complicated by the fact that it was a clear sunny day. We rigged a couple of 4kw and 2.5kw HMI Pars into the frame of the tent in order to get them as close as possible to our subjects, but even then we didn’t have quite enough output to compete against the sun outside. A 4k HMI Par was rigged overhead as a key for each subject The final ingredient for success was a double net strung across the open backside of the tent. The net further reduced the contrast by bringing the exterior levels down and in line with the pumped-up interior. The trick in situations like this is to strike a delicate balance between the interior and exterior light levels so that the net disappears to the camera without the exterior becoming overexposed and losing important detail – the Salvage Ship out on the water in this case. Another advantage to netting the background is that it takes the hard edge off of HD. It creates the illusion of a shallower depth of field or the selective focus we associate with film. A double net was stretched across the open side of the tent facing out onto the water. Where it took a 4k Par on each of the talent, plus a double net across the back, you can see that you need a lot more light to balance interiors to exteriors than you will get from a Joker 200. The problem with using 4k HMIs is usually powering them. If you know how, you can plug them into wall outlets that are available on most locations. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting & Grip Rental, Boston, MA

I am afraid Michael is confusing our modification of the Honda EU6500is with the modifications done by other companies to 6500s. In the modification, to which Michael refers, the Stator of the generator’s alternator is re-tapped to provide a large 120V circuit to a Bates receptacle on the panel of the generator. In this modification, the Bates circuit is fused at 50 Amps so that you cannot draw more than 6000 Watts of peak load from it. And, it is not recommend that you draw more than the continuous rated load of the generator as it is configured for the US market which is 5500 Watts or 45.8 Amps. We take a very different approach with our modified Honda EU6500is. What we are doing is accessing additional power that is built into the generator for the UK market (1500 Watts more) and then stepping it down to 120V with our Transformer/Distro to give you the full power capacity of the generator in a much larger 60A 120V circuit capable of powering larger lights or more smaller lights than the other modification permits. How we modify the Honda EU6500is Generator is proprietary information. What I can say is that our Transformer/Distro is able to provide 7500 Watts in a single circuit because the capacity is already built into the machine by Honda. Because 120 Volts/20 Amps (2400 Watts) is the standard circuit for domestic power in North America, Honda outfits the generator for this market with a power output panel that is under-rated for the power generating capacity of the machine when you compare it to how Honda outfits the same generator for the European and UK markets where the standard circuit for domestic power is 230/240 Volts and 16 Amps (3680/3840 Watts). Where England and Ireland have not entirely conformed to the European Union Standard of 230 Volts, but still generate 240V power, Honda makes a version of this generator for the UK market (the EU65i) with two 240V/16A circuits (3840 Watts/circuit). To support markets worldwide, including the UK market, Honda has designed the base model of this generator to generate 7680 Watts (2x3840W/circuit = 7680W). When Honda configures this same base model with a power output panel for 120 Volt circuits for the North American Market, it is not fully utilizing the power generating capacity they have built into the machine for the worldwide market. What we do is "tap" the generator at a point that gives us access to the 7680 Watt capacity built into the machine for the world wide market. Our 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro then steps that down to a single 60A 120V circuit that is capable of powering larger lights or more smaller lights than you could otherwise. Of course there is a lot more to it, but that is the basic premise. Besides being able to power larger lights, our system has a number of other benefits that other modifications do not offer. For a more detailed explanation of the electrical engineering principles behind our HD Plug & Play System you this link - "http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Where our system simply accesses 240V power designed into the EU6500is generator by Honda for the UK market, Honda has no objections to it. In fact, our modification does not void the Honda warranty. Because the machine is factory equipped for this application, we do not have to install additional components or alter the physical appearance of the machine. All we do is “tap” the circuit already designed into the machine to supply 240V power and access it through the 240V 4 pin Twist-lock Receptacle already on the US model. The power output panel on the generator remains the same. The U-Ground receptacles and 120V/30A Twistlock receptacle on the panel remain hot. The original Honda 36 Month warranty that comes with the machine remains in effect. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting and Grip Rental in Boston MA

I am afraid that Stuart is confusing two issues: the higher “Apparent Power” of Electronic HMI ballasts and the higher striking current of Magnetic HMI ballasts. Magnetic ballasts draw more current during the striking phase and then they “settle down” and require less power to maintain the HMI Arc. For this reason you can’t load a wall circuit or a generator to full capacity with HMIs with magnetic ballasts because you must leave “head room” for their higher front end striking load. By contrast, an electronic ballast “ramps up.” That is, its’ current draw gradually builds until it “tops off.” But, unless the ballast is Power Factor Corrected (PFC), an electronic ballast will draw more current than a magnetic ballast of the same wattage. What makes the new Arri 1800W ballast so expensive is that it is Power Factor Corrected and so draws even less current than a magnetic ballast. Why ballasts of the same wattage will draw appreciably different current has to do with