Truss podium/plinth for Chauvet 355z moving heads - Global Truss F34 or F24

[soundsalarming]

Hello everyone

As the title suggests I want to purchase truss/plinths for my Chauvet 355z moving heads. I have decided the 1.5m height is the balance after factoring in transportation issues.

The standard size is the F34 but am wondering about the F24. It seems cheaper and lighter but is it too small?

Any comments or opinions from those who have used or seen it are welcome.

Any suggestions for alternatives at this price point or cheaper are also welcome.


Thanks

[rth_discos]

I am also interested in this.

I found somewhere that F24 is decorative, but I would only be using it for light loads. And it's *much* cheaper.

[Benny Smyth]

You'll need to factor in the weight of your movers. Aren't they about 13kg? My Chauvet movers are about 13kg and I'd rather they were sitting on something sturdier.

[rth_discos]

OK, had a look at technical specs, and seems the F24 is totally fine for mobile DJ work: http://globaltruss.de/out/media/datasheet_F24_E(2).pdf

I'm not planning on hanging speakers etc from it as well as lighting - so unless I've totally misunderstood it, there's plenty of capability, even for a light show with say 6 moving heads on it.

[soundsalarming]

You'll need to factor in the weight of your movers. Aren't they about 13kg? My Chauvet movers are about 13kg and I'd rather they were sitting on something sturdier.

The Chauvet 355z is 12.4kg. Can you elaborate on what you mean by sturdier please?

[soundsalarming]

OK, had a look at technical specs, and seems the F24 is totally fine for mobile DJ work: http://globaltruss.de/out/media/datasheet_F24_E(2).pdf

I'm not planning on hanging speakers etc from it as well as lighting - so unless I've totally misunderstood it, there's plenty of capability, even for a light show with say 6 moving heads on it.

Thanks for the data sheet link. I checked it out and spec wise they seem strong enough. Im not surprised as I have seen moving heads on speaker stands before so a truss of any sort is surely stronger. What I am curious about is the real world issues - is it just too small aesthetically for large moving heads like the Chauvet 350 and 355z at 1.5m or 2m height? Any problems with uplighting, base plates and truss covers? Any advantages?

An advantage I have already identified is that it uses 35mm tubes which are the same as standard speaker stands meaning half couplers and snap couplers are the same size for both.

Hope you guys can share pros and cons from your experiences,

[Pe7e]

I'm not planning on hanging speakers etc from it as well as lighting - so unless I've totally misunderstood it, there's plenty of capability, even for a light show with say 6 moving heads on it.

I suggest you read the load table again, if you were to hang 6 x 13kg (78kg) moving heads from the F24 truss, you would be limited to a truss span of around 3.5 M before you reached its SWL. If you're using the truss as podiums the loading becomes a compression load and as such, would be totally adequate for an average moving head, BUT the small footprint of the truss base would result in it only having a small lean angle before it's centre of gravity moved outside it's base perimeter, and subsequently falling over.

[soundsalarming]

I suggest you read the load table again, if you were to hang 6 x 13kg (78kg) moving heads from the F24 truss, you would be limited to a truss span of around 3.5 M before you reached its SWL. If you're using the truss as podiums the loading becomes a compression load and as such, would be totally adequate for an average moving head, BUT the small footprint of the truss base would result in it only having a small lean angle before it's centre of gravity moved outside it's base perimeter, and subsequently falling over.

I think podiums are ideally put together a wide heavy base plate like the the global truss 80 x 80 multi baseplate (pricey!). If a f34 and f24 have the same size wider baseplate and a identical moving head on top, are they not going to have the same maximum lean angle before tipping over? Of course I totally understand if you mean just the standard baseplate roughly the same size as the truss (F34 is wider) but I think that is not a safe size for a base,

[rth_discos]

I suggest you read the load table again, if you were to hang 6 x 13kg (78kg) moving heads from the F24 truss, you would be limited to a truss span of around 3.5 M before you reached its SWL.

I would never have enough space for 3.5m... 2m is about the max I'd be looking at to ensure it's suitable for all venues.

So for most mobile work, the F24 seems fine.

[DJ Jules]

If I'm reading this right, you're going to use the truss as a plinth to put the heads on, not as truss to suspend them?

As a few have said, if you're using it as plinth, then you need to consider the compressive load on the truss and the size of the base to prevent it from falling over. If you're using it as truss, then you need to look at the maximum load ratings. From memory the F14 truss is the decorative one. From memory the maximum loads on the F24 truss are enough to support my weight several times over.

I've got 2 lengths of the F24 truss (as I can see you've spotted on my old thread) and it's fine for using as plinths for putting my movers on. Bear in mind though that my movers are LED fixtures, have a small base and weigh in at about 5Kg each, not 13Kg. I would think though that this would just have a bearing on the size and weight of the baseplate you need to make it stable as the truss itself will easily withstand the compressive and bending forces from this weight of fixture.

Cosmetically, I've always found the F24 fine. The F34 and F33 stuff does have a certain "chunkyness" to it which is appealing, but the price and storage/transport size of the F24 stuff made the decision for me.

Julian

[Benny Smyth]

The Chauvet 355z is 12.4kg. Can you elaborate on what you mean by sturdier please?

