Heaters: Up size the electrical service so you can run electric space heaters near consoles and other work areas. They’re not much good for larger areas but make good “hand/foot warming stations.”
Diesel forced air heaters are the best for larger areas. They come with ducts so you can direct heat to where it’s needed. Make sure you know on their power requirements (for fans) ahead of time. Do not run combustion heaters inside of enclosed areas, and keep them away from flammable/meltable objects. (In an effort to warm up I once go too close to one of these heaters and melted part of my snow pants! )
Have tents with walls and try to keep heat in as best as possible.
With speakers, I was told years ago to try to “warm up” the speakers by running low level pink noise or music for a period of time before going from cold into a sound check or show, with the theory being that if any voice coils have become frozen will have a chance to warm up and free themselves. I have no proof that this works other than I can say I’ve had very few failures that could be attributed to the cold. Usually the damage is from melt water so again, watch for areas where water can pool.
As with all outdoor events being prepared is key and that extends to hiring technicians who are into working outdoors and have the proper attire to do so. With the right attitude and good planning working events outdoors in winter can be rather enjoyable.
Reply by James
And sell them on a lighting rig of conventionals…. There’s a reason why lots of companies up here seem to keep pars around.
Reply by Eric
You could move here to Florida, we cancel outdoor shows when it drops below 40. We had the kids get school delayed once because it was going to be 28 degrees in the AM.
Reply by John
Everything Matt said. He is spot on. Here in Ohio, last year I did a Christmas show/parade and at the start the temp was about 15 degrees and after 3 hours, it was in the single digits with a windchill of about 15 below zero. I could not believe that the wireless mics kept working. The batteries lasted just long enough. They were on one bar at the end of the event, Thank God.
So keep your batteries warm!!! And have wired backups ready to go. Tents and blankets are your friends, extra gloves, socks, hats, and boots, and CREW!!! If you can, have hot drinks available and rotate your people in and out of the weather if it is super cold.
At tear down, you are not going to coil cables, just pick them up and stuff them in the trunks and trucks and get them home to thaw out.
Good Luck. Cold SUCKS!!!!
Do you have any suggestions or ideas about this one? Click here to go straight to this forum thread to ask questions or add comments. Click here to access any of the forum categories.