the Power Factor of the ballast. Since Power Factor Correction is not mandatory in this country as it is in Europe, you will encounter many non-Power Factor Corrected HMI, Kino, CFL, & LED power supplies. And since, the adverse effects caused by a poor Power Factor go beyond an inefficient use of power, it is well worth understanding Power Factor and why it should be corrected. Besides, it explains why the Arri 1800W ballast is so much more expensive than other electronic ballasts and is worth every penny. To understand Power Factor lets first look at a magnetic HMI ballast in more detail. Between the power input and the HMI lamp is a transformer that acts as a choke coil. The transformer provides the start-up charge for the igniter circuit, rapidly increasing the potential between the electrodes of the head’s arc gap until an electrical arc jumps the gap and ignites an electrical arc between the lamp electrodes – hence the higher striking current. The transformer then acts as a choke, reducing the current to the lamp to maintain the pulsating arc once the light is burning – hence the lower running current. Essentially a large coil of wire that is tapped at several places to provide for various input voltages and a high start-up voltage, the transformers of magnetic HMI ballasts exhibit high self-inductance. Self-inductance is a particular form of electromagnetic induction characteristic of coils (like those in magnetic HMI ballasts) that inhibits the flow of current in the windings of the coil. This opposition to the flow of current is called inductive reactance. In the case of a magnetic HMI ballast, the multiple fine windings of the ballast transformer induces appreciable voltage and considerable current that is in opposition to the primary current, causing the primary current to lag behind voltage, a reduction of current flow, and an inefficiency in the use of power supplied to it. Put simply, the ballast draws more power than it uses to create light. If, in the case of a magnetic ballast, you were to measure the current (using a true RMS Amp Meter) and voltage (using a Volt Meter) traveling through the cable supplying the magnetic HMI ballast and multiply them according to Ohm’s Law (W=VA) you would get the “apparent power” of the ballast. But, if you were to instead, use a wattmeter to measure the actual amount of energy being converted into real work (light) by the ballast, after the applied current overcomes the induced current, you would get the “true power” of the ballast. The ratio of “true power” to “apparent power” is a measure of the “power factor” of the ballast and is expressed by a number somewhere between 0 and 1. Where a typical 1200W magnetic HMI ballast takes 13.5 Amps at 120 Volts to generate 1200 Watts of light the power factor is .74 (13.5A x 120V= 1620W, 1200W/1620W= .74). The favorite analogy electricians like to use to explain power factor is that if apparent power is a glass of beer, power factor is the foam that prevents you from filling it up all the way. When using lights with a power factor (HMI, Kino, CFLs, & LEDS), you must size your distribution system and generator to supply the apparent power (beer plus foam.) By comparison to magnetic HMI ballasts, electronic HMI ballasts are quite a bit more complicated. In an electronic HMI ballast, AC power is first converted into DC. Then, a high-speed switching device (micro processor controlled IGBTs) turns the flat current into an alternating square wave. Hence, they are commonly referred to as square wave ballasts. Electronic square wave ballasts utilize solid state electronic components which use only portions of the input power sine wave. Put simply, they place a disproportionately larger load on the peak values of the power waveform. These devices then return the unused portions to the power stream as harmonic currents. As illustrated above, these harmonic currents stack on top of one another creating harmonic distortion that likewise creates an opposition to the flow of current, pulls the voltage and current out of phase, and when the power is supplied by a generator can lead to severe distortion of the voltage waveform in the power distribution system. For example, the power waveform below left is typical of what results from the operation of a 2500W non-Power Factor Corrected load (electronic HMI & Kino ballasts) on a conventional portable generator (a Honda EX5500 with a Barber Coleman Governor.) The severe harmonic noise exhibited here can cause overheating and failing equipment, efficiency losses, circuit breaker trips, excessive current on the neutral return, and instability of the generator's voltage and frequency. This harmonic distortion is called capacitive reactance. Since an electronic ballast also puts current and voltage out of phase with one another, it also has a power factor. An electronic square wave HMI ballast typically has a power factor less than .6, meaning the ballast has to draw 40 percent or more power than it uses. Where a typical 1200W non-power factor corrected electronic HMI ballast takes 18.5 Amps at 120 Volts to generate 1200 Watts of light the power factor is .54 (18.5A x 120V= 2220W, 1200W/2220W= .54). When using a lighting package with low power factor (like the pkg. of non-PFC electronic HMI & Kino ballasts depicted above), the conventional wisdom in the past has been to not load the generator beyond 75% for more than a short period. Where the maximum recommend continuous load on a 6500W generator is 5500W, the de-rated continuous load rating would be roughly 4000 watts. By de-rating the load capacity in this fashion, the Gaffer minimizes the adverse effects of high THD so that both the generator and the loads placed upon it operate more reliably. However, this conventional wisdom no longer holds true if the HMI & Kino ballasts are Power Factor Corrected and powered by an inverter generator. Left: Conventional generator power w/ pkg. of non-PFC Elec. HMI Ballasts & Kino Flo Wall-o-Lite. Right: Inverter generator power w/ Pkg. of PFC Elec. Ballasts & Kino Flo Parabeam 400. For example, the power waveform above on the right, is the same 2500W load but with Power Factor correction operating on our modified Honda EU6500is Inverter Generator. As you can see, the difference between the resulting waveforms is startling. Even though the load is the