Something a bit heavier (I mis-typed as well - my movers are closer to 15kg). As I mentioned in this thread (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?42783-Truss-Podium-questions-opinions) the base plates I have a very heavy and the ladders are quite chunky too. My movers are heavy, fast and are £900 a pop, so I want something to be able to hold them without the slightest wobble. It's also worth considering dancers - when they bounce up and down, the plinths will wobble. Even mine wobble in that situation, but I feel confident enough that they'll stay upright.

[soundsalarming]

If I'm reading this right, you're going to use the truss as a plinth to put the heads on, not as truss to suspend them?

As a few have said, if you're using it as plinth, then you need to consider the compressive load on the truss and the size of the base to prevent it from falling over. If you're using it as truss, then you need to look at the maximum load ratings. From memory the F14 truss is the decorative one. From memory the maximum loads on the F24 truss are enough to support my weight several times over.

I've got 2 lengths of the F24 truss (as I can see you've spotted on my old thread) and it's fine for using as plinths for putting my movers on. Bear in mind though that my movers are LED fixtures, have a small base and weigh in at about 5Kg each, not 13Kg. I would think though that this would just have a bearing on the size and weight of the baseplate you need to make it stable as the truss itself will easily withstand the compressive and bending forces from this weight of fixture.

Cosmetically, I've always found the F24 fine. The F34 and F33 stuff does have a certain "chunkyness" to it which is appealing, but the price and storage/transport size of the F24 stuff made the decision for me.

Julian

Excellent info - Thank you. My moving heads are LED too - just bigger.

Do you (or anyone else) know how to calculate the base size required for a 1.5m f24 plinth with a 13kg moving head on top of it? Or a link to a page that addresses base sizes.

Thanks

[soundsalarming]

Can across this on an old ebay listing. 1.5m F24 truss plinth with 600 x 600 mdf base. what do you guys think of this setup? Is it safe?

1738017381

[DJ Jules]

Can across this on an old ebay listing. 1.5m F24 truss plinth with 600 x 600 mdf base. what do you guys think of this setup? Is it safe?



Well, it's what I'm using, but then my heads are only 3kg. For the weight of head you've got, I'd say no.

I did come across someone who went into the weight calculations many years ago, but I've no idea where now. It's basically about calculating the angle you'd need to get to before the whole lot went into freefall which is a case of looking at the weight you have on top vs the weight you have on the bottom. Google will probably come up with something...

Julian

[soundsalarming]

Well, it's what I'm using, but then my heads are only 3kg. For the weight of head you've got, I'd say no.

I did come across someone who went into the weight calculations many years ago, but I've no idea where now. It's basically about calculating the angle you'd need to get to before the whole lot went into freefall which is a case of looking at the weight you have on top vs the weight you have on the bottom. Google will probably come up with something...

Julian

Hello Julian (and everyone else)

So I got my truss uprights ages ago (August 2015) and they have sitting in their boxes as I was so busy (got married, did my own wedding setup - uplighting and all - not reccommended:daft:). I'm now looking to make wooden bases for them. You said you had something similar to the pics I posted in earlier post so hope you can help (or anyone else who knows).

How did you attach the connectors to the plywood?
Are they the conical ones that come with the truss or did you buy the half conical?
How thick is the plywood?

Thanks

[Pe7e]

How did you attach the connectors to the plywood?
Are they the conical ones that come with the truss or did you buy the half conical?
How thick is the plywood?
Thanks

I used 18mm exterior plywood around 600mm x 600mm square cut from 2 sheets of 2' x 4' purchased from Wickes, you would only need 1 sheet if you only have 2 bases to make. I used the half cones from the small standard base plates which were attached by drilling and countersinking 4 holes WITH THESE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252220594636?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) in the plywood and using 4 countersunk hex headed set screws around a little longer than he original screws similar to THESE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190726791172?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) I would have used 'Marine grade' plywood if any had been available locally it's less prone to distorting. Personally I think 600mm x 600mm bases are adequate for most LED moving heads, but you could always add extra weight to the bases if you considered it necessary. if you are unfortunate enough to have a pair of idiots kick off in front of your set-up, and they come crashing into your podiums, nothing short of bolting them to the floor is going to stop them falling over

[soundsalarming]

I used 18mm exterior plywood around 600mm x 600mm square cut from 2 sheets of 2' x 4' purchased from Wickes, you would only need 1 sheet if you only have 2 bases to make. I used the half cones from the small standard base plates which were attached by drilling and countersinking 4 holes WITH THESE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252220594636?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) in the plywood and using 4 countersunk hex headed set screws around a little longer than he original screws similar to THESE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190726791172?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) I would have used 'Marine grade' plywood if any had been available locally it's less prone to distorting. Personally I think 600mm x 600mm bases are adequate for most LED moving heads, but you could always add extra weight to the bases if you considered it necessary. if you are unfortunate enough to have a pair of idiots kick off in front of your set-up, and they come crashing into your podiums, nothing short of bolting them to the floor is going to stop them falling over

Excellent info! Thank you very much - I really appreciate it.

Had ordered 2 base plates for the top of the plinths and they are being delivered tomorrow. Seems I will have to order 2 more to get the half cones off them as they cost about the same as buying the cones alone (£25 for a base or 4 half cones at £6 each).

thanks again.