Dual Source Power Distribution Unit For Floating Set Piece
This custom power caddy was designed for a moving set piece used by the Backstreet Boys for their residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
The set piece needed to “float” in the middle of the Sphere. To complete the floating illusion, the piece needed to be battery powered so that the on-board lighting and lasers could operate without any cables being visible. Power is based around a EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2. The panel acts as a transfer switch so that battery power can be used while the set piece is in the air and provide charging for the batteries when the piece is not in use. Power jacks for the batteries are provided at the bottom of the panel. A 20U rack section is provided on the right half of the caddy. Main shore power is supplied by a 50amp California inlet. 10 – 20amp True1 circuits (24 total Ture1 outlets) are provided for lighting and lasers. These circuits are provided by 2 Socapex cables that are wired into LM Tour Systems True1 – Socapex break out panels. A L6-20 outlet is also provided for a laser requiring 240v power. The Custom Integration department at LM Cases handled the fabrication and wiring of this system.
The caddy is built from ¾” Baltic Birch plywood and finished with black textured coating. 6 black recessed handles are provided to move the caddy. The caddy is designed to lay on its back and rest on steel rails within the set piece. 2 handles per side are orientated in a way to move the caddy into and out of the set piece. A perpendicular handle is located on each side to move the caddy when it is outside of the set piece. The face piece extends beyond the back box to act as flanges to interface with the set piece rails. HDPE plastic is mounted on the back of the face piece flanges to prevent damage to the plywood when loading and unloading the caddy.
For a Project Spotlight video on this caddy, CLICK HERE.
Special thanks to Daniel Jongen and Dan Mercer for a great project!