same, the fact that it is Power Factor Corrected, and the power is being generated by an inverter generator, results in virtually no power waveform distortion. What this means is that an inverter generator can be loaded to capacity with PFC HMI and Kino Flo ballasts. The substantial reduction in line noise that results from using PFC ballasts on the nearly pure power waveform of an inverter generator creates a new math when it comes to calculating the continuous load you can put on a portable gas generator (in the case of our modified Honda EU6500is generator a capacity of 7500 Watts.) As the oscilloscope shots above illustrate, Power Factor Correction can be of tremendous benefit when operating HMIs and Kinos on portable gas generators because a PFC circuit realigns voltage and current and induces a smoother power waveform at the distribution bus. PFC circuits successfully increase the power factor to as much as .98, making ballasts with it near linear loads. As a result, the ballast uses power more efficiently with minimized return current and line noise and also reduces heat, thereby increasing their reliability. A typical 1200W power factor corrected electronic HMI ballast takes 11 Amps at 120 Volts to generate 1200 Watts of light the power factor is .91 (11A x 120V= 1320W, 1200W/1380W= .91). Power Factor Correction makes the newest electronic ballasts, like the Arri 1800W ballasts, worth the extra money when it comes to lighting with portable generators. Where before you could not operate more than a couple 1200W HMIs with non-PFC electronic ballasts on a conventional generator because of the consequent harmonic distortion, now according to the new math of low line noise, you can load an inverter generator to capacity. And if the generator is one of our modified Honda EU6500is inverter generators, you will be able to run a continuous load of up to 7500W as long as your HMI and Kino ballasts are Power Factor Corrected. If you haven't already, I would suggest you read the article I wrote for our company newsletter on the use of portable generators in motion picture lighting. In it I cover some of the basic electrical engineering principles behind poor Power Factor, the harmonic distortion it can generate, and how it can adversely affect generators. These power generation issues have been vexing set electricians for years. Use this link for an informative newsletter article that explains the electrical engineering principles behind these issues and how to resolve them. This article is cited in the just released 4th Edition of Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and featured on the companion website "Box Book Extras." Of the article Harry Box exclaims: "Great work!... this is the kind of thing I think very few technician's ever get to see, and as a result many people have absolutely no idea why things stop working." "Following the prescriptions contained in this article enables the operation of bigger lights, or more smaller lights, on portable generators than has ever been possible before." The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lightng & Grip Rental in Boston

FYI, we modify the Honda EU6500is to provide 7500W of power in a Single 120V circuit capable of powering larger lights, or more smaller lights, than you could otherwise. The complete system consists of the modified Honda EU6500is generator and a film style 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro. Our 60A Transformer/Distro steps-down the enhanced 7500W/240V output of our modified Honda EU6500is to provide 7500W of power in a single 120V circuit. By providing full access to the 7500W capacity of our enhanced Honda EU6500is inverter generator, our system is not only capable of powering larger lights but also more smaller lights, than was ever possible before. Enough lights in fact to comprise a complete HD lighting package for the Digital SLR Cameras like the Canon D7 that’s taking over the industry. When you have a camera system like the D7 that offers a 35mm image sensor, interchangeable lens capability, and is capable of an ASA of 1000 without noticeable noise, you don't need much more light than you can run off our generator system. Taking advantage of recent advances in lighting technology we have also developed a special HD lighting package we call the HD Plug and Play Pkg. (HD P&P Pkg.) When combined with the production capabilities of our new Honda Gen-set System, our HD P&P Pkg. offers unprecedented production capability for HD Digital Cinema production. For example, our modified Honda EU6500is inverter generator with 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro is capable of simultaneously powering the 2.5kw, 1200, & 800 Watt Pars of our HD P&P Pkg., plus a couple of Kino Flo Parabeam 400s, Parabeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80. Given the light sensitivity of Digital SLR Cameras like the Canon D7, this constitutes a complete location lighting package for HD Digital Cinema productions. Visit our website at www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/hd_plug-n-play_pkg.html for more details and sample productions. Call (781) 326-5088 or email us at rentals@screenlightangrip.com for more information. Harry Box, author of the authoritative trade handbook “The Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook” has endorsed our HD Plug & Play Gen-set in the just released Fourth Edition of the handbook (see link above.) In addition, he has established a link from the companion website for the Fourth Edition of the Handbook, called “Box Book Extras,” to our company news letter article on “Portable Generators in Motion Picture Production” mentioned previously. The article is available on-line at www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting & Grip rental in Boston MA

