We're going to have an open-air gig where we'll have to use electrical generator to power up our system. Here's the list of equipment we plan to use:
- 2x EV ZLX12P
- 1x FBT MAXX10SA
- notebook with MIDI controller (source of music)
- 2 or 5 channel mixer
- lightmaxx cls-3

I was wondering how powerful electrical generator should we get in order to make sure there won't be any problems? Where's the bottom end line in specifications? Could we actually damage the equipment if generator wouldn't output enough power?

Maybe I could get Honda EU10i and EU20i, so I was thinking to power up 1x FBT MAXX10SA with EU10i and everything else with EU20i (2x EV ZLX12P, notebook and mixer). Lights are optional. Do you think that could work? Could there be any grounding issues?

In fact I could even power notebook and mixer with 12V to 230V inverter from accumulators. In that case, it would look like this:
EU10i: 1x FBT MAXX10SA
EU20i: 2x EV ZLX12P
1000 W 12-230V inverter from acc: notebook and mixer

What do you think guys? Is that combination rock-solid?

Single, higher rated generators are always a better option for smaller rigs; Two generators = more noise, and more things to go wrong but they do have an advantage if one malfunctions, you can choose to run the essentials on the other and still keep the gig going, but honestly, a decently maintained Gene should not die mid gig.

There was a really good thread on here a few years back but I can;t find it now. Maybe have a search on google using tranceaddict as a search term?

And yes, I have yet to come across a mobile PA system that didn't have grounding issues the first time you set it up. Just make sure that you have plenty Shark ground loop isolators handy

we use a generac for our desert parties. it's somewhere in the 5000-6000 watt range, and it has always been enough to power the party a good 12hrs. it's noisy, so where you put it + long power cables makes a difference so you don't hear it over the music. It's my friends generator, so I don't remember exactly what the model number is, other than it's red, heavy, and good w/gas.

i don't remember every having grounding issues after i bought the m5g's. the old pair of techs we used to have were pretty beat up, and yeah they started to act up 'cause the grounding cables got messed up, and the contact in the tone arms got moody. when we started using cd players, we never had problems w/ground loops. the last couple of times we went out, a couple people brought traktor & mbp's and it went off just fine.

we have a furman in our rack tho... so that might have something to do w/it. the furman is connected to the generator, and the equipment is hooked up to the furman.

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Desert Parties? I must have mislaid my invite!

That's good going if you didn't have any grounding issues, but I suppose I'm talking about larger sound rigs which are 96 or even 192 channel setups, which you then combine with 3 phase power and large lighting/laser rigs and get a whole load of problems if not designed and tested properly.

Generac are hardcore - built like tanks.

I got everything loaded up except a generator. I'm in the works looking to buy.

Inverters are far better IMO have a cleaner power signal and less likely to cause weird issues... They do cost more but the honda series allows you to daisy chain multiple units.

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