Hey Everyone, I still have some gear that I am selling to make way for new stuff. I have listed on ebay a practically new sales demo Desisti 4k Par system with Power Factor Corrected Flicker Free Electronic Ballast. This is a rare opportunity. Once this sells, you will not find a complete 4k Par System with the latest Power Factor Corrected Ballast technology from a major manufacturer for under $7000.00 again. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. As you can see from the screen grab of the present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Use this link for an informative newsletter article that explains the electrical engineering principles that make it possible for our modified Honda EU6500is to power bigger lights, or more smaller lights, than has ever been possible before of a portable generator. Enough lights, in fact, to constitute a complete location lighting package for DSLR HD Cameras This article is cited in the just released 4th Edition of Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and featured on the companion website "Box Book Extras." Of the article Harry Box exclaims: "Great work!... this is the kind of thing I think very few technician's ever get to see, and as a result many people have absolutely no idea why things stop working." "Following the prescriptions contained in this article enables the operation of bigger lights, or more smaller lights, on portable generators than has ever been possible before." The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lighting and Grip Rental in Boston, MA

Sizing a portable generator for a lighting load can be very complicated. When you use lights sources like HMIs, Kinos, CLF lamp banks, & even LEDs, on generators it matters not only what type of generator you use but also what type of ballasts the lights use. The poor Power Factor and Harmonic Noise that magnetic and non-Power Factor Corrected electronic ballasts (HMI, Kino, CFL, & LED incld.) kick back into the power stream can have a severe adverse effect on the power waveform of some generators, but not others. Since Power Factor is commonly overlooked in choosing generators, I would like to take this opportunity to explain it in detail and show how it effects Adam’s choices. If we look at the technical specifications for the Kolbod 400SES, the electronic ballast that it uses (unit EWB 400) has a Power Factor of .54. What that means is that it draws 6.2 Amps rather than the 3.3 Amps you would think using Ohm’s Law (W=VA.) The difference between the actual current drawn by the bulb, 6.2 Amps, and the 3.3 Amps a 400W bulb should draw using Ohm’s Law (W=VxA), is the difference between what is called “Apparent Power” and “True Power.” If, in this case, you were to measure the actual current (using a Amp Meter) and voltage (using a Volt Meter) traveling through the cable supplying the Kobold EWB 400 ballast and multiply them according to Ohm’s Law (VxA= W) you would get the “apparent power” of the bulb (120V x 6.2A = 744W). But, if you were to instead, use a wattmeter to measure the actual amount of energy being converted into real work (light) by the ballast of the Kolbod 400SES you would get the “true power” of the bulb which in this case is specified by the manufacturer as 400W. The ratio of “true power” to “apparent power” is called the “Power Factor” of the light. A favorite analogy electricians like to use to explain power factor is that if apparent power is a glass of beer, power factor is the foam that prevents you from filling the glass all the way up with beer. When lights with a low power factor are used, a generator must be sized to supply the apparent power (beer plus foam), even though only the true power (beer) counts. With a Power Factor of .54, you must take into account that the Kobold EWB 400 ballast draws nearly twice the power (744W) for it’s true power output of 400W. The same is true when it comes to Kino Flos. According to Kino Flo’s website a 4’ – 4 bank fixture has an apparent power of 552W, or again draws nearly twice the power (a PFC of .54) for it’s true power output of 300W (4x 75W bulbs.) If you were to use both these lights on a Honda EU1000i, the total load 1292W (740W + 552W), would overload the generator because the continuous load rating of the Honda EU1000i, according to their website, is 900W. The greater Apparent Power of Lights with a poor Power Factor is not the only consideration when choosing a generator for motion picture lighting applications. When you use lights sources like HMIs, Kinos, CLF lamp banks, and even LEDs, on generators it matters not only what type of ballasts the light uses, but also what type of generator you use to power it. The Harmonic Noise that ballasts with poor Power Factor kick back into the power stream can have a severe adverse effect on the power waveform of some generators. It all depends on whether the light ballasts are Power Factor Corrected (PFC) and whether the generator is an inverter generator or a conventional AVR generator. Unless they are Power Factor Corrected, the Switch Mode Power Supplies that HMI, Kino, CFL, & LEDs use can cause them to use not only excessive amounts of power for the wattage of light they generate, but also to kick harmonics back into the power stream that can have a severe adverse effect on not only the generator, but also other electronic equipment operating on the same power. There is a video on You-Tube by a Lighting Designer by the name of Kevan Shaw that illustrates just this. In his You-Tube Video, “Compact Fluorescent verses the generator,” (available at ) Kevan Shaw compares the effect of equal wattages of CFLs and Incandescent lights on a small portable generator. In his test, he first operates a 575W ETC Source Four Leko with Quartz Halogen bulb on an 850W two stroke conventional gas generator without problem. However, when he tries to operate an equivalent wattage of CFLs (30-18W bulbs) the generator goes berserk. Only after turning off half the CFL Bulbs does the generator operate normally with a remaining load of 15 - 18W CFLs (270 W.) What accounts for the erratic behavior of the generator in this video under a smaller load of CFLs? It is a combination of the poor Power Factor of the CFL bulbs and the harmonic currents they generate. Even though the 15 CFL bulbs have a True Power of 270W (15 x 18W = 270W ), the Watt indicator on Kevan's generator indicates that they draw twice that in Apparent Power (535W), or have a Power Factor of .5 (270W/535W =.504.) The fact that CFL bulbs consume double the energy (Apparent Power) for the 18 Watts of light (True Power) they generate, is only half the story here. Kevan Shaw’s video also clearly demonstrates the severe effect that loads - like CFLs, HMIs, Kinos, & LEDS - with leading power factor can have on the governing systems of conventional AVR generators. When Kevan turns off the 18W CFL bulbs one at a time until the generator stabilizes, he is not only demonstrating that 15 – 18W CFL bulbs has roughly the same Apparent Power (535W), according to the generator’s Watt meter, as a 575W incandescent light; but, also that the maximum Leading Power Factor load a 850W conventional generator can operate satisfactorily is 270 Watts (15 – 18W CFL bulbs). Looked at from another angle, 576 Watts of Apparent Power with a Leading Power Factor (16 - 18W CFL bulbs) overloaded the generator, while 575 Watts of Apparent Power with a Unity Power Factor (the 575W Quartz Leko) did not. What accounts for this difference? Since the load is almost the same (576 & 575 Watts of Apparent Power respectively), the only factor that can account for the generator going berserk with the equivalent load of CFL lights is the harmonic currents that they generate, that the Quartz Leko does not. Without a doubt, Kevan Shaw’s video is a clear demonstration of the adverse effect that harmonic currents have on the governing systems of conventional AVR generators. For the same reason that Kevan Shaw was not able to operate more than 270 Watts of CFL bulbs (15–18W bulbs) on his little 850W generator, Adam may not be able to operate his lights on a 2000W conventional AVR generator. The adverse effects of the harmonic currents that non-PFC ballasts generate, so graphically demonstrated in Kevan’s video, limits the total amount of Leading Power Factor loads, as compared to Unity Power Factor loads, that can be reliably operated on conventional AVR generators. These power generation issues have been vexing set electricians for years. Use this link for an informative newsletter article that explains the electrical engineering principles behind these issues and how to resolve them. This article is cited in the just released 4th Edition of Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and featured on the companion website "Box Book Extras." Of the article Harry Box exclaims: "Great work!... this is the kind of thing I think very few technician's ever get to see, and as a result many people have absolutely no idea why things stop working." "Following the prescriptions contained in this article enables the operation of bigger lights, or more smaller lights, on portable generators than has ever been possible before." The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Lightng & Grip Rental in Boston

Hey Everyone, I still have some gear that I am selling to make way for new stuff. I have listed on ebay a practically new sales demo Desisti 4k Par system with Power Factor Corrected Flicker Free Electronic Ballast. This is a rare opportunity. Once this sells, you will not find a complete 4k Par System with the latest Power Factor Corrected Ballast technology from a major manufacturer for under $7000.00 again. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. As you can see from the screen grab of the present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, I still have some gear that I am selling to make way for new stuff. I have listed on ebay a practically new sales demo Desisti 4k Par system with Power Factor Corrected Flicker Free Electronic Ballast. This is a rare opportunity. Once this sells, you will not find a complete 4k Par System with the latest Power Factor Corrected Ballast technology from a major manufacturer for under $7000.00 again. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. As you can see from the screen grab of the present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. I am also selling a Sales Demo Arri 4K HMI Par Head with Flicker Free Electronic Ballast (use link to auction below for details.) This light offers many of the same advantages of the Desisti 4k Par, but the cache of the Arri name. The auction closes in just a couple of days. Demo Arri 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, I still have some gear that I am selling to make way for new stuff. I have listed on ebay a practically new sales demo Arri 4k Par Head with Flicker Free Electronic Ballast. This is a rare opportunity. Once this sells, you will not find a complete Arri 4k Par System for under $9000.00 again. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. But, as you can see from the screen grab of the auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions, so feel free to contact me to buy this item directly. You can buy it direct at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as it does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Arri 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Arri 4k Par is an especially good value because it was a sales demo and has only 4hrs on the head. It can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Arri 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Arri 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets (also pictured below.) New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino Unlike the old Lightmaker Ballasts you typically find on ebay, the ballast of this light operates at either 120V or 220/240V. The 120V feature of this ballast will allow you to operate a 2500W or 4000W, along with additional lights, off of common household outlets with our 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro. These newer ballasts make this head the brightest light that you can safely plug into wall outlets without the need for a tie-in or generator. It is a great light for low budget HD feature production for this reason. Use this link - http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/HDPP_Transformer.html - for more detailed information on operating 4ks on wall outlets. Please call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# with questions on how this works. If you miss us, call back. We will not return long distance calls. Or, send an email outside of the ebay messaging system to rentals@screenlightandgrip.com and I can send you a detailed explanation of how this works by email. 4k & 1.2ks HMI Pars powered from 30A/240V dryer outlet through step-down transformer/distro for Bose product demonstration video. The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 23 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, a package consisting of a 2.5kw Par and up to ten Parabeam 400s is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. 4k & 1.2ks HMI Pars powered from 30A/240V dryer outlet through step-down transformer/distro for Bose still shoot. When you compare to what a new system costs (lists for $20'680.00, sells for $15'633.88 at B&H Photo) you can see what a deal this is at such a low opening bid. At this price this light is sure to sell at this auction - so don't snipe. Bid early and lock in your price before some one else does. Bid with confidence. With over 100 transactions (15 of them over $2000.00) I have 100% positive feedback. This item is offered with a 7 day money back guarantee. I am also selling a Sales Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast (use link to auction below.) This light offers many of the same advantages of the Arri 4k Par, but without the Arri name. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Financing is available on items over $5000.00. I accept Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5#. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, I still have some gear that I am selling to make way for new stuff. I have listed on ebay a practically new sales demo Desisti 4k Par system with Power Factor Corrected Flicker Free Electronic Ballast. This is a rare opportunity. Once this sells, you will not find a complete 4k Par System with the latest Power Factor Corrected Ballast technology from a major manufacturer for under $7000.00 again. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. As you can see from the screen grab of the present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. I am also selling a Sales Demo Arri 4K HMI Par Head with Flicker Free Electronic Ballast (use link to expired auction below for details.) This light offers many of the same advantages of the Desisti 4k Par, but the cache of the Arri name. Demo Arri 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, I am selling off some Sales Demos to make way for new stuff. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auction. But, as you can see from the screen grab of the auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions, so feel free to contact me to buy this item directly. You can buy it direct at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as it does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Arri 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Arri 4k Par is an especially good value because it was a sales demo and has only 4hrs on the head. It can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Arri 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Arri 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets (also pictured below.) New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino Unlike the old Lightmaker Ballasts you typically find on ebay, the ballast of this light operates at either 120V or 220/240V. The 120V feature of this ballast will allow you to operate a 2500W or 4000W, along with additional lights, off of common household outlets with our 60A Full Power Transformer/Distro. These newer ballasts make this head the brightest light that you can safely plug into wall outlets without the need for a tie-in or generator. It is a great light for low budget HD feature production for this reason. Use this link - http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/HDPP_Transformer.html - for more detailed information on operating 4ks on wall outlets. Please call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# with questions on how this works. If you miss us, call back. We will not return long distance calls. Or, send an email outside of the ebay messaging system to rentals@screenlightandgrip.com and I can send you a detailed explanation of how this works by email. 4k & 1.2ks HMI Pars powered from 30A/240V dryer outlet through step-down transformer/distro for Bose product demonstration video. The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 23 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, a package consisting of a 2.5kw Par and up to ten Parabeam 400s is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. 4k & 1.2ks HMI Pars powered from 30A/240V dryer outlet through step-down transformer/distro for Bose still shoot. When you compare to what a new system costs (lists for $20'680.00, sells for $15'633.88 at B&H Photo) you can see what a deal this is at such a low opening bid. At this price this light is sure to sell at this auction - so don't snipe. Bid early and lock in your price before some one else does. Bid with confidence. With over 100 transactions (15 of them over $2000.00) I have 100% positive feedback. This item is offered with a 7 day money back guarantee. I am also selling a Sales Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast (use link to auction below.) This light offers many of the same advantages of the Arri 4k Par, but without the Arri name. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Financing is available on items over $5000.00. I accept Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Transfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5#. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

For those in the US' date=' this gear is still available. I have just relisted it on ebay (use link below to link to the site.) As you can see from the screen grab of my present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. [center'] Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast [/center] This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Trasfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

For those in the US' date=' this gear is still available. I have just relisted it on ebay (use link below to link to the site.) As you can see from the screen grab of my present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. [center'] Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast [/center] This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Trasfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, I am continuing to sell off some of my gear that I no longer need to make way for new stuff. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auctions. As you can see from the screen grab of my present ebay auction, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the link below the screen grab to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast This Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Trasfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, The Kino Wall-o-Lite and Flathead 80 Systems have sold. The ebay auctions for the Arri 1200 Par Plus and 3 Light Dedo Kit are closing soon (see below for details.) Use the links below the screen grabs to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Arri 1.2kw HMI Par Plus - Complete Sys - Great Cond. Dedolight 3 Head Kit - Complete - Great Cond. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Trasfers. The Arri 4k Par and Desisti 4k Par Systems (below) did not sell on ebay and will be relisted soon. Of course you can always make an offer on these systems before they are relisted. Demo Arri 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast The Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

Hey Everyone, I am selling off some of my gear that I no longer need to make way for new stuff. If you want added security, you can partake in the ebay auctions. As you can see from these screen grabs of my present ebay auctions, I have 100% positive feed back on my auctions so you can bid with confidence. You can buy directly at any time for the ebay opening bid amount as long as the item on ebay does not have a bid. Use the links below the screen grabs to connect to the auction site. If the auction pictured below has expired, be sure to search for the item on ebay because it will be relisted if it did not sell. Demo Arri 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Demo Desisti 4K HMI Par w/ Flicker Free Electronic Ballast Demo Kino Flo Flathead 80 – Complete System Arri 1.2kw HMI Par Plus - Complete Sys - Great Cond. Kino Flo Wall-o-Lite - Complete - Great Cond. Dedolight 3 Head Kit - Complete - Great Cond. The Desisti 4k Par is an especially good value and can serve as the backbone of a powerful HD lighting package when used in conjunction with our 7500W modified Honda EU6500is blimped generator. As long as there is a sun and moon in the sky there is the need for a large HMI like this Desisti 4k Par on interior and exterior sets because smaller HMIs, Kino-Flos, & LED panels don’t come close to balancing direct sunlight in day light scenes or covering deep background in night scenes. For powerful daylight fill on exterior sets, to create the feel of hard sunlight on interior sets, or to light deep background on night exterior sets, a dual wattage HMI Par like this Desisti 4k Par is invaluable because it will operate off our modified Honda EU6500is (pictured below) or off of regular wall outlets. New 7500W "Movie Blimped" Genny for Mole, Arri, Kino The Par configuration of this light not only gives you more output, but it is also extremely versatile. When you need a lot of light for fill on day exteriors you can lamp it with a 4k globe. To cut a hard window pattern, swap the standard spreader lenses for a Frosted Fresnel. When you don’t need the punch of a 4k Par, like on a night exterior, you can swap the 4kw globe for a 2.5kw globe giving you more power to run additional lights on a small portable generator. The 15 Amps you save by burning the smaller 2500W globe will power quite a few more lights when you consider that a Kino Flo Parabeam 400 uses only 2 Amps. For example, it is possible to power a lighting package that consists of PFC 1200, & 800 HMI Pars, a couple of Kino Flo ParaBeam 400s, a couple of ParaBeam 200s, and a Flat Head 80, in addition to this Desisti Par (with a 2.5kw globe) off of our modified Honda EU6500is Generator. Given the light sensitivity of HD Cameras, this is just about all the light you need to light a night exterior. Financing is available on items over $5000.00. For smaller items, I accept Paypal from confirmed addresses only as well as Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, and Wire Trasfers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at rentals@screenlightandgrip.com or call 781-326-5088, Ext 5# for the Rental Dept. All Prices are in USD and do not include shipping. You are also welcome to pick items up personally in Boston, but you will then be subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax. - Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston, MA

The problem with using the Ultrabounce to bounce the sun is 1) you need a sunny day, 2) it won't be consistent throughout the day, and 3) it will be hard to keep out of the shot. Three 1k lights and two Kino Flo Flat Head 80s won’t be enough to light talent against the windows and get the kind of detail outside the windows you want even if you gel the windows with ND gel. When shooting interiors with windows you have two basic problems: color temperature and contrast. In my experience you have to both gel the windows and substantially boost the light levels inside. Otherwise, when you expose for your talent, your exterior will blow out. If you expose for the exterior to hold detail, your talent will be underexposed and become a near silhouette. If the windows are not too large you should definitely cover them with a ND9 gel. The gel will knock down the level outside by three stops, so that the Kino Flos with 5500K tubes will be more effective as fill lights inside. Because you have put ND9 on the windows to balance the interior to the exterior, you are going to need a lot more than 3 - 1ks to light your talent through the windows. The 1ks when gelled blue won’t be very effective because the gel will only transmit 30% of the output making the 1KW a 300W Daylight source – so very little of it will make it through the ND9. You will need a good size HMI to punch through the ND9 from the outside. I would recommend you use a 4k HMI Par because it is the largest HMI that you can plug into a wall outlet. If you have any doubt that you will need a 4k, take a look at these production stills from an episode of “Electronic Field Trip,” an educational program that is broadcast on PBS and streamed over the internet to schools that I lit. Co-produced by Ball State University and the National Park Service, each episode of “Electronic Field Trip” features a different National Park. In addition to live satellite casting from the Carlsbad Caverns, this episode of “Electronic Field Trip” included then First Lady Laura Bush leading a 4th grade class garrisoned in the Mess Hall of the Navy Barracks overlooking the USS Constitution in science experiments related to cave geology. 

 Then First Lady Laura Bush leading a 4th grade class in a science experiment. Given the importance of their special guest and the scenic setting outside the windows, the show's producers wanted the USS Constitution to be seen clearly through the windows. Under the circumstances it was a difficult task to create flattering light on the First Lady, while balancing the interior lighting to the exterior, so that the USS Constitution would be seen clearly through the windows. Navy Mess Hall overlooking the USS Constitution and Boston Skyline seen clearly out the windows. What I did was rig Kino Flo Flat Head 80 fixtures (4’- 8 tube fluorescent lights) flush against the ceiling over each table as high frontal key lights for the participants around the tables. The lights were then dressed with black show card so that they looked as if they were permanent fixtures. Opposite wall of Mess Hall with Flathead 80s and book lights. To securely rig the Kino Flat Head 80 fixtures to the drop ceiling we used Porta-Grid Clamps (pictured below). A new style of drop ceiling clamp that I developed several years ago, which has been used on major network television shows like NBC’s ED, the Porta-Grid Clamp turns an ordinary drop-ceiling into a full-blown studio grid. We used our patented Porta-Grid Clamps to securely rig heavy Flat Head 80 fixtures into the drop ceiling of the Navy Mess Hall. To fill in this soft high frontal key light, we then rigged 6’x6’ book lights with 4k HMI Pars. A light source that large creates a wonderful soft light that doesn’t throw shadows, which was important because cameramen moved constantly back and forth in front of the book lights. Not only were the book lights very clean looking, with the light and hardware hidden from view, but if seen reflected in the large plate glass windows, they looked like a window on the opposite side of the room. The final ingredient was a layer of ND 9 gel on the plate glass windows overlooking the USS Constitution to bring the exterior levels down three stops and in line with the pumped up interior. A 4k HMI par bounced into ultrabounce and then through silk makes up a super soft booklight. Where we had the Flat Head 80 fixtures rigged right over the tables (not more than 8’ from talent), and 4k Pars bounced for fill, in addition to ND9 on the windows, these production stills clearly demonstrate that you are going to need more lights if you are going to hold detail outside the windows. The first thing I would do is fly a large silk over the outside of the window. This will take the direction out of the sun, so that you will have a consistent soft ambience through the window. I would then use a 4k HMI Par to light your talent through the window. I recommend a 4k because it is the largest HMI that you can use without needing a generator or tie-in. You should be able to get one with a magnetic ballast fairly cheaply, and you can use a a transformer/ distro to power it from a 240V wall outlet in the kitchen (use this link for how to operate 4ks off wall outlets: http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/HDPP_Transformer.html.) I would then use your 3 – 1k pars with partial correction to add some sunny highlights to the set and the Flat Head 80s with 5500K tubes to fill. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip , Boston

Not true. As I said above, when you use lights sources like HMIs, Fluorescents, & CLF lamp banks, on generators it matters not only what type of generator you use but also what type of HMI & fluorescent ballasts you use. To make matters worse, the information provided by generator manufacturers and dealers is woefully lacking - so much so, that I think it is by design. For this reason I have written an article for our company newsletter on the use of portable generators in motion picture production that answers your questions completely and then some you didn’t even know to ask. The article is available online at http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html An electrician I sometimes work with has summarized the part of my article that deals with just this question in a post on DVX User (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1789268#post1789268.) You have several options when it comes to operating a 2.5kw HMI off of a 6500W generator depending on the type of ballast and generator you use. Where electronic HMI ballasts are typically auto-sensing multi-volt ballasts (with an operating range of 90–125 & 180-250 Volts), you can plug it directly into the 240V 4 pin twist-lock receptacle on the generator and it will operate at 240 Volts (where 2.5 kw ballasts are typically wired with a 120V 60Amp Bates Plug (Stage Pin) you will need a 120V 60A Female Bates to 240V 4pin twist-lock adapter to plug a 2.5 kw ballast directly into the generator. Or, if the electronic ballast is power factor corrected (draws 23 Amps) you can plug it into the 30A/120V twist-lock receptacle on the generator’s power panel. If the electronic ballast is not power factor corrected (draws 35 Amps) you will not be able to run it off of the 30A/120V twist-lock receptacle without tripping it’s fuse. Even though a 2.5kw magnetic ballast draws approximately 26 amps you will not be able to run it reliably on the 30A/120V twist-lock receptacle on the generator’s power panel. That is because, as John Sprung correctly points out, even though the twist-lock receptacle is rated for 30 Amps, conventional 6500W generators are only capable of sustaining a peak load of 27.5 Amps per leg for a short period of time. Their continuous load capacity (more than 30 minutes) is 23 Amps per leg. And if there is any line loss from a long cable run the draw of a 2.5kw magnetic ballast will climb to upward of 30 Amps. To make matters worse magnetic ballasts have a high front end striking load. That is, a magnetic ballast draws more current during the striking phase and then they “settle down” and require less power to maintain the HMI Arc. By contrast, an electronic ballast “ramps up”. That is, its’ current draw gradually builds until it “tops off.” For this reason, you must always leave “head room” on the generator for the high front end striking load of magnetic ballasts. And to complicate matters even more, the lagging power factor caused by the inductive reactance of the magnetic ballast kicking harmonic currents back into the power stream causes spikes in the supply voltage that can cause erratic tripping of the breakers on the generator or ballast. (for a more detailed explanation of why that is I, again, suggest you read my newsletter article.) As others have already pointed out in this thread, the load of a 2.5kw 120V magnetic ballast is too near the operating threshold of a 6500W generator for it to operate reliably. The only sure way to power a 120V 2.5kw (or even a 4kw) HMI magnetic ballast on a portable gas generator is from its 240V circuit through a 240v-to-120v step down transformer like the one Ross Neugeboren mentioned in a post above. A Transformer can step down the 240V output of the generator to a single 60A 120V circuit that is capable of accommodating the high front end striking load, and even the voltage spikes, of either a 2.5kw or 4kw magnetic ballast at 120V. Use this link - http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html - for more information on the use of transformers with portable generators to operate larger HMIs. Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip, Boston